New legislation for the Lending Rights schemes commenced on 1 October 2026.

Line illustration of an open book against a blue background.

The Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Act 2026 brings the Public Lending Right and Educational Lending Right schemes together under a single legislative framework.

Educational Lending Right has operated since 2000–01. This is the first time it has been established in legislation.

The new legislation also includes safeguards to ensure works wholly or substantially created using artificial intelligence are not eligible for Lending Rights. To be eligible, a work must be original and protected by copyright.

This is the largest change to Lending Rights legislation in 40 years. It is an important step in modernising the schemes under Australia’s National Cultural Policy, Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place and follows the inclusion of ebooks and audiobooks in 2023.

Importantly, existing creators and publishers do not need to do anything differently. The changes do not affect your registration, eligibility, payments or claims.

Find information for you

We have made Lending Rights information easier to navigate. For step-by-step guidance, visit the web page that best describes you:

To learn more about your eligibility, using Lending Rights Online, making title claims and understanding payments, visit www.arts.gov.au/lendingrights