Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Regulations 2021

Administered by Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Legislation au F2021L01478 Regulations In force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Regulations 2021

made under the

Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Act 2009

Compilation No. 2

Compilation date: 31 March 2025

Includes amendments: F2025L00119

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Regulations 2021 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 31 March 2025 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.

Selfrepealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

Contents

1 Name

3 Authority

4 Definitions

6 Excluded class of transfer

6A Residency test—individuals

7 Format of notice of commercial resale

8 Notice of commercial resale

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

1  Name

  This instrument is the Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Regulations 2021.

3  Authority

  This instrument is made under the Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Act 2009.

4  Definitions

  In this instrument:

Act means the Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Act 2009.

6  Excluded class of transfer

  For the purposes of paragraph 8(1)(c) of the Act, an excluded class of transfer is a transfer of ownership of an artwork:

 (a) for monetary consideration of less than $1000; and

 (b)  to which subsection 8(2) of the Act does not apply.

6A  Residency test—individuals

  For the purposes of paragraph 14(1)(c) of the Act, the following countries are prescribed as reciprocating countries:

 (a) Austria;

 (b) Belgium;

 (c) Czech Republic;

 (d) Denmark;

 (da) Estonia;

 (e) Finland;

 (f) France;

 (g) Germany;

 (ga) Greece;

 (h) Hungary;

 (i) Ireland;

 (j) Italy;

 (k) Latvia;

 (ka) Lithuania;

 (kb) Mexico;

 (l) Netherlands;

 (la) New Zealand;

 (m) Norway;

 (ma) Poland;

 (n) Portugal;

 (na) Romania;

 (nb) Slovakia;

 (o) Spain;

 (p) Sweden;

 (q) United Kingdom;

 (r) Uruguay.

7  Format of notice of commercial resale

  For the purposes of section 28 of the Act, the Minister may, by legislative instrument, determine a format of notice of commercial resale.

8  Notice of commercial resale

 (1) For the purposes of paragraph 28(2)(c) of the Act, the following information is taken to be sufficient detail in a notice of commercial resale:

 (a) the date of resale;

 (b) the GST inclusive sale price;

 (c) whether the seller acquired the artwork on or after the commencement date of the resale royalty right arrangements to which the Act relates;

 (d) the medium of the artwork or a description of the artwork;

 (e) the artist’s name (if known);

 (ea) if the artist’s name is not known—that fact;

 (f) the country of which the artist is a citizen or permanent resident (if known);

 (fa) if the country of which the artist is a citizen or permanent resident is not known—that fact;

 (g) whether the artist is alive (if known);

 (ga) if whether the artist is alive is not known—that fact;

 (h) if the artist has died—the year of the artist’s death (if known);

 (ha) if the artist has died and the year of the artist’s death is not known—that fact.

Note: The commencement date of the resale royalty right arrangements referred to in paragraph (c) is 9 June 2010.

 (2) Despite subsection (1), other information included in a notice of commercial resale may be taken to be sufficient detail for the purposes of paragraph 28(2)(c) of the Act.

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.

 

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

ad = added or inserted

o = order(s)

am = amended

Ord = Ordinance

amdt = amendment

orig = original

c = clause(s)

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

/subsubparagraph(s)

Ch = Chapter(s)

pres = present

def = definition(s)

prev = previous

Dict = Dictionary

(prev…) = previously

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

Pt = Part(s)

Div = Division(s)

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

ed = editorial change

reloc = relocated

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

renum = renumbered

effect

rep = repealed

F = Federal Register of Legislation

rs = repealed and substituted

gaz = gazette

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

effect

SR = Statutory Rules

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

SubCh = SubChapter(s)

cannot be given effect

SubPt = Subpart(s)

mod = modified/modification

underlining = whole or part not

No. = Number(s)

commenced or to be commenced

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Name

Registration

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Regulations 2021

29 Oct 2021 (F2021L01478)

30 Oct 2021 (s 2(1) item 1)

 

Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Amendment (Reciprocating Countries) Regulations 2024

1 Mar 2024 (F2024L00265)

31 Mar 2024 (s 2(1) item 1)

Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Amendment (Reciprocating Countries) Regulations 2025

18 Feb 2025 (F2025L00119)

31 Mar 2025 (s 2(1) item 1)

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

s 2.....................

rep LA s 48D

s 5.....................

rep LA s 48C

s 6A....................

ad F2024L00265

 

am F2025L00119

s 8.....................

am F2025L00119

Schedule 1................

rep LA s 48C

 

 

Overview

The Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Regulations 2021, made under the Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Act 2009, were introduced to implement the provisions of the Act and provide detailed regulations for the implementation of resale royalties for visual artists. These Regulations were enacted by the Australian Parliament to address the need for artists to receive a fair share of the profits generated from the resale of their artworks. The primary objective of these Regulations is to ensure that artists are appropriately compensated for the ongoing commercial exploitation of their work. The Regulations include definitions, details on excluded classes of transfer, residency tests for individuals, and the required format and contents for notices of commercial resale, among other provisions. The Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Regulations 2021 were compiled to show the text of the law as amended and in force on 31 March 2025. The compilation includes information about amending laws and the amendment history of the provisions. The Regulations are designed to complement the Act by providing the necessary framework and details to ensure the effective administration and enforcement of resale royalties for visual artists.

Scope and Application

The Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Regulations 2021 applies to the commercial resale of visual artworks within Australia and provides the framework for implementing the resale royalty right as established under the Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Act 2009. This legislation primarily applies to commercial entities involved in the resale of visual artworks, such as galleries, dealers, and auction houses. The act establishes the conditions under which a resale royalty must be paid to the artist or their heirs each time the artwork is resold on the commercial market. The resale royalty applies to transfers of ownership of visual artworks for monetary consideration of $1000 or more, excluding certain transfers specified under the act. The geographic reach of the act is national, applying uniformly across Australia. The act includes certain exclusions such as transfers of ownership for less than $1000, which are not subject to the royalty requirements. The application of the act can be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, such as legislative instruments, which may provide additional details or modify specific provisions as necessary. The Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Regulations 2021 also specifies the residency test for individuals, detailing which countries are recognised as reciprocating countries for the purposes of the act. These countries include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, and others, as listed in the regulations. Additionally, the format and content of a notice of commercial resale are determined by the Minister, ensuring that sufficient detail is provided to facilitate the tracking and calculation of resale royalties. The regulations outline the specific information that must be included in a notice of commercial resale, such as the date of resale, the GST inclusive sale price, and details about the artist and artwork. These regulations are instrumental in ensuring compliance with the resale royalty provisions and support the effective administration of artist royalties.

Key Provisions

The Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Regulations 2021 (the Regulations) detail the key provisions for the implementation of the Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Act 2009. These regulations primarily focus on the establishment of procedures for the notice of commercial resale of artworks, the determination of an excluded class of transfer, and the residency test for individuals. Section 6 of the Regulations defines an excluded class of transfer as one involving a monetary consideration of less than $1000, provided that certain subsections of the Act do not apply. Section 6A outlines the residency test for individuals, stipulating that the artist must be a citizen or permanent resident of one of the prescribed reciprocating countries. These Regulations impose specific obligations on parties involved in the commercial resale of artworks. For instance, under Section 8, the Minister has the authority to determine the format of notice of commercial resale. The Regulations also require that certain information be included in a notice of commercial resale to be considered sufficient detail under Section 28 of the Act. This information includes the date of resale, the GST inclusive sale price, details about the artwork and the artist, and whether the artist is alive or the year of death if applicable. Failure to comply with the provisions of these Regulations may result in various civil and criminal consequences. Although specific penalties are not detailed within the Regulations themselves, the Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Act 2009, under which these Regulations are made, may impose penalties for non-compliance. These penalties could include fines or other legal repercussions depending on the severity and intent of the breach. The exact penalties would be determined by the courts in the context of individual cases, taking into account the specific provisions of the Act and the nature of the breach.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Intellectual Property Law
Instrument
Legislative Instrument
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Regulatory Standards
Enforcement Powers
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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.