Australia: Online industry submitted final draft Internet Carriage Services Online Safety Code (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) to eSafety Commissioner for review

On 20 May 2025, the final draft of the Internet Carriage Services Online Safety Code (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) under the Online Safety Act 2021 was submitted to the eSafety Commissioner for review. This follows the eSafety Commissioner's letter to industry in April 2025, reinforcing concerns about multiple drafts of online safety codes submitted since October 2024. The Code was developed by the Australian online industry, including the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA), the Communications Alliance, the Consumer Electronics Suppliers Association (CESA), the Digital Industry Group Inc (DIGI) and the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA). It would apply to retail internet service providers (ISPs) that provide internet access to Australian end-users. The Code would require ISPs to provide information on filtering tools, promote the Family Friendly Filter (FFF) program, and inform users of their right to complain about Class 1C and Class 2 material. ISPs would have to provide links to the eSafety complaints procedure, establish procedures for responding to user complaints and provide online safety information on class 1C and class 2 material. ISPs would be required to submit compliance reports to eSafety on request, setting out the steps they have taken to comply with the measures in the Code. The eSafety Commissioner will now assess whether the codes provide sufficient safeguards for the community and, if deemed inadequate, may impose enforceable standards in their place.