Lending Rights

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 deadline for submitting new title claims and registrations closes 31 March each year. Title claims and registrations submitted after the deadline are placed in the following program year.

Funding available

Almost 18,000 individual lending right payments totaling over $22 million were paid in 2016–17.

Program Information

funding tabs

About The Program

Funding application period:

April 01, 2016 00:00 AEDT to March 31, 2018 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 also 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
non-citizens who normally reside in Australia (eligibility ceases if residency in Australia ceases), and
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, and
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)
books which have been published and offered for sale within five years from the year of publication
books which have a catalogue record in a national bibliographic database
books whose creators are individuals (companies or organisations are not eligible creators), and
books with no more than five eligible creators.

Items such as electronic books, CDs, audio-visual kits and card packs are not eligible.

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.

Contact Lending Rights

Email: lendingrights [at] arts.gov.au

Phone: 1800 672 842

Background information

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

Funding applications

Started April 01, 2016 00:00 AEDT

Ended March 31, 2018 23:45 AEDT

Days Remaining 0 of 730

Applications under consideration

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 lendingrights [at] arts.gov.au (Lending Rights).

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