Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated ActsNo. 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If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.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
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.
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ad = added or inserted |
o = order(s) |
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am = amended |
Ord = Ordinance |
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amdt = amendment |
orig = original |
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c = clause(s) |
par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s) |
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C[x] = Compilation No. x |
/sub-subparagraph(s) |
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Ch = Chapter(s) |
pres = present |
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def = definition(s) |
prev = previous |
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Dict = Dictionary |
(prev ... ) = previously |
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disallowed = disallowed by Parliament |
Pt = Part(s) |
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Div = Division(s) |
r = regulation(s)/rule(s) |
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ed = editorial change |
reloc = relocated |
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exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have |
renum = renumbered |
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effect |
rep = repealed |
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F = Federal Register of Legislation |
rs = repealed and substituted |
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gaz = gazette |
s = section(s)/subsection(s) |
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LA = Legislation Act 2003 |
Sch = Schedule(s) |
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Sdiv = Subdivision(s) |
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(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given |
SLI = Select Legislative Instrument |
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effect |
SR = Statutory Rules |
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(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment |
Sub-Ch = Sub-Chapter(s) |
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cannot be given effect |
SubPt = Subpart(s) |
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mod = modified/modification |
underlining = whole or part not |
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No. = Number(s) |
commenced or to be commenced |
Endnote 3--Legislation history
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Act |
Number and year |
Assent |
Commencement |
Application, saving and transitional provisions |
|
76, 2021 |
23 July 2021 |
23 Jan 2022 (s 2(1) item 1) |
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|
|
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) |
-- |
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Provision affected |
How affected |
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Part 3 |
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Division 5 |
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ed C1 |
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Part 10 |
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|
am No 77, 2021 |
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|
am No 77, 2021 |
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|
am No 77, 2021 |
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.