APRA AMCOS NZ — APRA AMCOS NZ

Collecting society profile6 min readLast reviewed 2026-07-01

APRA AMCOS NZ (APRA AMCOS NZ) is a performing rights organisation in new zealand. Businesses playing music publicly must hold a licence from APRA AMCOS NZ. Track Studios' AI catalog is not registered with APRA AMCOS NZ — venues using Track Studios are not invoiced.

Overview

APRA AMCOS NZ (APRA AMCOS NZ) is a performing rights organisation that licenses the public performance of musical compositions (melodies and lyrics). Founded in 1926, it operates in new zealand and manages licensing for businesses that play music publicly.

Founded
1926
Type
Performing rights (compositions)

Combined Licence: OneMusic NZ

APRA AMCOS NZ and RMNZ offer the OneMusic NZ as a single combined licence. Apply for OneMusic NZ.

How APRA AMCOS NZ Fees Are Calculated

APRA AMCOS NZ uses tariff codes to calculate fees by venue type. Examples: Restaurant (OneMusic NZ Restaurant): approximately NZD 240–400/year. Fees are typically calculated on the basis of seats.

Venue TypeTariff CodeBasisTypical Annual Cost
RestaurantOneMusic NZ RestaurantseatsNZD 240400/year

Apply for APRA AMCOS NZ licence

How to Avoid APRA AMCOS NZ Fees

Businesses can avoid APRA AMCOS NZ fees by using music that is not registered with APRA AMCOS NZ. Track Studios uses an AI-generated catalog that is not registered with APRA AMCOS NZ or Recorded Music NZ — venues using the included catalog are not invoiced.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is APRA AMCOS NZ (APRA AMCOS NZ)?
APRA AMCOS NZ (APRA AMCOS NZ) is a performing rights organisation based in new zealand. Founded in 1926, it collects fees from businesses that play copyrighted music compositions publicly and distributes them to rights holders.
Does my business need an APRA AMCOS NZ licence?
If your business plays commercially released music in a public-facing space — restaurant, shop, gym, hotel lobby, etc. — you are legally required to hold an APRA AMCOS NZ licence (and a separate licence from Recorded Music NZ). Using Track Studios' included AI catalog exempts you from APRA AMCOS NZ licensing for that music.
How does APRA AMCOS NZ calculate its fees?
APRA AMCOS NZ calculates fees based on factors including venue size, number of seats, or annual turnover depending on the venue type. Contact APRA AMCOS NZ directly for a quote.
Can I avoid APRA AMCOS NZ fees legally?
Businesses can avoid APRA AMCOS NZ fees by using music that is not registered with APRA AMCOS NZ. Track Studios uses an AI-generated catalog that is not registered with APRA AMCOS NZ or Recorded Music NZ — venues using the included catalog are not invoiced.
What happens if my business plays music without an APRA AMCOS NZ licence?
APRA AMCOS NZ can issue a civil claim for back-fees covering the period of unlicensed use, plus additional damages. APRA AMCOS NZ employs field inspectors who visit businesses unannounced to verify compliance.

About Track Studios

Next steps after researching APRA AMCOS NZ

Track Studios is a browser-based background music platform for businesses. It includes an owned royalty-free AI catalog, scheduling, announcements, Sonos-friendly stream workflows, multi-location controls and subscription documentation for active locations.