Quick Guide on Distributions for Publisher Members
APRA Distributions
APRA Distribution Royalty Sources
Quarterly payments include royalties payable from these sources
- Radio and television broadcasts, including free-to-air and subscription services
- Digital platforms, including music streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music, as well as video-on-demand platforms such as Netflix and Apple TV.
- Online and social media, including YouTube, Meta, and websites
- Cinema screenings
- Airlines
- Revenue from the use or works recognised by music recognition technology, including jingles, nightclubs, and background music
- Live performance returns
- Background music suppliers
Monthly payments include royalties payable from these sources
- Major live events
- International royalties received from affiliated societies
- Adjustments These sources are included in quarterly royalty distributions in the months when they occur.
Annual payments include royalties payable from these sources
- Educational institutions
- State and federal government
- Funeral directors
APRA Distribution Codes
APRA’s distributions are identified by a 6-character code - PYYMM[A or N] (e.g. P2507A, P2507N).
P signals a “performing right” royalty distribution.
YY identifies the last two digits of the year of distribution (e.g. 2025 = 25).
MM identifies the month the distribution processing finishes, usually the month before payment is actually made (e.g. July = 07).
A means royalties from APRA Australia.
N means royalties from APRA New Zealand.
Dates for APRA’s Quarterly Distributions*
| Performance / Broadcast / Communication Date | Distribution ID | Distribution cut-off date (approx.)** | Distribution payment date (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January - March | PYY07A and PYY07N | 15 July | 15 - 20 Aug |
| April - June | PYY10A and PYY10N | 15 October | 15 - 20 Nov |
| July - September | PYY01A and PYY01N | 30 January | 28 Feb – 4 Mar |
| October - December | PYY04A and PYY04N | 15 April | 15 - 20 May |
| *While the quarterly usage period applies to most revenue sources, distributions will often include performances that fall outside of this period – see royalty source table above. **The “cut-off” date is the approximate date on which APRA typically stops applying amendments to work registrations. | |||
Date for APRA’s Monthly Distributions
Payments are made on the Friday falling on or before the 15th of each month.
| Payment month | Distribution Number | Distribution Type |
|---|---|---|
| January | PXX12 | Monthly |
| February | PXX01 | Quarterly |
| March | PXX02 | Monthly |
| April | PXX03 | Monthly |
| May | PXX04 | Quarterly |
| June | PXX05 | Monthly |
| July | PXX06 | Monthly |
| August | PXX07 | Quarterly |
| September | PXX08 | Monthly |
| October | PXX09 | Monthly |
| November | PXX10 | Quarterly |
| December | PXX11 | Monthly |
AMCOS Distributions
Dates for AMCOS’ Quarterly Distributions
AMCOS distributions are made quarterly, with a small number of annual payments for sources such as educational licences, state and federal government, and funeral directors.
Like APRA distributions, AMCOS distributions are identified by a 6-character code - MYYMM[A or N] (e.g. M2603A and M2603N).
M signals a “mechanical right” royalty distribution.
YY identifies the last two digits of the year of distribution (e.g., 2025 = 25)
MM identifies the month the distribution processing finishes, usually the month before payment is actually made.
A means royalties from APRA Australia;
N means royalties from APRA New Zealand.
Dates for AMCOS' Quarterly Distributions*
| Music usage period* | Distribution ID | Distribution cut-off date (approx.) | Distribution payment date (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January - March | MYY06A and MYY06N | 31 July | 31 Aug - 4 Sep |
| April - June | MYY09A and MYY09N | 31 October | 31 Nov - 4 Dec |
| July - September | MYY12A and MYY12N | 31 January | 28 Feb - 4 Mar |
| October - December | MYY03A and MYY03N | 30 April | 31 May - 4 June |
| *While the quarterly usage period applies to most revenue sources, distributions often include use which falls outside of this period. | |||
