Membership Benefits

Industry Advocacy & Negotiation

• AIR has played a lead role in the formation of the Worldwide Independent Network’s “Independent Manifesto”, a document that outlines the basis for cooperation in dealing with issues that affect the independent music sector on a worldwide scale.
• AIR advocates on behalf of the Australian Independent recorded music sector along with APRA AMCOS, ARIA, PPCA, Live Music Office and other leading bodies
• AIR negotiates with industry and government to facilitate deals for the benefit of the independent sector and broader industry
• AIR is an association member of the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) and is represented on the WIN board. As a member, AIR advocates and participates in global advocacy to protect the rights of copyright holders worldwide
• AIR has made significant submissions to the government concerning contemporary music policy. This includes a joint submission to propose a Federal Government cross-portfolio approach to contemporary music funding, support online copyright law reform and encourage the Australian Government to support strong IP laws through international trade agreements (Trans-Pacific Partnership).
• AIR has also made submissions supporting the continued funding of AMRAP, supporting the PPCA’s push for the removal of the 1% Cap, ensuring independent small businesses are represented in the National Cultural Policy and pushing for greater support of businesses investing in the arts.
• AIR responded to the Federal government’s parliamentary inquiry into the Australian Music industry in 2018 and provided a submission in response to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commissions’ final report into digital platforms inquiry.
• AIR is active in representing the independent recording sector at the leading music conferences.
• AIR members are offered the exclusive opportunity to participate in AIR’s collective bargaining arrangements, with VIMN’s Country Music channel CMT and Pedestrian Television’s 9Now channel Pedestrian Music and be remunerated for content that is broadcast. 
• AIR’s collective bargaining arrangements mark the first time the majority of independent labels and artists have access to music video royalties.

Governance

• Voting rights at AIR AGMs (Full Label Members only).
• Eligible to be nominated for a position on the AIR Board (Full Label Members only)

Annual AIR Independent Music Awards

• AIR members are offered the exclusive opportunity to nominate their Australian artists and releases for the annual AIR Awards
• AIR members are eligible to submit votes for the AIR Awards
• Associate, Full and Distributor members receive complimentary tickets to the invite-only AIR Awards
• All nominees and award recipients are announced and promoted nationwide via print, online and radio outlets, and globally via the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN). Coverage of the AIR Awards is strongly championed by Australia’s leading music industry publications.
• AIR also promotes all nominees and recipients through specialised broadcasts and AIR’s social media channels.

Development

• AIR holds an annual music industry conference called Indie-Con Australia, Artist members receive discounted tickets. Associate, Full and Distributor members receive complimentary ticket invitations as well as discounts for additional tickets
• AIR ran the Commonwealth-funded 4 year Women in Music Mentorship Program from 2020 to June 2024.
• AIR has conducted workshops for indie labels and indie artists at Indie-Con, BIGSOUND, Changes etc. AIR has also run workshops in conjunction with global companies such as YouTube Music, Spotify and Facebook.
• AIR has partnered with APRA AMCOS to deliver their Indie 101 national workshops which are designed to provide insights into the services that APRA and AIR provide as well as networking and professional development.
• Members receive exclusive invitations to AIR events (workshops, conferences, networking)

Information

• Access to AIR Members Resources (including documents from AIR and its partner organisations across the world)
• News and insights via AIR’s weekly newsletter and social media posts

Promotion

• Promotion of independent music through weekly Charts 
• AIR members receive priority consideration for new releases to be featured in weekly newsletter social media promotion including weekly New Release Spotify playlist (EPS, LPs prioritised)
• Regular and ongoing promotion of independent artists and labels via the AIR website and social media including a monthly spotlight on AIR Independent Labels

Opportunities, Discounts & Offers

• AIR members can access up to 69kg of FREE checked baggage (3 pieces of 23kg baggage) when travelling domestically within Australia on Virgin Australia (Excludes Economy Lite fares)*
• Industry Discounts (e.g. conferences such as BIGSOUND, Music Matters, etc)
• Since 2012, AIR has led a trade mission for independent label delegates to the annual Indie Week conference in New York City (supported also by SOUNDS AUSTRALIA and PPCA). The event, run by A2IM (American Association of Independent Music), has become one of the most important gatherings of the worldwide independent music industry on the calendar. AIR members receive invitations to register for Indie Week and take up WIN exclusive discounts to other global industry conferences throughout the year. 
• Exclusive offers from Friends of AIR and access to Friends Of AIR presentations/workshops
• Connect with the independent music community
• Global networking opportunities are offered through AIRs Worldwide Independent Network WINHUB program
• Since 2024, thank to support from Music Australia, AIR Label members can apply for International Conference Funding.