APRA is paying live royalties early, cutting costs during Cororavirus pandemic

We’re all stuck at home, but APRA is keeping the money moving.

The PRO is paying live performance royalties early this year, to help its thousands of members afloat during these bleak times.

Members will be paid a royalty in the May distribution, instead of the November distribution.

For its members who submitted 2019 performance reports and were paid in last November, the rights society will use the same data to pay out in May, rather than wait for November to roll around. There’s nothing more to do.

For those members who didn't submit reports, or get a live performance payment in November last year, check in with member services on writer@apra.com.au and “we’ll discuss your options,” a statement reads.

“We know we need to get money into the pockets of our members quickly and efficiently – we distribute domestic royalties quarterly and royalties coming in from overseas on a monthly rolling basis – effectively 16 distributions per year. Our commitment to this will not change," comments APRA AMCOS Chief Executive Dean Ormston.

The society’s early royalty payment is announced as APRA joins forces with ARIA and Screen Producers Australia on the Aussie Made campaign which, as its title would suggest, is calling on all digital delivery services to push content during this era of self-isolation.

“APRA AMCOS is not immune to the impacts of the crisis. We are looking at cutting costs across the business while not compromising our commitment to our members – getting more money to you as quickly and efficiently as possible,” adds Ormston.

“We are working with our sector colleagues, not just across the music sector, but also the broader cultural and creative industries to advocate to government for urgent financial assistance for both individuals and the breadth of businesses vital to the contemporary music industry ecosystem.”

The live music sector has entered an unprecedented shutdown, as the government orders the closure of thousands of spaces around the country where people hang out to try control the spread of the novel Coronavirus.

On the weekend, prime minister Scott Morrison announced gatherings would be further restricted to two people, with outdoor gyms and skate parks closed from today.

Clubs, bars and live venues were already closed under the tough new measures.

Read more on APRA's early payments here.