Touring in Australia
Whether you’re planning to play festivals or club shows in Australia, it’s important to get your visa in place and your tax details sorted early so you can hit the road and enjoy your tour down under.
A quick summary
Here’s an overview of some key things to be aware of before planning your Australian tour.
- If you are a UK musician travelling to Australia to work, you will usually need a Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) – Entertainment Activities stream.
- Applications often appear to process quickly, but the full process can take around 2–3 months, so you should apply well in advance.
- Touring musicians usually need consultation and an endorsement letter from the Musicians’ Union of Australia (MUA) as part of the visa process.
- You must have contracts or written proof of engagements for performances or work in Australia.
- Payments to foreign artists may be subject to PAYG withholding, meaning Australian tax can be deducted before you receive payment.
- If you do not quote an ABN (Australian Business Number) when invoicing, withholding can be as high as the top rate of tax.
- UK artists may claim Foreign Tax Credit Relief in the UK for Australian tax paid under the UK–Australia Double Taxation Convention.
Australia touring guidance for UK artists
On this page you find detailed information on:
- Visa & Entry Requirements
- Australia Tax for Touring Artists
- Double Taxation: Australia and the UK
- Practical Steps for Touring Artists
- Common Issues Touring Artists Encounter
- Checklist Before Touring Australia
- Official Links
- Further Help
Please Note: Laws, procedures, forms and fees can change year on year so please always check the official notes from the relevant government bodies for the most up to date information.
1. Visa & Entry Requirements
If you are travelling to Australia as a performing artist or part of a touring production, the usual route is the Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) – Entertainment Activities stream.
This visa is designed for:
- performing artists
- musicians
- production and technical staff (where eligible)
This visa replaced the previous subclass 420 entertainment visa.
Read the official guidance here.
How long does the visa process take?
Australian Home Affairs publishes estimated processing times which can appear relatively short.
However, in practice the full process often takes around 2–3 months, depending on:
- documentation
- consultation or endorsement requirements
- peak processing periods
For touring artists it is advisable to apply well in advance of travel.
Sponsor or supporter requirements
Home Affairs guidance states that applicants must be supported or sponsored, depending on the circumstances.
Commonly summarised guidance is:
- If applying outside Australia and staying less than 3 months, you may need a supporter.
- If staying more than 3 months, you may need a sponsor.
Requirements should be confirmed as part of the visa application.
Contracts and proof of engagements
Applicants must provide evidence of the work being undertaken in Australia, such as:
- contracts
- written engagement confirmations
- agreements with promoters or organisers
Even for non-profit engagements, you should be able to provide written evidence describing:
- who the organiser is
- what the engagement involves
- whether a fee is paid or expenses are reimbursed
Musicians’ Union of Australia consultation
For touring musicians, consultation with the Musicians’ Union of Australia (MUA) is usually part of the process.
The MUA reviews:
- engagement details
- working conditions
- employment standards
- “net employment benefit”
If satisfied, they issue an endorsement letter, which must be uploaded with the visa application.
The MUA charges an administration fee from AUD $154 per application.
Health insurance requirement
Applicants must hold adequate health insurance for the duration of their stay.
Many visas include a condition requiring you to maintain suitable health cover while in Australia.
Annual policies are often acceptable provided they cover the entire stay, but you should confirm that the policy meets Home Affairs requirements.
Costs to budget for
Fees can change, so always check official sources.
Typical costs may include:
- Visa application charge: $430 per person
- MUA consultation/endorsement fee: from AUD $154
- Fees charged by visa agents or migration professionals (if used)
Information needed for the visa application
Before starting the application, be sure to gather the following information :
Passport details
- Passport
- High-quality scan of passport photo page
Travel information
- Arrival date in Australia
- Departure date
Touring personnel list
For each person travelling:
- Full name (as shown in passport)
- Stage name (if applicable)
- Date of birth
- Passport country of issue
- Passport number
- Role within the touring party
Engagement details
For each performance or work engagement:
- Contract or written confirmation
- Name of organisation or employer
- Contact name and phone number
- Itinerary with dates and venues
Insurance
Evidence of health insurance covering the full stay
Authorisation (if applicable)
If someone else submits the application on your behalf, you must provide the relevant authorisation form.
2. Australian Tax for Touring Artists
Immigration and tax rules operate separately.
Even if you have the correct visa, Australian tax rules may still apply to payments for performances.
PAYG withholding
Australia commonly requires tax withholding from payments made to foreign residents.
This operates through the PAYG (Pay As You Go) system.
Under PAYG:
- the payer may withhold tax from your payment
- the withheld amount is sent to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
This means you may not receive the full invoiced fee, as tax may be deducted at source.
The payer is responsible for withholding and remitting the tax where PAYG applies.
TFN vs ABN: what artists need to know
TFN (Tax File Number)
A Tax File Number (TFN) is a personal tax identifier in Australia.
You may need a TFN if you:
- lodge an Australian tax return
- apply for certain tax processes such as a Foreign Resident Withholding Variation (FRWV)
Many touring artists apply for a TFN early because it can be needed later in the process.
ABN (Australian Business Number)
An ABN is used when operating as a business and invoicing for services in Australia.
Non-residents may be entitled to an ABN if they are:
- carrying on an enterprise in Australia
- making supplies connected with Australia
If you do not quote an ABN, the payer may be required to withhold tax at the top rate under “no ABN withholding” rules.
How long do TFN and ABN applications take?
Typical timelines are:
- TFN: around 1 month
- ABN: a further month
Timelines vary, so artists should start well in advance, especially if a withholding variation is needed before the first payment.
Foreign Resident Withholding Variation (FRWV)
If your tour involves significant expenses, you may apply for a Foreign Resident Withholding Variation (FRWV).
This allows withholding to be reduced so that it better reflects expected net income.
Information required for an FRWV application
You may need:
- copies of contracts (drafts are often acceptable)
- itineraries
- details of fees and per diems
- passport details and country of tax residency
- a budget of expected expenses (such as commissions, management fees, transport, accommodation, insurance, and promotion)
3. Double Taxation: Australia and the UK
The key principle
Under the UK–Australia Double Taxation Convention, income earned by UK artists from performances in Australia may be taxed in Australia.
However, if you are UK tax resident, the UK may also tax your worldwide income.
The treaty prevents double taxation by allowing credit for Australian tax paid.
How relief normally works
1. Australia taxes the performance income
Australian tax may be collected through withholding from payments made by promoters or payers.
2. The UK gives relief
The UK allows Foreign Tax Credit Relief (FTCR).
This means Australian tax paid may be credited against UK tax on the same income.
The credit allowed is the lower of:
- the foreign tax paid, or
- the UK tax due on that income.
Evidence you should keep
Artists should retain documentation showing:
- gross Australian income
- Australian tax withheld
- confirmation that the tax relates to the same income declared in the UK
Useful documents include:
- Australian payment summaries
- withholding confirmations from promoters or payroll agents
- Australian tax assessments (if applicable)
- contracts and settlement statements
Reporting this in the UK
UK artists usually claim relief through Self Assessment.
Typically this involves:
- declaring the income
- completing SA106 (Foreign pages)
- recording foreign tax paid and claiming relief
Exchange rates should be used to convert Australian amounts into GBP.
4. Practical Steps for Touring Artists
- Apply for the Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408)
- Ensure contracts or written engagements are in place
- Complete the MUA consultation process
- Arrange adequate health insurance
- Understand how PAYG withholding may affect payments
- Consider applying for TFN, ABN, or FRWV
- Keep documentation of income and withholding
- Declare income in the UK and claim Foreign Tax Credit Relief
5. Common Issues Touring Artists Encounter
- Underestimating visa processing timelines
- Not allowing enough time for MUA endorsement
- Confusion between immigration rules and tax rules
- Not discussing withholding before agreeing contracts
- Failing to keep documentation for UK tax claims
6. Checklist Before Touring Australia
Travel and immigration
☐ Passport valid
☐ Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) applied for
☐ MUA endorsement obtained
Contracts
☐ Engagement contracts or written confirmations
☐ Touring itinerary prepared
Insurance
☐ Adequate health insurance covering the full stay
Tax preparation
☐ PAYG withholding discussed with promoter
☐ TFN or ABN considered
☐ FRWV considered if appropriate
Documentation
☐ Contracts and invoices retained
☐ Withholding statements obtained
UK tax
☐ Income reported in Self Assessment
☐ Foreign Tax Credit Relief claimed
7. Official Links
Home Affairs – Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) – Entertainment Activities
Musicians’ Union of Australia – Temporary Activity Visa
ATO – Withholding if ABN not provided
ATO – Foreign resident PAYG withholding
ABR – ABN for businesses outside Australia
ATO – PAYG foreign resident withholding variation
8. Further Help
If you want more guidance or help in specific cases (e.g. a big tour, multiple crew, applying for withholding-rate variation, etc.), you might:
- Contact a tax professional in Australia, ideally one experienced with entertainers / foreign residents.
- Speak to your Australian promoter to consult with their accountant, especially regarding withholding obligations.
Disclaimer
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Rules for visas and taxation can change, and individual circumstances (tour length, number of gigs, payment arrangements, residency status, etc.) can affect what applies to you. Always check the latest official guidance and consider seeking professional advice for your specific situation.
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