Australia: Office of the eSafety Commissioner released a self-assessment tool for platforms to determine whether their services qualify as age-restricted

On 4 September 2025, the Office of the eSafety Commissioner released summaries of the consultation process alongside a self-assessment tool to assist online services in determining whether they are age-restricted platforms under Section 63C of the Online Safety Act 2021 and the Online Safety (Age-Restricted Social Media Platforms) Rules 2025. The guidance sets out a seven-step process covering electronic service status, accessibility to Australian end-users, posting and interaction functions, and the purpose of enabling online social interaction, followed by assessment of exclusions under the Rules. The exclusions cover services with a sole or primary purpose of messaging, online gaming, professional networking, education, or health, or with a significant purpose of facilitating communication in education or health contexts. eSafety noted has engaged with platforms including Google, Meta, Snap, and TikTok, outlining preparatory steps such as detecting and deactivating under-16 accounts, providing account download and deletion options, implementing layered age assurance measures, preventing circumvention through account modifications, and ensuring reporting and appeals mechanisms are effective. These measures, alongside the Australian Government’s Age Assurance Technology Trial final report, will inform eSafety’s regulatory guidance and compliance activities before the obligations commence on 10 December 2025.