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The Federal Government will introduce legislation requiring audio description on free-to-air television, subscription television and broadcaster video-on-demand services, in a major accessibility reform for Australians who are blind or have low vision.
The proposed laws will also expand captioning requirements, improving access for Deaf and hard of hearing audiences across broadcast and streaming platforms.
Audio description provides an additional narration track that explains important visual elements of a program, such as actions, settings and facial expressions, allowing viewers who are blind or have low vision to follow content more independently.
Communications Minister Anika Wells said the reforms would modernise Australia's broadcasting laws to reflect the way people now access media and ensure broadcasting remains accessible to more Australians.
The announcement forms part of a broader broadcasting reform package that also includes measures to support commercial and community broadcasters, improve access to Australian radio on smart speakers, and establish new First Nations radio services in Adelaide, Canberra and Hobart.
If passed by Parliament, the changes would make accessibility requirements more consistent across television and broadcaster streaming services, recognising that audiences increasingly watch content beyond traditional broadcast channels.