Why The Number Of International Acts Touring Australia May Take A Massive Dip

Substantial increases in visa processing fees for international acts will hurt Australia's live music scene, peak body Live Performance Australia (LPA) says.

LPA chief executive, Evelyn Richardson, has called on Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to overturn the increased fees, set to be introduced next month, after slamming the Turnbull government's decision to axe the long-standing group discount for entertainment visas for overseas touring acts. 

"Visa processing fees are being increased by up to 600 per cent which could stop touring artists from coming to Australia altogether," Richardson said.

"This is a massive money grab by the Government, which is being introduced under the guise of a new online visa processing system that is supposed to cut red tape and streamline visa approvals."

LPA claim that some of Australia's favourite festivals including Bluesfest and Splendour In The Grass will be hit hard when the changes come into effect.

"These new fees add significantly to the cost of touring Australia, and will act as a major disincentive for international artists to come here compared to opportunities in other markets," Richardson continues.

"Australians who go to a live performance event or who work in the industry will be the biggest losers under this new scheme, as well as those who work in local tourism and hospitality businesses especially in regional communities."

Though they handle around 20% of entertainment visa applications, LPA claims that the Department of Immigration and Border Protection has denied it the opportunity to participate in testing of the new system before it launches on 19 November.