Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Bill 2026, Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions Bill 2026; Third Reading

Summary

Authors and creators currently receive little to no payment when their books are borrowed from public libraries and schools, even though libraries buy those books and readers use them repeatedly. These two connected legislative measures create a new payment system where authors get fair compensation each time their work is borrowed through public institutions. The scheme requires libraries and educational institutions to pay into a fund that distributes money to authors based on how often their books are checked out, similar to how musicians receive royalties when their songs are played. This addresses the financial hardship many Australian writers face by ensuring they benefit when their published works reach readers through public and school libraries rather than only through direct book sales.

What happens at this stage

The final vote in this chamber on the bill as a whole, after all amendments have been considered. If it passes, the bill moves to the other chamber to go through the same process. If both chambers have already agreed to identical text, the bill proceeds directly to Royal Assent.

Next: The other chamber, which runs the same process from First Reading, or Royal Assent if both chambers have already agreed