🔗 Share this article

Streaming Platform

Australia is set to enact laws mandating digital services to invest a specified percentage of revenue in homegrown productions, as announced by official statements on Tuesday.

Services such as Disney+ along with additional providers that have one million subscribers must allocate a minimum of 10% of their local spending alternatively seven and a half percent of revenue on Australian content.

Legislation is being presented to lawmakers this week and will apply to documentaries and educational content.

Government representatives announced the move would help to protect production employment in the sector. Streaming services are yet to commented publicly.

'Extraordinary shows'

"We have Australian content obligations on free-to-air television and pay television, however previously, there has been assurance of viewing our own stories on streaming services," an official representative stated.

"Since launching in Australia, streaming services have created numerous remarkable series. This obligation will ensure that those stories – Australian content – continue to be made."

As reported by sources, the law is scheduled for presentation to Parliament this week.

These updated production obligations were originally scheduled implemented by July last year however worries regarding potential conflicts with a free trade agreement involving America led to the initiative being put on hold.

The government cited difficulty conducting negotiations with American counterparts during their electoral process.

After President Trump was elected, concerns emerged about whether the regulations could lead the US administration to implement retaliatory tariffs against Australia.

Currently, with the dust settled, amid strengthened ties between the countries, those rules have returned for consideration.

While professional associations applauded the announcement, platforms have yet to issue statements regarding this development.

Back in 2022, digital services released documentation highlighting their artistic and economic contribution on the national entertainment sector.

Nonetheless, it was seen by some as a pre-emptive strike in anticipation at future regulation.

Production slump

Recent local productions on streaming platforms feature multiple programs across different categories.

Like many countries, the local entertainment sector experienced challenges recently, partly because of reduced activity during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In the financial year recently concluded, funding for feature films and TV series made in Australia decreased by almost one-third, according to sector data.