Live Music Incentive Changes: New Eligibility Thresholds From 15 March 2026

At a glance

• New performance thresholds apply from 15 March 2026 for venues on the Live Music and Performance Venue List.

• Metropolitan venues must hold at least 10 live music performances per month.

• Non-metropolitan venues must continue to hold at least 104 performances per year.

• Performances must run 45 minutes or more and occur after 6pm on weeknights or from midday on weekends to access trading incentives.

• Venues that will not meet the thresholds must notify Liquor & Gaming NSW by 15 April 2026.

• Record keeping remains mandatory and may be requested by regulators. These changes arise under the 24-Hour Economy Legislation Amendment (Vibrancy Reforms) Act 2025 and affect eligibility for fee concessions and live music trading incentives.

Who is affected?

The changes apply to venues currently on, or seeking to remain on, the Live Music and Performance Venue List.

For the purposes of this scheme, “metropolitan” includes Greater Sydney and the local government areas of the Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Wollongong. All other areas are treated as non-metropolitan.

New performance requirements

Metropolitan venues must host at least 10 live music performances per month and use a dedicated performance space where required.

Non-metropolitan venues must continue to host at least 104 live music performances per year. This requirement has not changed.

Requirements for trading incentives

To access live music related trading benefits, each qualifying performance must include at least 45 minutes of live music and occur after 6pm on weeknights or from midday on weekends.

If you will not meet the thresholds

Venues that will not satisfy the new requirements must notify Liquor & Gaming NSW by 15 April 2026 so they can be removed from the Live Music and Performance Venue List.

If removed, the venue will no longer receive the associated incentives, including the 80 percent annual liquor licence fee discount and live music related extended trading settings.

Record keeping obligations

Venues remaining on the list must maintain records of qualifying performances. These must be produced to Liquor & Gaming NSW compliance officers or NSW Police on request.

Authorities may also request performance records for a specified period and a statutory declaration confirming the required number of performances were held.

Practical takeaway for operators

Venue operators should confirm whether their venue is treated as metropolitan or non-metropolitan, review current programming against the new thresholds, ensure adequate records are kept for each qualifying event, and diarise the 15 April 2026 notification date if the thresholds will not be met.

If you would like assistance reviewing your eligibility or compliance obligations, please contact Jenkins Legal & Advisory.

This article is not legal advice, and the views and comments are of a general nature only. This article is not to be relied upon in substitution for detailed legal advice.

---