New Triple J Report Highlights Gender Gap In The Australian Music Industry

As is the tradition on International Women’s Day, triple j’s Hack program has released its annual investigation into women in the Australian music industry.

The report shows results that are similar to those of the past three years studies, which suggests that the music industry is becoming a more inclusive environment for women but there’s still a long way to go.

When it comes to high power positions, the numbers held steady from last year, revealing that 65 percent of public board members on peak music bodies in Australia are men, with the ARIA public board remaining devoid of any female members.

The study also shows that women only make up 29 percent of the total group of people that listed themselves as a 'professional musician' in the past three Australian censuses.

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Festival statistics reveal that while three of the major Aussie music festivals increased their percentage of female acts or acts with at least one female in 2017, both Splendour In The Grass and Falls Festival’s percentage fell by 3 percent and 7 percent, respectively.

Laneway, Falls, Splendour In The Grass, Groovin The Moo and Listen Out festivals all maintain line-ups with less than 50 percent women performing.

The investigation into APRA members disclosed the gender pay gap in the Australian music industry with female APRA members earning, on average, $0.77 for every dollar earned by male members.

One of the more promising statistics is that females studying music in Year 12 have increased their majority share in the past year, making up 54 percent of the yearly cohort.

Concluding on a higher note, a look into grants awarded by the Australia Council For The Arts revealed that the gender split is the most balanced it’s ever been with 53 percent of grants being awarded to women, a 15 percent increase from 2016.