Frequently asked questions

Registration

I’m a new claimant. How do I claim for lending rights?

You will need to register as a creator or publisher through Lending Rights Online or by completing a registration form on the forms page. You will also need to submit at least one title claim form with your registration form. You will need to submit a separate title claim for each book you wish to claim for.

Registration and title claim forms are available on the forms page. Please note that there are different registration and title claim forms for creators and publishers.

I self-publish my book(s). How does this affect my lending rights claim?

You are eligible to claim as both a publisher and a creator for your book(s). If you have not previously registered, you will need to register separately as both a publisher and a creator. You will receive two different claimant numbers, one as creator and one as publisher. You will need to submit separate title claims for each book (i.e. one as a creator and one as a publisher) to be eligible for both payments.

You can register as a creator and/or publisher through Lending Rights Online. Creator/publisher registration and title claim forms are available on the forms page.

Contact and Banking Details

How do I update my contact and/or banking details?

The easiest way to update your contact and/or banking details is through Lending Rights Online .

You can also update your details by email, post or fax or by completing and returning a change of details form available on the forms page.

Please note that changes to contact or banking details cannot be accepted over the phone.

How can I check if my contact and/or banking details are up to date?

The easiest way to check your contact and/or banking details is through Lending Rights Online. The Lending Rights team can also confirm your details over the phone.

Can I use my literary agent’s contact and/or banking details?

Yes, you can choose to use your literary agent as your contact and/or to receive your payments. If you are a new claimant, you can use the creator registration through literary agent form to register. If you are an existing claimant and now wish to use your literary agent as your contact and/or to receive your payments, please notify the Lending Rights team via email, post or fax. Please note that changes to contact or banking details cannot be accepted over the phone.

If you have given them authority to do so, your literary agent can submit title claims on your behalf but cannot change your contact or banking details.

My spouse/relative is registered for lending rights. Can I update their details on their behalf?

No. Due to privacy laws, we must receive notification of changes to contact and/or banking details from the individual in question.

If you have power of attorney for a claimant, please contact the Lending Rights team for more information.

Eligibility

I am an Australian citizen but I live overseas. Am I eligible to claim for lending rights?

Yes, you are eligible to claim for lending rights. Please note that payments can only be made by direct credit into a nominated account with an Australian financial institution.

I am not an Australian citizen but I live in Australia. Am I eligible to claim for lending rights?

Yes, you are eligible to claim for lending rights if you are not an Australian citizen but reside in Australia. If you stop living in Australia you will no longer be eligible.

I have published a book outside of Australia. Can I claim for lending rights for overseas titles?

Yes, as long as the book has a library catalogue record in the Australian National Bibliographic Database or the Schools Catalogue Information Service.

I published a book more than five years ago. Can I claim for it now?

No, only books first published in the past five years, or republished in a revised edition in the past five years, are eligible to be claimed for lending rights. You can claim for books republished in a revised edition regardless of when the first edition was published. A reprint of an existing edition of a book does not count as republication.

Only books published between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2012 are eligible to be claimed for the 2013–14 PLR and ELR program year.

Title claims for the 2013–14 PLR and ELR programs close on 31 March 2013.

I published a book in 2009 but only submitted a title claim for it in 2011. Am I eligible for back payments?

No, back payments will not be made for books not claimed in previous program years.

What items are excluded from PLR and ELR?

The following items are not eligible for PLR and ELR:

  • electronic resources, such as audio visual kits, compact discs, electronic books, DVDs and talking books
  • magazines and other serial publications
  • games or cards
  • books designed for a single-use, such as activity books, sticker books or workbooks
  • any other item without an International Standard Book Number (ISBN).

What are books designed for a single use, and why aren’t they eligible for lending rights?

The PLR Committee considers books designed for a single use to include sticker books, workbooks, diaries, colouring-in books and activity books.

Books designed for a single use (books designed to be used only once by a single person) are unlikely to be held by public and educational lending libraries. These materials have been excluded from the PLR and ELR schemes in order to reduce administrative costs relating to claims for books that will not be held in libraries in sufficient quantities to attract PLR or ELR payments.

I received a flat fee payment for a book instead of royalties. Am I eligible to claim for lending rights for this book?

No. Creators must have an ongoing financial interest in the book (i.e. a right to royalties) to be eligible for lending rights.

Is there a minimum print run for eligibility?

The changes made to the PLR and ELR schemes on 18 April 2011 allow the Public Lending Right Committee to determine a minimum print run for eligibility for PLR and ELR. However, no such determination has been made yet.

Claimants will be advised in advance if any minimum print run is to be introduced.

I have self-published my book(s). Am I eligible to claim for lending rights?

Yes. You can claim as both a publisher and a creator. For information on registering as a creator and/or publisher, see the FAQs on ‘Registration’.

Lending Rights Online

I need a password for Lending Rights Online.

If you are an existing claimant, please contact the Lending Rights team for a password to Lending Rights Online.

New claimants will only be able to receive a password for Lending Rights Online after their registration has been processed and they have been issued with a lending rights claimant number.

How do I change my password?

You can change your password through Lending Rights Online. Please note that you will need to answer the security questions you have set up for your Lending Rights Online log-in in order to change your password.

I’ve forgotten my password. How can I get a new one?

You can use the forgot your password option on Lending Rights Online to reset your password as long as your email address is up to date.

You can also contact the Lending Rights team via phone or email to have your password reset.

I’ve forgotten my security questions. Could you reset them for me?

Security questions cannot be reset. Please ensure that you choose answers to security questions that will be easy to remember.

Why can’t I view my latest payment?

Only payment advice statements up to the 2009-10 program can be viewed through Lending Rights Online. We are working to make payment advice statements for the 2010-11 and 2011-12 programs available as soon as possible.

Why can’t I see all the claims I’ve submitted in the ‘Previous Claims’ section on Lending Rights Online?

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve Lending Rights Online, we have recently added the ability for claimants to view previous claims submitted online. Please note, however, that only title claims submitted through Lending Rights Online after 8 March 2012 are visible in the ‘Previous Claims’ section.

Title Claims

Where can I get a title claim form?

A title claim form in PDF format is available on our forms page.

How do I submit a title claim form?

You can submit a title claim form by post, fax or email (as a scanned attachment). Please note that all title claims must be signed.

If you have already registered as a Lending Rights claimant you can submit title claims through Lending Rights Online.

I don’t have my claimant number. Where can I find it?

You can find your claimant number on your PLR or ELR payment advice statements. Existing claimants can also obtain their claimant number from the Lending Rights team.

If you are a new claimant, you will be sent your claimant number once your registration form has been processed.

I submitted a title claim for a book last year. Do I need to claim again?

No, you do not need to submit another title claim for that book unless a revised edition with a new ISBN is published.

How do I know what books I have already submitted a title claim for?

Your 2011-12 PLR and ELR payment advice statements will show all of the title claims you made up to 31 March 2011 for books published in 2010 or earlier.

You can now view some previous claims on Lending Rights Online. Please note that only title claims submitted through Lending Rights Online after 8 March 2012 are visible in the ‘Previous Claims’ section.

Please contact the Lending Rights team if you would like information on title claims submitted between 1 April 2011 and 8 March 2012 or title claims submitted manually since 8 March 2012.

Please note that it may take several weeks for us to receive and process claims during busy periods such as the lead up to the closing date of 31 March for each program year.

I have submitted a title claim for a previous edition of my book, but I don’t know the Book Reference Number (BRN). How can I find it?

You can find your book’s BRN on a payment advice statement for a program year in which that book had been claimed. If you are unable to find the BRN, or have not yet received it, you can leave this section of the title claim blank.

Do you acknowledge receipt of title claims?

We do not acknowledge title claim forms sent to us via post, email or fax. You will receive an email acknowledging receipt if you submit a title claim through Lending Rights Online.

My publisher has sent me a title claim form but I have already submitted one for the book in question. Do I need to submit this one as well?

You only need to submit one title claim form for each title. Your publisher may be unaware that you have already submitted a title claim for the book.

I have submitted a title claim via Lending Rights Online/email. Do I need to submit a hard copy as well?

No. We accept title claims submitted through Lending Rights Online and scanned signed copies via email.

I’m a creator. What should I put in the royalty section of the title claim form?

You should put the royalty rate you receive for this title as per your contract with your publisher (e.g. 10 per cent). Please note that this is different from your share of total royalties for this book, which is used as the basis for calculating PLR and ELR payments due to you for the book and is listed on your payment advice under ‘PER CENT ENTITLED’.

For example, if you and another creator each receive a five per cent royalty rate for a book you worked on together, you would list your royalty rate on your title claim form as ‘five per cent’. Your payment advice statement will show your ‘PER CENT ENTITLED’ as ‘50 per cent’ as you are entitled to half of the total royalties for the book.

I’m a publisher. What should I put in the royalty section of the title claim form?

You should show both the royalty rate received by each party to the royalty agreement for that title and the way in which total royalties are shared between the parties (totalling 100 per cent). For example, if the two creators that receive royalties for a title, John Smith and Mary Lu, receive a six per cent and a four per cent royalty respectively, you would show the following on your title claim form:

Name Royalty Division of Royalty
John Smith 6% 60%
Mary Lu 4% 40%

Payments and Payment Advice Statements

How are PLR payments calculated?

For each eligible book you have claimed, we calculate a payment by multiplying its PLR survey score (that is, the number of copies of the book estimated to be held in public libraries) by the PLR creator or publisher rate of payment for the current program year. A payment will only be calculated for a book if its PLR survey score is 50 or more.

If you are the sole creator or the publisher of a book, you will receive the entire PLR payment for that book. If you are a joint creator, your share of the PLR payment will be determined by the share of royalties you are entitled to receive for the book.

The PLR payment rates for 2011-12 have been set at $1.86 per copy for creators and 46.5 cents per copy for publishers.

Your total PLR payment will be the sum of the payments due for each of your eligible books. Please note that if this total payment is below the current PLR minimum payment amount of $50 no payment will be made. If the total payment is below this threshold, your payment advice statement will show the total payment due to you as ‘NIL’.

How are ELR payments calculated?

ELR payments are not calculated on a book-by-book basis. The ELR creator or publisher rates of payment for the current program year are applied to the total equivalent number of copies of your eligible books estimated to be held in educational libraries. This number is ‘equivalent’ because it may be adjusted according to the way royalties are shared between joint creators.

For each eligible book you have claimed, we calculate an equivalent number of copies by multiplying its ELR survey score (that is, the number of copies of the book estimated to be held in educational libraries) by the share of royalties you are entitled to receive for the book. This will be 100 per cent if you are the sole creator or the publisher of the book.

An equivalent number of copies will only be calculated for a book if its ELR survey score is 50 or more. Your total equivalent number of copies is the sum of the individual equivalent numbers of copies for each of your eligible books.

The ELR scheme has a tiered table of payment rates. Claimants receive a progressively smaller per book rate as their total equivalent number of book copies rises. The ELR rates of payment for 2011-12 are as follows:

Total Equivalent No. of Book Copies  2011-12 Rates of Payment
  Creator Publisher
First 50 $1.15 28.75 cents
51 – 500 68 cents 17 cents
501 – 5,000 45 cents 11.25 cents
5,001 – 50,000 18 cents 4.5 cents
More than 50,000 10 cents 2.5 cents

What is the minimum payment amount for the schemes and how does this work?

There is a minimum payment amount of $50 for the PLR and ELR schemes. A creator or publisher will only receive a PLR or ELR payment if the total amount due to them for all eligible books claimed under that scheme is above this threshold. From 2012–13 onwards, the PLR and ELR minimum payment amounts will increase from $50 to $100 to reflect rising administrative costs. This change will not affect payments in 2011-12, but means that you will only receive a PLR or ELR payment in 2012-13 if the total amount due to you from all eligible books under that scheme is $100 or more.

Is there a maximum payment amount for the schemes?

The Minister for the Arts approved a number of changes to the PLR and ELR schemes on 18 April 2011, including the capacity to set a maximum payment amount to claimants in future years. No maximum payment amount has been set yet for the PLR and ELR schemes. The capacity to introduce a maximum payment level will not affect your payment in 2011-12 or 2012-13. Claimants will be notified in advance if any maximum payment amount is to be introduced.

Who decides what the minimum and maximum payment amounts will be?

The Minister for the Arts is able to set minimum and maximum payment amounts for the PLR and ELR schemes. The Minister will take the advice of the Public Lending Right Committee into account in making any decision.

Why have I been sent two payment advice statements with different payment rates?

If you are registered for both PLR and ELR, your payment advice envelope will contain a separate letter and statement for each scheme. The letter and statement printed on white paper relate to your PLR payment for the 2011-12 program year. The letter and statement printed on yellow paper relates to your ELR payment for the 2011-12 program year.

Why have I been sent four statements with different payment rates?

Self-publishers may receive four payment advice letters and statements. The two letters and statements printed on white paper relate to your PLR payments for the 2011-12 program year. The two letters will have different claimant numbers in the top right-hand corner – one relates to your PLR payment as a publisher and the other relates to your PLR payment as a creator.

The two letters and statements printed on yellow paper relate to your ELR payments for the 2011-12 program year, one as a publisher and the other as a creator.

When will I find out how much I will be paid?

Payment advice statements are sent out in May each year.

Please note that if the Lending Rights team does not have your current contact details you may not receive your payment advice statement. Please see the section of these FAQs on Contact and Banking Details for information on how to update your contact details.

When will I be paid?

Payments are made in June each year.

Please note that if the Lending Rights team does not have your current banking details you will not receive your payment. Please see the section of these FAQs on Contact and Banking Details for information on how to change your nominated account details.

Why aren’t all the books I’ve claimed listed on my statement?

Title claims received after the closing date of 31 March 2011 and title claims relating to books published in 2011 were not included in the 2011-12 PLR and ELR programs and will not appear on your payment advice statement(s). These title claims will be included in the 2012-13 survey and any payments for them will be made in June 2013.

Please note that payment advice statements are printed on both sides.

I have lost my statement. Can you send me another one?

You can view previous statements up to and including the 2009-10 program on Lending Rights Online. We are working to make payment advice statements for the 2010-11 and 2011-12 programs available online.
Alternatively, please contact the Lending Rights team if you would like a replacement statement to be emailed or posted to you.

My literary agent is responsible for only one of my books. Can I split my payment so they receive a percentage?

No, we cannot split payments.

I’m currently living overseas, and I don’t have an Australian bank account. Can you pay into my overseas account?

No. PLR and ELR payments will only be made by direct deposit into a nominated Australian financial institution account.

The Australian Society of Authors has offered to act as a trusted third party to accept payments for Lending Rights claimants who are unable to nominate Australian bank accounts. Please contact the Lending Rights team for more information.

Do you pay by cheque?

No, we only make payments by direct deposit into Australian financial institution accounts.

Why is the survey year listed for my book on my payment advice statement not the current program year (2011-12)?

In the PLR scheme books are surveyed for two consecutive years after their year of publication and then every three years for as long as they continue to score at least 50 copies. Books scoring less than 50 copies will not usually be surveyed again unless a title claim is received for a new edition. If a book is not surveyed in any given program year, it will be given the same score it received in the last program year in which it was surveyed.

A book I have claimed for as a publisher is scoring well. Why haven’t we received a payment for this title?

An eligible publisher will only receive a PLR or ELR payment for a claimed title if at least one eligible creator is receiving a payment for the title in that scheme. If an eligible creator has not made a claim, you will not receive a payment. In this case your PLR payment advice statement will show your payment due for that book as ‘NIL’ and your ELR payment advice statement will show your equivalent number of copies for that book as ‘NIL’.

Other

I receive payments from the Copyright Agency Limited (CAL). Are you part of that organisation?

No, we are a separate agency to CAL. You will need to claim for lending rights separately. You can find more information about CAL at the Copyright Agency Limited website

My spouse/relative received lending rights payments and has recently passed away. Is their estate eligible to receive lending rights payments?

No, PLR and ELR payments are only made to living creators and publishers of works by living creators. As an exception, a final payment may be made in the program year in which a creator has died. Please contact the Lending Rights team for more information.