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APRA AMCOS National Head Office
PHONE: +61 2 9935 7900
ADDRESS: 16 Mountain Street Ultimo NSW 2007
POSTAL ADDRESS: Locked Bag 5000 Strawberry Hills NSW 2012
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Frequently asked questions
A band is performing my songs. Can they do this without my permission?
Yes, in most cases they can.
The venue in which the band plays must hold a OneMusic licence if they will be playing our members' music. It's not the band's responsibility to obtain a licence to play. A OneMusic licence gives the venue a blanket licence to authorise the performance of all OneMusic Australia’s music (which is the vast majority of commercially available music from around the world).
How do I copyright and register my works?
Copyright and registration are two separate things.
Copyright is free and automatic.
That's right—you don’t have to do anything to ‘get’ copyright; it's there from the moment you write down or record the song. So as soon as you create a new song or piece of music, you have copyright in it.
Register works with APRA AMCOS.
To ensure you receive royalties when your work is played or performed, you must register your songs and compositions through the Writer Portal or App.
How do I copyright my songs?
Good news! Copyright for your original music is free and automatic as soon as it's written down or recorded in some way. APRA AMCOS acts as a link between those who create and own this copyright material, and those who want to use it.
How do I join my band up to APRA AMCOS?
The copyright in a song is owned by the individual who wrote the song. For this reason, only individual songwriters can join APRA AMCOS. A band cannot sign up as a single entity. If all of your band members write songs or collaborate to write songs, then all band members can individually join APRA AMCOS as members.
If you are in a band, when you complete your APRA AMCOS membership application, make sure you tell us your band/performer name.
When registering works that have been co-written, you'll need to tell us the names of the other writers and the ownership percentage splits for each of the writers. It's important that all songwriters within the band agree on the percentage splits for each work before registering the work with APRA AMCOS, otherwise this can lead to problems down the track when royalties may become payable for that work.
Each song co-written by the band only needs to be registered with APRA AMCOS once. The band should agree on who will take responsibility for registering each work and providing the songwriter and ownership split details. If more than one writer registers the song and there are differences in the details provided, this can make it harder for us to track the use your music and pay royalties correctly.
Only the musical work copyright owners (ie the songwriters and the music publisher if applicable) should be credited in the APRA AMCOS registration.
How do I update my membership details?
Head to the Writer Portal to update personal information like bank account, email, or phone number. Alternatively, you can email [emailprotected] with your new details.
Some details, such as a change of legal name, can only be amended via email.
I have a dispute with a co-writer over a work. Can APRA AMCOS help me resolve this?
We have a process for handling disputes between members, for example, if you and another writer disagree on the ownership percentage of a work that has been registered with APRA AMCOS. Please contact [emailprotected] in the first instance.
Our writer services team will contact the member and see if the dispute can be resolved between the parties. In some instances, we might recommend the dispute be referred to the independent third party alternative dispute resolution facilitator, Resolution Pathways. You can find out more about this process on the Resolution Pathways website.
When working with co-writers, it is best to have a clear written agreement that states the nature of your collaboration.
I want to make a CD that includes covers of other people's songs. Do I need a licence? What about if I want to make it available on a digital service?
Yes. You may need to obtain an AMCOS licence if you want to make a recording of a song composed by another writer. Find out more about our Audio Manufacture Licence.
Uploading cover versions to digital service providers like iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify
USA
If you are recording a cover version of a work and wish to make it available on iTunes in the US, you are required to take out a licence with the Harry Fox Agency (AMCOS equivalent in the USA). Go to https://www.harryfox.com/#/license-music and head to their Songfile Mechanical Licensing tool. In cases where the Harry Fox Agency do not represent the work, you may be able to obtain a compulsory licence via RightsFlow – see www.rightsflow.com and head to the Limelight licensing area.
Major digital service providers, including Spotify and Apple Music, are responsible for obtaining licenses directly for the content on their service, so you do not need to obtain a licence in these instances.
Australia
As long as you've first obtained a manufacturing licence from AMCOS, you can supply your recording to a digital service provider (DSP) such as iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify etc. APRA AMCOS licenses DSPs directly, and so royalties for downloads will be collected by APRA AMCOS on behalf of the rights holders.
I'm in a band. How do we split royalties?
Ideally you work it out song by song, as it probably won’t be the same for all songs. You'll need to do this before you register the song with APRA AMCOS.
This is easy, for example, if one person wrote 100% of the lyrics and the other wrote 100% of the music. When you’ve written a song with others, it’s a good idea to have a written agreement that talks about the share of copyright you each take.
Learn more about band agreements and song splits.
Publisher vs AMCOS
AMCOS has reciprocal agreements with other affiliated societies around the globe – meaning you reproduction royalties are collected worldwide.
Some territories overseas require individuals to set themselves up as a Publisher or use a third-party music service to collect 100% of reproduction royalties, but as an AMCOS member you do not need to do this.
If all your songs or compositions are published, your music publisher will collect your reproduction royalties, and there's no reason to join AMCOS. AMCOS is primarily a royalty collection service and does not play the role of a music publisher. Find out what a music publisher does.
What are Performance Reports?
If you play live at pubs, clubs, cafes, or other live music venues in Australia and New Zealand, you can get royalties for these performances by submitting a Performance Report.
Just tell us what songs you've performed in which venues, and you could be paid for playing your original music live. Please make sure you also tell us about any covers you perform so the original songwriters can get paid too.
You can submit your Performance Reports on-the-go via the APRA AMCOS for Music Creators App or in the Writer Portal. Download the app for free from the Apple App store, or from GooglePlay for Android.
What does a Publisher do?
Music publishers nurture and develop songwriters and composers, and take care of the business aspects of their career. Music publishers make an investment - in terms of money, time and experience - in their writers. They exploit the copyright in the music and songs created by their writers in order to make a return on that investment, and to reward the writers for their creative work.
Find out more about music publishing.
What does APRA AMCOS do?
APRA AMCOS grants licences for the live performance, broadcast, communication, public playing or reproduction of its members’ musical works. APRA AMCOS then distributes the licence fees to its 115,000+ songwriter, composer and music publisher members and affiliated societies worldwide.
APRA AMCOS is the trading name of Australasian Performing Right Association Limited (APRA) and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS).
Learn more about what we do.
What is an ISRC and where can I get one?
The International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) is how your sound recordings and music video recordings are recognised wherever and whenever they're played. Adding your ISRCs to your work's registration details makes it easier for us to get you royalties quickly and accurately. However, an ISRC is not a compulsory requirement for an APRA work registration.
APRA AMCOS does not issue ISRCs, ARIA does. To find out more or apply for an ISRC, please email [emailprotected] or visit the ARIA website.
What's OneMusic?
OneMusic Australia is an APRA AMCOS and Phonographic Performance Company of Australia Ltd (PPCA) joint licensing initiative launched 1 July 2019.
In Australia music creators generally authorise two organisations to administer their rights. APRA AMCOS (composers and music publishers) and PPCA (recording artists and record labels).
OneMusic Australia offers joint public performance licences so there's no longer any need for separate licence agreements and invoices from PPCA and APRA AMCOS. OneMusic Australia allows businesses to meet copyright obligations for the public performance of musical works and sound recordings more seamlessly.
When do I get paid royalties?
APRA pays domestic royalties every three months and processes overseas royalties monthly.
AMCOS processes royalties quarterly—within 60 days of the end of each calendar quarter, usually just before the 60th day. All amounts over $10 are paid.
Learn more about distributions.
Where does the money from licences go?
For every dollar we collect, about 85 cents goes straight back to songwriters, composers and publishers as royalties. The remainder is used to administer these royalties.
As a music rights management organisation, after costs are covered the rest of the money is distributed (paid) to music creators. Our expense-to-revenue ratio compares very favourably to affiliated organisations providing the same service overseas.
Read our distribution rules and practices.
Who can join AMCOS?
Joining AMCOS is separate from joining APRA. You may want to join AMCOS if you have unpublished works released on a recording for sale to the public or reproduced in a production music recording. You can join AMCOS if:
- You're a copyright owner of musical works;
- You don't already belong to an overseas mechanical rights organisation;
- At least one of your works is unpublished and has been commercially reproduced eg: available on a digital music service like Spotify or Apple Music, released as a physical product by a third party, or reproduced in a production music recording.
Who can join APRA?
If you write or compose your own songs, you may be eligible to join APRA. You'll also need to match one or more of the following criteria:
- You or someone else performs your songs live OR
- Your songs are broadcast on radio or TV OR
- Your songs are available to stream online.
You can't join if you're a member of an overseas Performing Rights Organisation. If you're in a band, only the members who write or compose music need to join.
Join today
Who can join as a publisher?
If you're a music publishing company who represents other writers’ catalogues, you can apply to be a publisher member.
Join as a publisher
Who runs APRA AMCOS?
APRA AMCOS isn't a government body. We're a music rights management organisation run by an executive management team in liaison with a non-exective board of directors. Individual writer members and representatives of publisher members are elected to the board by their respective memberships for renewable three-year terms.
Learn about the APRA AMCOS organisation.
Become an APRA AMCOS member – it’s free!
Join APRA AMCOS
FAQs
Is APRA AMCOS legit? ›
APRA AMCOS has an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5, based on over 35 reviews left anonymously by employees. 95% of employees would recommend working at APRA AMCOS to a friend and 86% have a positive outlook for the business. This rating has improved by 3% over the last 12 months.
How much does APRA pay per song? ›For every dollar we collect, around 85 cents is distributed to music creators as royalties. Find out why, when, and how.
How do I contact APRA by email? ›Email APRA
For general enquiries please email info@apra.gov.au.
APRA AMCOS is a member-owned organisation, and we're here to work for you. We represent over 115,000 members who are songwriters, composers and music publishers.
Do I have to pay APRA fees? ›Learn everything you need to become a member, and get paid for your music. Membership is free!
What is APRA used for? ›APRA licenses banking, insurance and superannuation businesses to operate and supervises them to ensure that under all reasonable circumstances, the financial promises made to their beneficiaries (i.e. depositors, policyholders and superannuation fund members) are kept.
How long do music royalties last? ›Music Copyrights
The length of ownership for a song copyright depends on whether the song was copyrighted before or after 1978. If a song was copyrighted in or after 1978, the copyright is valid for the life of the author plus 70 years.
As we've mentioned earlier, in most markets, both songwriters and recording artists are typically paid royalties any time their music is played on the radio.
Who gets paid when a song is played on the radio? ›Public performances generate performance royalties for songwriters, which are collected by the PROs (ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC). In the US, terrestrial broadcasters (AM or FM stations) do not pay performers or sound recording copyright owners; they only pay the songwriters.
How do I contact APRA? ›If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at info@apra.gov.au or call 1300 558 849.
How do I complain to APRA? ›
- Call APRA. In Australia (free call) 1300 558 849. ...
- Email APRA. General enquiry: info@apra.gov.au.
- Write to APRA.
For example, APRA can conduct investigations, direct entities to take or refrain from particular actions, impose conditions on the way a business operates, ban individuals from working in an APRA-regulated industry, commence civil proceedings or refer matters for criminal prosecution.
How do you get paid royalties by APRA? ›...
You just need to tell us about the performance:
- WHAT songs were played.
- WHERE they were played.
- WHEN they were played.
Music licences
APRA AMCOS offers licences to these businesses and organisations to use your music. We also track what music they use. We then pay songwriters, composers and music publishers their share of the licence fees we collect, after deducting our administration costs.
In support of this, APRA has a number of formal legal powers which range from simple information gathering powers to more coercive and intrusive tools that enable APRA to investigate, direct entities to take action, impose license conditions, ban individuals, and refer matters for civil or criminal court action.
Who is covered by APRA? ›It oversees banks, credit unions, building societies, general insurance and reinsurance companies, life insurance, private health insurers, friendly societies, and most members of the superannuation industry.
Is APRA a government agency? ›The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) is an independent statutory authority that supervises institutions across banking, insurance and superannuation and promotes financial system stability in Australia.
Who needs an APRA license? ›APRA licenses banking, insurance and superannuation businesses to operate in Australia, and supervises them to ensure that under all reasonable circumstances they keep their financial promises made to their beneficiaries (i.e. depositors, policyholders and superannuation fund members).
What is APRA most concerned with? ›APRA's role
Prudential regulation is concerned with maintaining the safety and soundness of financial institutions, so that the community can have confidence that they will meet their financial commitments under all reasonable circumstances.
With a few important exceptions, your music copyrights generally are treated like any other intangible assets of your estate. They can be owned jointly, held in trust, transferred by gift or at death and so on, just like any other property.
What happens to unclaimed music royalties? ›
If you haven't properly registered your songs, chances are you may be missing out on royalties of your own — leaving them unclaimed and bound for the “black box” money that major publishers split during redistribution.
Do singers get royalties for old songs? ›Mechanical Royalties
This applies to all music formats old and new such as vinyl, CD, cassette, digital downloads, and streaming services. For example, record labels pay a mechanical royalty to a songwriter every time they reproduce and sell a CD of their music.
Spotify pays artists between $0.003 - $0.005 per stream on average.
How much does 2 million streams on Spotify pay? ›As for how much Spotify pays per stream, they pay roughly $0.04 per 10 streams. So, 1000 streams would be around $4, and 100,000 streams would be $400. Remember, this result may be lower based on certain factors such as if only half of your song was listened to.
Do artists get bored of their own songs? ›However, even the most passionate musicians get bored with their craft at some point in their musical lives. For some artists, it's the frustration of feeling like they're constantly writing the same song over and over again.
How do I sell a song I wrote? ›Pitch your song to a music publisher. Artists will get songs from a wide range of sources, including their record label, manager, producer, studio musicians, friends, loyal fans, and family. But to pitch your song to established artists, your best bet is to go through a music publisher.
How much money does a songwriter make per song? ›Digital Download Mechanical Royalties
As a songwriter, you also receive mechanical royalties on digital downloads of a song. Like with the physical mechanical royalty, the digital download rate is 9.1 cents per song. You can expect to accrue these royalties through platforms like iTunes and Amazon.
Nearly every song written is copyrighted. To make copies of lyrics for a transparency or computer-generated display during worship, a church, like any other corporate entity, is required by law to pay a fee, most of which is eventually distributed to copyright owners according to usage.
How much does APRA Pay per performance? ›APRA AMCOS paid out $7.2m in live performance royalties to members who submitted Performance Reports for their gigs during the 2016-17 financial year - for Australian composers and songwriters that is $2.63 per song.
Can APRA issue fines? ›Penalties APRA may impose
one-fifth of the maximum pecuniary penalty that a Court could impose on the entity for the offence or offences; or. one-fortieth of the maximum civil penalty that a Court could impose for the contravention or contraventions of a civil penalty provision.
How much does an AFCA complaint cost? ›
Our services are free of charge to small businesses and consumers who make a complaint.
What kind of complaints are considered by the Banking Ombudsman? ›One can file a complaint before the Banking Ombudsman if the reply is not received from the bank within a period of one month after the bank concerned has received one's complaint, or the bank rejects the complaint, or if the complainant is not satisfied with the reply given by the bank.
How good is the financial ombudsman? ›Its range is huge – most recent figures show the ombudsman resolved over 200,000 complaints between April 2021 and March 2022. It doesn't just cover regulated financial activity, but how companies operate in general, to ensure you're being treated fairly.
Does APRA pay bonus? ›APRA is underscoring the war for talent in banking, with a four per cent salary bonus forthcoming for all staff. The Fair Work Commission last week endorsed a new enterprise agreement for APRA, one with pay rises linked to the Wage Price Index for the private sector. The agreement has a three-year term.
What is the average royalty payment? ›Royalty Rate For Services
The average royalty percentage applied to licensed services varies between 2-15 percent of the total buy, depending on the attractiveness of the property.
Published authors receive both advances and future royalties income based on book sales. Once books are sold, the book royalties are payable, then paid once or twice a year, according to the publisher, Penguin books.
Are royalties paid forever? ›Royalties through self-publishing will pay for forever, or however long your book is listed for sale. You're making money off every book sold, so as long as people are still buying your books, you will still be getting a cut from those sales.
What are the 4 types of royalties? ›Royalty payments may cover many different types of property. Some of the more common types of royalties are book royalties, performance royalties, patent royalties, franchise royalties, and mineral royalties.
Who pays royalties and who do they pay them to? ›The payment is made by the publisher/distributor and corresponds to the agreement (license) between the writer and the publisher/distributor as with other music royalties. The agreement is typically non-exclusive to the publisher and the term may vary from 3–5 years.
Do artists get paid every time their song is played on Spotify? ›Contrary to what you might have heard, Spotify does not pay artist royalties according to a per-play or per-stream rate; the royalty payments that artists receive might vary according to differences in how their music is streamed or the agreements they have with labels or distributors.
What are the 2 types of APRA funds? ›
super funds regulated by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), including small funds (SAFs) exempt public sector funds.
How does APRA help the economy? ›In protecting the stability and soundness of banks, insurers and superannuation trustees, fostering operational resilience during periods of significant disruption, and further enhancing contingency planning. In doing so, APRA will help maintain public confidence in the financial system and aid the economic recovery.
What are APRA standards? ›APRA's standards set out minimum capital, governance and risk management requirements. The prudential practice guides provide direction on how institutions may adhere to these prudential standards, as well as to other related expectations.
How much does APRA pay per performance? ›APRA AMCOS paid out $7.2m in live performance royalties to members who submitted Performance Reports for their gigs during the 2016-17 financial year - for Australian composers and songwriters that is $2.63 per song.
Is APRA AMCOS a government body? ›APRA AMCOS isn't a government body. We're a music rights management organisation run by an executive management team in liaison with a non-exective board of directors.
How does APRA AMCOS make money? ›APRA AMCOS offers licences to these businesses and organisations to use your music. We also track what music they use. We then pay songwriters, composers and music publishers their share of the licence fees we collect, after deducting our administration costs.
How long do performance royalties last? ›Royalties last their entire life of the songwriter and another 70 years after they have passed away. This can result in well over 100 years of royalties. This is why some songwriters have one huge hit song and the royalties they continuously earn can sort them out for life.
Who is APRA targeted at? ›Under the legislation that APRA administers, APRA is tasked with protecting the interests of depositors, policyholders and superannuation fund members.
How are royalties paid? ›Royalty payments are negotiated once through a legal agreement and paid on a continuing basis by licensees to owners granting a license to use their intellectual property or assets over the term of the license period. Royalty payments are often structured as a percentage of gross or net revenues.
How do you collect radio royalties? ›- How do radio royalties work?
- Radio acquires a blanket license(s) from its local PRO(s)
- A song is played on a radio, and the airplay is reported to a PRO.
- The PRO distributes royalties and songwriter gets paid.
- The songwriter is paid the royalties due.
Who does APRA protect? ›
In performing this role, APRA is responsible for protecting the interests of depositors, insurance policyholders and superannuation fund members—collectively referred to in this paper as beneficiaries. The financial interests of these beneficiaries lie at the centre of APRA's mission.
Who needs to report to APRA? ›Registered Financial Corporations (RFCs) with more than $50 million assets are required, under the Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001 and its reporting standard, to provide data to APRA.
What does an APRA Fund mean? ›super funds regulated by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), including small funds (SAFs) exempt public sector funds. retirement savings accounts (RSAs) approved deposit funds.