On 27 November 2025, the Australian Government passed the Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) Bill. This Bill delivers the government’s commitment in the National Cultural Policy, Revive, to set Australian content requirements for streaming services (the Australian Content Requirement).
The introduction of an Australian Content Requirement for subscription video on demand (streaming) services will guarantee expenditure on new Australian programs and ensure that no matter which service Australians are watching, they have guaranteed access to Australian stories.
Streaming services' obligations under the new Australian Content Requirement
The Australian Content Requirement requires major streaming services with at least one million Australian subscribers to invest at least 10% of their total program expenditure for Australia, or 7.5% of their Australian revenue, on new local drama, children’s, documentary, arts and educational programs.
Additional features of the new Australian Content Requirement
The Australian Content Requirement for streaming services also:
- Incorporates a definition of ‘Australian program’ that is the same as in the Australian Content and Children's Television Standard (ACCTS) that currently applies to commercial free-to-air and other subscription television broadcasting services.
- Includes the following eligible program formats: drama, documentary, children’s, educational and arts programs (television or film).
- Has a 3-year carry over period for the acquittal of annual expenditure requirements.
Major streaming services with over 1 million subscribers, and that meet other requirements set out in the legislation, will give an annual report to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), which will administer the Australian Content Requirement. Streaming services with over 250,000 paying subscribers must notify the ACMA and provide it with information about the service, but will not have an expenditure requirement.
The Australian Content Requirement is expected to come into effect from 1 January 2026.
