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 (5)
Enforcement and Powers
Enforcement, information-gathering and investigative powers (Parts 10-16).
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| AUOSA-10.1 | Enforcement |
| AUOSA-13.1 | Information-gathering powers |
| AUOSA-14.1 | Investigative powers |
Expectations and Minimum Age
Basic Online Safety Expectations and the social media minimum age (Parts 4 and 4A).
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| AUOSA-4.1 | Basic Online Safety Expectations |
| AUOSA-4A.1 | Social media minimum age |
Harm-Specific Removal Schemes
Cyberbullying, image-based abuse, adult cyber abuse and abhorrent violent material (Parts 5-8).
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| AUOSA-5.1 | Cyberbullying material targeted at an Australian child |
| AUOSA-6.1 | Non-consensual sharing of intimate images |
| AUOSA-7.1 | Cyber-abuse material targeted at an Australian adult |
| AUOSA-8.1 | Material that depicts abhorrent violent conduct |
Online Content Scheme
Class 1 and Class 2 material, removal notices and industry codes and standards (Part 9).
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| AUOSA-9.1 | Class 1 material - removal |
| AUOSA-9.2 | Class 2 material - restricted access |
| AUOSA-9.3 | Removal notices to hosting, app distribution and search services |
| AUOSA-9.4 | Industry codes and standards |
eSafety Commissioner and Complaints
The eSafety Commissioner and the complaints, objections and investigations system (Parts 2-3).
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| AUOSA-2.1 | eSafety Commissioner functions and powers |
| AUOSA-3.1 | Complaints, objections and investigations |
Maps to 1 other framework
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Australia Online Safety Act 2021?
Australia Online Safety Act 2021 is a compliance framework from Australia (eSafety Commissioner) with 5 domains and 15 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 15 controls organised across 5 domains. The largest domains are Harm-Specific Removal Schemes (4 controls), Online Content Scheme (4 controls), Enforcement and Powers (3 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 1 other compliance frameworks. The top mapping partners are Australia eSafety Commissioner - Online Safety Expectations for Industry (13% coverage). Use our comparison tool to explore control-level mappings between frameworks.
How do I get started with Australia Online Safety Act 2021 compliance?
Start your Australia Online Safety Act 2021 compliance journey by running a self-assessment on our platform to identify your current compliance posture. Our AI advisory can answer specific questions about Australia Online Safety Act 2021 requirements, and cross-framework mapping helps you leverage existing controls from other frameworks you may already comply with. Create a free account to access all 15 controls and track your progress.
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