Aussie Live Industry Produces $2.3B

Figures released June 19 by Live Performance Australia showed that the Australian live performance industry was worth A$2.5 billion ($2.34 billion) and contributed more than A$1.5 billion ($1.4 billion) to the Australian economy in 2012.

The data showed that 49.6 percent came from box office income, 28.9 percent from corporate support and 17.6 percent from government funding. The sector had 34,131 employees, which LPA pointed out is greater than the 20,439 employed in film and video.

The study also shows that the industry’s Value Added – the market value of goods and services produced by an industry, after deducting the cost of goods and services used – is A$1.53 billion ($1.43 billion). The states of New South Wales and Victoria comprise 65 percent of the total value of the industry in terms of industry output and value added.

Contemporary music was the largest in the sector. It generated A$830.9 million ($780 million) and, in terms of value added, contributed A$564 million ($529 million) to the Australian economy. It represents 36.9 percent of the total value add by the industry.

Musical theatre created output of A$371.8 million ($350 million) and value add of $186.3 million ($174.8 million), representing 12.2 percent of the total value add of the live performance industry.