Key stakeholders and legislation
Commonwealth agencies involved in internet and broadband issues
Issues relating to the internet and broadband come within the portfolio responsibilities of the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.
The Minister is supported by the department and the 
Australian Government Information Management Office. They monitor industry developments, assist with the development and implementation of policy, and administer Commonwealth funding programs.
There are two main regulators relevant to the sector—the general competition and consumer regulator, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, and the telecommunications-specific regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), which is also responsible for the regulation of internet content.
Two industry bodies perform important regulatory functions. The Communications Alliance promotes industry self-regulation, particularly through the development of industry codes and standards. The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman provides a forum for the resolution of individual complaints.
Standards Australia focuses on technologies for businesses including developing technical and business standards and electronically distributing specialist business and technical publications. auDA oversees the allocation of internet domain names in Australia. The Telephone Information Service Standards plays a self-regulatory role in relation to some content. The Internet Industry Association maintains a number of self-regulatory codes.
Commonwealth legislation relevant to internet and broadband services
The internet and broadband services are subject to a range of Commonwealth Acts: Telecommunications Act 1997; Competition and Consumer Act 2010; Radiocommunications Act 1992; Broadcasting Services Act 1992; Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999; Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
To find relevant legislation, follow the links on the policy and legislation page.
