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

How it works

Who can apply
Australian book publishers, authors, compilers, editors, illustrators and translators can register their books and make claims through the lending rights programs.
When to apply
The closing date to submit title claims for the 2017–18 lending rights programs is 31 March 2017. Title claims for books published between 2011 and 2016 are now being accepted.
Funding available
Almost 18,000 individual lending right payments totaling over $21 million were paid in 2015–16.

Program Information

funding tabs

About The Program
Funding application period: 
July 01, 2016 00:00 AEST to March 31, 2017 00:00 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 also support the enrichment of Australian culture by encouraging the growth and development of Australian writing.

You can claim lending rights if you:

  • are an Australian citizen who lives in Australia or overseas
  • usually live in Australia, even if you are not an Australian citizen. If you stop living in Australia you will no longer be able to claim lending rights
  • receive on-going royalties from the sale of your book
  • are an Australian publisher, including self-publishers, or a not-for-profit organisation that publishes to further its aims or objectives
  • have an eligible book. To be eligible the book needs to have
    • an International Standard Book Number (ISBN)
    • been published
    • offered for general sale
    • registered with us within five years from the year of publication
    • have a catalogue record in a national bibliographic data base, and
    • have no more than five eligible creators (e.g. no more than five co-authors for a book). It can’t be an e-book or an audio-book.

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 or 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 us make a payment to you.

Contact Lending Rights

Email: lendingrights [at] arts.gov.au

Phone: 1800 672 842

    Background information

    Funding applications

    Open

    How to apply

    You will need to register, as a creator or publisher, and apply through Lending Rights Online. You only need to register once for the programs. You will be automatically registered for both PLR and ELR.

    You will also need to submit at least one title claim when you register. Your title claim tells us which book you want considered for a payment. You can select which program you want the book to be surveyed in when you submit a new title claim form. You can select both programs.

    You need to submit only one claim for a book unless a new edition is issued with a new ISBN, or there are changes to the title or changes to the number or royalty entitlements of creators. Once your registration and first title claim forms are received, we will email you a claimant number and password to access Lending Rights Online. You will then be able to submit new title claims, update your own contact and bank details and, once you receive your first payment, view your payment history.

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

    Creator forms

    Publisher forms