About AMCOS
The Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) administers and licenses reproduction rights and collects royalties when music is copied on various formats, including in physical media and digitally. These reproduction rights are often called ‘mechanicals’.
AMCOS proudly represents more than 35,000 members and rightsholders for the collection and distribution of reproduction royalties across digital, physical and print formats in Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and key Asia Pacific markets, as well as globally through AMCOS’ reciprocal agreements worldwide.
The licensing of these rights ensures that songwriters, composers, and music publishers are paid for the reproduction of their music — whether on physical formats like CDs and vinyl, or via digital downloads and streaming, or in sheet music and other educational materials.
What Music Rights Does AMCOS Represent?
AMCOS administers reproduction rights, including licensing for music copied to physical formats including CD, vinyl and cassette; as well as downloads, streaming and sheet music.
Joining AMCOS
Signed to a music publisher?
If you’re signed with a music publisher, your publisher will usually already be a member of AMCOS, so they will be paid any reproduction royalties your works may earn from AMCOS. You don’t need to join AMCOS separately.
Unsigned
If you do not have a music publisher, you can join AMCOS once your music has been reproduced commercially. This includes when copied onto CDs or vinyl for sale, when downloaded or streamed on an online service, or when reproduced into sheet music.
You can apply for both APRA and AMCOS memberships at the same time (no fee to join) or join AMCOS later.
If you have joined APRA but you’re not sure if you’re an AMCOS member, log in to the Writer Portal, go to My Account >> My Membership.
Publishers
If you’re a music publisher, you’re encouraged to review the criteria ahead of applying.
Payments
AMCOS publisher and writer members are paid quarterly for their domestic and international royalties. Print royalties are paid annually.
Financial snapshot
In Financial Year 2025 (1 July 2024-30 June 2025), AMCOS collected revenue of $266.6m - an increase of 10.4% year-on-year, and surpassing $250m for the first time.
AMCOS Board
The AMCOS Board is elected by members, ensuring their voices are represented at the highest level. AMCOS’ directors bring expertise from across the music and rights management sectors, guiding AMCOS management in strategy, governance, and advocacy.
- JAIME GOUGH – Chair, Non-executive Publisher Director (Concord Music Publishing ANZ)
- CLIVE HODSON – Deputy Chair, Non-executive Publisher Director (Perfect Pitch Publishing)
- MARIANNA ANNAS – Non-executive Publisher Director (Universal Music Publishing)
- LINDA BOSIDIS – Non-executive Publisher Director (Mushroom Music)
- AMANDA BROWN – Non-executive Director (Composer)
- JANE ENGLISH – Non-executive Publisher Director (Wise Music)
- KAREN HAMILTON - Non-executive Publisher Director (120 Publishing)
- HEATH JOHNS – Non-executive Publisher Director (BMG Australia)
- CRAIG MONAGLE – Non-executive Publisher Director (Warner Chappell Music Australia)
- SIMON MOOR – Non-executive Publisher Director (Kobalt Music Publishing APAC)
- CRAIG REDFEARN – Non-executive Publisher Director (ORiGiN Music Publishing)
- DAMIAN TROTTER – Non-executive Director (Sony Music Publishing Australia)
AMCOS’ History
AMCOS was established by a group of music publishers in 1979 to administer royalties that could be collected from the licensing of reproductions of musical works in records, tapes and other formats. A crucial revenue stream for creators.
In 1997, AMCOS joined with APRA to create a streamlined music rights management and royalty distribution service for music publishers and individual songwriters and composers. This alliance also provided licensees with a one-stop service for the licensing of two separate copyrights:
- the public performance and communication rights from APRA; and
- reproduction rights from AMCOS
Today, APRA AMCOS delivers comprehensive rights, royalties, and payment services, including the collection and distribution of royalties generated from OneMusic - the joint licensing initiative between APRA, AMCOS and PPCA in Australia and Recorded Music NZ in New Zealand.
As AMCOS approaches 50 years of business, it remains committed to providing members with educational tools, creative opportunities, music earnings insights, and world class rights management services.
Resources
Find out more about the basics of AMCOS membership in the Resources section.
