Australian Lending Right Schemes (ELR/PLR)

Australian book publishers or creators—authors, illustrators, editors, translators and compilers—can be compensated for the loss of income through the free multiple use of their work in Australian public and educational lending libraries.

Who can apply

Australian book publishers, authors, illustrators, editors, translators and compilers can register their books and make claims through the lending rights programs.

When to apply

The deadline for submitting new title claims is 31 March 2024. Title claims submitted after the deadline are placed in the following program year.

Funding available

Over 17,500 individual lending right payments totalling $22.7 million were paid in 2021–22.

About the program

Important changes:

ebook and audiobook title claims can now be submitted for Lending Rights

Funding application period: July 01, 2023 23:45 AEDT to March 31, 2024 23:45 AEDT

Public Lending Right (PLR) and Educational Lending Right (ELR) are Australian Government programs that compensate Australian creators and publishers in recognition of income lost through free multiple use of their books in public and educational lending libraries. These programs support the enrichment of Australian culture by encouraging the growth and development of Australian writing.

A creator or a publisher must register and submit title claims within five years from the year of publication. Books are surveyed in a sample of either public lending libraries (PLR) or school, TAFE and university libraries (ELR).

Eligible creators are:

authors, editors, illustrators, translators and compilers
Australian citizens, wherever they reside, or non-citizens who normally reside in Australia (eligibility ceases if residency in Australia ceases)
those who receive on-going royalties from the sale of their book.

Eligible publishers are:

companies whose business consists wholly or substantially of the publication of books and who regularly publish in Australia—'regularly publish' is defined as at least once in the preceding three year period
non-profit organisations that publish to further their aims or objectives
self-publishing creators.

Payments are only made to eligible publishers if an eligible creator is receiving a payment.

Is my book eligible?

Eligible books are books:

with an International Standard Book Number (ISBN)
which have been published and offered for sale within five years from the year of publication
which have a catalogue record in a national bibliographic database, eg SCIS or Australian National Bibliographic Database
whose creators are individuals (companies or organisations are not eligible creators)
with no more than five eligible creators.

Ineligible items include:

music and audio-visual material
magazines and other serial publications
games or cards
books designed for a single-use, such as activity books, sticker books or workbooks
any other item without an International Standard Book Number (ISBN).

PLR and ELR payments are calculated and paid separately.

If you are eligible, your payment will be based on: the estimated number of your books held in public and educational (schools, universities and TAFEs) lending libraries; the proportion of the royalties you receive for your books; and the applicable rates for PLR payments and ELR payments.

This calculation must reach a minimum of $100 for you to receive a payment.

How Lending Rights works

Lending Rights infographic

Contact Lending Rights

Email: lendingrights@arts.gov.au
Phone: 1800 672 842

Background information

The Questions and answers page gives more information about the programs.

How to apply

You will need to register, as a creator or publisher, through Lending Rights Online (LRO). As a new claimant, you must submit at least one title claim when you register. Once your registration and first title claim forms are submitted you will receive an email confirmation with your unique claimant number. Using this claimant number and your nominated password, you will be able to access LRO, view your records and submit new title claims, update your contact and bank details and, once you receive your first payment, view your payment history.

Already registered?—Please go to 'Existing Claimant—Sign In'*

*If you do not know what your claimant number is, please contact Lending Rights.

If you cannot use Lending Rights Online, use the forms below and email or post your completed forms to us.