Timeline
The Online Safety Act 2021 (Cth) consolidated and expanded Australia's online harms framework, replacing the Enhancing Online Safety Act 2015 to empower the eSafety Commissioner with removal notices for cyber-bullying, image-based abuse, adult cyber-abuse, abhorrent violent material, and offensive content. It commenced on 23 January 2022, introducing complaints-based schemes and industry codes.
Key Amendments and Updates
Amendments focus on child protection, with industry codes advancing phased implementation.
| Date | Amendment/Update | Key Changes |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Nov 2024 | Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 (Royal Assent) | Adds Part 4A: Minimum age of 16 for social media; platforms must prevent under-16 accounts via reasonable steps (delayed to 12 months post-rules); privacy protections; civil penalties. |
| Jun 2025 | Phase 2 Codes registered (search engines, hosting, carriage) | Industry codes for proactive harms mitigation; effective 27 Dec 2025. |
| 27 Sep 2025 | Phase 2 Codes registered (social media, apps, etc.) | Covers social media, electronic services, app stores; effective 9 Mar 2026. |
| Oct 2025 | Compilation No. 2 (includes Act No. 39, 2024) | Incorporates social media age restrictions. |
| Oct 2025 | Regulations for priority offences | Adds cyberflashing, self-harm encouragement to Schedule 7. |
No further primary amendments enacted by Feb 2026; ongoing reviews planned for social media age framework.
Progression Timeline
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Jun 2021: Act passed; replaces fragmented schemes (e.g., cyber-bullying from 2015 Act).
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23 Jan 2022: Core commencement: cyber-bullying/child complaints, non-consensual intimate images, adult cyber-abuse, online content scheme, abhorrent violent blocking.
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2022–2024: Basic online safety expectations (Part 4); industry codes development begins.
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2024–2025: Social media age ban; phased codes registration for search/hosting (Dec 2025), platforms/apps (Mar 2026).
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Ongoing: eSafety enforces via notices (e.g., 24–48 hour takedowns); court orders for non-compliance.
Related Legislation
Complements criminal and broadcasting laws without direct amendments.
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Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (Schedule 5,7): Online content scheme origins (class 1/2 material).
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Criminal Code Act 1995: Image-based abuse, cyber-bullying offences (e.g., ss 474.17A–17B).
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Enhancing Online Safety Act 2015: Predecessor, revoked upon 2021 Act commencement.
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Spam Act 2003 / Do Not Call Register Act 2006: Marketing harms.
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Proposed/Related: Digital ID for age verification (under development); Cyber Security Act 2024 for incident sharing.
The Act's evolution prioritizes child safety amid rising harms, with codes enabling self-regulation before mandatory standards.