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The Australian government will introduce laws mandating streaming platforms to invest a minimum percentage of revenue in local content, as announced by government statements this week.

Services such as Disney+ along with additional providers with over one million users will need to contribute a minimum of 10% of their local expenditure alternatively 7.5% of revenue toward Australian content.

Legislation will be introduced to lawmakers this week covering documentaries and educational content.

Official representatives announced the move would help to protect production jobs in the sector. Streaming services have not yet responded on the matter.

'Remarkable productions'

"There are Australian content requirements for broadcast TV and pay television, but until now, we lacked assurance of viewing Australian narratives via digital platforms," an official representative commented.

"Since launching in Australia, digital platforms have created numerous remarkable series. This obligation guarantee such productions – our stories – will keep being produced."

As reported by reports, legislation will be introduced to Parliament in the coming days.

The new content requirements were meant to be in place in mid-2024 however worries over how they would interact with a free trade agreement involving America led to the plans being put on hold.

The government cited difficulty engaging in discussions with American counterparts while it was holding electoral process.

Following the U.S. election, there was then concern about whether the rules might prompt the US administration to implement retaliatory tariffs against Australia.

Currently, following resolution, amid strengthened ties between the countries, these regulations have returned on the table.

While professional associations applauded the news, platforms are still to comment on the matter.

Back in 2022, streaming platforms published documentation highlighting their artistic and financial contribution to the country's creative economy.

Nonetheless, some observers interpreted this as strategic positioning in anticipation at future regulation.

Production slump

Current Australian shows on streaming platforms feature various series spanning various genres.

Like many countries, the local entertainment sector have suffered recently, in part due to reduced activity during the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the fiscal period recently concluded, investment in movies and TV series produced domestically fell by almost one-third, as reported by sector statistics.