Fresh government mandates will see streamers reinvest meaningfully in Australian content — a win for local storytellers.
The Australian Government has announced plans to introduce legislation that will, for the first time, require major streaming platforms to invest directly in Australian screen production.
Under the proposed model, streaming services with more than one million Australian subscribers — including Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and Stan — will be required to allocate at least 10 per cent of their Australian expenditure, or 7.5 per cent of their revenue, toward the creation of new Australian content.
The measure, confirmed by Communications Minister Michelle Rowland and Arts Minister Tony Burke, is designed to ensure global streaming platforms contribute fairly to Australia’s creative economy and cultural output.
Until now, streaming services have faced no local content obligations, while traditional broadcasters have operated under strict Australian content quotas for decades. The new legislation seeks to level the playing field and guarantee a steady pipeline of locally produced drama, documentary, children’s, and factual programming.
Industry groups, including Screen Producers Australia, have long advocated for this change, citing the need to future-proof Australian storytelling in a rapidly globalising media environment.
“This represents a significant and long-overdue win for Australian culture and creativity,” said a Screen Producers Australia spokesperson in response to the announcement. “Streaming services have become central to how audiences consume stories, and this reform ensures Australian voices remain part of that conversation.”
The legislation will also provide clearer definitions around what qualifies as “Australian content,” ensuring investment supports domestic talent, crews, and production companies.
With billions in annual streaming revenue generated within Australia, even a modest quota could deliver a substantial boost to the local screen sector, creating jobs and providing new opportunities for emerging and established creatives alike.
As details of the bill are finalised, the move is being welcomed across the industry as one of the most significant developments for Australian screen production in more than a decade — a step towards ensuring local stories continue to reach audiences both at home and around the world.
Sources:
Australian Parliamentary Library – Local Content Quotas for Streaming Services (Dec 2024)
Reuters – Australia to mandate streaming services invest at least 10% in local content (Nov 2025)
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