Skip to content

I am a performer in the entertainment industry. What are the effects of the new entertainment industry act 2013 and the accompanying regulations on my line of work?

On 1 March 2014, the Entertainment Industry Act 2013 and associated Regulations came into force. New changes have now been enacted which will benefit all performers, agents and managers in NSW when entering into entrainment industry agreements.

These new laws are important as performers are often in weak bargaining positions and may often be disadvantaged in situations where their representatives or agents act for them as well as for the venues. A better understanding of the new laws will allow performers as well as their representatives to engage in fairer working arrangements as well as more functional relationships.

Under the new laws, the following documents need to be provided to performers, the parents of child performers and performer representatives:

  • An “Information for Performers” fact sheet must be provided to all performers by their agents before agreeing to perform under any entertainment contracts;
  • Another fact sheet must also be provided to the parents of child performers in order to inform them of the rights and responsibilities that relate to any entertainment contracts that they may enter into;
  • A “Code of Conduct” document must be given to performer representatives to ensure that such representatives are made aware of the their ethical responsibilities when dealing with performers.

In order to help performers and their representatives understand the implications of the new laws, webinars have been set up by the NSW Industrial Relations body. These webinars cover a range of topics including:

  • The “Code of Conduct” and how to comply with it;
  • Information that needs to be given to employers;
  • Managerial agreements and any relevant cooling off periods;
  • General entertainment industry agreements and how fee caps apply;
  • Information about licensing and bonds including how to remove them.

“Information for Performers” fact sheet

This fact sheet is very useful in outlining all the rights and responsibilities of performers under the new laws. A better under understanding of your rights may prevent you from being exploited in your role as a performer and may also reduce potential disputes with your representative over a misunderstanding of the law.

This fact sheet provides information of the following areas:

  • The role of a performer representative;
  • The fees that a performer representative may charge you;
  • An explanation of an entertainment industry managerial agreement;
  • What a cooling off period is;
  • When you can expect to be paid;
  • Information for child performers and parents of child performers;
  • The Code of Conduct;
  • The status of existing contracts entered into before the new laws were enacted.

This fact sheet may be accessed at:

http://www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au/biz_res/oirwww/pdfs/Fact_sheet_for_performers.pdf

Conclusion

With these new laws being enacted, it may be in your best interests as a performer to understand the changes in your rights and obligations in relation to your representative(s) and under the law generally.

Register for our free webinars

Franchisor Compliance Update: Code Obligations from November 2025

Online
Stay compliant with the new franchising updates from November 2025. Register for our free webinar.
Register Now

Avoiding NDIS Pitfalls: Key Breaches and How to Prevent Them

Online
Understand NDIS pitfalls and reduce the risk of breaches affecting your business. Register for our free webinar.
Register Now

Demystifying M&A: What Every Business Owner Should Know

Online
Understand the essentials of mergers and acquisitions and protect your business value. Register for our free webinar.
Register Now

Social Media Compliance: Safeguard Your Brand and Avoid Common Pitfalls

Online
Avoid legal pitfalls in social media marketing and safeguard your brand. Register for our free webinar.
Register Now
See more webinars >
Lachlan McKnight

Lachlan McKnight

CEO | View profile

Lachlan is the CEO of LegalVision. He co-founded LegalVision in 2012 with the goal of providing high quality, cost effective legal services at scale to both SMEs and large corporates.

Qualifications: Lachlan has an MBA from INSEAD and is admitted to the Supreme Court of England and Wales and the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

Read all articles by Lachlan

About LegalVision

LegalVision is an innovative commercial law firm that provides businesses with affordable, unlimited and ongoing legal assistance through our membership. We operate in Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

Learn more

We’re an award-winning law firm

  • Award

    2025 Future of Legal Services Innovation Finalist - Legal Innovation Awards

  • Award

    2025 Employer of Choice - Australasian Lawyer

  • Award

    2024 Law Company of the Year Finalist - The Lawyer Awards

  • Award

    2024 Law Firm of the Year Finalist - Modern Law Private Client Awards

  • Award

    2022 Law Firm of the Year - Australasian Law Awards