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The Australian government is set to implement legislation requiring streaming platforms to invest a specified amount of funds in local productions, according to official sources on Tuesday.

Services such as Disney+ and other streamers with over one million subscribers must contribute a minimum of 10% of their Australian spending or 7.5% of income on local content.

The law is being presented to lawmakers this week covering documentaries and informative content.

Government ministers stated the move is designed to protect production employment within the industry. Streaming services are yet to commented on the matter.

'Extraordinary shows'

"There are local production obligations on free-to-air television and pay television, however previously, there has been assurance that we could see Australian narratives on streaming services," a government representative commented.

"Since their introduction domestically, streaming services have produced numerous remarkable shows. These requirements guarantee such productions – Australian content – continue to be made."

According to sources, legislation will be introduced to legislators in the coming days.

The new production obligations were originally scheduled implemented by July last year however worries regarding potential conflicts with international trade pacts with the US led to the plans being put on hold.

Officials mentioned challenges conducting discussions with the US during their an election.

After President Trump was elected, there was then concern regarding if the rules could lead American officials to implement retaliatory tariffs targeting Australian interests.

Currently, with the dust settled, and with improved relations internationally, those rules are now back on the table.

Although professional associations welcomed the news, streamers are still to comment on the matter.

Back in 2022, digital services published a report emphasizing their cultural and financial impact on the national creative economy.

However, it was seen by some as strategic positioning against any attempt of coming legislation.

Production slump

Current local productions on streaming platforms feature multiple series spanning various categories.

Similar to other nations, Australia's creative industries have suffered in recent years, partly because of reduced activity during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In the financial year recently concluded, investment in feature films and TV series produced domestically fell by nearly 30%, according to sector data.