Insurance Council Of Australia Calls For Public Liability Reforms In New Report

A number of representatives from venues, festival bookers, ticketing outlets, insurance companies, and the Australian Live Music Business Council (ALMBC) have come together to support a newly-launched report from the Insurance Council Of Australia (ICA) this week.

Launched in Sydney on Wednesday, October 15th, the new report sees the ICA calling on the federal and state government to undertake urgent reforms to outdated state and territory laws which have driven up insurance costs for business throughout the country.

The report notes that state-based civil liability laws haven't been reviewed in almost 25 years and have thus been adding increased pressure onto industries which need to rely on public liability insurance – including live music venues, festival operators, caravan parks, and amusement venues.

A press release issued by the ICA notes that claims have become "more complex, costly, and drawn out by settings under state laws," which have in turn seen the average cost of public liability insurance increasing by up to 60% since 2019.

Victorian venue the Sooki Lounge has been outspoken in regard to the rising cost of public liability insurance, having noted its "killing us all" in 2024. That year, owners claimed that they had previously seen a rise in the insurance costs from $12,000 to $50,000 despite “no previous claims over 10 years of operation.”

In May of this year, Sooki Lounge's Stephen Crombie added proof to the ICA's figures, explaining that their insurance costs had risen from $15,000 in the pre-Covid era to $60,000 in 2025.

“I don't blame the insurance companies as much as they're mega businesses,” Crombie said at the time. “It's pretty simple, if the government does not get involved here and come in and govern and underwrite the industry on some level at a profit, it's not rocket science, we're not gonna be around.

The newly-released report, also identifies three areas for reform which have been having the most significant impact on rising costs, including those related to psychological injuries, legislation governing dangerous recreational activities and obvious risks, and increasing cost of worker to worker public liability claims.

"Insurers have been working with businesses facing affordability pressures and challenges accessing insurance, but it is clear improvements to civil liability settings are needed to ensure they remain fit for purpose," said ICA CEO Andrew Hall. 

"The industries and businesses most impacted are often a driver of tourism and economic activity and contribute significantly to their community's economy and culture. After nearly 25 years, it is the appropriate time to review civil liability laws to ensure public liability insurance is on a sustainable footing and continues to provide the security businesses rely on."

"The recommendations in this report are based on wide ranging feedback, including from our thousands of members in cities and towns across the whole continent," added ALMBC Chair, Howard Adams. "And the recommendations represent a great opportunity for Federal and state governments to work together for the benefit of a struggling live music industry."

The full report can be found on the ICA's website.