Overview
The Online Safety (Age-Restricted Social Media Platforms) Amendment Rules 2026 is a federal legislative instrument made under the Online Safety Act 2021 and administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts.
What the rules did
The rules added an extra condition that a service must satisfy to be classified as an age-restricted social media platform.
Current status
The instrument was in force from 25 March 2026 to 12 August 2026, after which it was repealed. It is no longer in force.
Key actions
- Check the Federal Register of Legislation at legislation.gov.au to see what rules currently govern age-restricted social media platforms following this repeal - search for the Online Safety (Age-Restricted Social Media Platforms) Rules.
- If your business operates or advertises on social media platforms targeting under-18s, contact the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts to confirm what obligations currently apply.
This is a plain-English summary for information only, not legal or compliance advice. Always check the official source or consult a qualified professional.