Generally, when TAFEs want to play music for non-educational purposes they will need to take out a licence from OneMusic. However, there may be instances where TAFEs can use alternative sources of music such as:
- free music available under Creative Commons licences or
- alternative music licences to those offered by OneMusic.
Music licensed under Creative Commons is free whereas alternative music licences to those offered by OneMusic are much cheaper than those offered by the music collecting societies.
Free music available under Creative Commons licences
TAFEs can use Creative Commons licensed music free of charge provided you comply with the terms of the licence. The minimum requirement of the Creative Commons licences is attribution – that is, acknowledging the copyright owner and creator when you use a copy of their work. See the Creative Commons for Educators Information Pack for further information on Creative Commons licences.
Set out below are websites where you can search for Creative Commons licensed music
| Vimeo | Online community with option to search for CC content |
| SoundCloud | Online sharing platform with option to filter search results for CC content |
| Jamendo | CC music distribution site |
| CcMixter | CC sound remix tool and archive |
| Magnatune | CC record label |
| CCHits | Collaborative podcast where users can contribute, find, and share music under CC licences |
| Freesound | Collaborative database of sounds |
| SoundTransit | Archive of “field recordings” from various locations around the world published under a CC Attribution licence |
| Kompoz | Online artists community collaboration |
| Musopen | Open classical music/jazz and sheet music |
| iBeat | Free beats, loops and breaks samples |
| CC Trax | Directory of free music |
| AudionautiX | Free production music |
| FMA | Free collection of audio works |
| Purple Planet | Music for online videos |
| Incompetech | Selection of music which you can search by genre or feel |
| Bump Foot | Collection of techno, trance beats and electronic dance music |
Alternative music licences to those offered by OneMusic
Some copyright owners offer an alternative and cheaper licence than those offered by OneMusic. These licences are offered as a cheaper alternative since they do not require either or both of the music collecting societies that are part of OneMusic (APRA and PPCA). If you have any questions on the music licences your TAFE requires, please contact your CAG TAFE representative or the National Copyright Unit.
Set out below are examples of alternative music licences to those offered by OneMusic that can be utilised by TAFE institutes, fitness centres and cafes and restaurants
| Audio Network | Online store for direct licenced sound recordings |
| Visual Sounds | Music on hold, restaurants/cafes, fitness centres and background music |
| Music on Hold | Music on hold |
| AKM Music | Music on hold |
| Pond5 | Music on hold |
| Bensound | Music on hold |
| Power Music | Fitness centre music |