Arts Law Centre of Australia

The Aboriginal Art Association of Australia (AAAA) serves and represents individuals and organisations who produce, promote, protect or support Indigenous art and the culture that allows it to flourish.

The Aboriginal Art Centre Hub WA works with Aboriginal art centres across Western Australia to assist them to be seen and heard, respected and represented. It provides professional support and development for art centre managers and artists, and advocate for the sustainability and viability of the centres.

The Aboriginal Artists Agency is a non-for profit organisation that operates a service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create income from the reproduction of works of art. It arranges copyright clearance and licences for individuals wishing to use images of Indigenous artworks.

A list of artists under licence may be obtained by emailing: [email protected]

The Australian Institute of Company Directors is committed to excellence in governance. We make a positive impact on society and the economy through governance education, director development and advocacy.

Art Source is the peak membership body for visual artists in Western Australia. 

Arts Access Australia (AAA) is Australia's national peak body for arts and disability. We work to increase national and international opportunities and access for people with disability as artists, arts workers, participants and audiences. Established in 1992, AAA is disability-led. Our CEO and at least 50% of our board members identify as a person with disability. 

AAA provides three main services:

* Information and Advice

* Research and Advocacy

* Leadership and Development. 

AAA adopts an inclusive approach and works across all disability types, all age groups, all art forms and across all states and territories of Australia.

ANKAAA is the peak advocacy and support agency for aboriginal artists and art centres located in the regions of Arnhem Land, Darwin/Katherine, the Kimberley and Tiwi Islands.

The Attorney-General’s Department website provides some introductory information to copyright and intellectual property.

Ausdance is the national organization for dancers. It provides advocacy for dance, the Ausdance Aon Insurance Scheme, Safe Dance research, dance industry journals and publications, workshops and forums, networking and dance resources.

A not-for-profit organisation that promotes photomedia-based art in Australia, dedicated to the practice and understanding of photography and photo media. 

The Australian Copyright Council is an independent, non-profit organisation. They represent the peak bodies for professional artists and content creators working in Australia’s creative industries and Australia’s major copyright collecting societies.

They advocate for the contribution of creators to Australia’s culture and economy; the importance of copyright for the common good. They work to promote understanding of copyright law and its application, lobby for appropriate law reform and foster collaboration between content creators and consumers.

Facilitates the advancement of the graphic design profession in Australia through the establishment of fair and productive working relationships between graphic designers and their clients.

AMIN represents the member, the state and territory music industry associations (Music Victoria, MusicNSW, WAM, QMusic, Music NT, Music Tasmania, Music SA and Music ACT) and creates a wide network that provides a national platform for the representation and the delivery of projects for the benefit of the contemporary music industry in Australia.

APRA AMCOS has 87,000+ members who are songwriters, composers and music publishers. They license organisations to play, perform, copy, record or make available their members’ music, and distribute the royalties to their members.

ARIA is a national recording industry association representing the interests of its members, ranging from small “boutique” labels to medium size organisations and very large companies with international affiliates.

The Australian Screen Association (previously known as the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft) represents the film and television content and distribution industry in Australia. They seek to advance the business and art of film making, increasing its enjoyment around the world.

ASDACS represents directors – film, television and all audiovisual media directors of works in public release – in collecting the rights and entitlements that arise from the success of their work around the world.

The Australian Society of Authors is the peak professional association representing the interests of Australia’s authors and illustrators. The association provides advocacy, support and advice. Their website provides a guide to minimum hourly rates and conditions for book illustrators.

ASTRA is the peak body that represents the subscription television industry in Australia.

The Australian Writers’ Guild is the peak industry body representing writers for stage, screen and radio and has protected and promoted their creative and professional interests for more than 50 years.

BoardConnect provides services designed to support the boards of non-profit organisations in Australia.  Their focus is in the arts and cultural sector and it is the first ongoing governance support service available to the arts.

CCLI issues licences and distributes fees for the use of Christian music and film resources by churches.

Provides information about the classifications system and how to apply for a classification.

Community Legal Centres NSW (CLCNSW) is the peak body for all community legal centres (CLCs) in NSW. They provide support to, and representation for, the member Centres, in government and community fora. CLCNSW itself does not provide legal advice to members of the public. The office is able to assist those seeking legal advice by referrals to an appropriate legal service provider.

The CBAA is the national peak body for community radio with a focus on building station capability and sustainability and creating a healthy environment for the sector to thrive. There are 450+ community radio services operating across Australia with a combined 5 million listeners per week. These stations play an important role in giving a voice to those not serviced by other media and supporting local arts and culture.

The National Association of Community Legal Centres (NACLC) is the national peak body for community legal centres (CLCs). The NACLC has a directory which gives information about the sort of work each CLC does and can help you locate the closest CLC to you.

CCLC-NSW is an Australian organisation for growing and developing businesses. The organisation works hand in hand with local administration to help Australian businesses prosper.

The Copyright Agency is an Australian not-for-profit organisation that manages the copyright of authors, journalists, visual artists, surveyors, photographers and newspaper, magazine and book publishers to license the copying of their works to the general community. The agency enables the reuse of copyright-protected words and images in return for fair payment to creators.

NCOSS provides independent and informed policy development, advice and review and plays a key coordination and leadership role for the non government social and community services sector in New South Wales.

Craft ACT’s Craft and Design Centre provides a unique service to craft and design practitioners and audiences in Canberra and the region. Craft ACT has been delivering quality cultural programs and recognises the ongoing need of Canberra craft and design artists to have access to: a professional exhibition program; professional development opportunities; promotion and commercial services and; advocacy on behalf of the sector.

Craft Victoria fosters creativity, experimentation and professionalism in contemporary craft and design. The organisation enhances awareness of Australian craft and design at state, national and international levels. As a membership based organisation, Craft Victoria provides support for established and emerging practitioners through professional development and promotional services.

The Australian Government Department of Employment is responsible for national policies and programmes that help Australians find and keep employment and work in safe, fair and productive workplaces. The website provides details about wages, awards, conditions of emplyment, termination, underpayment, discrimination, redundancy entitlements.

The Design Institute of Australia (DIA) is Australia's peak professional membership body for designers and design businesses. The DIA provides members with information on fee and salary conditions in the design sector.

Designed Objects Tasmania (DOT) is the leading and longest running independent design collective in Tasmania, with a national reach that inspires and sustains excellent design and innovative practices.

The aim of Film Victoria’s Locations Gallery Indigenous Map is to easily coordinate a consultative process between filmmakers and Victorian Indigenous groups. This map enables filmmakers to easily identify and contact specific Aboriginal groups to facilitate discussion surrounding areas of cultural sensitivity.

Free online legal resources on a wide range of topics, aimed at both lawyers and the general public.

FORM is an independent, not for profit organisation dedicated to advocating for and developing creativity in Western Australia. Form has a specific Indigenous program.

'The specialists in creative and innovative business. Whether you need tax advice or strategic planning, we’re here to help. We have your back.'

Guildhouse is the leading South Australian organisation supporting and creating connections for South Australian creative practitioners for 50 years.

Indigenous Art Code Limited is a public company established by the Australian Government to administer the Indigenous Art Commercial Code of Conduct (IACCC).

IGEA is an industry association representing Australian and New Zealand companies in the computer and video game industry. Its mission is to advance the interactive games & entertainment industry.

IP Australia is the federal government agency that grants rights in patents, designs and trademarks.

Information and resources to assist Victorians in their legal needs, such as databases of lawyers and legal organisations, legal information and pro bono legal assistance.

Website contains a database to find lawyers, details about the Pro Bono Scheme, free publications and FAQs about a wide range of legal services.

A wide range of legal information and pro bono legal assistance.

Information and resources to assist South Australians in their legal needs, such as databases of lawyers and legal organisations, legal information and pro bono legal assistance.

Information and resources to assist Western Australians in their legal needs, such as databases of lawyers and legal organisations, legal information and pro bono legal assistance.

The Alliance is the union and professional organisation which covers everyone in the media, entertainment, sports and arts industries. There are over 36,000 members which include people working in TV, radio, theatre & film, entertainment venues, recreation grounds, journalists, actors, dancers, sportspeople, cartoonists, photographers, orchestral & opera performers as well as people working in public relations, advertising, book publishing & website production. MEAA can provide information to members about minimum standard hourly rates.

MAV is a not for profit organisation promoting cultural diversity in the arts. MAV offers opportunities and support structures to artists and communities from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Music Rights Australia is an organisation that protects the creative interests of artists within the Australian music community through educational initiatives, government lobbying and the protection of artists' copyrights. Music Rights Australia acts on behalf of the 125 record companies through their association ARIA and over 2,000 songwriters and music publishers through their association AMCOS.

Music NSW is a not profit association which aim is to represent, promote and develop the contemporary music industry in New South Wales.

Music NT represents and develops the NT music industry. It offers to its members support in form of office access (computer, photocopier, telephone, directories), advice on touring, recording, promotion, performance opportunities and access to a wide range of resources.

Music Tasmania is Tasmania's peak body for the contemporary music industry. The organisation delivers programs and services that develop the capacity of the music sector and promote the talent and diverstiy of Tasmania's musicians. It also offers proffessional development and support that helps musicians translate their music into something that can be of commercial value. 

Music Victoria is an independent, not-for-profit organisation and the state peak body for contemporary music. It represents musicians, venues, music businesses and professionals, and music lovers across the contemporary Victorian music community. 

The Musicians Union of Australia is a not-for-profit association which represents and advances the interests of working musicians. The MUA negotiates awards governing conditions and rates of pay, and represents musicians at all levels of government and industry.

The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) is the national peak industry body representing and advancing the professional interests of the Australian visual and media arts, craft and design sector.

It provides advocacy, sets best practice standards and offers a range of services to the sector.

The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia is the nation’s living archive – collecting, preserving and sharing our rich audiovisual heritage.

NSW Fair Trading administers fair trading laws and looks after the rights of consumers. At the same time, NSW Fair Trading advises businesses and traders on fair and ethical practices. Free publications are available on their website providing information for consumers and traders of NSW.

Object is one of Australia’s leading centres for contemporary design. Object hosts exhibitions, runs educational activities and creates design publications.

Free publications to help employees and employers understand their rights and obligations under NSW industrial legislation. Has information about registering as an agent.

The IPC is an independent statutory authority that administers New South Wales's legislation dealing with privacy and access to government information.

PPCA issues licences for the broadcast, communication and public playing of recorded music (sound recordings) and music videos. Its members are Australian recording artists and record labels.

An independent, non-profit law and policy organisation that works for a fair, just and democratic society, empowering citizens, consumers and communities by taking strategic action on public interest issues.

Bridges the justice gap by linking individuals and not for profit organisations with legal and other professional advisors to address issues of concern in the community.

Q Music develops and represents all sectors of Queensland music industry. Q Music provides a wide range of services to artists and other music professionals such as workshops, resources, assistance and advice services and careers support.

Information and resources to assist people from Queensland in their legal needs, such as databases of lawyers and legal organisations, legal information and pro bono legal assistance.

Screen Australia is the key federal Government direct funding body for the Australian screen production industry. Its functions are to support and promote the development of a highly creative, innovative and commercially sustainable Australian screen production industry.

Screen NSW aims to stimulate creative and business opportunities in the screen industry. Screen NSW has a leadership role in promoting partnerships across the sector and providing "more than money" in connecting individuals and organisations, providing information through regular industry events, and supporting a vibrant and informed screen community.

SPAA is the industry body that represents Australian independent film and television producers on all issues affecting the business and creative aspects of screen production. SPAA members include television, feature film, animation, documentary, TV commercial and interactive media production companies as well as services and facilities providers such as post-production, finance, distribution and legal companies.

Screenrights is a rights management and royalty collection service for rights holders in film and television. It administers statutory licences that allow educational institutions (school, TAFE or university) and governments to copy material from radio and television.

ScreenWest is Western Australia's screen funding and development agency, committed to working in partnership with the screen industry to develop, support and promote film, television and digital media production in Western Australia.

The University of Western Sydney has developed The Small Business Tool Kit that is full of useful information for people starting a business. The Small Business Tool Kit is a valuable resource to find information and interactive tools you need to start, run and grow your business. You can register for free to create a profile, build business planning documents and track your progress.

Business Victoria is a comprehensive online resource designed to help you start, run and grow your business. There is a database where you can find accountants, bookkeepers, lawyers and business advisers.

The Push is a youth entertainment organisation. It provides information and support to young people in Victoria who wish to stage alcohol and drug free entertainment or to develop a career in the music industry. The Push has strong associations in the music industry.

Viscopy is the visual arts copyright collecting society. It licences the copyright in artistic works for its members, who are Australian and international visual artists and copyright owners.

WAM aims to develop the contemporary music industry in Western Australia. It assists in generating an environment where more Western Australians are able to sustain music industry careers.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is the global forum for intellectual property services, policy, information and cooperation. It is a specialised agency of the United Nations dedicated to developing a balanced and accessible international IP system, which rewards creativity, stimulates innovation and contributes to economic development while safeguarding the public interest.