CommBank adds AI prompt permissions to copyright licence

Announced on 2 October 2026, the agreement extends CommBank’s existing Annual Business Licence.[1][2] That licence covers everyday workplace copying and sharing of news articles, research papers and book extracts.[2] The new permission lets employees include eligible Australian newspaper text and other covered content in prompts for workplace AI tools.[2] The permitted uses include asking an AI tool for a summary or using the material to help create a document, such as a presentation.[2] The permission applies to eligible content, rather than giving employees a blanket right to use any material in prompts.[2]

The licence draws a line between using content in a workplace prompt and using it to build AI models: covered content cannot be used to train, create or improve a model.[2] Fees paid under the agreement will go back to creators and publishers, including those in local news media.[2] Copyright Agency says it began collective licensing for AI activities in Australia, and that it extended its Annual Business Licence in May 2025 to allow staff at businesses in sectors including finance and law to use licensed news media in workplace AI prompts.[3] The agreement also supports ongoing investment in creating Australian content.[2]

CommBank CEO Matt Comyn said the agreement forms part of the bank’s responsible approach to adopting AI, including considering how content is used.[2] He said the licence would let employees use Australian news content to get more value from generative AI tools, improve their work and better serve customers.[2] Comyn described it as a practical step showing that innovation and fair treatment of rights holders can benefit one another.[2] The announcement comes alongside figures from a 2025 Copyright Agency survey by Fiftyfive5: 64% of surveyed white-collar employees had used generative AI for work, and 47% of surveyed AI users put third-party material into prompts at least weekly.[2]