Australia Online Safety Act 2021
The Australian Online Safety Act 2021 establishes the eSafety Commissioner as the independent regulator for online safety. The Act creates a complaints-based system for removing harmful online content, with powers to issue removal notices to platforms, hosting services, and internet service providers. Key provisions include the Online Content Scheme (replacing the Broadcasting Services Act schedules), cyber-bullying scheme for children, image-based abuse scheme, and Basic Online Safety Expectations. Applies to online services with an Australian link.
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Framework Domains (6)
Content Regulation
Online content schemes and removal powers
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| Sec. 106 | Prohibited Content Take-Down |
| Sec. 107 | Prohibited Content Categories |
| Sec. 108 | Service Provider Obligations for Content |
Industry Codes and Standards
Part 11 — Industry codes and mandatory standards for online safety
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| OSA-10 | Industry Standards |
| OSA-9 | Industry Codes (Division 7) |
| OSA-CODES-1 | Industry Code Development |
| OSA-CODES-2 | Mandatory Industry Standards |
| OSA-CODES-3 | Code and Standard Compliance |
Part 1 — Preliminary
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| MHR-1 | Objects and Definitions |
| MHR-2 | Application and Scope |
| OSA-1 | Objects and Definitions |
| OSA-2 | Scope of Application |
| POFMA-1.1 | Definitions and Interpretation (Sections 2-3) |
| POFMA-1.2 | Application and Scope (Section 4) |
| Sec. 1 | Short Title and Commencement |
| Sec. 2 | Interpretation |
| Sec. 3 | Scope and Application |
| Sec. 6 | Establishment of the Commission |
Part 10 — Enforcement
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| OSA-11 | Civil Penalties |
| OSA-12 | Remedial Notices and Court Orders |
Part 2 — eSafety Commissioner
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| OSA-3 | Commissioner Functions |
| OSA-4 | Commissioner Appointment |
Part 3 — Complaints and Investigations
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| OSA-5 | Cyber-Bullying (Division 2) |
| OSA-6 | Intimate Images (Division 3) |
| OSA-7 | Cyber Abuse of Adults (Division 4) |
| OSA-8 | Link Deletion and App Removal (Divisions 5–6) |
Maps to 530 other frameworks
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Australia Online Safety Act 2021?
Australia Online Safety Act 2021 is a compliance framework from Australia (eSafety Commissioner) with 6 domains and 26 controls. The Australian Online Safety Act 2021 establishes the eSafety Commissioner as the independent regulator for online safety. The Act creates a complaints-based system for removing harmful online content, with powers to issue removal notices to platforms, hosting services, and internet service providers. Key provisions include the Online Content Scheme (replacing the Broadcasting Services Act schedules), cyber-bullying scheme for children, image-based abuse scheme, and Basic Online Safety Expectations. Applies to online services with an Australian link. It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
How many controls does Australia Online Safety Act 2021 have?
Australia Online Safety Act 2021 has 26 controls organised across 6 domains. The largest domains are Part 1 — Preliminary (10 controls), Industry Codes and Standards (5 controls), Part 3 — Complaints and Investigations (4 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.
What frameworks does Australia Online Safety Act 2021 map to?
Australia Online Safety Act 2021 maps to 530 other compliance frameworks. The top mapping partners are Vietnam Law on Cybersecurity (No. 24/2018/QH14) (23% coverage), FTC Health Breach Notification Rule (23% coverage), Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme (Australia) (23% coverage). Use our comparison tool to explore control-level mappings between frameworks.
How do I get started with Australia Online Safety Act 2021 compliance?
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