Since 1926 APRA (the Australasian Performing Right Association) has been making life a little easier for songwriters, composers, and music users. Australian copyright law makes songwriters and composers the exclusive owners of their original music and lyrics. Nobody else can use their work without getting their permission first, and if necessary, paying a royalty for this use. This is where APRA steps in. APRA is a not-for-profit organisation that collects royalties on behalf of its 47,000+ members, and by agreement, for all the copyright owners around the world.
The APRA - AMCOS Relationship
Since 1997, APRA has also been able to offer a number of reproduction licences through AMCOS (Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners' Society), a music copyright collection society that represents music publishers and writers from around the world for rights in the reproduction (copying) of their music.
Click here for more information about the APRA and AMCOS relationship.
Copyright and royalties
Whenever music is performed in public, communicated or reproduced the songwriter may be entitled to a payment or royalty. This is because the Australian Copyright Act gives writers what are known as 'economic rights' which cover certain uses of their music. By licensing and allowing the public performance, communication or reproduction of their music, songwriters may generate income known as royalties.
Click here for more information on copyright and APRA.
Public performances of music include music used in pubs, clubs, fitness centres, shops, cinemas, festivals, CDs or even playing the radio or television. Communication of music covers music used for music on hold, music accessed over the internet or by television or radio broadcasters. Reproduction of music covers making a copy of the work, such as a CD recording, using music in a video or DVD, a mobile phone ring tone, digital download, as production music or in the making of audiovisual and broadcast material.
APRA collects and then pays these royalties to its members throughout the year. Royalties collected from domestic sources are paid twice a year in May and November; overseas royalties are paid as they accrue.
Click here for more information about how royalties are distributed.
Music - a 'user pays' system
All businesses, organizations or individuals that choose to publicly perform, communicate, or reproduce copyright music need permission from the copyright owners.
In most instances, an APRA licence provides a simple solution. This is because APRA collectively administers the public performance and communication rights on behalf of the majority of Australian and overseas copyright owners. APRA simplifies the legal process for business proprietors who would otherwise need to obtain a licence from each copyright owner whose music they wish to play.
Click here for more information about how music users are licensed.
Proudly supporting Australian songwriters and composers
APRA is deeply committed to supporting new and established Australian songwriters and composers, across all genres of music. Each year, APRA hosts three major awards recognising achievement in music: APRA Music Awards, APRA Classical Music Awards (in conjunction with the Australian Music Centre) and the APRA Screen Music Awards (in conjunction with the Australian Guild of Screen Composers).
In addition every two years, APRA conducts the Professional Development Awards to support up and coming composers; and also provides ongoing support to the Arts community through generous music grants and sponsorship programs.
Click here to go to our dedicated awards site, Awards Central.