Your Music, Your Rights
As soon as you create a new song or piece of music, you have copyright in it. You don’t have to do anything to ‘get’ copyright, it’s there from the moment you write down the song.
Copyright is free and automatic
Before anyone can use your music, they must ask you for permission. Under Australian Copyright Law, you can ask for payment for that use.
This is where APRA|AMCOS can help you
APRA|AMCOS administer the copyright for more than 68,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers. We take the headache out of tracking how and when your music is used and collecting the payments for use. Then, twice a year, we distribute royalty payments to our members for performances and uses of their music. It’s simple and it’s free to join.
What we do
APRA|AMCOS look after the copyright of all the songwriters, composers and music publishers in Australia.
APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association) has been around for more than 80 years and makes sure that songwriters, composers and music publishers get paid
when their music is performed or used in public.
AMCOS (Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society) helps music creators get paid whenever their music is copied or recorded in some way. For example: on a CD, as a download from a website or as a mobile phone ringtone.
We are a not for profit organisation
This means we only keep a small percentage of the money we collect to run our business. All the rest of the money is paid to copyright holders – songwriters, composers and music publishers.
What we can do for you
If you write and own songs that are performed, broadcast or recorded in some way AND you join APRA|AMCOS, we can:
- Give permission for your music to be used by: radio, TV, films, record companies, ads, websites, ringtones, pubs, clubs, restaurants, schools, TAFE’s, universities and at festivals and concerts
- Collect payments for these uses of your music
- Pay you royalties for these uses.
All you have to do is …
- Join APRA|AMCOS
- Tell us the details of your songs
- Let us know if you’ve played live
- Stay in touch! Let us know if your contact details change.If we can’t find you, we can’t pay you!
We’ll take care of the rest!
Joining is easy!
If your music is performed in public - for example at pubs, clubs, festivals and concerts - or broadcast on radio, TV (including pay TV), you are entitled to royalty payments. This is because the Commonwealth Copyright Act gives writers what are called "performing rights" which cover these uses of their music.
Find out more about your rights (pdf) >>
APRA membership gives you worldwide representation through our reciprocal arrangements with other performing right societies. We will collect royalties for you when your music is played overseas. These arrangements essentially give Australian writers the same benefits as local writers in many countries. Royalty payment is however subject to the existing copyright law in each country and the individual policies of the
affiliated societies.
APRA does collectively what would otherwise be difficult for writers and publishers, or music users, to do on an individual basis.
There are other less tangible benefits to joining APRA. As a member, you have the support of the APRA's Member Services Department. Staffed by a professional team who know the industry, the Department can provide expert advice on the issues that affect you and your career. You'll also be able to participate in a range of member activities including seminars, awards and industry showcase events.
Join APRA as a: