It represents the industry to Australian governments, works with international partners, prepares project funding applications, and advocates for music making to the general public.
[6] It is a member-based organisation, comprising two main groups: wholesalers (including importers, distributors, and manufacturers) and retailers.
To join the association in these categories, the company must be significantly involved in manufacturing, distributing and/or selling musical instruments and technology.
[8] Executive officers have included: The AMA initially launched its quarterly magazine, Australian Musician,[b] in December 1995.
The aim of the magazine was "to inform, educate and entertain local musicians of all levels", and the print version was available for free at musical instrument retailers.
It has included interviews with musicians such as Tommy Emmanuel, INXS, Kate Ceberano, Wolfmother, Little Birdy, Paul Dempsey, and Dave Graney.
In December 2007, an all-female edition was produced by guest editor Clare Bowditch, with every single article was about female artists and every item in the magazine was written by women.
[34] The 2020 Melbourne Guitar Show featured a special livestream to celebrate Make Music Day Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic, which included well-known guitarists such as Anna Scionti, Nick Charles, and Dennis Jones[35][36] In 2023 the Guitar Show returned as a live event for the first time after a three-year hiatus.
Create NSW, Community Music Victoria, and the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia partnered with the association, and ambassadors for the event included Kate Ceberano, Lee Kernaghan, Sarah Carroll, Jack Howard, and Andy Baylor.
[49] In 2018–2019, the AMA made submissions to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts Inquiry into the Australian Music Industry.
This gives the organisation free access to the National Retail Association's support and services, including a hotline that gives advice and provides resources on matters such as rates of pay, leave entitlements, dealing with complaints about discrimination or sexual harassment, and many other issues.
[54] In 2001, AMA created an honour roll for people who have made a significant contribution to the industry over a long period of time, after their retirement, or posthumously to their families.