Don't leave money on the table - how to claim what's yours

Key points:

It is important that you register your works through the Writer Portal or the app, so that you can earn royalties for your songs.

Submit Performance Reports year-round, get paid quarterly. No more annual deadlines!

You can now register and upload jingles in the new Writer Portal - say goodbye to OPUS.

New and longtime members alike, we've pulled together a quick refresher on claiming what's yours!

To make sure you get paid for your hard work, it is vital that you register your works via the Writer Portal and/or the app. Then we know it exists.

Writing with others? Read our guide to co-writing splits and registering works.

From there, depending on where and how your music gets used, we ask that you provide key details of certain activity. Bookmark our guides page, it's a treasure trove of resources, forms, and links covering important areas of music usage and performance.

Are you playing gigs at the local pub, touring outside of AU/NZ or anything in between?

If so, you can (and should!) submit Performance Reports and get paid for playing your original songs.

• Domestic (AU/NZ) - submit Performance Reports year-round, there is no longer a 31 July annual deadline. Royalties are paid quarterly. These are for non-distributable events, e.g., not a promoted/promoter concert or festival.
• If you are unsure if you performed at a promoted event, contact Writer Services.
• For performances overseas (ex US) - Overseas society form
• For performances in the US - US society form
• It's important to submitting overseas Performance Reports as soon as you can due to differing deadlines - read our tips for Overseas Performance Reports

Are you live streaming performances from Australian or New Zealand?

The Live Stream Performance Report lets you claim royalties for Australian or New Zealand-based live performances of your works, streamed on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or TikTok. This includes Isol-aid performances.

Is your music being used in an ad?

Upload it, report it, claim it.

• Metro broadcast areas AU & NZ - you must upload your song. You can easily do this in the Writer Portal. Whether it is a commercially-released song being used in an ad or music specifically made for an ad, it is considered a jingle.
• Upload all versions of the music being used in the ad. Do not include audio with voice over.
• Upload to get paid quarterly.
• Regional areas - you will need to self-report it
• Overseas jingles - please complete the form

Is your track getting played at nightclubs?

Read our guide: How to get paid as a dance and electronic writer.

Upload it and claim it.

• Register your works in the Writer Portal and/or app
• If you are playing your own works in a set - submit your Performance Report in the Writer Portal and/or via the app
• IMPORTANT: Register for DJ Monitor, our Music Recognition Technology service (similar to a Shazam). This ensures your track can be accurately identified. Use your APRA AMCOS membership number to access the DJ Monitor Uploader Account.
• Always: please ensure title, writer/composer, artist/performer and ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) information is correctly labelled.
  
• Get up to date on remixes

Does a big (or small) company want to use your work for music on hold?

Claim it with this form (PDF).

• Contact Writer Services to discuss your options

Is your work being used in some other kind of way?

Ask us. Claim it.

• There are uses that get categorised as 'unlogged' - e.g. cinema promos, festival/art installation - that fall outside our usual distribution channels.
• Log it and we will investigate if it can be claimed.

This article was updated in August 2021.