What are the Australia Social Media Minimum Age compliance deadlines?

Dec 10, 2025: Social media minimum age obligation applies.

When does Australia Social Media Minimum Age take effect?

Australia Social Media Minimum Age took effect on Dec 10, 2025.

Who does Australia Social Media Minimum Age apply to?

Providers of 'age-restricted social media platforms' (services whose significant purpose is online social interaction, allowing users to link and post), subject to exclusions (e.g. messaging, gaming, education and health services).

What are the penalties under Australia Social Media Minimum Age?

Up to 150,000 penalty units (AUD 49.5 million) for corporations failing to take reasonable steps. Separate penalties apply for misusing age-assurance data under the Privacy Act.

Australia Social Media Minimum Age

In force Australia · In force Dec 10, 2025 · no upcoming deadlines

Official text

Add to calendar

Apple Calendar or Outlook Google Calendar Download .ics

Deadlines

Date	What happens	When
Dec 10, 2025	Social media minimum age obligation applies9 months ago	9 months ago

Summaries for reference, not legal advice. Check the official text.

What it does

Requires providers of age-restricted social media platforms to take reasonable steps to stop Australians under 16 from having accounts. Platforms may not rely only on government ID for age assurance, and must protect data collected for age checks and destroy it after use. eSafety has named platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, Threads, Twitch and Kick.

Who it applies to: Providers of 'age-restricted social media platforms' (services whose significant purpose is online social interaction, allowing users to link and post), subject to exclusions (e.g. messaging, gaming, education and health services).
Penalties: Up to 150,000 penalty units (AUD 49.5 million) for corporations failing to take reasonable steps. Separate penalties apply for misusing age-assurance data under the Privacy Act.
Enforced by: eSafety Commissioner (minimum age obligation); OAIC (privacy of age-assurance data)
Official name: Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024
Citation: Act No. 127, 2024 (amending the Online Safety Act 2021)
Topics: children, online-safety

Verified 2026-09-22 esafety.gov.au pm.gov.au

Research notes

On 28 June 2026 the Government announced legislation to double the maximum penalty for systemic breaches to AUD 99 million and give eSafety stronger information-gathering powers; it is not yet enacted as of verification. eSafety is investigating five platforms.

Australia Cyber Security Act (ransomware reporting)

Australia Privacy Act China AI Content Labeling Measures China PIPL

Questions about Australia Social Media Minimum Age

What are the Australia Social Media Minimum Age compliance deadlines?: Dec 10, 2025: Social media minimum age obligation applies.
When does Australia Social Media Minimum Age take effect?: Australia Social Media Minimum Age took effect on Dec 10, 2025.
Who does Australia Social Media Minimum Age apply to?: Providers of 'age-restricted social media platforms' (services whose significant purpose is online social interaction, allowing users to link and post), subject to exclusions (e.g. messaging, gaming, education and health services).
What are the penalties under Australia Social Media Minimum Age?: Up to 150,000 penalty units (AUD 49.5 million) for corporations failing to take reasonable steps. Separate penalties apply for misusing age-assurance data under the Privacy Act.

Deadlines

What it does

Related