Who owns software a developer builds for my business in Australia?

Common question · Technology & IT Law · Australia · 23 October 2026

General information from Lawmateanz

In Australia, copyright in software generally belongs to the person who wrote it, unless they're an employee or a written agreement assigns it to you.

If you engage a contractor, make sure your contract assigns intellectual property to you or gives you the licence you need.

Secure access to source code, accounts and domains.

A technology lawyer can draft a development agreement.

Written by Lawmateanz, not by a lawyer. General information only, not legal advice about your situation. For advice about your own matter, talk to a lawyer.

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