We pay royalties to music creators when their music is played or copied, both locally and overseas.
Over 119,000 songwriters, composers, and music publishers appoint APRA AMCOS to look after certain rights on their behalf. This means organisations don’t have to contact individual music creators to legally use their music. Learn more about how music copyright works.
If you're a business or organisation you can buy a licence from us to play, perform, copy, record or make available our music. We then pay the royalties to our members and overseas affiliated societies.
Our current cost-to-revenue rate is 13.8% (year ending 30 June 2023). That means around 86 cents in the dollar of the licence fees we collect go to music creators.
Note: The comparative information provided is based on the most up-to-date figures available to APRA AMCOS. See how we compare with other societies around the world.
From government submissions through to our Ambassador Program, we promote the importance of music creators’ rights to all levels of government, the media and the wider community. We frequently consult with our Ambassadors to seek their input on issues affecting our members.
As an APRA AMCOS member, you enjoy global representation for your music rights. We have agreements with other organisations like us around the world. So when your music is used in another territory, our affiliates collect money on your behalf. They then pay these royalties to us, and we pay you.
Our leadership team, Boards, ambassadors, and staff all work together to provide the best outcomes for our members.
We focus on campaigns and organisations that reflect the values and principles of our members, customers, staff, and the wider music industry.
Take a look at the inner workings of our vibrant team. Check out our culture and values, listen to our current playlist, or apply for a position.
Aspects of APRA's membership, licensing distribution and international arrangements have been authorised by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) since 1999.
In July 2020, the ACCC granted APRA its current authorisation of four years. View the most recent copy of the ACCC’s determination (PDF, 1.6MB).
APRA AMCOS chooses to subscribe to a voluntary Code of Conduct that provides a framework of best practice for copyright collecting societies. The Code outlines how we must protect the interests of our members and licensees.
Each year the independent Code Reviewer—currently the former Federal Court judge, The Hon K E Lindgren AM, QC—reviews our conduct against our obligations under the Code.
You don't have to use APRA AMCOS to manage your rights if you're a music creator. Likewise, there are other avenues for licensing music rights. Find out what they are.
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 119,000+ 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).
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.
Does APRA AMCOS offer any awards, grants or competitions?
APRA AMCOS is committed to supporting and celebrating the artistic excellence and commercial success of songwriters and composers across all genres.
There are several programs, grants, awards, competitions to help you build a thriving career in the music industry.
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.
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.
We've got specialised departments to look after our members, licence enquiries, international affiliates, and more. Get in touch or send us a message using our department direct form.