Australian authors, illustrators and publishers have received $28.7 million for the use of their work in public and educational lending libraries.
Over 17,200 payments have been made through the Australian Government's Public and Educational Lending Right Schemes ensuring our creators and publishers are supported financially for their contribution to lending libraries nationwide.
Earlier this year, the Albanese Labor Government secured the schemes' future passing the Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Act 2026 fulfilling our commitment under Australia's National Cultural Policy, Revive.
These payments, alongside $26 million funding through Writing Australia, are directly supporting Australia's literary and publishing sectors.
Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the payments give back to publishers and creators for their contribution to great Australian storytelling.
"We want great Australian stories to remain at the forefront of our local collections.
"These schemes nurture established and emerging local talent and provide income to our storytellers.
"Arts workers aren't hobbyists. They're doing real work in real workplaces and should be paid as such."
