Industry Codes
Consolidated Industry Codes of Practice for the Online Industry
(Class 1C and Class 2 Material)
Phase two of the industry codes aims to protect Australian children from access or exposure to online pornography and other ‘class 2’ material, which as is inappropriate for children under the National Classification Scheme. The Industry began developing of the Phase 2 industry codes in July 2024 following the publication of eSafety’s Phase position paper.
The Codes have been developed by industry, following an intense sector-wide effort, and are designed to strengthen protections for children against harmful online content, including
Pornography
Self-harm
Eating disorder content
Promotion of suicide
Violence
In June 2025, the eSafety Commissioner has announced the decision to register the codes related to Search Engines, Hosting and ISP. Assessment of the remaining draft codes by eSafety under the Online Safety Act 2021 is underway and no decision has yet been announced regarding registration.
For further information, please see details below or contact the group of industry associations at hello@onlinesafety.org.au.
Head terms for all code schedules
All schedules relating to different industry sections utilise a common set of Head Terms.
Hosting services
Service that hosts stored material, that has been provided on another social media service, relevant electronic service, or designated internet service.
As registered on 27 June 2025 – Schedule 1 – Hosting Services Online Safety Code (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) – PDF
Relevant electronic services
Services used for messaging (including SMS and MMS), email, and online gaming.
DRAFT under assessment – Relevant Electronic Services Online Safety Code (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) – PDF
DRAFT under assessment – Relevant Electronic Services Online Safety Code (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) – DOC
Designated internet services
All websites that can be accessed by Australian end-users, including end-user online storage.
DRAFT under assessment – Schedule 3 -Designated Internet Services Online Safety Code (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) – PDF
DRAFT under assessment – Schedule 3 – Designated Internet Services Online Safety Code (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) – DOC
App distribution services
Services that enable the download of third-party apps by Australian end-users.
DRAFT under assessment – App Distribution Services Online Safety Code (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) – DOC
Social media services
Electronic services that enable online social interaction between 2 or more end‑users.
DRAFT under assessment – – Social Media Services (core features) Online Safety Code (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) – PDF
Internet carriage services
Services provided by Internet Service Providers or ISPs, provided to Australian end-users.
As registered on 27 June 2025 – Schedule 2 – Internet Carriage Services Online Safety Code (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) – PDF
Manufacturing, supplying, maintaining or Installing equipment
Manufacturers, suppliers, maintenance providers and installation providers of equipment, as well as Operating Service (OS) providers.
DRAFT under assessment – Equipment Online Safety Code (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) – PDF
DRAFT under assessment – – Equipment Online Safety Code (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) – DOC
Internet search engine services
Software-based services designed to collect and rank information on the World Wide Web in response to user queries.
As registered on 27 June 2025 – Schedule 3 – Internet Search Engine Services Online Safety Code (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) – PDF
2025 Request for registration
Details about the basis upon which the industry associations sought registration of the codes in February 2025, including details of how the codes were developed to meet the criteria of the Online Safety Act 2021 and the expectations outlined in the eSafety Position Paper.
Amendment to 2025 Request for registration
Details about the basis upon which the industry associations sought registration of the app distribution services code, submitted March 2025. This is an amendment to the request for registration submitted in February 2025, including details of how the codes were developed to meet the criteria of the Online Safety Act 2021 and the expectations outlined in the eSafety Position Paper.