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eSafety Commissioner
eSafety · Office of the eSafety Commissioner
23 June 2017 – present
Previously Children's eSafety Commissioner (2015–2017).
Australia's independent online safety regulator, handling complaints about cyberbullying, adult cyber abuse, image-based abuse and illegal and restricted online content, and enforcing industry codes and safety obligations.
Names over time
- Children's eSafety Commissioner2015–2017
- eSafety Commissioner2017–present
How it came into existence
The Children's eSafety Commissioner was renamed the eSafety Commissioner in June 2017 by the Enhancing Online Safety for Children Amendment Act 2017, which extended its remit to adults and renamed its Act the Enhancing Online Safety Act 2015.
Legislation: Online Safety Act 2021
Changes during its life
- 23 January 2022The Online Safety Act 2021 commenced, replacing the Enhancing Online Safety Act 2015 and adding an adult cyber abuse scheme and wider powers.
- 10 December 2025Began enforcing the social media minimum age obligations added by the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024.
Main functions
- Cyberbullying and adult cyber abuse complaints
- Image-based abuse scheme
- Illegal and restricted online content regulation
- Industry codes and basic online safety expectations
- Social media minimum age enforcement
- Online safety education and research
Where it sits
Lineage
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Sources
Primary sources
- Australian Government Organisations Register (Department of Finance, data.gov.au) (listed from 31 December 2017 to the latest release (30 June 2026))