The Australian Broadcasting Corporation's (ABC) main role is to inform, educate and entertain all Australians. The ABC reflects the diversity of interests in the Australian community through a range of distinctive programs of broad and specialist appeal.
The Australian Government funds the ABC as part of the Budget each year. This funding covers their normal operations and transmission costs as well as capital works and special projects.
The Australian Government does not direct the ABC on programming matters. Parliament has guaranteed the independence of the national broadcasters to ensure that what they broadcast is free of political interference.
The ABC is required to develop codes of practice relating to programming matters and lodge the codes with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). In addition, the ABC is accountable to the Parliament through annual reports, corporate plans, financial and performance audits, and appearances before Parliamentary Committees.
The ABC Board of Directors is guided by the ABC Charter, editorial policies and the ABC Code of Practice. You can find more information about these policies on the ABC website.
Information on the ABC
For more information about the ABC, please see the following links:
- ABC television
- ABC radio
- ABC board appointments
- Reviews and inquiries into the national broadcasters
- Accessible television
- Digital TV reception and VAST
Last reviewed: 1 January 2024