Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

[Index] [Table] [Search] [Search this Act] [Notes] [Noteup] [Download] [Help]

ONLINE SAFETY ACT 2021 - NOTES

No. 76, 2021

Compilation No. 1

Compilation date:                              23 January 2022

Includes amendments up to:            Act No. 77, 2021

Registered:                                         3 February 2022

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Online Safety Act 2021 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 23 January 2022 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Self-repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

  

  

  


Contents

Part 1--Preliminary                                                                                                             1

1............ Short title............................................................................................. 1

2............ Commencement................................................................................... 1

3............ Objects of this Act.............................................................................. 2

4............ Simplified outline of this Act.............................................................. 2

5............ Definitions.......................................................................................... 5

6............ Cyber-bullying material targeted at an Australian child..................... 14

7............ Cyber-abuse material targeted at an Australian adult......................... 15

8............ Determining whether material is offensive........................................ 16

9............ Material that depicts abhorrent violent conduct................................. 16

10.......... When material is provided on a social media service, relevant electronic service or designated internet service       17

11.......... When material is posted by an end-user of a social media service, relevant electronic service or designated internet service............................................................................................... 17

12.......... When material is removed from a social media service, relevant electronic service or designated internet service    17

13.......... Social media service.......................................................................... 17

13A....... Relevant electronic service................................................................ 18

14.......... Designated internet service................................................................ 19

15.......... Intimate image................................................................................... 20

16.......... Non-consensual intimate image of a person...................................... 21

17.......... Hosting service................................................................................. 22

18.......... On-demand program service............................................................. 22

19.......... Internet service providers.................................................................. 23

20.......... Supply of internet carriage service to the public................................ 24

21.......... Consent............................................................................................. 24

22.......... Crown to be bound........................................................................... 25

23.......... Application of this Act...................................................................... 25

24.......... Convention on the Rights of the Child.............................................. 25

Part 2--eSafety Commissioner                                                                                    26

25.......... Simplified outline of this Part............................................................ 26

26.......... eSafety Commissioner...................................................................... 26

27.......... Functions of the Commissioner........................................................ 26

28.......... Powers of the Commissioner............................................................ 28

Part 3--Complaints, objections and investigations                                         29

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                          29

29.......... Simplified outline of this Part............................................................ 29

Division 2--Complaints about cyber-bullying material targeted at an Australian child             30

30.......... Complaints about cyber-bullying material......................................... 30

31.......... Investigation of complaints............................................................... 32

Division 3--Complaints about, and objections to, intimate images   34

32.......... Complaints........................................................................................ 34

33.......... Objection notice................................................................................ 35

34.......... Investigation of complaints............................................................... 37

35.......... Commissioner's response to objection notices.................................. 37

Division 4--Complaints about cyber-abuse material targeted at an Australian adult  38

36.......... Complaints about cyber-abuse material............................................. 38

37.......... Investigation of complaints............................................................... 40

Division 5--Complaints relating to the online content scheme            41

38.......... Complaints about class 1 material or class 2 material........................ 41

39.......... Complaints relating to breach of a service provider rule etc.............. 41

40.......... Complaints relating to breach of an industry code etc....................... 42

41.......... Residency etc. of complainant........................................................... 42

42.......... Commissioner may investigate matters............................................. 42

43.......... Commissioner may refuse to investigate certain matters................... 44

Part 4--Basic online safety expectations                                                                45

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                          45

44.......... Simplified outline of this Part............................................................ 45

Division 2--Basic online safety expectations                                                 46

45.......... Basic online safety expectations........................................................ 46

46.......... Core expectations.............................................................................. 46

47.......... Consultation...................................................................................... 48

48.......... Service provider notifications............................................................ 49

Division 3--Reporting                                                                                                51

Subdivision A--Periodic reporting about compliance with basic online safety expectations    51

49.......... Periodic reporting notice................................................................... 51

50.......... Compliance with notice..................................................................... 52

51.......... Formal warning................................................................................. 53

52.......... Periodic reporting determination....................................................... 53

53.......... Compliance with determination......................................................... 54

54.......... Formal warning................................................................................. 54

55.......... Service provider notifications............................................................ 54

Subdivision B--Non-periodic reporting about compliance with basic online safety expectations            55

56.......... Non-periodic reporting notice........................................................... 55

57.......... Compliance with notice..................................................................... 57

58.......... Formal warning................................................................................. 57

59.......... Non-periodic reporting determination............................................... 57

60.......... Compliance with determination......................................................... 58

61.......... Formal warning................................................................................. 58

62.......... Service provider notifications............................................................ 58

Subdivision C--Self-incrimination                                                                      59

63.......... Self-incrimination.............................................................................. 59

Part 5--Cyber-bullying material targeted at an Australian child          61

64.......... Simplified outline of this Part............................................................ 61

65.......... Removal notice given to the provider of a social media service, relevant electronic service or designated internet service.......................................................................................................... 61

66.......... Removal notice given to a hosting service provider.......................... 62

67.......... Compliance with removal notice....................................................... 63

68.......... Formal warning................................................................................. 64

70.......... End-user notice................................................................................. 64

71.......... Compliance with end-user notice...................................................... 65

72.......... Formal warning................................................................................. 65

73.......... Service provider notifications............................................................ 65

Part 6--Non-consensual sharing of intimate images                                      67

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                          67

74.......... Simplified outline of this Part............................................................ 67

Division 2--Intimate images must not be posted without consent etc. 68

75.......... Posting an intimate image.................................................................. 68

76.......... Formal warning................................................................................. 69

Division 3--Removal notices                                                                                  70

77.......... Removal notice given to the provider of a social media service, relevant electronic service or designated internet service.......................................................................................................... 70

78.......... Removal notice given to an end-user................................................. 71

79.......... Removal notice given to a hosting service provider.......................... 72

80.......... Compliance with removal notice....................................................... 73

81.......... Formal warning................................................................................. 73

Division 4--Miscellaneous                                                                                       74

83.......... Remedial direction............................................................................. 74

84.......... Formal warning................................................................................. 74

85.......... Service provider notifications............................................................ 74

86.......... Exempt provision of an intimate image............................................. 76

Part 7--Cyber-abuse material targeted at an Australian adult              78

87.......... Simplified outline of this Part............................................................ 78

88.......... Removal notice given to the provider of a social media service, relevant electronic service or designated internet service.......................................................................................................... 78

89.......... Removal notice given to an end-user................................................. 79

90.......... Removal notice given to a hosting service provider.......................... 80

91.......... Compliance with removal notice....................................................... 81

92.......... Formal warning................................................................................. 81

93.......... Service provider notifications............................................................ 82

Part 8--Material that depicts abhorrent violent conduct                            83

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                          83

94.......... Simplified outline of this Part............................................................ 83

Division 2--Blocking requests                                                                               84

95.......... Blocking request............................................................................... 84

96.......... Duration of blocking request............................................................. 85

97.......... Revocation of blocking request......................................................... 85

98.......... Notification in relation to domain names and URLs.......................... 86

Division 3--Blocking notices                                                                                  87

99.......... Blocking notice................................................................................. 87

100........ Duration of blocking notice............................................................... 88

101........ Revocation of blocking notice........................................................... 88

102........ Notification in relation to domain names and URLs.......................... 89

103........ Compliance with blocking notice...................................................... 89

Division 4--Exempt material                                                                                 90

104........ Exempt material................................................................................. 90

Part 9--Online content scheme                                                                                    92

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                          92

105........ Simplified outline of this Part............................................................ 92

106........ Class 1 material................................................................................. 92

107........ Class 2 material................................................................................. 94

108........ Restricted access system................................................................... 97

Division 2--Removal notices relating to class 1 material                       99

109........ Removal notice given to the provider of a social media service, relevant electronic service or designated internet service.......................................................................................................... 99

110........ Removal notice given to a hosting service provider.......................... 99

111........ Compliance with removal notice..................................................... 100

112........ Formal warning............................................................................... 100

113........ Revocation of removal notice.......................................................... 101

113A..... Service provider notifications.......................................................... 101

Division 3--Removal notices relating to class 2 material                     102

114........ Removal notice given to the provider of a social media service, relevant electronic service or designated internet service........................................................................................................ 102

115........ Removal notice given to a hosting service provider........................ 102

116........ Compliance with removal notice..................................................... 103

117........ Formal warning............................................................................... 104

118........ Revocation of removal notice.......................................................... 104

118A..... Service provider notifications.......................................................... 104

Division 4--Remedial notices relating to class 2 material                    106

119........ Remedial notice given to the provider of a social media service, relevant electronic service or designated internet service........................................................................................................ 106

120........ Remedial notice given to a hosting service provider........................ 107

121........ Compliance with remedial notice..................................................... 108

122........ Formal warning............................................................................... 108

123........ Revocation of remedial notice......................................................... 108

123A..... Service provider notifications.......................................................... 108

Division 5--Link deletion notices                                                                       110

124........ Link deletion notice......................................................................... 110

125........ Compliance with link deletion notice............................................... 111

126........ Formal warning............................................................................... 111

127........ Revocation of link deletion notice................................................... 111

Division 6--App removal notices                                                                       112

128........ App removal notice......................................................................... 112

129........ Compliance with app removal notice............................................... 113

130........ Formal warning............................................................................... 113

131........ Revocation of app removal notice................................................... 113

Division 7--Industry codes and industry standards                                114

Subdivision A--Interpretation                                                                            114

132........ Industry codes................................................................................. 114

133........ Industry standards........................................................................... 114

134........ Online activity................................................................................. 114

135........ Sections of the online industry........................................................ 115

136........ Participants in a section of the online industry................................ 116

Subdivision B--General principles relating to industry codes and industry standards               116

137........ Statement of regulatory policy......................................................... 116

138........ Examples of matters that may be dealt with by industry codes and industry standards            117

139........ Escalation of complaints.................................................................. 121

Subdivision C--Industry codes                                                                           121

140........ Registration of industry codes......................................................... 121

141........ Commissioner may request codes................................................... 123

141A..... Publication of notice where no body or association represents a section of the online industry               123

142........ Replacement of industry codes........................................................ 124

143........ Compliance with industry codes..................................................... 124

144........ Formal warnings--breach of industry codes.................................. 124

Subdivision D--Industry standards                                                                   125

145........ Commissioner may determine an industry standard........................ 125

146........ Compliance with industry standards............................................... 127

147........ Formal warnings--breach of industry standards............................ 127

148........ Public consultation on industry standards....................................... 127

Subdivision E--Register of industry codes and industry standards          128

149........ Commissioner to maintain Register of industry codes and industry standards         128

Subdivision F--Miscellaneous                                                                            129

150........ Industry standards prevail over inconsistent industry codes........... 129

Division 8--Service provider determinations                                              130

151........ Service provider determinations...................................................... 130

152........ Exemptions from service provider determinations.......................... 131

153........ Compliance with service provider rules.......................................... 132

154........ Remedial directions--breach of service provider rules................... 132

155........ Formal warnings--breach of service provider rules....................... 132

Division 9--Federal Court orders                                                                     133

156........ Federal Court may order a person to cease providing a social media service            133

157........ Federal Court may order a person to cease providing a relevant electronic service   133

158........ Federal Court may order a person to cease providing a designated internet service  134

159........ Federal Court may order a person to cease supplying an internet carriage service    135

Division 10--Commissioner may obtain advice from the Classification Board                136

160........ Commissioner may obtain advice from the Classification Board.... 136

Part 10--Enforcement                                                                                                    138

161........ Simplified outline of this Part.......................................................... 138

162........ Civil penalty provision.................................................................... 138

163........ Infringement notices........................................................................ 139

164........ Enforceable undertakings................................................................ 141

165........ Injunctions...................................................................................... 142

Part 11--Administrative provisions relating to the Commissioner     144

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                        144

166........ Simplified outline of this Part.......................................................... 144

Division 2--Appointment of the Commissioner                                          145

167........ Appointment of the Commissioner................................................. 145

168........ Period of appointment for the Commissioner.................................. 145

169........ Acting appointments....................................................................... 145

170........ Application of finance law.............................................................. 146

Division 3--Terms and conditions for the Commissioner                     147

171........ Remuneration and allowances......................................................... 147

172........ Leave of absence............................................................................. 147

173........ Outside employment....................................................................... 147

174........ Disclosure of interests to the Minister............................................. 147

175........ Resignation..................................................................................... 148

176........ Termination of appointment............................................................ 148

177........ Other terms and conditions............................................................. 149

Division 4--Other matters                                                                                     150

178........ Supplementary powers.................................................................... 150

179........ Commissioner's liabilities are Commonwealth liabilities................ 150

180........ Commissioner has privileges and immunities of the Crown........... 150

181........ Delegation by the Commissioner to a member of the staff of the ACMA etc.          151

182........ Delegation by the Commissioner to a contractor engaged by the Commissioner      151

183........ Annual report.................................................................................. 153

183A..... Advisory committees...................................................................... 156

184........ Assistance to the Commissioner..................................................... 157

185........ Contractors engaged by the Commissioner..................................... 158

186........ Commissioner not subject to direction by the ACMA etc............... 159

187........ Consultants..................................................................................... 159

188........ Minister may give directions to the Commissioner......................... 159

Part 12--Online Safety Special Account                                                             160

189........ Simplified outline of this Part.......................................................... 160

190........ Online Safety Special Account........................................................ 160

191........ Credits to the Account..................................................................... 160

192........ Purposes of the Account................................................................. 161

Part 13--Information-gathering powers                                                             162

193........ Simplified outline of this Part.......................................................... 162

194........ Commissioner may obtain end-user identity information or contact details              162

195........ Compliance with notice................................................................... 163

196........ Self-incrimination............................................................................ 163

Part 14--Investigative powers                                                                                    165

197........ Simplified outline of this Part.......................................................... 165

198........ Application of this Part................................................................... 165

199........ Notice requiring appearance for examination.................................. 165

200........ Examination on oath or affirmation................................................. 165

201........ Examination to take place in private................................................ 166

202........ Record to be made of examination.................................................. 166

203........ Production of documents for inspection.......................................... 166

204........ Protection of persons giving evidence............................................. 167

205........ Non-compliance with requirement to give evidence........................ 167

Part 15--Disclosure of information                                                                        169

206........ Simplified outline of this Part.......................................................... 169

207........ Scope.............................................................................................. 169

208........ Disclosure to Minister..................................................................... 169

209........ Disclosure to Secretary, or APS employees, for advising the Minister 169

210........ Disclosure to a member of the staff of the ACMA etc.................... 169

211........ Disclosure to Royal Commissions.................................................. 170

212........ Disclosure to certain authorities...................................................... 170

213........ Disclosure to teachers or school principals..................................... 172

214........ Disclosure to parents or guardians.................................................. 172

215........ Disclosure with consent.................................................................. 172

216........ Disclosure of publicly available information................................... 173

217........ Disclosure of summaries and statistics............................................ 173

218........ Relationship with Parts 13 and 15 of the Telecommunications Act 1997 173

Part 16--Miscellaneous                                                                                                  174

219........ Simplified outline of this Part.......................................................... 174

220........ Review of decisions by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal......... 174

220A..... Internal review of decisions............................................................ 178

221........ Protection from civil proceedings.................................................... 179

222........ Liability for damages....................................................................... 180

223........ Protection from criminal proceedings--Commissioner, Classification Board etc.    180

224........ Referral of matters to law enforcement agencies............................. 181

225........ Deferral of action in order to avoid prejudicing a criminal investigation.. 182

226........ Copies of material........................................................................... 182

227........ Compensation for acquisition of property....................................... 183

228........ Service of notices by electronic means............................................ 183

229........ Service of notices on contact person etc.......................................... 184

230........ Instruments under this Act may provide for matters by reference to other instruments            185

231........ This Act does not limit Schedule 8 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992              186

232........ This Act does not limit the Telecommunications Act 1997.............. 187

233........ Implied freedom of political communication................................... 187

234........ Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws............................ 187

235........ Liability of Australian hosting service providers and internet service providers under State and Territory laws etc......................................................................................................... 187

236........ This Act not to affect performance of State or Territory functions.. 189

237........ Revocation or variation of instruments............................................ 189

238........ Provider of social media service, relevant electronic service, designated internet service or app distribution service........................................................................................................ 189

239........ Extended meaning of use................................................................ 190

239A..... Review of operation of this Act...................................................... 190

240........ Legislative rules.............................................................................. 190

Endnotes                                                                                                                                  192

Endnote 1--About the endnote                                                                            192

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key                                                                              194

Endnote 3--Legislation history                                                                           195

Endnote 4--Amendment history                                                                         196

Endnote 5--Editorial changes                                                                             197


  

Endnotes

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

Endnote 3--Legislation history

Endnote 4--Amendment history

Abbreviation key--Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history--Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation "(md)" added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the abbreviation "(md not incorp)" is added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

 

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

ad = added or inserted

o = order(s)

am = amended

Ord = Ordinance

amdt = amendment

orig = original

c = clause(s)

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

/sub-subparagraph(s)

Ch = Chapter(s)

pres = present

def = definition(s)

prev = previous

Dict = Dictionary

(prev ... ) = previously

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

Pt = Part(s)

Div = Division(s)

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

ed = editorial change

reloc = relocated

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

renum = renumbered

effect

rep = repealed

F = Federal Register of Legislation

rs = repealed and substituted

gaz = gazette

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

effect

SR = Statutory Rules

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

Sub-Ch = Sub-Chapter(s)

cannot be given effect

SubPt = Subpart(s)

mod = modified/modification

underlining = whole or part not

No. = Number(s)

commenced or to be commenced

 

Endnote 3--Legislation history

 

Act

Number and year

Assent

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Online Safety Act 2021

76, 2021

23 July 2021

23 Jan 2022 (s 2(1) item 1)

 

Online Safety (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2021

77, 2021

23 July 2021

Sch 2 (items 110-112): 23 Jan 2022 (s 2(1) item 6)

--

 

Endnote 4--Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

Part 3

 

Division 5

 

s 43....................................

ed C1

Part 10

 

s 162..................................

am No 77, 2021

s 164..................................

am No 77, 2021

s 165..................................

am No 77, 2021

 

Endnote 5--Editorial changes

In preparing this compilation for registration, the following kinds of editorial change(s) were made under the Legislation Act 2003.

Subparagraphs 43(1)(c)(i) and (ii)

Kind of editorial change

Changes to punctuation

Details of editorial change

Subparagraphs 43(1)(c)(i) and (ii) read as follows:

                              (i)  an industry code registered under Division 7 of Part 9); or

                             (ii)  an industry standard determined under Division 7 of Part 9);

This compilation was editorially changed to remove the closing bracket after "Part 9" in subparagraphs 43(1)(c)(i) and (ii) to correct the punctuation.


 



AustLII: Copyright Policy | Disclaimers | Privacy Policy | Feedback