Australian content and children's program content on commercial television are regulated by compulsory standards determined by ACMA.
Pay TV drama channels are also regulated by a compulsory standard requiring expenditure on minimum amounts of Australian drama programs.
An additional licence condition on some regional commercial television licensees came into effect in February 2004 and was revoked and remade with effect from 1 January 2008. This licence condition requires that specified licensees broadcast minimum amounts of local content within their local broadcast areas. For more information on the most recent developments see: local content.
The primary responsibility for ensuring that programs reflect community standards rests with radio and television stations themselves under a system of industry developed codes of practice.