Aussie Musicians Struggle to Make Ends Meet, New Research Shows

The struggle for Aussie musicians is real, and the latest research from Musicians Australia confirms it. With nearly half of musicians making less than a living wage from their music, many are forced to take on multiple part-time jobs just to survive. This reality paints a stark picture of the challenges facing musicians in Australia today.

Rosie Jackson, a musician interviewed by Yahoo Finance, shared her story of juggling four non-music-related jobs along with her wedding singing and personal music career. She expressed frustration at the amount of extra work required to sustain her music career, highlighting the difficulty of making a living as a musician in Australia.

Playing at weddings is a significant source of income for many musicians like Jackson, but the industry’s inconsistency and lack of financial stability can take a toll. Despite the passion for music and the drive to succeed, the financial strain and uncertainty can push many artists to the brink of giving up on their dreams.

The research from Musicians Australia reinforces these struggles, with pay being cited as the biggest barrier to doing music full-time. Many artists are playing at unpaid gigs or receiving less than $250 per performance, despite investing significant time and effort in rehearsals and preparations.

Kimberley Wheeler, federal president of MEAA Musicians, pointed out that musicians are often treated unfairly and not properly acknowledged for their work. She emphasized the importance of ensuring musicians receive fair compensation for their performances and called for greater industry support to create win-win scenarios for both artists and venue operators.

While some progress has been made in advocating for a minimum fee of $250 per musician for public-funded gigs, there is still work to be done to improve the financial well-being of musicians in Australia. Venues need to do their part in paying artists fairly and respecting the value they bring to the live music scene.

The stories of struggling musicians like Rosie Jackson shed light on the challenges faced by artists in Australia and underline the need for greater support and recognition for their work. It’s time for the industry to come together to ensure that musicians can make a living wage and continue to pursue their passion for music without sacrificing their financial stability.