Reviews of the Enhancing Online Safety Act 2015 and the Online Content Scheme

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We are seeking submissions on Australia's online safety regulatory framework, including the operation and effectiveness of the Office of the eSafety Commissioner and the Online Content Scheme.

Why we want your input

Your input will help inform Australia’s online safety legislation. The Enhancing Online Safety Act 2015 must be reviewed three years after commencement under a statutory requirement and it is also timely to review Schedules 5 and 7 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.

How you can voice your opinion

You can have your say by reading the discussion paper and providing a single or consolidated submission below.

What will be the outcome of this consultation?

Your views will help inform the independent reviews to ensure there are proper legislative controls and support systems in place to protect Australians from harm online.

The Issue

As Australians immerse themselves online more than ever, the Government wants to ensure everyone feels safe while using digital services and platforms. With new ways of engaging online and the significant increase in online content, it is timely to review the online safety regulatory framework.

The reviews will ensure the legislation underpinning the eSafety Commissioner and the Online Content Scheme remain fit-for-purpose and will continue to support Australians to confidently take advantage of the benefits of being connected.

The Enhancing Online Safety Act 2015 establishes the Office of the eSafety Commissioner to take a national leadership role in online safety for all Australians. One of the functions of the eSafety Commissioner is to administer the Online Content Scheme, established under Schedules 5 and 7 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, to address illegal and offensive online content.

Former Australian Public Service Commissioner, Ms Lynelle Briggs AO, has been appointed by the Minister for Communications and the Arts to conduct the reviews.

We invite you to read the discussion paper below which outlines Australia’s online safety legislation and respond to the questions it raises.

Relevant Documentation

Reviews of the Enhancing Online Safety Act 2015 and the Online Content Scheme—discussion paper

Published 26th Jun 2018

Download PDF (1.06 MB) Download DOC (160.16 KB)

This discussion paper is the starting point of these two Reviews inviting stakeholders and interested parties to provide to the Department, by written submission, their views about: • the Online Safety Act, which establishes the eSafety Commissioner and sets out the powers, functions and governance arrangements, and • the Online Content Scheme in Schedules 5 and 7 to the BSA, which regulates the internet industry and content services industry in relation to prohibited and potentially prohibited content.

2004 Report on the Review of the Operation of Schedule 5 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992

Published 26th Jun 2018

Download PDF (2.69 MB)

This is the report of the Review of Schedule 5 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (the Act), conducted by the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. This document may not meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA requirements. Please contact us at onlinesafety@communications.gov.au to obtain an alternative copy.

Outcome

Former Australian Public Service Commissioner, Ms Lynelle Briggs AO, was appointed by the Minister for Communications and the Arts to conduct the reviews. Ms Briggs has completed the reviews of Australia’s online safety legislation and her final report, Report of the Statutory Review of the Enhancing Online Safety Act 2015 and the Review of Schedules 5 and 7 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (Online Content Scheme), is now available.