Australia’s main music charts will no longer include songs that are fully created by artificial intelligence.
The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) announced the change on Tuesday. Wholly AI-generated tracks will be barred from the ARIA Charts starting with the chart dated Monday, 31 August 2026. Songs that use AI only in a supporting role will still be allowed.
Under the new rules, a recording must be “substantially human-made.” Humans must have written the song and performed the lead vocal and main instruments. AI tools can still be used for things like mastering, auto-tune, or drum machines.
The move follows controversy over a cover of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” by Australian DJ Josh Fawaz. The track used generative AI for vocals and drums. It reached number two on the ARIA Australian singles chart and became one of the most-played songs on commercial radio. It has also been streamed tens of millions of times.
ARIA chief executive Annabelle Herd said the charts should celebrate human artistry. She noted that Australian artists already face a very crowded market and that the organisation is “not interested in promoting or celebrating the success of AI-generated music that does not contain human artistry.”
Fully AI-generated tracks will also be ineligible for the ARIA Music Awards. ARIA can remove ineligible songs from the charts, adjust positions, and withdraw awards if needed.
The rules follow global principles set by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). Australia is one of the first countries to put clear chart eligibility rules in place for AI-generated music.
Reference links
- https://www.aria.com.au/charts/news/aria-charts-set-eligibility-rules-for-recordings-made-with-ai
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20vl4vm2pno
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-25/ai-generated-music-to-be-banned-from-aria-charts/107072642
- https://apnews.com/article/australia-ai-generated-music-charts-ban-aria-9bfb0c91166ae4405a6df1a3c4891687
- https://www.billboard.com/pro/aria-sets-ai-eligibility-rules/
