New Australian Law Mandates Streaming Services to Invest in Local Content

Wed Dec 03 2025 01:02:34 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Australia unveils legislation requiring major streaming platforms to contribute towards homegrown content, addressing industry challenges and aiming to safeguard local storytelling.

Australia's government is set to introduce new laws mandating that streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime invest at least 10% of their local expenditure or 7.5% of revenue in Australian content. This legislation aims to boost local film and television production, protect jobs in the industry, and ensure the representation of Australian narratives on global platforms. The move comes as the Australian arts sector faces a significant production slump exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Australia is to introduce laws requiring streaming platforms to invest a minimum amount of money in homegrown content, the government said on Tuesday.

Platforms such as Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime and any other streamers with over one million subscribers will have to contribute at least 10% of their local expenditure, or 7.5% of revenue, on Australian content.

Legislation will be introduced to parliament this week and will apply to drama, documentaries, arts and educational programmes.

Arts minister Tony Burke and communications minister Anika Wells said the move would help to protect acting jobs. The streaming services have not yet commented.

'Extraordinary shows'

Burke stated, We have Australian content requirements on free-to-air television and pay television, but until now, there has been no guarantee that we could see our own stories on streaming services. He emphasized that this requirement will ensure that Australian narratives continue to be told.

While the Australian Writers Guild and Screen Producers Australia welcomed the proposal, concerns were raised about the potential reaction from streaming services.

Recent Australian shows on Netflix have included titles like Heartbreak High and Territory, representing efforts to bolster representation and narrative authenticity. However, Australia's creative industries are facing significant challenges, following a nearly 30% decrease in investment for local productions post-pandemic.

As the government seeks to revitalize local storytelling through mandated streaming investments, the future of Australia's content creation landscape might be on the cusp of transformation.