Ticketlink
Ticketlink is a Cairns Regional Council-owned ticketing service, established in 1995, that serves as the sole authorized ticket seller for three council venues (CPAC, Tanks Arts Centre, Munro Martin Parklands) in Cairns and Far North Queensland, processing online, phone, and in-person ticket sales for cultural and live performance events.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersCairns, Australia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Ticketlink does
Ticketlink is the official ticketing service for Cairns Regional Council in Queensland, Australia, established in 1995 and wholly owned and operated by the Council. It functions as the sole authorized primary ticket seller for three council-managed venues: the 941-seat Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC), Tanks Arts Centre (Tank 5, capacity ~650 standing/480 seated), and Munro Martin Parklands (outdoor amphitheatre). The platform serves local residents, tourists, schools, community groups, and touring event promoters (including Opera Queensland, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Bangarra Dance Theatre, and the Australian Festival of Chamber Music) seeking access to live performances, concerts, theatre, comedy, and cultural events in the Cairns and Far North Queensland region.
The core platform is built on the Nliven event ticketing system, which the company migrated off and replaced with a mobile-first, user-friendly platform transitioned between July and December 2025. The new system provides 24/7 account access, self-service booking history, real-time updates, and is certified to SOC2 Type 2, PCI-DSS Level 1, and UK Security Essentials standards. Distribution is multi-channel: a 24/7 online platform, a telephone booking service (1300 855 835), an in-person box office at CPAC, and regional agencies across Far North Queensland. Marketing channels include the company website, email newsletter, Facebook, and joint venue partnerships.
Ticketlink earns revenue primarily through a 5% booking fee per ticket (capped at $2.10), a $2.50 per-ticket exchange/refund fee where promoters permit, and gift voucher sales in $50, $100, or custom denominations valid for three years. Group discounts are offered for bookings of 10+ people, with additional complimentary teacher tickets for school groups. The service is positioned as a community-focused government utility rather than a profit-maximizing commercial operator, with no external equity, no venture funding, and no disclosed financial figures.
Ticketlink firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ticketlink
- Legal name
- Cairns Regional Council (operating as Ticketlink)
- Website
- https://ticketlink.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Ticketlink is a Cairns Regional Council-owned ticketing service, established in 1995, that serves as the sole authorized ticket seller for three council venues (CPAC, Tanks Arts Centre, Munro Martin Parklands) in Cairns and Far North Queensland, processing online, phone, and in-person ticket sales for cultural and live performance events.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ticketlink industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Event Ticketing Services
- NAICS
- Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Primary Ticketing Platforms & Box Office Systems (MPAGAJAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Event Promotion & Talent Buying (Promoters) (MPAGAJAC), Event Discovery, Listings & Calendar Platforms (MPAGAJAL), Ticketing Technology & Integrations (APIs, Plugins, Webhooks) (MPAGAJAF)
Keywords
Where Ticketlink is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cairns
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices2 records
Markets served
Ticketlink business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Booking Fees: Ticketlink charges a booking fee of 5% of the ticket price, capped at $2.10 per ticket. This fee applies to all tickets purchased regardless of method (internet, counter, or phone). The fee is included in the advertised price.
- Exchange/Refund Fees: When event promoters allow refunds or exchanges, a $2.50 per ticket fee applies for processing.
- Gift Voucher Sales: Gift vouchers sold in fixed denominations of $50 or $100, or custom dollar values, valid for three years from date of purchase.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Standard ticketing with booking fee |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Group bookings (10+ people) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Gift vouchers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Ticketlink product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ticketlink is the authorized ticketing platform operated by Cairns Regional Council since 1995, providing online, telephone, and in-person ticket sales for live events at Council venues including Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC), Tanks Arts Centre, and Munro Martin Parklands in Cairns and Far North Queensland. The service sells tickets for theatre, concerts, comedy, festivals, cultural performances, and community events to local residents, tourists, schools, and event promoters, with a 5% booking fee (capped at $2.10) and transition to a new mobile-first platform in 2025.
Product overview
Ticketlink is a ticketing platform operated by Cairns Regional Council since 1995, serving as the only authorized ticket seller for Council venues including Cairns Performing Arts Centre, Tanks Arts Centre, and Munro Martin Parklands. The offering consists of the core Ticketlink ticketing platform (recently upgraded to a new mobile-first system in 2025) supported by multiple sales channels: online web purchases, telephone booking, and in-person box office service. Additional products include Gift Vouchers (prepaid certificates in set or custom amounts), Group Bookings (discounts for 10+ people), School Bookings (educational group pricing with complimentary teacher tickets), and eTickets (PDF digital tickets delivered via email). The platform also integrates accessibility features through the Companion Card Program. Venue-specific ticketing covers CPAC Theatre (941 seats), CPAC Studio (372 seats, configurable), Tanks Arts Centre (Tank 5 with 650 capacity), and Munro Martin Parklands (outdoor amphitheatre).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Ticketlink Core Ticketing Platform The primary ticketing service operated by Cairns Regional Council, providing online, telephone, and in-person ticket sales for events at Cairns Performing Arts Centre, Tanks Arts Centre, Munro Martin Parklands, and other venues in Cairns. Trusted since 1995.
- Online Ticket Purchase Web-based ticket buying service allowing customers to search events, select seats, apply promo codes, and complete purchases 24/7 through a personal account.
- Telephone Booking Service
Quantifiable outcome
- Zero upfront costs for event promoters - ticketing fees deducted from ticket sales income prior to settlement
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Ticketlink
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ticketlink technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Ticketlink partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- NlivencoreTicketing software provider. The Nliven event ticketing system is utilized by venues, festivals and events worldwide. It provides up-to-the-minute sales figures and allows maintenance of a comprehensive database of customers.
- Live Performance AustraliacoreIndustry body for live performance sector. Ticketlink adheres to the Live Performance Australia Ticketing Code of Conduct and works with the industry body on updates to ticketing code of practice and consumer education about risks of ticket resellers.
- Tanks Arts CentrecoreHeritage-listed contemporary arts venue housed in converted World War 2 naval oil storage tanks. Leading venue in the region, voted Cairns' Best Entertainment Venue seven years in a row. Main performance space Tank 5 has licensed bar and standing capacity of 650 (seated 480).
- Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC)core941-seat proscenium arch theatre with full-size stage and orchestra pit. Located at 9-11 Florence Street, Cairns. Features locally sourced timbers for acoustics, crying room, wheelchair seating, and hearing loop.
- Munro Martin ParklandscoreVibrant outdoor gathering place featuring purpose-built performance venue set within lush tropical gardens. Equipped for wide range of shows from opera to contemporary music. Open to public 6:30am-6:30pm except on ticketed event days. Opened August 2016.
- Cairns AirportminorSponsor of AFCM (Australian Festival of Chamber Music) Closing Night Concert. Major regional airport serving as partner for cultural events.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Ticketlink competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Moshtix: Australian ticketing platform serving live music venues, festivals, and promoters. Operates similar primary ticketing and event promotion services as Ticketlink, with a comparable focus on community and performing arts events.
- TryBooking: Australian online ticketing platform serving community events, performing arts, and festivals across Australia. Directly comparable to Ticketlink as a regional/community-focused ticketing service with similar low-fee positioning and promoter-friendly features.
- Humanitix: Australian ticketing platform donating 100% of booking fees to charity. Competes with Ticketlink in the community and not-for-profit ticketing space, particularly for school and community group bookings.
- OzTix: Australian ticketing platform with strong presence in live music and entertainment. Provides comparable primary ticketing services for venues and promoters, including similar transaction-fee pricing models.
- Ticketbooth: Australian ticketing platform serving community events, schools, and performing arts. Directly comparable to Ticketlink's school and community ticketing offerings with low-fee pricing.
Broad incumbents
- Ticketek: Australia's largest ticketing platform owned by TEG, serving major venues, sports, and entertainment nationwide. Comparable to Ticketlink as the primary ticketing provider for Australian venues, but operates at much larger scale across multiple markets.
- Eventbrite: Global self-service ticketing and event technology platform. Comparable to Ticketlink as a ticketing infrastructure provider, though operates at massive scale globally rather than focusing on regional performing arts venues.
Others
- Red61 (sister to Nliven): Ticketing software provider related to Nliven, the platform underlying Ticketlink. Relevant as a technology peer, exposing Ticketing-as-a-Service infrastructure that Ticketlink depends on for its operations.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Ticketlink social profiles
Digital presenceTicketlink compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Ticketlink financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ticketlink leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Ticketlink funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ticketlink M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ticketlink
What does Ticketlink do?
Ticketlink is the authorized ticketing platform operated by Cairns Regional Council since 1995, providing online, telephone, and in-person ticket sales for live events at Council venues including Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC), Tanks Arts Centre, and Munro Martin Parklands in Cairns and Far North Queensland. The service sells tickets for theatre, concerts, comedy, festivals, cultural performances, and community events to local residents, tourists, schools, and event promoters, with a 5% booking fee (capped at $2.10) and transition to a new mobile-first platform in 2025.
Is Ticketlink a public or private company?
Ticketlink is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Ticketlink founded?
Ticketlink was founded in 1995. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ticketlink based?
Ticketlink is headquartered in Cairns, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Ticketlink make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Booking Fees are the primary driver. The others are exchange/Refund Fees and gift Voucher Sales.
Who are Ticketlink's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Moshtix, TryBooking, Humanitix, OzTix and Ticketbooth. Broad incumbents are Ticketek and Eventbrite. Red61 (sister to Nliven) is listed as an others.
Does Ticketlink have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ticketlink.
What industry is Ticketlink in?
Ticketlink's product category is Event Ticketing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGAJAA, Primary Ticketing Platforms & Box Office Systems, with a secondary code of MPAGAJAC, Event Promotion & Talent Buying (Promoters). Its NAICS code is 71131 and its SIC code is 7900.