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A young DJ playing at a backyard party under festoon lights
I need a DJ · free

Need a DJ?
Post it.

Birthday in the backyard, work do, a wedding, your mate's 30th. Post it, local DJs put their hand up, you pick one and we swap emails. That's it. Free.

We're just the introduction.

Post your gig

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DJs: make a free profile to put your hand up.

Local DJs

Know-how

How to get the most from "I need a DJ"

How it works

Got a backyard birthday, a work do, a wedding or your mate's 30th? Post it. Local DJs with a free profile put their hand up, you pick one, and we email you both each other's address and step out. That's the whole job. We're a free noticeboard, not an agency or a booker, and we never take a cut. Hosts and DJs must be 18 or over.

Fees, deposits, gear, set times, insurance and who brings the extension cord are all between you two. We don't check licences, insurance or skills, so chat first and trust your gut.

Write a post DJs want to answer

Brief your DJ properly

Once you've picked someone, a good brief is the difference between a great night and a DJ guessing. Send it in writing so you're both looking at the same thing.

  1. Run sheet: arrival time, set-up, start, speeches or key moments, finish, pack-down.
  2. Must-plays: five to ten songs you'd be gutted not to hear.
  3. Do-not-plays: just as important. Exes' songs, anything that upsets Nan.
  4. Space and power: indoor or outside, distance to a power point, cover if it rains.
  5. Gear: who supplies speakers, mic for speeches, lights and leads.
  6. Volume: neighbours, venue limits, any curfew.
  7. Logistics: parking, loading access, a drink and a feed for your DJ.
  8. Money: the fee, any deposit, when the rest is paid, and what happens if either of you cancels.

What should I pay?

Honest answer: we couldn't find an official or industry body in Australia that publishes standard DJ rates, so we're not going to make numbers up. Rates depend on hours, travel, gear, experience and the day of the week. The fair way to land on a number is to post your budget, let DJs reply, and talk it through.

If you're paying a deposit, check the name on the account or PayID matches the person you've been talking to. Scamwatch says if it doesn't match, don't pay [1]. Watch for anyone asking for gift cards, crypto or several different accounts [1].

Music licences for bigger events

A private party at home is one thing. If you're putting on a public event, like a ticketed night, OneMusic Australia says organisers of concerts, festivals and other events "will almost certainly need licences" [2]. Their events page doesn't spell out the rules for private functions, so if you're unsure, ask OneMusic directly [2].

DJs: how to put your hand up well

Does Blackout Room take a fee?
No. We never take a cut and no money goes through us.
Do you vet DJs?
Posts and profiles get a human check before they show, but we don't check licences, insurance or skills. Chat first.
What's a fair DJ fee?
We couldn't find an official published rate, so agree it directly. Post a budget to make it easier.
Do I need a music licence for my party?
Public events almost certainly need OneMusic licences [2]. For private functions, check with OneMusic.
Something feels off. What do I do?
It probably is. Stop, don't pay, and email us so we can pull the post. You can report scams to Scamwatch [1].
Sources
  1. Buying and selling scams, Scamwatch (National Anti-Scam Centre). https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/buying-and-selling-scams (checked 2026-10-26)
  2. Event music licences, OneMusic Australia. https://onemusic.com.au/licences/events/ (checked 2026-10-26)
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