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
Seven of eight codes have been submitted to the eSafety Commissioner for assessment under the Online
Safety Act 2021 on Friday 28 February, with the code for app distribution services due by 28 March 2025 (more detail on each of these codes below).
For further information, please 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.
Social media services
Electronic services that enable online social interaction between 2 or more end‑users.
Schedule 1 – Social Media Services Online Safety Code (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) – PDF
Schedule 1 – Social Media Services Online Safety Code (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) – DOC
Relevant electronic services
Services used for messaging (including SMS and MMS), email, and online gaming.
Schedule 2 – Relevant Electronic Services Online Safety Code (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) – PDF
Schedule 2 – 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.
Schedule 3 -Designated Internet Services Online Safety Code (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) – PDF
Schedule 3 – Designated Internet Services Online Safety Code (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) – DOC
App distribution services
Due to be submitted – 28 March 2025
Services that enable the download of third-party apps by Australian end-users.
Hosting services
Service that hosts stored material, that has been provided on another social media service, relevant electronic service, or designated internet service.
Schedule 5 – Hosting Services Online Safety Code (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) – PDF
Schedule 5 – Hosting Services Online Safety Code (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) – DOC
Internet carriage services
Services provided by Internet Service Providers or ISPs, provided to Australian end-users.
Schedule 6 – Internet Carriage Services Online Safety Code (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) – PDF
Schedule 6 – Internet Carriage Services Online Safety Code (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) – DOC
Manufacturing, supplying, maintaining or Installing equipment
Manufacturers, suppliers, maintenance providers and installation providers of equipment, as well as Operating Service (OS) providers.
Schedule 7 – Equipment Online Safety Code (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) – PDF
Schedule 7 – 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.
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.