The Australian Recording Industry Association has banned fully AI-generated recordings from the ARIA Charts, requiring any track that uses generative AI to be “substantially human made.”
The updated Charts Code of Practice takes effect with the chart dated Aug. 31 (published Aug. 28). Wholly AI-generated songs are also ineligible for ARIA Awards.
Under the new rules, humans must have written the song and performed the lead vocal and primary instruments. AI can still be used in a supporting role — for mastering, drum programming, Auto-Tune, stem separation or AI instrument patches that a person plays — as long as the recording is substantially human-made, the tools are properly licensed, and there are no stream or chart manipulation concerns.
ARIA will apply the global music industry labelling standard introduced in July that separates “AI-generated” tracks (where AI creates the primary creative elements) from “AI-assisted” ones. Artists must declare generative AI use when submitting tracks. The association can refuse an ineligible release, remove it from the charts (including retrospectively), adjust positions, withdraw certifications and revoke a No. 1 award.
The change follows the strong performance of Queensland DJ Josh Fawaz’s AI-assisted cover of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer.” The track, which used AI-generated vocals and drums, topped the ARIA Dance Singles chart, peaked at No. 2 on the overall Australian singles chart in May, spent 16 weeks in the Top 20 and has surpassed 48 million Spotify streams. It was sitting at No. 4 when the ban was announced. Fawaz later added generative AI credits after criticism.
ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd framed the update as a balance between evolving technology and protecting human creators.
“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,” she said. “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.
“The ARIA Charts will always remain a transparent measurement of the music Australia consumes, but a chart that rewards unlicensed AI output would undercut the very basis of the recorded music we exist to represent.”
Herd also noted that Australian artists are competing “in the most crowded market in history” and that ARIA is not interested in celebrating AI-generated music that lacks human artistry.
The move implements principles set by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. ARIA is the first national chart body to put firm eligibility rules into practice with a specific start date. The association said it will keep the code under review and has opened a disputes process for artists who want to contest an exclusion.
The policy does not ban AI as a creative tool. It simply requires that the core of any charting recording — the songwriting and lead performance — remains human.
