What this class covers
ANZSIC class 1620, Reproduction of Recorded Media, classifies businesses primarily engaged in the industrial-scale copying of pre-recorded content onto physical or digital media. This is a manufacturing process, not a creative one. The content itself—be it music, film, software, or data—has already been created and mastered by another entity, such as a record label or software publisher. Businesses in this class provide the service of mass-producing identical copies of that master onto formats like CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs, vinyl records, cassette tapes, or USB drives. This classification is used by Australian government agencies like the ABS for statistical reporting and helps define the scope of the manufacturing sector. It is distinct from publishing or content creation, which are service industries.
Typical Australian businesses operating within this class include a factory that presses thousands of copies of a newly released album onto vinyl records for a music label, a facility that duplicates a corporate training video onto USB sticks for a nationwide rollout, or a specialised service that replicates licensed software onto DVDs for retail distribution.
Primary activities in plain English
This class includes businesses mainly engaged in the following activities:
- Mass-producing copies of pre-recorded music onto compact discs (CDs) or cassette tapes.
- Duplicating pre-recorded films and television shows onto digital video discs (DVDs) or Blu-ray discs.
- Reproducing pre-recorded software, games, or data files onto CD-ROMs or other optical media.
- Copying any form of pre-existing audio, video, or data onto magnetic computer tapes or disks.
Exclusions and nearby codes
It is important to note which activities are not included in this manufacturing class. Businesses that create the original content or manage its publication are excluded.
- Publishing of software, music, or video (i.e., creating the original intellectual property and managing its rights and distribution) is excluded. These activities are classified within Division J: Information Media and Telecommunications.
- The original production and distribution of audio, motion pictures, or video content is also excluded and falls under Division J.
This class (1620) sits within Group 162 and Subdivision 16, which also includes traditional printing services, reflecting the historical and technical overlap in mass replication processes.
Practical guidance
For a business operating in this sector, your ANZSIC classification can affect several administrative areas. When registering for an Australian Business Number (ABN), you will likely need to select this class or its corresponding Business Industry Code (BIC 16200). This code should also be used when completing your Business Activity Statement (BAS) to ensure accurate reporting of GST for manufacturing activities.
For state-based matters like workers' compensation insurance (e.g., through WorkCover agencies), your premium calculations will be based on the risk profile associated with this manufacturing classification. When applying for certain business grants or industry support programs, your eligibility may be assessed against your ANZSIC code to determine if you operate within a targeted sector.
Always confirm your classification with the relevant authority or a professional advisor if your business activities span multiple areas, such as both manufacturing reproductions and distributing them, as this could involve additional codes.