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The Australian government is set to enact laws requiring streaming platforms to invest a minimum percentage of funds in local productions, according to government statements on Tuesday.

Services including Disney+ and other streamers with over one million users will need to allocate a minimum of ten percent of their Australian expenditure or 7.5% of revenue on Australian content.

Legislation will be introduced to parliament in coming days and will apply to drama and informative programmes.

Official ministers announced the move is designed to protect production jobs within the sector. The platforms are yet to responded publicly.

'Remarkable productions'

"We have Australian content requirements on free-to-air TV and pay television, however previously, we lacked assurance that we could see Australian narratives via digital platforms," a government representative stated.

"Since their introduction domestically, streaming services have created some extraordinary shows. These requirements guarantee that those stories – our stories – will keep being produced."

According to reports, legislation is scheduled for presentation to Parliament this week.

These updated production obligations were originally scheduled implemented by July last year but concerns over how they would interact with a free trade agreement involving America resulted in the plans being put on hold.

The government cited challenges engaging in negotiations with the US while it was holding an election.

After President Trump was elected, concerns emerged regarding if the regulations might prompt the US administration to implement trade measures targeting Australian interests.

Now, following resolution, and with strengthened ties internationally, those rules are now back on the table.

Although industry groups applauded the news, platforms have yet to comment regarding this development.

Previously, streaming platforms released a report emphasizing their cultural and financial contribution to the country's creative economy.

However, it was seen by some as strategic positioning in anticipation of coming legislation.

Production slump

Current local productions on streaming platforms feature various series spanning various genres.

Similar to other nations, the local entertainment sector experienced challenges recently, in part due to the production slump during the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the fiscal period 2023-24, funding for movies and television dramas made in Australia fell by nearly 30%, according to industry data.