APRA AMCOS applauds local content legislation for streaming
A win for the screen industry with the Government's announcement of a local content obligation on streaming video on demand (SVOD) services operating in Australia
Major streamers in Australia to invest in local stories in line with commercial and subscription television requirements
APRA AMCOS has welcomed the Australian Government's announcement of a local content obligation on streaming video on demand (SVOD) services operating in Australia.
The new obligation will require SVOD services with over 1 million subscribers in Australia to invest 10% of total program expenditure for Australia, or 7.5% of their total Australian revenue, in local stories that meet the Australian Content Test Standards (ACTTS) – the same requirements currently applied to commercial and subscription television services.
"This is an incredible first step for Australia, once again leading the way in regulation within a global content market where extraordinary local stories and local music can be drowned out by content from major overseas markets," said Dean Ormston, Chief Executive APRA AMCOS.
"Critically, the obligation includes requirements to spend on post-production in Australia, opening the door for Australian screen composers and local music to play a central role in telling our stories. This represents a significant new opportunity for Australia's music creators."
The announcement delivers on the government's commitment within its national cultural policy and follows last week's decision that there would not be an exception for big tech in Australia's copyright regime.
"With the ACTTS requirement for post-production to happen in Australia, there is now a huge opportunity for the next generation of local productions to celebrate the extraordinary depth of Australian screen composition talent and sync music, truly 'Ausifying' the soundtrack," Ormston said.
APRA AMCOS has long advocated for local content obligations that support the development of Australian intellectual property as a key element of screen industry support. Historically, there has been a disconnect between screen production incentives and the fostering of IP development through local screen music composition, creating an economic and cultural deficit for the nation through the long-term loss of intellectual property to other territories.
Ormston emphasised the critical importance of screen music in production and its role in developing intellectual property that fosters growth across Australia's creative and cultural sector.
"Screen music should not be an afterthought. Music is a fundamental element of storytelling that drives emotional connection and defines the cultural fingerprint of Australian productions. The IP developed by our screen composers represents valuable cultural and economic assets that resonate with audiences both here and around the world."
That excellence was on display at the 2025 Screen Music Awards, held in Brisbane for the first time last week, which celebrated Australian screen composition with winners including Cornel Wilczek, Joff Bush (Bluey), Megan Washington, Jed Kurzel, and Ayda Akbal.
APRA AMCOS confirmed it will continue advocating for the elevation of screen composers within the Significant Australian Content (SAC) test for Producer Offset eligibility.
"The elevation of screen composers in the SAC test will be critical for all productions that access the offset, regardless of whether they are part of these new local content obligations," Ormston said.
"Our composers are essential creative contributors, and their recognition in these frameworks is vital to ensuring Australian music remains at the heart of Australian screen content.
"We look forward to working with the government on the next cultural policy consultation to elevate screen composers as part of the SAC test."
