The Albanese Labor Government passed the Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) Bill on 27 November 2025, introducing mandatory Australian content obligations for streaming services. Under the new laws, streaming services with more than one million Australian subscribers must invest at least 10 per cent of their total programme expenditure for Australia, or 7.5 per cent of their Australian revenue, on new local drama, children's, documentary, arts and educational programmes. This requirement ensures that Australians have guaranteed access to local stories across all streaming platforms, not just free-to-air and pay television.

The legislation addresses a gap in content requirements that previously applied only to traditional broadcasters. Whilst many streaming services have already been producing Australian content of high quality, the new laws guarantee that this production continues across all major platforms. The Australian Communications and Media Authority will administer the regime, with streaming services required to file annual reports on their spending. Services are allowed a three-year carry-over period to balance investment. Non-compliance can attract substantial civil penalties, with fines of up to 10 times a service's Australian revenue in extreme cases.

Supporting this initiative, the government is providing AUD $50 million in funding to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation over three years from 2026-27. This funding boost will enable the ABC to support production of new Australian children's and drama content, showcasing Australian talent and creativity. Together, these measures provide vital support to Australia's domestic screen sector and arts workers by ensuring quality local stories continue to be produced. The legislation delivers on the government's commitment in the National Cultural Policy, Revive, to set local content requirements on streaming services.

Key outcomes:

• Streaming services with over one million Australian subscribers must invest 10 per cent of total programme expenditure or 7.5 per cent of revenue in Australian content

• AUD $50 million funding boost for the ABC over three years from 2026-27 for Australian children's and drama content

• Requirements cover drama, children's, documentary, arts and educational programmes

[1] https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/department/media/news/new-australian-content-laws-streaming-services

[2] https://www.arts.gov.au/what-we-do/screen/australian-screen-content-requirement-streaming-services

[3] https://deadline.com/2025/11/australia-streaming-quotas-sworn-into-law-1236630348/

[4] https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2025/11/27/australia-passes-landmark-local-content-spend-law-for-streamers/