Phonographic Performance Company of Australia

PPCA (Phonographic Performance Company of Australia) is a non-profit organization that licenses the public performance, broadcast, and communication of recorded music and music videos in Australia. It represents recording artists and record labels (not songwriters or composers), collecting license fees from businesses and broadcasters that use sound recordings and distributing royalties directly to registered artists and licensors.

How PPCA Works

PPCA is distinct from APRA AMCOS (which represents songwriters and publishers). PPCA represents the owners of sound recordings (record labels) and featured recording artists. When a business plays a recorded song publicly, two licenses are typically required: one from APRA AMCOS for the underlying composition, and one from PPCA for the sound recording itself.

PPCA collects license fees from:

• Commercial and public radio stations for broadcasting sound recordings
• Television networks for using recorded music in broadcasts
• Public performance venues including retail stores, restaurants, gyms, hotels, and nightclubs
• Online and communication services including streaming, music on hold, and ancillary reproduction
• Music video users for broadcast and public display of music videos
• Events and festivals through the OneMusic Australia joint initiative with APRA AMCOS

PPCA distributes royalties annually in December. The distribution process works as follows:

1. PPCA collects total license fee revenue during the financial year (July 1 to June 30)
2. Operating costs and expenses are deducted, creating the Preliminary Distributable Amount
3. Up to 1% is allocated to charitable, educational, and industry grants (including Support Act, Sounds Australia, and the Australian Copyright Council)
4. The remaining Distributable Amount is split into distribution pools based on revenue source and usage data
5. Royalties are allocated using airplay logs from commercial, public, and community radio, ARIA Club Chart reports, music recognition technology data, and licensee self-reporting
6. Payments are made to registered artists and licensors

Under the Artist Direct Distribution Scheme (ADDS), PPCA pays 50% of the net distribution value for each recording directly to the featured registered artist, with the remaining 50% paid to the PPCA licensor (typically the record label). In May 2025, PPCA removed the former $5 minimum payment threshold for registered artists, meaning all distribution earnings are now credited regardless of amount.

PPCA also updated its Distribution Policy in May 2025 to clarify that recordings created using AI may only be registered if a human is the primary creator with substantial and meaningful contribution. AI cannot be the sole or central element of any registered repertoire.

In 2023-24, PPCA collected AUD $62,115,954 in total revenue (up 7.9% from the previous year) and distributed $48,376,344 to 4,170 licensors and 5,642 registered artists. The expense-to-revenue ratio was 22.1%, elevated by significant investment in two Copyright Tribunal matters. Excluding Tribunal costs, the ratio would have been approximately 14%.

PPCA is led by CEO Annabelle Herd, who also serves as CEO of ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association). The organization continues to campaign for removal of the statutory 1% cap on commercial radio sound recording royalties through the Radio Fair Play campaign.

In 2025, the Copyright Tribunal of Australia ruled on a new commercial radio broadcast license rate of 0.55% of gross industry revenue, up from the previous 0.4% rate. This represents a 38% increase in royalties paid when commercial radio broadcasts sound recordings. The new rate is backdated to July 1, 2023. However, the Tribunal noted that the statutory 1% cap remains a permanent fixture that constrains fair market rate negotiations. PPCA continues to advocate for legislative removal of the cap, noting that Australia's radio royalty rate of 0.4% (now 0.55%) is far below rates in Canada, the UK, and Germany, which range from 3% to 7.5%.

Real-World Example

An Australian recording artist releases a single through an independent label registered with PPCA. The single receives 500 plays on a commercial radio station in a given year and is played in 50 licensed venues (retail stores, cafes, gyms) that hold PPCA blanket licenses.

The radio station pays PPCA a license fee calculated at 0.55% of its gross revenue (under the new 2025 Tribunal rate). PPCA logs the 500 plays through its airplay monitoring system. The venue license fees are allocated based on proxy reporting data where direct usage logs are unavailable.

For the radio royalties, the ADDS scheme pays 50% directly to the featured artist and 50% to the record label. If the artist's single generates AUD $2,000 in annual radio royalties, the artist receives $1,000 directly from PPCA and the label receives $1,000 (subject to the terms of their recording contract).

If the same recording is played on Spotify in Australia, PPCA does not collect those royalties. Streaming mechanical and performance royalties for sound recordings are typically handled through direct agreements between labels and streaming platforms. PPCA's role focuses on broadcast, public performance, and communication licensing.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you are an Australian recording artist or label, PPCA collects royalties when your sound recordings are played on radio, television, in public venues, or communicated through certain online services. Without PPCA registration, you earn nothing when your recordings are broadcast or performed publicly in Australia.

Register as a PPCA Registered Artist if you are a featured performer on sound recordings released in Australia. Under the ADDS scheme, you receive 50% of the net distribution value directly, separate from your record label. This payment is independent of your recording contract terms. As of May 2025, there is no minimum payment threshold, so even small earnings are credited.

If you own or control sound recordings (as an independent label or self-released artist), also register as a PPCA Licensor. This ensures you receive the licensor's 50% share of distributions for your recordings.

PPCA does not represent songwriters or composers. If you write your own songs, you also need to join APRA AMCOS to collect performance royalties for the underlying compositions. Both registrations are necessary for independent artists who write and record their own music.

The statutory 1% cap on commercial radio royalties means Australian artists receive significantly less from radio play than artists in comparable markets. PPCA's ongoing campaign to remove this cap, supported by the Mandala economic report showing a potential 78% income increase for radio-played artists, directly affects your earning potential. Support the Radio Fair Play campaign and contact your parliamentary representatives about the Fair Pay for Radio Play Bill.

Territory Covered

PPCA licenses the public performance, broadcast, and communication of recorded music and music videos exclusively within Australia. The organization collects license fees from businesses and broadcasters operating inside Australian borders. This includes commercial and public radio stations, television networks, public performance venues (retail stores, restaurants, gyms, hotels, nightclubs), online and communication services, and events and festivals.

For royalties generated outside Australia, PPCA does not directly collect international royalties. Australian recording artists and labels must register with neighboring rights societies in other territories or use a neighboring rights administrator to collect international royalties. PPCA's role focuses on domestic collection within Australia.

PPCA operates alongside APRA AMCOS (which represents songwriters and publishers) through the OneMusic Australia joint initiative. OneMusic provides combined blanket licenses to businesses that need both composition and sound recording licenses.

Membership and Fees

PPCA offers two registration types. Both are free to join.

Registered Artist

Australian recording artists who are featured performers on sound recordings released in Australia can register as PPCA Registered Artists. Under the Artist Direct Distribution Scheme (ADDS), registered artists receive 50% of the net distribution value for each recording directly from PPCA. This payment is independent of the artist's recording contract terms.

Registration requires:

1. Complete an Artist Registration Form
2. Provide appropriate identification
3. Submit Recording Details forms for each track to be claimed

Session musicians, producers, songwriters, and DJs who remix or sequence recordings are not eligible for the ADDS. Only featured recording artists who made an audible contribution and are entitled to an ongoing royalty as a performer under the recording agreement qualify.

Licensor

Copyright holders of sound recordings (record labels or self-released artists) register as PPCA Licensors. This authorizes PPCA to issue licenses on their behalf. Licensors receive the remaining 50% of the net distribution value for each recording.

Fees

• Signup fee: None
• Annual fee: None
• Commission: PPCA deducts operating costs and expenses from total revenue before distribution. No separate commission is charged to members.

Overhead Rate

PPCA deducts operating costs and expenses from total collected revenue before distribution. The expense-to-revenue ratio varies year to year.

2023-24 Financial Year

• Total revenue: AUD $62,115,954
• Distributable amount: AUD $48,376,344
• Expense-to-revenue ratio: 22.1%
• Excluding Copyright Tribunal costs: approximately 14%

The elevated ratio in 2023-24 was driven by significant investment in two Copyright Tribunal matters. The Tribunal cases resulted in a new commercial radio broadcast license rate of 0.55% of gross industry revenue, up from the previous 0.4% rate.

Charitable Allocation

Up to 1% of the Preliminary Distributable Amount is allocated to charitable, educational, and industry purposes. Current recipients include Support Act, Sounds Australia, and the Australian Copyright Council.

Royalty Distribution Schedule

PPCA distributes royalties annually in December. The distribution covers the Australian financial year (July 1 to June 30).

Distribution Process

1. PPCA collects total license fee revenue during the financial year (July 1 to June 30)
2. Operating costs and expenses are deducted, creating the Preliminary Distributable Amount
3. Up to 1% is allocated to charitable, educational, and industry grants
4. The remaining Distributable Amount is split into distribution pools based on revenue source and usage data
5. Royalties are allocated using airplay logs, ARIA Club Chart reports, music recognition technology data, and licensee self-reporting
6. Payments are made to registered artists and licensors in December

Registration Deadline

To be eligible for payment in the December distribution, all licensors, registered artists, and sound recordings must be registered with PPCA by August 31, following the end of each financial year.

Payment Threshold

As of May 2025, PPCA removed the former $5 minimum payment threshold for registered artists. All distribution earnings are now credited regardless of amount. Payments are processed once an account reaches a balance of $20.

2024-25 Distribution

The distributable surplus for 2024-25 (due for distribution in December 2025) is $48.2 million, a 0.25% decrease from the previous year. The decrease was primarily driven by costs of the two Copyright Tribunal cases. Overall revenues increased by 5.3%.

Reciprocal Agreements

PPCA works with several industry organizations to ensure comprehensive rights management within Australia.

Major Partnerships

• APRA AMCOS: PPCA operates the OneMusic Australia joint initiative with APRA AMCOS. OneMusic provides combined blanket licenses to businesses that need both composition (APRA) and sound recording (PPCA) licenses. This simplifies licensing for venues, retail stores, and other businesses.
• ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association): PPCA CEO Annabelle Herd also serves as CEO of ARIA. The organizations collaborate on industry advocacy and awards programs.
• IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry): PPCA is affiliated with IFPI for international industry coordination and advocacy.

PPCA does not maintain direct bilateral representation agreements with foreign neighboring rights societies for outbound collection. Australian artists seeking international neighboring rights royalties must register with societies in each territory or use a neighboring rights administrator.

Notable Members

PPCA does not publicly disclose its full membership roster. As of 2023-24, the organization represents 4,170 licensors (record labels and self-released artists) and 5,642 registered artists.

PPCA is led by CEO Annabelle Herd, who also serves as CEO of ARIA. The organization's chair is Josh Pyke, an Australian musician known for his solo work and as a member of The Apartments.

PPCA sponsors several industry initiatives:

• Breakthrough Artist Award at the AIR Awards
• Best Independent Release award at the ARIA Awards (partnered with ARIA)
• PPCA Board Observership Program
• Contributions to the Association of Artist Managers (AAM), Support Act, and Sounds Australia

PRO Comparison Table

Videos

Compare PPCA with Other PROs

• APRA AMCOS - Australia's performing and mechanical rights organization (complementary to PPCA)
• GVL - Germany's neighboring rights organization
• PPL - UK neighboring rights organization
• SoundExchange - US digital performance rights organization
• SENA - Netherlands neighboring rights organization
• Full PRO Directory - Browse all performing rights organizations

Related Resources

• Performing Rights Organizations (PRO) - What a PRO is and how it functions
• Neighboring Rights - How neighboring rights work for performers
• Performance Royalties - How performance royalties are generated and collected
• Collective Management Organization (CMO) - How CMOs operate globally
• PPCA Official Website - Visit PPCA for registration and licensing information
• Use our Streaming Royalty Calculator to estimate your digital earnings