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Implement ‘Michael’s Rule’: Require International Touring Artists to include an Australian Artist among their Opening Acts
- Indah Johannes
- Jun 17
- 5 min read
Author: Indah Johannes, Anirudh Sastry | Publish date: 17/06/2025
Problem Identification:
In Australia, international performing artists often perform with international support acts.
In 2024, major artists touring Australia, such as Taylor Swift, Harry Styles and Olivia Rodrigo, all featured supporting acts by international artists.
This means that local Australian artists may miss the opportunity to gain exposure and experience by supporting international acts. The Association of Artist Managers (AAM) has stated every major tour that excludes a local opening act is a ‘major missed opportunity to allow local audiences to discover local artists.’
Context:
International artists need to apply for a Temporary Activity Visa under the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) to conduct their tours in Australia. Currently, there are no provisions outlining that international touring acts must have local Australian artists in their opening act.
In 2024 it was reported that 36% of Australians passed up a concert and 27% skipped a music festival. However, according to the first of the Listening In research series by Music Australia, ‘Listening In: Insights on live music attendance’:
Australian music is highly valued and may be easier to see live than international acts. But while there is a keenness to see more Australian live music, many may be prioritising rare international acts as they are seen as a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity.
Thus, Australian audiences in 2025 are more likely to prioritise and attend tours of international acts as they are considered rarer opportunities.
To increase the exposure of local Australian artists, the Association of Artist Managers (AAM) proposed Michael’s Rule at the 2024 AAM awards. Michael’s Rule includes 3 main pillars:
‘Every international artist must include an Australian artist among their opening acts.’
‘The Australian artist must appear on the same stage as the international artist, using reasonable sound and lighting’, and
‘The Australian artist must be announced at the same time as the tour so that they benefit from all the marketing and promotion.’
The AAM, the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), the Australian Live Music Business Council, Music Australia and others, including leading concert promoters, have expressed their support for Michael’s Rule. ARIA and the CEO of Phonographic Performance Company of Australia have stated that Michael's rule ‘provides huge opportunities for Australian artists via support slots, which can connect our artists with whole new fan bases’. AAM have further emphasised that this, in turn, could help them to financially support themselves and grow the Australian music industry. Moreover, AAM have argued this should be ‘reinstated at this time of “crisis” for the homegrown music community.’ Reportedly, hundreds of Australian artists have already endorsed Michael’s Rule.
There is domestic precedent for reform designed to prioritise and support Australian talent in the arts. In May of 2025, NSW became the first state to adopt measures to su
pport Michael’s Rule, where ‘the NSW Government will reduce the venue hire fee by $20,000 for each eligible show across the Venues NSW Network, and a $5000 reduction at Sydney Opera House.’ At the federal level, there are similarly aimed reforms. Under the Australian Communications and Media Authority Program Standards, commercial free-to-air television stations are required to air at least 55% Australian content on their primary channel between 6 am and midnight. If Australia implemented Michael’s Rule federally, this could be a world-leading reform.
Solution Identification:
Amend subclass 408.229A of the Migration Amendment (Temporary Activity Visa) Regulation 2016 (Cth) to introduce 3 new visa eligibility requirements for international touring acts to incorporate ‘Michael’s Rule’.
This could help Australian artists gain more exposure and provide more support to homegrown talent.
Advice:
The Minister for Home Affairs and the Arts should amend subclass 408.229A of the Migration Amendment (Temporary Activity Visa) Regulation 2016 (Cth) to introduce 3 new visa eligibility requirements for international touring acts to incorporate ‘Michael’s Rule’, as recommended by the AAM.
Public Support:
Association of Artist Managers (AAM), including all its members.
261+ AAM members: Tame Impala, Vance Joy, Amyl & The Sniffers, Budjerah, G Flip, Powderfinger, Teskey Brothers, Paul Kelly, Spiderbait, Alex the Astronaut, Kate Miller-Heidke, Graace, Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil, Birds of Tokyo, Gotye, Missy Higgins, The Presets, Panama, Touch Sensitive, Ta-Ku, Chillinit, George Alice, One Four, Telenova, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, Bodyjar, Boy & Bear, Dan Sultan, Jack River, Ocean Alley, Tash Sultana, The Amity Affliction, The Rions, Violent Soho, Styalz Fuego, Ball Park Music, Kasey Chambers, Andy Golledge, Miss Kaninna, John Butler Trio, The Waifs, San Cisco, Thelma Plum, Karnivool, The Paper Kites, Grinspoon, Electric Fields, Dobby, Grievous Bodily Calm, Ngaiire, Wallace, Eleanor Dixon, RVG, Good Morning, The Avalanches, Sampology, The Living End, Something For Kate, Paul Dempsey, Baker Boy, Vika & Linda, Liz Stringer, Vacations, Alex Lahey, Folk Bitch Trio, breathe, WALKER, Yb and hundreds more.
Where to go to learn more:
Michael’s Rule – Read about AAM’s explanation of the Rule and its support here.
AAM Unveils ‘Michael’s Rule’ to Help Rebuild a Music Community in ‘Crisis’ – Read the article here.
A New Rule Could Ensure Australian Artists Get to Support Global Acts – Read the article here.
Billboard, Australia’s Music Biz to Support Michael’s Rule – Read the article here.
Migration Amendment (Temporary Activity Visas) Regulation 2016 - Read the legislation here.
Human Perspective:
Violet had always been passionate about music. Growing up in a small coastal town in Australia, she spent most of her days writing songs, performing in local venues, and dreaming of one day playing on the world’s biggest stages. She faced what most musicians do and struggled to afford her bills as she poured her time and efforts into advancing her music career. But as she entered the competitive world of the music industry, she quickly realised that it wasn’t just talent that opened doors – it was opportunity. And those opportunities, it seemed, were often reserved for international acts. Watching her heroes perform on stages in Australia with their international support acts left Violet feeling like a bystander in her own country. The Australian music scene, vibrant and full of talent, was missing crucial opportunities to showcase its own artists alongside global stars. To protect the anonymity of those involved, this is a fictionalised account drawn from an amalgamation of real-life stories, experiences, and testimonials gathered during the research process for this brief. Any resemblance to actual individuals is purely coincidental.
Conflict of interest/acknowledgment statement:
N/a
Support
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Reference list:
Lochrie, C. (2024, May 3). A New Rule Could Ensure Australian Artists Get to Support Global Acts. Tone Deaf. https://tonedeaf.thebrag.com/michaels-rule-aam-initiative-australian-artists-international-tours-support/
Brandle, L. (2024, May 3). AAM Unveils “Michael’s Rule” to Help Rebuild Music Community. The Music Network. https://themusicnetwork.com/aam-michaels-rule-promoters/
Department of Home Affairs. (2019). Immigration and Citizenship. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-activity-408/entertainment-activities
Department of Home Affairs. (2019).Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) Entertainment Activities stream.
Department of Home Affairs. (2021). Migration Act 1958. https://www.legislation.gov.au/C1958A00062/2021-03-22/text
Support Act (2022). Mental Health and Wellbeing in Music and Live Performing Arts survey results. https://supportact.org.au/individual-support/mental-health-and-wellbeing-support/mental-health-survey/
Free TV Australia. (2025). Industry Standards. https://www.freetv.com.au/what-we-do/industry-standards/
Burke, K. (2024, January 17). Australia joins international call for local content quotas on streaming TV platforms. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2024/jan/18/australia-joins-international-call-for-local-content-quotas-on-streaming-tv-platforms
Williamson, J. (2025). “I’d have to be crazy if I did it strictly on a financial basis”: Musicians, autonomy, and compromise in the digital age. Popular Music and Society, 48(2), 145–161. https://doi.org/10.1080/03007766.2025.2455302
Evans, D. (2024, August 16). Artists, theatre owners confront dire cost-of-living spending slump leaving industry on the brink. News.com.au. https://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/australian-economy/artists-theatre-owners-confront-dire-costofliving-spending-slump-leaving-industry-on-the-brink/news-story/8e5bfd6595cef7233b50446a5cab1de9
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