About the artists resale royalty scheme
The artists' resale royalty scheme started on 9 June 2010.
Under the scheme:
- commercial resales of artworks for $1,000 or more must be reported; and
- a 5% royalty is payable on some resales.
The Australian government appointed Copyright Agency to manage the scheme.
Key features of the scheme:
- it applies to resales of existing as well as new works;
- it applies to a range of original artworks, included limited edition prints authorised by the artist;
- it does not apply to a private sale from one individual to another;
- all resales for $1,000 or more must be reported;
- a royalty is not payable if the seller aquired the work before 9 June, 2010;
- a royalty is not payable on resales for under $1,000;
- a royalty is not payable if it is more than 70 years from the end of the year in which the artist died;
- the scheme will be extended to artworks from countries that have similar schemes.
Click links below to view:
Fee adjustment
From 1 July 2015, the administration fee for royalities collected by the Copyright Agency under the Resale Royalty Scheme became 15%. A 15% fee for service reflects costs of managing the scheme and is consistent with other resale schemes internationally. Read more or view the direct email sent to artists, art market professionals, buyers and sellers who have registered for update.
2013 Review of the Resale Royalty Scheme
A post-implementation review of the Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Act 2009 (the Resale Act) and the associated scheme commenced in June 2013. The Resale Royalty Review Report is being finalised. An announcement about the scheme is expected to be made in the coming months.
About Copyright
Copyright Agency Limited provides simple ways for people to reproduce, store and share words, images and other creative content, in return for fair payment. In doing so, it connects the creators, owners and users of copyright material.
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If you have a question about the Resale Royalty Scheme, Copyright Agency or any other matter, please fill in our general enquiry form here.