Australia holds firm on AI copyright rules

Australia will retain its existing AI copyright rules, rejecting calls for a text and data mining exemption as the government seeks to attract AI investment without weakening protections for creators.

Industry and Innovation Minister Tim Ayres said existing copyright protections would remain in place while the government works towards a framework that provides greater certainty for both technology companies and rights holders. He said attracting AI investment should not come at the expense of creators’ rights.

The comments follow calls from AI companies for clearer access to copyrighted material for model training. Ayres acknowledged that technology firms and rights holders favour different approaches, while Attorney-General Michelle Rowland continues consultations aimed at reaching a compromise. Although no timetable has been announced, Ayres said the government wants to resolve the issue quickly without overriding creators’ control over their work.

Australia’s wider AI agenda also includes legislation establishing standards for large data centres, including requirements relating to electricity supply, grid stability and water security. Ayres said implementation would be coordinated by the Office of Artificial Intelligence, while the AI Safety Institute continues collaborating with international partners, security agencies and frontier AI developers.

Ayres described the reforms as a national economic and security priority, arguing that Australia should help shape AI rather than depend solely on technologies developed elsewhere. The government is also working with businesses and trade unions on workforce adaptation as AI transforms employment.

By maintaining its AI copyright rules while developing infrastructure and safety standards, Australia is seeking to balance investment, technological sovereignty, creators’ rights and public trust.

Why does it matter?

Australia’s approach illustrates the growing challenge governments face in balancing AI innovation with intellectual property protections. By rejecting a broad copyright exemption while continuing consultations, Canberra is signalling that attracting AI investment should not automatically come at the expense of creators’ rights.

The announcement also shows that AI governance is extending beyond model regulation to encompass copyright, infrastructure, energy security and workforce policy. Rather than treating these as separate issues, Australia is developing a broader national strategy that links AI competitiveness with economic resilience, public trust and technological sovereignty.

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