The Attorney-General Michelle Rowland confirmed today the government has no plans to weaken copyright laws, effectively shutting down attempts by tech companies to use creators' work without permission or payment.
The move protects over 128,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers represented by APRA AMCOS across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand from having their music scraped for AI training without consent or compensation.
The announcement follows sustained lobbying from Tech Council chair Scott Farquhar, the Business Council of Australia and foreign tech companies pushing for changes to copyright laws that would have allowed them to avoid licensing obligations. APRA AMCOS CEO Dean Ormston says the decision proves Australia’s licensing framework supports ethical AI development rather than blocking innovation, pointing to major investments from companies like Amazon and OpenAI as evidence that copyright protections aren’t preventing AI growth in the country.
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“This is a significant moment for Australian creators and our cultural sovereignty,” says Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS. “The Australian government has recognised that Australia’s world-leading licensing framework is the pathway to ethical AI development, not a barrier to innovation.
“For far too long, the tech sector has made the false claim that Australia’s copyright framework is preventing AI development in Australia. This lobbying narrative has been thoroughly debunked.
“If copyright was truly the barrier the tech lobby claims, the multi-billion-dollar investments in Australia from companies including Amazon and OpenAI wouldn’t be happening.
“From Washington, Brussels and London, to Beijing, Tokyo, New Delhi and Canberra – tech platforms are shopping for jurisdictions that will water down copyright legislation so that they can find ways to avoid paying creators while profiting from their cultural IP.
“We’re ready to work constructively to develop practical licensing solutions. This is everyday business for us. It’s time for tech companies to stop delaying and start licensing discussions covering both the input and output of creative materials in AI platforms.”
The organisation’s AI and Music Report revealed 97 per cent of members want AI platforms to disclose when they use copyrighted works as training data, with clear expectations around consent, credit and payment. The report also found that by 2028, 23 per cent of music creators’ revenues could be at risk from unlicensed AI use, representing potential damage exceeding $519 million.
Australia’s music industry contributes $8.78 billion to the economy, with music exports worth $975 million. The Government’s decision maintains strong copyright protections while the Copyright and AI Reference Group examines key policy issues as AI technology continues developing. APRA AMCOS has signalled it’s ready to develop practical licensing solutions with tech companies, calling on platforms to begin proper licensing discussions covering both input and output of creative materials in AI systems.
The move positions Australia as a global leader in balancing innovation with creator rights, demonstrating that protecting cultural intellectual property and supporting AI development aren’t mutually exclusive goals.
“Australia is demonstrating global leadership by maintaining strong copyright protections to encourage practical licensing pathways for AI. This will ensure the cultural and creative sector shares in the success of AI, and is not left out of the economic return,” Ormston adds. “Other nations are watching closely as we chart a course that respects both innovation and creator rights.”
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