Songs Created by AI Banned from Australia’s Music Charts
From this week, any release that is largely or wholly created by AI will not qualify to chart on Australia’s official music lists.
The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) has introduced a new code that requires songs to be "substantially human made" in order to be eligible for its charts, a move aimed at promoting the human element of music creation.
The change comes after a controversy involving Australian DJ Josh Fawaz, who uploaded an AI‑assisted cover of Madonna’s "Like A Prayer" that rose to the top of ARIA’s dance singles chart and reached number two on the all‑music chart. The track has amassed over 48 million Spotify streams and has been placed widely on commercial radio playlists. Fawaz later added a credit to the song for generative AI after facing backlash from listeners and industry observers.
ARIA stated that Australian artists compete in "the most crowded market in history" and it does not wish to "promote or celebrate the success of AI‑generated music that does not contain human artistry." However, the new rules still allow AI tools to assist in songwriting, as long as a human has written the song, performed lead vocals and primary instruments.
AI can be used for mastering, drum machine programming and auto‑tune, among other applications.
This move mirrors actions in Sweden, where a song entirely produced by AI has already been banned from its charts, and aligns with IFPI’s forthcoming guidelines. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry announced that AI‑related chart rules will be expanded to Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia.
ARIA chief executive Annabelle Herd highlighted that while artists already employ AI tools, the charts must accommodate that normal practice but should not reward music generated wholesale by services that mine existing recordings without licensing. She emphasized that a chart rewarding unlicensed AI output would undermine the core purpose of recorded music representation.
Under the new requirements, artists must declare AI usage when submitting a track for chart consideration. If a piece is later found to be largely AI‑generated, ARIA could retroactively adjust chart positions, and if the track had reached the top spot, it could request the return of any associated awards. Artists and their representatives will be given the opportunity to challenge any exclusion.
The electronic duo Peking Duk—who organised a mock AI‑recreated version of their 2014 hit to entice radio—has voiced support for the policy. Band member Adam Hyde said on Channel Nine’s Today that AI removal "takes the human experience out of life."
In July, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged "the strongest possible protection" for creatives against AI exploitation. He promised that writers and musicians would have the right to decide whether and how their works could be used to train AI, ensuring fair compensation for any derived use.
