Australia to Require Local Content from Streamers

The Albanese government will introduce legislation this week requiring streaming services with over one million Australian subscribers to invest at least 10% of their local expenditure (or 7.5% of revenue) in new Australian drama, children’s, documentary, arts and educational programming. The rules will apply to global platforms such as Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime, and to local services like Stan and Paramount+ if they meet the subscriber threshold. Ministers Tony Burke and Anika Wells said the move delivers on the National Cultural Policy Revive and is intended to protect acting jobs and ensure Australians can see themselves on screen. The proposal had been delayed over concerns about compatibility with Australia’s free trade agreement with the United States and the risk of retaliatory measures, but has now been reintroduced. Peak industry bodies including the Australian Writers' Guild and Screen Producers Australia welcomed the measure and commentators expect it will significantly boost local investment after recent declines. Streaming services had not yet issued a public response to the announced obligations.