The Pulse
Australia’s House Passes Digital Duty of Care Bill
The House of Representatives passed Australia’s broad Digital Duty of Care bill on Wednesday, 28 October, sending it to the Senate for further scrutiny. The bill would set safety obligations for online services, with an amendment covering c
AI.info Team · Written with AI · fact-checked ·
Australia’s House of Representatives passed the Online Safety Amendment (Digital Duty of Care) Bill 2026 on Wednesday, 28 October. The bill covers online services broadly, including social media, games, apps and AI chatbots; it is not an AI-specific child-safety bill. It now goes to the Senate, where it will be scrutinised before any decision on whether to pass it. The government hopes to pass the legislation by the end of 2026.
The bill would create an overarching duty requiring providers to take reasonable steps to keep users safe. For people under 18, it would require protections against harmful material, conduct and design features. The government says the framework would address, among other things, content glorifying crime or life-endangering stunts, causing serious mental distress, encouraging eating disorders or promoting hostile attitudes toward women.
Amendment addresses chatbot conduct
On Wednesday, the government accepted amendments from independent MP Kate Chaney. One would add material or conduct that simulates emotional intimacy and encourages or fosters a child’s dependence on it instead of human relationships to the harms addressed by the bill. The provision does not name a company or chatbot. A separate Chaney amendment would require social-media algorithm opt-out features to be accessible, easy to use and prominently available.
Communications Minister Anika Wells defended the bill amid opponents’ claims that it could amount to censorship. The Guardian reported that Wells told ABC radio on Wednesday:
“If they really care, the test is simple here, they should bring an amendment, not a slogan to ‘kill the bill’.”
— Anika Wells, Minister for Communications
Wider online safety framework
The bill would also require social-media services to offer users a choice about algorithmically recommended feeds. Under the government’s proposal, Australians aged 16 and over could choose whether recommendations or content from accounts they follow make up their primary feed. The framework would set minimum standards for how platforms handle complaints and disputes, and give the eSafety Commissioner powers relating to harmful online services.
The government says non-compliance could attract penalties of up to A$109.2 million. It has also said professional news material and entertainment media would be exempt, and that Parliament would scrutinise any additional categories of harm.
Senate inquiry next
The Greens said the bill would go to a Senate inquiry, with hearings scheduled for 9 and 10 November. The Guardian reported that the inquiry was due to report in late November. The Greens support a digital duty of care but want stronger penalties and a private right for people harmed online to seek compensation from platforms. They have also called for an external complaints pathway.
The House vote advances the bill but does not make it law. The Senate can examine the proposal and consider changes before voting on it. Until both chambers agree and it receives Royal Assent, the proposed duty—including the amendment on chatbot conduct—remains legislation in progress.