Music Australia presents The Bass Line. This industry-wide survey aims to further our understanding of the cross-sectional nature of work and income for people, businesses, and organisations working in the music industry, including music education and dedicated services supporting the music industry.

Whether you’re a musician, manager, venue operator, educator, promoter, label, publisher, technician, agent, producer, festival worker, or part of the broader music ecosystem, your contribution helps build the most complete picture of our industry.

Even if you’ve completed The Bass Line survey in the past, it’s important that you take part again this year.

The music industry is constantly evolving, and annual participation helps us track changes, identify emerging trends, and ensure the data reflects the realities of the sector today.

What is The Bass Line?

The Bass Line is the first nationally consistent analysis of the economic contribution of Australia’s music industry. It provides critical evidence about the size, value and impact of music across the country, informing industry advocacy, policy development and future investment.

The Bass Line 2nd edition was published in May 2026 and found that in the previous financial year, the Australian music industry:

• generated $10.76 billion in revenue

• contributed $4.28 billion in direct gross value added (GVA) to the Australian economy

• delivered $1.08 billion in music export revenue.

These findings were only possible because more than 1,000 individuals and businesses shared their experiences and data.

Now, we’re inviting all musicians, music businesses and music workers to contribute to The Bass Line Survey – Edition III, covering the period from July 2025 to June 2026 (FY2025-26).

This project can only succeed with broad industry participation.

Every response helps ensure the results accurately represent the diverse experiences of people working across Australia’s music industry, from established businesses to emerging practitioners, and from metropolitan centres to regional and remote communities.

The core survey should take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete, although it may take a little longer for those working across multiple areas of the industry.

You’ll also have the opportunity to answer additional questions if you have time.

The survey is anonymous and confidential, and you will not be asked to provide your name.

You can find further information about The Bass Line, and other research on our website.

Thank you for helping Music Australia build a stronger understanding of Australia’s music industry.