Australia Mandates Local Content Investment from Streaming Services

Tue Nov 04 2025 22:51:18 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

To boost the production of Australian narratives, the Australian government will soon enforce new legislation requiring streaming platforms to invest in homegrown content.

Australia is set to introduce new laws that will require major streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime to allocate a minimum of 10% of their local spending or 7.5% of their revenue to Australian content. Announced by the government, this initiative aims to protect local jobs in the entertainment industry and ensure that Australian stories are represented on streaming platforms. The legislation is expected to reach Parliament this week, amidst a backdrop of prior delays due to international trade considerations.

Australia Mandates Local Content Investment from Streaming Services

To boost the production of Australian narratives, the Australian government will soon enforce new legislation requiring streaming platforms to invest in homegrown content.

Australia is set to introduce laws mandating streaming platforms to invest a minimum of 10% of their local expenditure or 7.5% of their revenue into Australian content. Major players like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime, who have over one million subscribers, will be subject to these requirements.

Arts Minister Tony Burke and Communications Minister Anika Wells highlighted that the move is aimed at protecting local acting jobs. The streaming services have yet to provide feedback on the new regulations.

Bills addressing these reforms will be brought to Parliament this week, covering various types of programming, including dramas, documentaries, arts, and educational initiatives.

'Extraordinary shows'

We have requirements for Australian content on free-to-air and pay television, but until now, there has been no assurance of seeing our stories on streaming platforms, Burke mentioned. He further contend that since streaming services have entered the Australian market, they have produced exceptional shows, and these obligations will guarantee that local narratives remain a feature.

Originally the new content rules were proposed to take effect by July last year, but negotiations concerning their compatibility with a free trade agreement with the U.S. led to a pause in progress. The previous election and the U.S. administration's response posed challenges in negotiations.

Now that conditions have normalized, with renewed bonds underscored by former President Trump's appreciation for Australia, these regulations are back on the agenda.

The Australian Writers Guild (AWG) and Screen Producers Australia (SPA) welcomed this initiative while waiting for streamers' responses.

Production slump

Notably, recent Australian series such as *Heartbreak High*, *Territory*, and *Apple Cider Vinegar* have made waves, although the local entertainment sector has faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The financial year 2023-24 saw an approximate 30% decline in investment in local feature films and television productions, as reported by Screen Australia.