Copyright Amendment Bill 2026
Amends the Copyright Act 1968 to: facilitate the use of copyright materials for which the copyright owner cannot be identified or located (commonly known as ‘orphan works’) by limiting the remedies available for infringing use if the user conducts a reasonably diligent search for the copyright owner or owners and meets certain other requirements; clarify the scope of section 28 which relates to the performance and communication of copyright material in the course of educational instruction; and make minor technical amendments.
Summary from the official bill homepage.
Became law
| Act | Copyright Amendment Act 2026 |
|---|---|
| Number | No. 29, 2026 |
| Assent | 1 Apr 2026 |
| Status | In force |
Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 21 Oct 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.
Progress
| Date | Step |
|---|---|
| House | |
| 5 Nov 2025 | Introduced and read a first time |
| 5 Nov 2025 | Second reading moved |
| 3 Feb 2026 | Second reading debate |
| 3 Feb 2026 | Referred to Federation Chamber |
| 3 Feb 2026 | Second reading debate |
| 3 Feb 2026 | Second reading agreed to |
| 3 Feb 2026 | Consideration in detail debate |
| 4 Feb 2026 | Reported from Federation Chamber |
| 4 Feb 2026 | Third reading agreed to |
| Senate | |
| 5 Feb 2026 | Introduced and read a first time |
| 5 Feb 2026 | Second reading moved |
| 31 Mar 2026 | Second reading debate |
| 31 Mar 2026 | Second reading agreed to |
| 31 Mar 2026 | Third reading agreed to |
| 31 Mar 2026 | Finally passed both Houses |
| 1 Apr 2026 | Assent |
Divisions on this bill
- 31 Mar 2026 Copyright Amendment Bill 2026 - Second Reading - Educational institutions Negatived Senate 16–26
- 31 Mar 2026 Copyright Amendment Bill 2026 - Second Reading - Copyright Negatived Senate 16–26
Official record: bill homepage at aph.gov.au, full text and documents on ParlInfo.