Broadcasting Services Amendment (Audio Description) Bill 2019: what it would require of broadcasters

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Broadcasting Services Amendment (Audio Description) Bill 2019: what it would require of broadcasters

The Broadcasting Services Amendment (Audio Description) Bill 2019 is a private senator's bill introduced by Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John that would amend the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to require national broadcasters, commercial television licensees, and subscription television licensees to provide a minimum number of hours of audio description per week. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) would enforce and periodically review the requirement. First introduced on 12 February 2019, the bill has now been before the Parliament for over seven years. It has lapsed three times — on 1 July 2019, 25 July 2022, and 21 July 2025 — and been restored each time. As of July 2026, it remains before the Senate without having been passed. It is Before Senate as of 17 July 2026.

This is a federal system guide. State constitutions, parliaments and local-government laws can allocate comparable functions differently.

The useful question is not only “what is the rule?” but also “who administers it, which document controls it, and when might it change?” That distinction prevents an accurate general explanation from becoming wrong advice in a particular election, chamber or policy setting.

Evidence review

What is audio description and why does it matter?

Audio description is a narrated commentary that describes visual elements of a television program — actions, facial expressions, scene changes, on-screen text — during natural pauses in dialogue. It makes television accessible to people who are blind or have low vision, allowing them to follow programs that rely heavily on visual information. Audio description is accessed through a secondary audio channel on digital television and is typically activated through the TV or set-top box settings.

Australia has lagged behind comparable countries in mandating audio description. The United Kingdom has required minimum audio description hours on broadcast television since the Communications Act 2003. The United States has required audio description on top-rated broadcast and pay TV networks since 2000 under the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act. Canada and New Zealand also have mandated audio description quotas. In Australia, the ABC has provided audio description on some programming since 2015 on a voluntary basis, and some commercial networks offer it on selected programs, but there is no legislated minimum.

Evidence review

What the bill would require

The bill would amend the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to impose three key obligations. First, it would require national broadcasters (the ABC and SBS), commercial television broadcasting licensees, and subscription television licensees to provide a minimum number of hours of audio description content per week. Second, it would give the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) the power to enforce this requirement — meaning broadcasters who fail to meet the minimum could face regulatory action. Third, it would require ACMA to conduct periodic reviews of the audio description requirements to ensure they remain adequate and are keeping pace with technological change and community expectations.

The bill's explanatory memorandum and second reading speech would contain more detail on the specific minimum hours proposed, the phase-in periods, and any exemptions for smaller broadcasters or specific types of programming. These details are crucial to understanding the bill's practical impact and cost implications for broadcasters.

Evidence review

Parliamentary history: seven years and counting

The bill was first introduced by Senator Jordon Steele-John, a Greens senator for Western Australia, on 12 February 2019 — during the 45th Parliament. It lapsed for the first time when the 45th Parliament was dissolved on 1 July 2019 ahead of the 2019 federal election. The bill was reintroduced in the 46th Parliament but lapsed again when that Parliament was dissolved on 25 July 2022.

The bill was again introduced in the 47th Parliament and has continued its slow progress. It lapsed a third time on 21 July 2025 when Parliament was prorogued, and was restored once more to the Notice Paper. The bill's seven-year journey illustrates a common challenge for private senators' bills on non-partisan issues: broad sympathy for the policy goal does not necessarily translate into the parliamentary time and Government support needed for passage.

Evidence review

The regulatory landscape since 2019

While the bill has been before Parliament, there have been some developments in audio description availability. The ABC has expanded its audio description offerings, and the federal Government has engaged with the broadcasting industry and disability advocates on a possible roadmap toward mandated audio description. The 2020-21 federal budget included funding for an audio description trial or working group, and discussions have continued through the broadcasting regulatory reform process.

However, as of 2026, Australia still does not have legislated minimum audio description requirements for broadcast television. Streaming services operating in Australia — such as Netflix, Stan, and Disney+ — generally provide audio description on a voluntary basis for much of their original content, reflecting both global platform standards and expectations from Australian audiences. The gap between the voluntary uptake on streaming platforms and the lack of mandated requirements for broadcast television has become a point raised by advocates.

Evidence review

What happens next

The bill remains on the Senate Notice Paper and could be brought on for further debate at any time the Senate allocates time for private senators' business. Given its long history, the bill's future would depend on one of several scenarios: the Government may decide to support the bill or introduce its own legislation on audio description as part of broader broadcasting reform; a Senate committee inquiry may generate sufficient momentum for a vote; or the bill may continue to be restored after each lapse as a statement of ongoing parliamentary interest without reaching a final vote.

The question of audio description mandates intersects with several ongoing policy processes, including the review of Australian content obligations on streaming platforms, the transition of broadcasting regulation to a modernised framework, and Australia's obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which includes commitments to ensure access to television programming for people with disabilities.

Common questions

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