Copyright Amendment Bill 2025

Stage by Stage

Summaries in reported speech - not a transcript. In date order, both chambers.

1. Wednesday 5 November 2025 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The Attorney-General moved the second reading of the Copyright Amendment Bill 2025, outlining its two primary reforms. The legislation introduces an orphan works scheme to facilitate the use of materials with unidentifiable owners and clarifies copyright rules for remote and hybrid education. The debate was adjourned without further speeches or a final vote recorded in the provided transcript.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned.

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2. Tuesday 3 February 2026 · House of Representatives

   Reference to Federation Chamber
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3. Tuesday 3 February 2026 · House of Representatives

   Consideration in Detail

   The Attorney-General moved three government amendments to the Copyright Amendment Bill 2025 during consideration in detail. These amendments clarified the interaction between the new orphan-works scheme and existing educational statutory licences. The changes ensured that educational institutions could choose to rely on the orphan-works scheme if it better suited their needs, rather than being restricted to the statutory licence. The amendments were agreed to, and the bill was reported to the House with the amendments included.

   Outcome: The amendments were agreed to, and the bill was reported to the House with amendments.

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4. Tuesday 3 February 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The House of Representatives debated the Copyright Amendment Bill 2025, which introduces a statutory scheme for orphan works and clarifies copyright exceptions for remote and hybrid education. Speakers from the government, opposition, and crossbench generally supported the bill as a necessary modernisation of the Copyright Act 1968, noting it balances creator rights with public access to cultural materials. Concerns were raised regarding the definition of 'reasonably diligent search' and the exclusion of recorded lessons from educational exemptions, particularly for regional students. The bill passed its second reading with broad cross-party support.

   Outcome: The bill was read a second time.

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5. Wednesday 4 February 2026 · House of Representatives

   Third Reading
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