Australia Bans AI-Generated Songs From Official Music Charts

The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) has updated its official code of practice to ban songs created mostly or entirely by artificial intelligence from its music charts. Under the new rules, all tracks submitted for chart consideration must be "substantially human made" to be eligible.

The policy shift allows musicians to continue using generative tools as creative aids such as for audio mastering, auto-tune, or drum machines, provided that human creators wrote the song and performed both the main instruments and lead vocals. However, songs generated by AI platforms that are trained on artists' work without permission will no longer be permitted. 

The new standards align with guidelines released by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), joining similar measures adopted in Sweden as well as across Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

The rule change follows an industry-wide debate sparked by Queensland DJ and producer Josh Fawaz's viral cover of Madonna’s "Like a Prayer". The track garnered over 48 million Spotify streams and reached the top of Australian radio playlists, peaking at number two on the ARIA Australian singles chart. After facing intense public scrutiny and criticism from fellow artists over his use of AI generated elements, Fawaz eventually updated his credits to declare that the song featured AI-generated vocals and drums.

To maintain chart integrity, ARIA will now require artists to formally declare any use of AI when submitting tracks for review. The industry body warned that it holds the power to retroactively alter chart rankings, strip accreditations, and request the return of Number One awards if a song is later discovered to be predominantly AI-made. Disqualified tracks will also be barred from the prestigious annual ARIA Awards.

Reflecting on the decision, ARIA Chief Executive Annabelle Herd emphasized the importance of safeguarding human artistry:

"These changes reflect our intent to remain dynamic and promote the human nature of artistry in what is, to say the least, a rapidly developing space. Artists already use AI tools in their work, the charts can and should evolve to keep room for that, but music generated wholesale by services built on artists' recordings is a different matter."

"A chart that rewards unlicensed AI output would undercut the very basis of the recorded music we exist to represent. This gives everyone who releases music in Australia a clear rule to work to."

"We call on all parties who have a role in deciding the music played and promoted to Australian audiences, particularly radio, to support human artistry and implement similar changes across their own codes."

The policy update has drawn strong support from local creators. Adam Hyde, member of the electronic duo Peking Duk, welcomed the protections after recently demonstrating how easy it was to re-record their 2014 hit High using artificial tools. 

The crackdown also mirrors broader political movements in Australia, where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently promised creators "the strongest possible protection" against uncompensated AI exploitation.

While ARIA's move directly strips non-qualifying tracks from the charts, it does not prevent artists from releasing or streaming AI music. Furthermore, the update includes an appeals framework allowing musicians to contest chart exclusions if they can prove their work remains substantially human-led.