I’m a new member, now what?
You recently joined APRA AMCOS. What’s next?
It can be overwhelming to start out, but we got you!
From registering your works, to copyright and live performance royalties, this article will run through the basics to set you up for success as an APRA AMCOS member.
Quick overview: What is APRA AMCOS?
APRA AMCOS is a music rights management organisation. We pay royalties to music creators when their music is played or copied, both locally and overseas.
Over 124,000 songwriters, composers, and music publishers appoint APRA AMCOS to look after certain rights on their behalf. This means organisations don’t have to contact individual music creators to legally use their music. Learn more about what we do.
The 101s of copyright
Copyright can be a bit confusing, but we’re here to help.
Copyright is free and automatic. Copyright is there from the moment you write down or record the song you've created. The Australian Copyright Act (1968) gives music copyright owners a number of exclusive rights. Nobody else can use the work without getting the owner’s permission first and, if necessary, paying a royalty for this use.
Register your works
To make sure you can be paid out hard-earned royalties for the use of your music, be sure to register your works. You can do this through the APRA AMCOS Writer Portal and app.
You can also update your details (bank account, contact information etc) in the Portal and app.
To learn exactly how to register your works, check out this helpful guide.
Planning to release music? Here’s what you need to know.
For independent (unsigned, unpublished) artists:
If, once you've written and recorded your song and registered it with APRA AMCOS, you want to get your song on streaming platforms like Spotify, YouTube Music, Tidal, etc., you’ll need to choose a digital aggregator (sometimes also called a ‘digital distributor’).
Some well-known aggregators are Australia’s GYROstream, DistroKid and Tunecore. Learn more about the different types of aggregators.
Another tip for independent artists - once you have a recorded version of your song, you’ll want to register it with PPCA. PPCA pays royalties for the use of your master recording (different from the royalties from your musical composition). Find out how to register.
Don’t miss out on important royalties!
Planning to perform live? Here's what you need to know.
If you are performing your original music live, you are entitled to live performance royalties. Live performance royalties are an important revenue stream for lots of our members. It’s a whole separate income stream, in addition to ticket sales.
In order to claim those royalties, you need to submit your gig setlists to APRA AMCOS. We call them ‘Performance Reports’, and you can do it in either the APRA AMCOS App or via the Portal. We ask members to submit their Performance Reports to us as soon as possible after the performance date, and live performance royalties are paid every quarter.
Keep up-to-date with upcoming events, opportunities, awards and more!
APRA AMCOS membership comes with a range of benefits, including discounts for services and subscriptions, opportunities, events and awards.
See our full suite of creative programs.
We also have a listing of funding and opportunities from our friends in the music industry.
Check out the ‘Resources’ section on website
If you have further questions (we’re sure you will), check out our new ‘Resources’ section of the website. Browse topics like member tools, getting paid, and creativity.
We also have a very useful glossary.
If this doesn’t answer your questions, use the ‘contact us’ form. We’re here to help!
Tell your friends!
If your friends make original music and perform live, make sure they’re members of APRA AMCOS. We’re here to support artists – and, unfortunately, we can’t pay them royalties if they’re not a member!
Keep in touch
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn for all the latest updates.
Photo: Great Southern Nights 2025
Frequently asked questions
How do I log in to the Writer Portal?
In the 'Log in' menu on the website, choose 'Songwriters and composers' and then log in to your account. Enter your email address - the one you use for APRA AMCOS correspondence.
If it's your first time logging in, follow the steps to set up passwordless login.
What is passwordless login?
We use a simple, secure method to log you in – no passwords required. Just enter your account email and we will send you a one-time code. You can also log in with a passkey (Face ID, fingerprint, or your device unlock).
I'm in a band. How do we split royalties?
Ideally you work it out song by song, as it probably won’t be the same for all songs. You'll need to do this before you register the song with APRA AMCOS.
This is easy, for example, if one person wrote 100% of the lyrics and the other wrote 100% of the music. When you’ve written a song with others, it’s a good idea to have a written agreement that talks about the share of copyright you each take.
How do I update my membership details?
Head to the Writer Portal or access the APRA AMCOS for Music Creators app (download for free from the App Store for Apple devices and on Google Play for Android) to update personal information like bank account, email, or phone number. Need help? Use our handy guide.
Some details, such as a change of legal name, can only be amended via email at [email protected].
