Professional Organisations

Arts Law Centre of Australia
The Arts Law Centre of Australia is a national community legal centre for artists and arts organisations. Arts Law provides free telephone legal advice and face-to-face advice to subscribers, as well as offering referrals, sample contracts, free information sheets, seminars, lectures and participating in advocacy.
The Gunnery
43 - 51 Cowper Wharf Rd
Woolloomooloo NSW 2011
Tel: (02) 9356 2566
Toll free: 1800 221 457
Fax: (02) 9358 6475
Email: artslaw@artslaw.com.au
Web: www.artslaw.com.au

Australia Council
372 Elizabeth St
Surry Hills NSW 2010
PO Box 788
Strawberry Hills NSW 2012
Tel: (02) 9215 9000
Toll free: 1800 226 912
Fax: (02) 9215 9111
Web: www.ozco.gov.au
 

Australian Association of Writing Programs (AAWP)
The AAWP brings together writers, teachers, students, editors and administrators. Membership is open to anyone with a professional involvement in the teaching of writing. It runs an annual conference and publishes an online refereed journal, TEXT.
English Department
Flinders University
GPO Box 2100
Adelaide SA 5001
Tel: (08) 8201 3400
Fax: (08) 8201 3635
Email: Jeri.Kroll@flinders.edu.au or Steve.Evans@flinders.edu.au

Australian Copyright Council
The Council is a non-profit organisation which provides the following services: free legal advice on copyright and related areas of law and contracts; organisation of seminars and talks around the country; publication of books (3 new titles each year) and pamphlets dealing with copyright issues and other developments. The Council also publishes The Copyright Reporter, a journal for professionals, and The Update Service, a bi-monthly publication summarising articles and cases from Australia and overseas.
245 Chalmers St
Redfern NSW 2016
Tel: (02) 9318 1788
Fax: (02) 9698 3536
Email: info@copyright.org.au
Web: www.copyright.org.au

 
Australian Film Commission (AFC)
The AFC provides funding through various script development and production strands, and becomes an investor in a project with buyout rights. Funding guidelines, which set out the deadlines for each strand (including the New Screenwriters' Program) are available from our website or from an AFC office in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.
Melbourne office:
Level 2, 120 Clarendon St
South Melbourne VIC 3205
PO Box 404
South Melbourne VIC 3205
Tel: (03) 8646 4300
Fax: (03) 9696 1476
Toll free: 1800 338 430
Email: infomelb@afc.gov.au
Web: www.afc.gov.au

Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS)
The AFTRS offers short courses in screenwriting as well as all other areas of television, radio and film production. For the first time in Australia, AFTRS offers a fully online writing course: 'Introduction to Screenwriting'. For details go to the website listed below and click on 'online courses'.
Melbourne office:
1st Floor, 144 Moray St
South Melbourne VIC 3205
Tel: (03) 9690 7111
Fax: (03) 9690 1283
Email: info_vic@aftrs.edu.au
Web: www.aftrs.edu.au

Australian Journalists' Association (AJA)
The AJA is a section of the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (Media Alliance) that sets and enforces journalistic standards. The AJA protects the industrial and professional interests of journalists, artists, photographers and related media professionals. It is the leading campaigner in Australian issues affecting freedom of speech such as defamation, freedom of information, contempt of court and diversity of media ownership.
Level 4/221 Queen St
Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: (03) 9691 7100
Fax: (03) 9691 7155
Email: vic@meaa.aust.com
Web: www.alliance.org.au

Australian Literacy Educators' Association (ALEA)
The ALEA is an organisation dedicated to the improvement of literacy development and language learning at all levels. It seeks to promote mutual understanding and co-operative work in the community among individuals and groups concerned with literacy and language. The major functions and activities of the ALEA include conferences on a national, state and local council level; local council activities involving schools and workshops; publishing journals and books about literacy; publishing the newsletter ALEA Today; and holding awards for the pursuit of excellence in literacy education.
Melbourne office:
c/o 317 The Boulevard
East Ivanhoe VIC 3079
Tel: (03) 9499 9805
Fax: (03) 9499 9917
Email: avrilmorris@bigpond.com
Web: www.alea.edu.au/vic

Australian National Playwrights' Centre (ANPC)
The ANPC is Australia's largest and oldest play development agency. It supports the development of new writing for the stage, by emerging and experienced playwrights. It is a dynamic resource, offering a communication, lobbying and research centre for Australian theatre artists. The Playwrights' Centre provides practical, varied, affordable and accessible programs that encourage the development and promotion of Australian playwrights.
PO Box 1566
Rozelle NSW 2039
Tel: (02) 9555 9377
Fax (02) 9555 9370
Email: info@anpc.org.au
Web: www.anpc.org.au

Australian Publishers' Association (APA)
The APA is the peak industry body representing the diversity and commonality of its members' interests. The APA initiates programs that contribute to the development of publishing in Australia. It protects and furthers the interests of copyright owners, agents and licensees, and represents members' interests to government and other organisations. It also offers training and industry development programs to members and to the industry at large. Membership is open to any individual, partnership or corporation engaged in the publishing of books, scholarly journals, educational material and multimedia works as a bona fide and continuing operation. Members may be full or associate. Subscriptions for full membership are based on annual sales volume.
Suite 60, 89 Jones St
Ultimo NSW 2007
Tel: (02) 9281 9788
Fax: (02) 9281 1073
Email: apa@publishers.asn.au

Australian Script Centre
The Australian Script Centre promotes and distributes unpublished Australian theatre scripts. Through its website, an annual publication called the Collection , and its subscriber base of theatre companies, tertiary institutions and schools, the Centre provides access to contemporary performance writing and markets nationally and internationally. It costs $27.50 (incl. GST) to register a script with the Centre, and registration forms may be downloaded from the website or faxed/posted to you. It is the Centre's aim to keep the quality of registered scripts high, so for scripts to be included they must either have been produced, commissioned, professionally workshopped, or written by a playwright who is a current member of the AWG, ANPC or ASA. All scripts are read by our national reading group to be considered for profiling in that year's annual Collection. As well as an active collection the Centre also has an extensive archive. Annual subscriptions include regular issues of the newsletter scriptnews, a copy of the most recent catalogue of scripts, regular catalogue updates and useful resource, training and production information.
77 Salamanca Pl
Hobart TAS 7004
Tel: (03) 6223 4675
Fax: (03) 6223 4678
Email: info@ozscript.org
Web: www.ozscript.org

Australian Society of Authors (ASA)
The ASA was founded in 1963 and promotes and protects the professional interests of those who write for publication. It's a national organisation that seeks change to industry practice and legislation in the interests of literary creators. It recommends minimum rates of payment and conditions for writers and illustrators, and acts on behalf of members in disputes with publishers. The society offers a range of publications and services, including a contract assessment service. It has been instrumental in setting up Lending Right Payments and Copyright Agency Limited payments for authors. Along with eight newsletters per year, the Society publishes a regular journal, Australian Author, which deals with issues for professional writers. Membership: Organisation - $275; Full or Associate - $143 per annum; Affiliate - $99 per annum. Joining fee (all members): $22. All fees include GST.
PO Box 1566
Strawberry Hills NSW 2012
Tel: (02) 9318 0877
Fax: (02) 9318 0530
Email: asa@asauthors.org
Web: www.asauthors.org

Australian Writers' Guild (AWG)
The AWG was founded in 1962 to promote the interests of Australian writers working for TV, radio, screen and stage. The Guild is active on many fronts industrially and culturally: establishing and maintaining equitable working conditions for professional script writers; defending Australian content provisions; providing contract, legal and business advice; and providing a script registration service to assist in protecting members' copyright. The AWG offers professional development through workshops and seminars, and publishes regular bulletins on their web site. The AWG and provides the judging and presentation of the annual AWGIE awards for excellence in scriptwriting.
National Office
8/50 Reservoir St
Surry Hills NSW 2010
Tel: (02) 9281 1554
Fax: (02) 9281 4321
Web: www.awg.com.au

Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA)
The CBCA exists to foster children's reading of good books and to encourage Australian authors, illustrators and publishers to strive for excellence in creating children's books. The national journal Reading Time, the annual Book of the Year Awards, special materials for, and activities during Children's Book Week each year; and the biennial conference are all designed with the CBCA's purposes in mind.
Suite 65, 3rd Floor
255 Drummond St
Carlton VIC 3053
PO Box 275
Carlton South VIC 3053
Tel/Fax: (03) 9349 3111
Email: vic@cbc.org.au
Web: www.cbc.org.au

Copyright Agency Limited (CAL)­­
CAL is a copyright management company which deals with the rights to reproduce authors and publishers work. CAL acts as a channel between copyright owners and users by licensing organisations to copy and collect a licence fee or royalty, and then distributing those fees to the authors and publishers who own the copyright.
Level 19, 157 Liverpool St
Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: (02) 9394 7600
Fax: (02) 9394 7601
Email: info@copyright.com.au
Web: www.copyright.com.au

DW Thorpe
Published by DW Thorpe, Australian Bookseller & Publisher (AB&P) and the Weekly Book Newsletter (WBN) provide essential information about the Australian book industry. AB&P is a monthly magazine that examines industry issues and provides pre-publication book information, while WBN keeps you updated with weekly news and classifieds, including positions vacant. For subscriptions phone 1300 369 521.
Lorien Kaye (Editor AB&P, WBN)
18 Salmon St
Port Melbourne VIC 3207
Tel: (03) 9245 7370
Fax: (03) 9245 7395
Email: blue.newsletter@thorpe.com.au or bookseller.publisher@thorpe.com.au
Web: www.thorpe.com.au
 

Express Media Inc.
Express Media provides training and publication opportunities for young writers and artists (14 - 24 years) by presenting a program of workshops and through the quarterly publication of Voiceworks magazine and other publications.
247 Flinders La
Melbourne VIC 3000
PH: 03 9663 4155   
Fax: 03 9663 4544
Email: info@expressmedia.org.au
Web: www.expressmedia.org.au 

International PEN
International PEN defends the writer's freedom of expression, fosters international co-operation on a literary level, and tries to foster international understanding. PEN conducts an important international program to give moral and political support to writers in prison for matters of conscience. PEN is for all writers of all genres. The Melbourne Centre was established in 1939. Full membership is open to all professional writers, editors, playwrights, etc. Associate membership is available for those who share the aims of PEN and is available by application.
PO Box 2273
Caulfield Junction VIC 3161
Tel: (03) 9509 7257
Email: buckrich@netspace.net.au
 

ISBN Agency
Thorpe Bibliographic Services is now responsible for the allocation of ISBNs in Australia.
Private Bag 20
Port Melbourne VIC 3207
Tel: (03) 9245 7385
Fax: (03) 9245 7393
Email: isbn.agency@thorpe.com.au
Web: www.thorpe.com.au
 

Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA)
The Alliance is the union that protects and promotes issues relating to work conditions and wages, industrial action and equal opportunity. It is for everyone who works in the industries that inform or entertain Australians.
Level 3, 365 Queen St,
Melbourne, VIC, 3000
Inquiry desk Tel: 1300 656 512
Membership Centre Tel: 1300 656 513
Fax: (03) 9691 7155
Email: vic@alliance.org.au
Web: www.alliance.org.au
 

Playworks: Women Performance Writers' Network
Playworks is a dynamic national network supporting women writing for theatre and performance. Playworks offers a range of services including writer development programs, mentorship, workshops, forums, a quarterly newsletter and other publications.
Room 5, Level 5, Park House Building
295 - 301 Pitt St
Sydney NSW 2000
PO Box A2216
Sydney South NSW 1235
Tel: (02) 9264 8414
Fax: (02) 9264 8449
Email: playwks@ozemail.com.au
Web: www.ozemail.com.au/~playwks

Poets Union Inc.
The Poets Union Inc. is a national body devoted to the promotion of poetry. It publishes a regular newsletter, a quarterly literary journal, an annual members' anthology and the Australian Poetry Catalogue.
Australian Poetry Centre
Balmain Town Hall
370 Darling St
Balmain NSW 2041
Tel: (02) 9818 5366
Fax: (02) 9818 5377
Email: poetinc@ozemail.com.au
Web: www.ozemail.com.au/~poetinc
 

Public Lending Right (PLR)
PLR is a Commonwealth Government program which makes payments to eligible Australian creators and publishers on the basis that income is lost from the availability of their books for loan in public lending libraries. PLR is administered by the Public Lending Right Unit of the Department of Communications, Information, Technology and the Arts.
GPO Box 3241
Canberra ACT 2601
Tel: (02) 6271 1650
Toll free: 1800 672 842
Fax: (02) 6271 1651
Email: plr.mail@dcita.gov.au/plr.html
Web: www.dcita.gov.au/plr.html