Copyright provides legal protection for people who express ideas and information in certain forms including writing, music, visual images, broadcasts, sound recording, moving images and computer programs. Copyright protection is provided under the Copyright Act 1968 and it is designed to prevent the unauthorised use by others of a work that is the original form in which the idea or information has been expressed by the creator.

Copyright protection is free and has no registration process, but it is advisable for copyright owners to place a copyright notice in a prominent place on their work. Although it is not necessary in Australia, it can act as a deterrent to others and may be required to establish copyright in some countries.