Register of industry codes and industry standards for online safety

The Phase 1 Codes for five industry sections regarding class 1A and class 1B illegal material were added to the register on 16 June 2023, and came into effect on 16 December 2023. An additional industry code for internet search engine services was added to the register on 12 September 2023 and came into effect on 12 March 2024.

The codes have a common set of Head Terms, as well as separate Schedules which outline specific terms that apply to each section of the online industry covered by a code.

Phase 1 Standards for relevant electronic services and designated internet services regarding class 1A and class 1B material were registered on 21 June 2024, and will come into effect on 22 December 2024. 

eSafety issued notices to industry representatives for the development of the Phase 1 and Phase 2 industry codes for online safety, to apply to eight key sections of the online industry. The eight key sections of the online industry are defined in the Online Safety Act 2021 (Cth). They include:

• providers of social media services
• providers of relevant electronic services (for example instant messaging services, chat services and online multi-player gaming)
• designated internet services (includes websites)
• providers of search engine services
• providers of app distribution services
• providers of hosting services
• providers of internet carriage services
• manufacturers, suppliers, maintainers and installers of equipment used to access online services.

Notices issued: Phase 1 industry codes

In April 2022, eSafety issued notices to industry representatives for the development of industry codes for online safety, to apply to eight key sections of the online industry by 9 September 2022.

eSafety issued a second set of notices in June 2022, which extended the due date for industry codes to be submitted for eSafety’s consideration to 18 November 2022. Both the original and variation notices can be found on this page. 

Notices issued: Phase 2 industry codes

On 1 July 2024, eSafety issued notices to industry representatives for the development of Phase 2 codes by 19 December 2024. These notices applied to the eight key sections of the industry.

On 4 July 2024, eSafety varied the notice issued to industry representatives for equipment service providers on 1 July 2024 to include Digital Industry Group Inc as a recipient of that notice, in response to the industry’s request.

On 15 August 2024, eSafety varied the notice issued to industry representatives for designated internet service providers on 1 July 2024 to remove the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association as a recipient of that notice, in response to the industry’s request.  

The original and variation notices for both variations can be found on this page.