Australians will be able to buy digital books over the counter at bookstores from next year using new technology designed for Australian book publishers.

Chief executive officer of the Australian Publishers Association Maree McCaskill said the take-up of eBooks in Australia had been hampered by cost and availability issues and the lack of "a simple system for eBook distribution".

"This new system will allow Australians to download digital books quickly and simply via participating bookstores," she said in a statement on Sunday.

All booksellers using an APA program called TitlePage will be able to access the system.

Customers wanting an eBook can go to a participating retailer, check the title they want is available in the right format and price, then give the store their email address and pay for the book.