Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme (Disclosure in Communications Activity) Rules 2018

This instrument prescribes exactly how and where people must include disclosures when they carry out communications on behalf of a foreign principal, listing media types (print, web, social, ads, radio/TV, apps, in‑person, etc.) and the form and content of the disclosure. It affects anyone creating, hosting or distributing such communications and matters because it standardises disclosure placement and language, imposes compliance costs (including translations and legibility rules) and allows a URL‑based disclosure where space is limited.

This instrument prescribes the form, manner and content of disclosures to be made in specified instances of communications activity undertaken on behalf of foreign principals, for the purposes of paragraphs 38(2)(a), (b) and (c) of the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018 (the Act). It does not itself create the offence or registration regime; rather it sets detailed disclosure rules that apply where a person is undertaking communications activity that is caught by the Act (see s 5(1)). The rules identify 16 broad categories of communications activity (printed material, websites, online articles/blog posts, telephony, electronic messages, social media, search advertising, streaming music, digital banners, mobile apps, video, out‑of‑home visual advertising, projection, radio broadcasting, television broadcasting and oral communications made in person) and prescribe where, when and how the disclosure must appear in each category (s 5(1) and the table in s 5(1)).

The instrument also prescribes the required content of disclosures in general (s 5(2)): the disclosure must identify the person undertaking the communications activity, identify the foreign principal on whose behalf the activity is undertaken, include a statement that the activity is undertaken on behalf of that foreign principal and include a statement that the disclosure is made under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018. Two classes of material have tailored rules: radio advertisements (s 6) and authorised political material which is otherwise notified or announced under specific electoral and broadcasting laws (s 7). The instrument sets language requirements (s 8), minimum legibility standards for printed material (s 5 table item 1) and a rule that written disclosures not be obstructed or distorted by other content (s 9). It commenced at the same time as the Act (10 December 2018) and is made under the Act (ss 2-3).

The instrument operates by reference to concepts defined in both the instrument and the Act. It repeatedly relies on the Act’s definitions and provisions: it is made for the purposes of paragraphs 38(2)(a)-(c) of the Act (s 5(1)), it treats as communications activity only communications to the public or a section of the public (note to s 5(1) referencing s 13 of the Act), and it cross‑refers to the Act’s registrability concept (note to s 5(1) and table item 2 referencing s 21 of the Act). Within the instrument itself the following definitions and concepts are given precise meaning:

"Act" means the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018 (s 4). The instrument repeatedly frames its rules as supplementing statutory obligations in the Act.
"Digital banner advertising" is defined to include static or dynamic website banners and the streaming of a video when a banner is hovered over (s 4).
"Electronic message" is a defined concept with two limbs: the carriage service used (listed carriage service enabling end‑users to access the internet or any other listed carriage service) and the destination electronic address type (email, instant messaging, telephone or similar accounts). The definition expressly excludes voice calls using a standard telephone service (s 4).
"Listed carriage service" is taken from the Telecommunications Act 1997 (s 4).
"Message" is broadly defined to include text, data, audio, visual images and combinations thereof (s 4).
"Telephony" and "voice call" are defined broadly to include voice over IP and recorded or synthetic voices and to allow equivalent calls for customers with disabilities (s 4).

Structurally, the instrument prescribes (a) the prescribed instances of communications activity (the 16 items in the table in s 5(1)), (b) the place in the communication where the disclosure must appear (column 2 of each table item), and (c) the textual content the disclosure must contain in general (s 5(2)) and in specified circumstances (ss 6-7). It also provides rules for language (s 8) and a prohibition on obfuscating or distorting written disclosures within the communications (s 9). Where a single communication falls within more than one table item, only one prescribed form and manner need be used (s 5(3)). The instrument therefore converts the Act’s disclosure mandate into concrete placement, formatting and content requirements for a broad range of modern and legacy communication media.

The instrument affects persons who undertake communications activity on behalf of foreign principals where those communications are registrable or otherwise fall within the Act’s scope. The instrument itself frames those affected in relation to the Act: s 5(1) prescribes instances of communications activity "for the purposes of paragraphs 38(2)(a), (b) and (c) of the Act", and the note to s 5(1) emphasises that a communication or distribution is only a communications activity if it is "to the public or a section of the public" (see s 13 of the Act). Concretely, the affected parties will include any natural person, corporation, or other "person" who, on behalf of a foreign principal, communicates or distributes information in one of the listed categories , for example publishers of printed materials, website operators or content providers, social media account holders, advertisers placing search or banner ads, broadcasters (radio and television), mobile app developers and operators, streaming services, out‑of‑home advertisers and persons making oral communications in public settings.

The instrument’s definitions have practical reach. The "electronic message" definition (s 4) captures messages sent via listed carriage services to electronic addresses linked to email, instant messaging, telephone or "similar accounts" but explicitly excludes standard voice calls. Telephony and voice call definitions (s 4) broaden the reach of "telephony" to include voice over IP and synthetic voices, and provide an accessibility exception (equivalent calls) for customers with disabilities. The "digital banner advertising" definition (s 4) captures contemporary banner formats, including interactive video‑on‑hover behaviours.

The instrument also interacts with other legal regimes that create parallel notification or announcement obligations. Section 7(1) lists specific laws (Commonwealth Electoral Act, Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act, Broadcasting Services Act, Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act, Special Broadcasting Service Act) where particulars notified under those regimes can be used to satisfy disclosure requirements for authorised political material. Therefore parties who already notify under those laws will be directly affected in how they make their disclosures under the Scheme. Finally, because the instrument is made under the Act (s 3) and commenced simultaneously with the Act (s 2), persons required to register or otherwise comply under the Act will need to observe these disclosure rules as an ancillary compliance obligation.

The instrument sets precise duties regarding where, when and what to disclose for the prescribed instances of communications activity. The principal duties are:

Make a disclosure in the prescribed form and manner for any instance appearing in the table in s 5(1), subject to s 5(3), s 6 and s 7 (s 5(1)(b)). The table prescribes the physical or temporal placement of the disclosure for each communication medium , for example, printed material must include the disclosure at the end or bottom of each page and in a type size readable by a person with 20/20 vision (table item 1); telephony disclosure must appear "at the beginning of the communication" (table item 4); social media disclosures must appear "at the end of the communication" or via a URL/photo if too long (table item 6).
Include required content. Except where s 6 or s 7 applies, s 5(2) prescribes that the disclosure must: (a) identify the person undertaking the communications activity; (b) identify the foreign principal on whose behalf the person undertakes the activity; (c) include a statement that the communications activity is undertaken on behalf of the foreign principal; and (d) include a statement that the disclosure is made under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018.
Where multiple table items apply to a single instance of communications activity, only one prescribed form and manner need be used (s 5(3)). This is a duty‑reducing rule: compliance with one applicable item suffices.
Radio advertisements have bespoke content requirements (s 6). For radio ads, a disclosure must include a statement that the communication is a registrable activity under the Scheme; and if the ad runs for more than 15 seconds it must identify the foreign principal and state that the activity is undertaken on behalf of that foreign principal if those facts are not apparent from the advertisement (s 6(2)(a)-(b)).
Authorised political material that is already notified or announced under listed electoral and broadcasting laws may be disclosed using the same form and manner as the existing notification or announcement instead of the table form (s 7(2)). The content can also be simplified to the matters in s 7(4): statement of registrability, identification of the foreign principal if not apparent, and statement that the activity is undertaken on behalf of the foreign principal if not apparent.
Language duty: disclosures must be made "in each language used (outside the disclosure) in the information or material communicated or distributed or, if no language is used, in English" (s 8). This requires multilingual disclosures if the surrounding communication uses multiple languages.

The instrument contains no penalty, fine, or enforcement provisions of its own. It is framed as subordinate legislation made under the Act (s 3) that prescribes the "form and manner" and content of disclosures required by the Act (s 5(1)). Because it repeatedly refers to obligations "for the purposes of paragraphs 38(2)(a), (b) and (c) of the Act" (s 5(1)) and treats registrability (s 5(1) note refers to s 21 of the Act) and what constitutes a communications activity (note to s 5(1) referring to s 13 of the Act) as matters governed by the Act, any failure to comply with these disclosure rules would be actionable only under the enforcement regime established by the Act. The instrument does not purport to alter those enforcement mechanisms.

Practically, this means that penalties, compliance notices, investigatory powers and any civil or criminal enforcement consequences are not specified in the instrument itself. Those outcomes depend on the Act’s provisions, which the instrument repeatedly invokes but does not reproduce. The instrument does impose concrete duties (placement, content, language, legibility, non‑obstruction) and provides some compliance mechanisms (URLs, photos, using existing electoral/broadcasting notifications for authorised political material). However, the instrument does not identify who enforces compliance, what remedies apply for non‑compliance, or the procedural route for dispute resolution. Those matters are left to the Act and any other relevant legislation.

Any compliance programme or risk assessment must therefore treat the instrument as the operative source of technical disclosure obligations and consult the Act for the enforcement, penalty and remediation architecture. The instrument’s silence on penalties should not be read as immunity; it indicates that the Act is the source of enforcement and that the instrument’s duties are intended to be enforced through the Act’s mechanisms.

The instrument explicitly cross‑references several statutory regimes and incorporates definitions from other statutes. It is made under the Act (s 3) and expressly operates "for the purposes of paragraphs 38(2)(a), (b) and (c) of the Act" (s 5(1)), so it functions as an instrument to operationalise disclosure obligations that arise under the Act. The table note to s 5(1) directs readers to section 13 of the Act for the definition of when a communication is a communications activity (only if to the public or a section of the public). Table item 2 refers to section 21 of the Act in relation to websites "registrable in relation to at least one of those foreign principals", so the scheme’s notion of registrability is anchored in the Act.

The instrument also borrows a technical term from telecommunications law: "listed carriage service has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications Act 1997" (s 4). That link matters for electronic messages because the "electronic message" definition in s 4 uses "listed carriage service" to define the transmission medium. Consequently, the Telecommunications Act 1997’s definitions and classifications of carriage services will determine whether a transmission method qualifies as a listed carriage service for the purposes of the instrument.

Section 7(1) provides direct interaction with electoral and broadcasting statutes. If particulars of an instance of communications activity are already notified or announced under any of the listed laws , Part XXA of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, Part IX of the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984, subclause 4(2) of Schedule 2 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, s 79A(2) of the ABC Act 1983, or s 70A(2) of the SBS Act 1991 , then a disclosure under the Scheme may be made in the same form and manner as that notification or announcement instead of using the table form and manner in s 5(1) (s 7(2)). Content may likewise be simplified to the elements in s 7(4) where that approach is used (s 7(3)-(4)). This creates a compliance pathway for authorised political material that is already regulated under electoral and broadcasting rules.

The instrument also signals language expectations: s 8 requires disclosures to be made in each language used outside the disclosure in the communicated material or in English if no language is used. This links the Scheme’s disclosure duty to the linguistic features of communications governed by other statutory regimes, particularly in multilingual broadcasts or multilingual advertising.

Finally, because the instrument prescribes use of alternative delivery mechanisms (e.g. including a URL where the disclosure is too long) it potentially intersects with online content, advertising and consumer protection laws that regulate landing pages, advertising claims, and electronic communications; however, the instrument itself does not address those other compliance regimes. Practitioners should therefore assess disclosure placement and content not only against this instrument and the Act but also against any sectoral or medium‑specific obligations under the Electoral Acts, Broadcasting Acts, Telecommunications Act and consumer protection or advertising standards that might affect format, prominence, or content.

The instrument records its commencement and makes a specific note about amendment tracking. Section 2 contains a commencement table noting that "the whole of this instrument" commenced "At the same time as the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018 commences" and records the date/details as 10 December 2018. It also contains an editorial note that the table relates only to the provisions "as originally made" and "will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this instrument" (s 2(1) and the following note). Section 3 identifies the statutory authority for making the instrument , the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018.

No amending provisions, schedules or subsequent legislative text appear within the instrument provided. The instrument itself contains a formal note in s 2(2) that information in column 3 of the commencement table is not part of the instrument and may be edited in published versions; that is an editorial statement about how published versions are presented and not a substantive amendment provision.

Because the text supplied contains only the instrument as originally made and explicitly records commencement information and the authority under which it was made, the instrument’s amendment history as within its own text is limited to stating its original commencement date and authority. It does not record subsequent amendments, revocations, or replacements. To establish whether later amendments have been made to the instrument a reader must consult consolidated legislation databases or the Act’s amendment history outside this instrument; the instrument itself does not include later amendment entries.

The instrument does not contain, cite or summarise any judicial decisions or administrative rulings. It contains no references to litigation, declaratory relief, or examples drawn from case law. The notes and text are confined to definitional material, the table of prescribed instances and the procedural and content requirements of disclosures. There is therefore no litigation history recorded within this instrument.

Where disputes arise about the meaning, application or sufficiency of a disclosure made under these rules, any litigation or administrative review would proceed under the Act and relevant court or tribunal jurisdiction, but the instrument itself provides no record of cases, appeals or regulatory determinations. Practitioners looking for precedent or interpretive guidance will need to look outside the instrument , to decisions under the Act, regulator guidance, or advisory material , none of which are in this text.

The instrument contains several operational details and traps for the unwary that create practical compliance risks if overlooked:

Public versus private communications: The instrument applies to communications "to the public or a section of the public" (note to s 5(1) referencing s 13 of the Act). A communication privately sent to a single person or otherwise not to the public is not a communications activity for these purposes, but the instrument does not define what constitutes a "section of the public" , that remains a question of construction under the Act. Practitioners should not assume every message to a group is covered without reference to the Act.
Multiple applicable items: If an activity falls within more than one table item, only one disclosure form and manner need be used (s 5(3)). While that reduces duplication, it requires a decision about which prescribed form best fits the communication; incorrect choice could leave the disclosure non‑compliant with one or more relevant placement or content expectations.
Length constraints and URLs: Several items permit placing the disclosure on an accessible website and including a URL in the communication if the disclosure is too long for the medium (items 5, 6, 7, 9, 10). The instrument requires that the URL be included "with an indication that the URL is of a website that contains a disclosure under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018". Failure to include that indication, or using a URL that is not readily accessible, may frustrate the intended compliance mechanism.
Social media peculiarities: For social media the disclosure can be at the end of the communication or in a website accessible via URL or in a photo included in the communication if the disclosure is too long (table item 6). Relying on a photo may be problematic on platforms that compress images or strip metadata; the instrument requires the disclosure to be made in the photo itself (not merely metadata), and s 9 requires the written disclosure not be obstructed or distorted.
Electronic message exclusion: The instrument’s "electronic message" definition excludes messages that are voice calls made using a standard telephone service (s 4). However, "telephony" and "voice call" are separately covered in the table (items 4 and 16). This bifurcation requires attention when choosing the proper table item and placement: for telephony the disclosure must be "at the beginning of the communication" (item 4).
Radio adverts and time‑based obligations: For radio advertisements the disclosure must include a statement that the communication is a registrable activity, and for ads over 15 seconds additional identification and on‑behalf statements are required if not apparent (s 6(2)). Broadcasters and advertisers must therefore track ad duration as it affects disclosure content.

The instrument supplies concrete placement, content and language obligations. A practical compliance checklist, grounded in the instrument’s text, is as follows:

Determine whether the communication is a "communications activity" under the Act (instrument note to s 5(1) refers to s 13 of the Act), namely whether it is communicated "to the public or a section of the public". If not, these disclosure rules do not apply.
Determine whether the communication is undertaken on behalf of a foreign principal and whether it is registrable under the Act (the instrument references registrability and the Act, e.g. table item 2 and s 5(1)). If the communication is not on behalf of a foreign principal or not registrable, the instrument’s disclosure duties will not apply.
Identify which table item in s 5(1) corresponds to the medium and form of the communication (printed material; website; online article/blog; telephony; electronic message; social media; search advertising; streaming music; digital banner; mobile app; video; out‑of‑home visual; projection; radio; television; oral communication). Where multiple items could apply, choose one compliant form and manner (s 5(3)).
Apply the placement prescription from column 2 of the applicable table item. For example:
- Printed pages: disclosure at the end/bottom of each page and legible to someone with 20/20 vision (table item 1).
- Websites/web pages used primarily for communications activity: disclosure at the bottom of each page (table item 2).
- Online articles/blog posts: disclosure at the end of the article or on each page of multi‑page content (table item 3).
- Telephony: disclosure at the beginning of the communication (table item 4).
- Electronic messages: disclosure at the end of the message, or include a URL when the disclosure is too long (table item 5).
- Social media: disclosure at the end, or via URL, or included in a photo if too long (table item 6).
- Search advertising and banner ads: disclosure on the landing page, or via URL where word limits prevent inclusion (table items 7 and 9).
- Mobile apps: disclosure at the end of information/material or via URL on the open screen or in a photo (table item 10).
- Video, radio, and television: in an announcement and display at the end of the communication; radio requires the announcement at the end (table items 11, 14, 15).

Part 1—Preliminary

1 Name

This instrument is the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme (Disclosure in Communications Activity) Rules 2018.

2 Commencement

(1) Each provision of this instrument specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.

<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:100%; border-collapse:collapse"><thead><tr><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Commencement information</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:25.44%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Column 1</span></p></td><td style="width:52.54%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Column 2</span></p></td><td style="width:22.02%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Column 3</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:25.44%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Provisions</span></p></td><td style="width:52.54%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Commencement</span></p></td><td style="width:22.02%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Date/Details</span></p></td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td style="width:25.44%; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>1.</span><span> </span><span>The whole of this instrument</span></p></td><td style="width:52.54%; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>At the same time as the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018</span><span> commences.</span></p></td><td style="width:22.02%; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>10</span><span> </span><span>December 2018</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>

Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this instrument as originally made. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this instrument.

(2) Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this instrument. Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it may be edited, in any published version of this instrument.

3 Authority

This instrument is made under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018.

4 Definitions

Note: A number of expressions used in this instrument are defined in the Act, including the following:

(a) communications activity;
(b) foreign principal;
(c) on behalf of;
(d) person.

In this instrument:

Act means the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018.

digital banner advertising includes both of the following:

(a) displaying a static or dynamic banner on a website accessed using an internet browser;
(b) causing a video to stream when a banner on such a website is hovered over.

electronic message means a message sent:

(a) using:
(i) a listed carriage service that enables end‑users to access the internet; or
(ii) any other listed carriage service; and
(b) to an electronic address in connection with:
(i) an email account; or
(ii) an instant messaging account; or
(iii) a telephone account; or
(iv) a similar account;

except a message sent by way of a voice call made using a standard telephone service (within the meaning of the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999).

Note: Email addresses and telephone numbers are examples of electronic addresses.

listed carriage service has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications Act 1997.

message means information:

(a) whether in the form of text; or
(b) whether in the form of data; or
(c) whether in the form of speech, music or other sounds; or
(d) whether in the form of visual images (animated or otherwise); or
(e) whether in any other form; or
(f) whether in any combination of forms.

telephony includes a voice call:

(a) whether or not the call involves voice over IP; and
(b) whether or not the call is initiated by an individual.

voice call means:

(a) a voice call within the ordinary meaning of that expression; or
(b) a call that involves a recorded or synthetic voice; or
(c) if a call covered by paragraph (a) or (b) is not practical for a particular customer with a disability (for example, because the customer has a hearing impairment)—a call that is equivalent to a call covered by either of those paragraphs;

whether or not the customer responds by way of pressing buttons on a telephone handset or similar thing.

Part 2—Disclosures in communications activities

5 Disclosures in communications activities generally

(1) For the purposes of paragraphs 38(2)(a), (b) and (c) of the Act: (a) the instances of communications activity in column 1 of the following table are prescribed; and (b) for each instance of communications activity in column 1 of an item of the following table, a disclosure whose content is prescribed by subsection (2) of this section is to be made in the form and manner set out in column 2 of the item, subject to subsection (3) of this section and sections 6 and 7.

<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:100%; border-collapse:collapse"><thead><tr><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Form and manner of disclosures for instances of communications activity</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Column 1</span><br><span>Instance of communications activity</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Column 2</span><br><span>Form and manner of disclosure</span></p></td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>1</span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Communication or distribution of printed material</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tablea"><span>(a) at the end (or bottom) of each page of the printed material; and</span></p><p class="Tablea"><span>(b) in a type size that can be read by a person with 20/20 vision without the use of any visual aid</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>2</span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Communication or distribution using a website, or web page, primarily used for communications activity that:</span></p><p class="Tablea"><span>(a) is undertaken on behalf of one or more foreign principals; and</span></p><p class="Tablea"><span>(b) is registrable in relation to at least one of those foreign principals within the meaning of section</span><span> </span><span>21 of the Act</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tablea"><span>At the bottom of each page of the website or web page</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>3</span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Communication or distribution of an article published online or a blog post</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tablea"><span>(a) at the end of the article or post; or</span></p><p class="Tablea"><span>(b) if the article or post appears over 2 or more pages—at the end of the content of the article or post on each of those pages</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>4</span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Telephony</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>At the beginning of the communication, information or material</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>5</span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Electronic message</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tablea"><span>(a) at the end of the message; or</span></p><p class="Tablea"><span>(b) if the content of the disclosure is too long to be included in the message—in a website that can be accessed by a URL that is included in the message with an indication that the URL is of a website that contains a disclosure under the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>6</span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Communication or distribution by social media, whether or not involving pictures or other images</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tablea"><span>(a) at the end of the communication; or</span></p><p class="Tablea"><span>(b) if the content of the disclosure is too long to be included in the communication—in:</span></p><p class="Tablei"><span>(i) a website that can be accessed by a URL that is included in the communication with an indication that the URL is of a website that contains a disclosure under the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018</span><span>; or</span></p><p class="Tablei"><span>(ii) a photo included in the communication</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>7</span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Search advertising</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tablea"><span>(a) at the bottom of the landing page from the URL; or</span></p><p class="Tablea"><span>(b) if the content of the disclosure is too long to be included in the word limit of the search advertising—in a website that can be accessed by a URL that is included in the search advertising with an indication that the URL is of a website that contains a disclosure under the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>8</span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Streaming music</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>In an announcement at the end of the communication</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>9</span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Digital banner advertising</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tablea"><span>(a) at the end of the banner; or</span></p><p class="Tablea"><span>(b) if the content of the disclosure is too long to be included or embedded in the banner—in a website that can be accessed by a URL that is included in the banner with an indication that the URL is of a website that contains a disclosure under the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>10</span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Communication or distribution using a mobile phone application or computer application, except communication or distribution covered by another item</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tablea"><span>(a) at the end of the information or material communicated or distributed; or</span></p><p class="Tablea"><span>(b) if the content of the disclosure is too long to be included there—in either:</span></p><p class="Tablei"><span>(i) a website that can be accessed by a URL that is included on the screen on which the application is open, with an indication that the URL is of a website that contains a disclosure under the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018</span><span>; or</span></p><p class="Tablei"><span>(ii) a photo included in the communication</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>11</span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Video</span><span>‑</span><span>sharing or streaming video</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>In an announcement and display at the end of the communication, information or material</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>12</span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Communication or distribution by out</span><span>‑</span><span>of</span><span>‑</span><span>home advertising wholly or partly by visual means</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>In a display at the end (or bottom) of the advertisement</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>13</span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Communication or distribution by projection</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>In a display at the end of the communication, information or material</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>14</span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Broadcasting by radio (including digital radio)</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>In an announcement at the end of the communication, information or material</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>15</span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Broadcasting by television</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>In an announcement and display at the end of the communication, information or material</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>16</span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Oral communication made in person</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tablea"><span>(a) at the beginning of the communication; and</span></p><p class="Tablea"><span>(b) in any other communication, information or material made, displayed or distributed with the oral communication</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>

Note 1: Communication or distribution of information is a communications activity only if the communication or distribution is to the public or a section of the public: see section 13 of the Act.

Note 2: Section 8 deals with the language in which a disclosure is to be made.

Content of disclosures except for radio advertisements and authorised political material (2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), the content of the disclosure must: (a) identify the person undertaking the communications activity; and (b) identify the foreign principal on whose behalf the person undertakes the communications activity; and (c) include a statement that the communications activity is undertaken on behalf of the foreign principal; and (d) include a statement that the disclosure is made under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018.

Note: Example: A disclosure could be worded along the following lines:

Note: “This material is communicated by [name of person] on behalf of [name of foreign principal]. This disclosure is made under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018.”

Note: This subsection is subject to sections 6 and 7 (which provide for simpler disclosures for radio advertisements and authorised political material).

Instances of communications activity covered by 2 or more table items (3) If an instance of communications activity is in column 1 of 2 or more items of the table in subsection (1), the disclosure required by paragraph (1)(b) need be in the form and manner set out in column 2 of only one of those items.

6 Content of disclosure for radio advertisements

(1) For the purposes of paragraph 38(2)(c) of the Act, this section applies in relation to an instance of communications activity in item 14 of the table in subsection 5(1) (about broadcasting by radio, including digital radio), where the information or material (other than the disclosure) communicated is an advertisement. (2) The content of the disclosure relating to the instance must: (a) include a statement that the communication is a registrable activity under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme; and (b) if the advertisement runs for more than 15 seconds: (i) identify the foreign principal on whose behalf the communications activity is undertaken, if the foreign principal’s identity is not apparent from the advertisement; and (ii) state that the communications activity is undertaken on behalf of the foreign principal, if that is not apparent from the advertisement.

7 Form, manner and content of disclosure for authorised political material

(1) For the purposes of paragraphs 38(2)(b) and (c) of the Act, this section applies if particulars relating to an instance of communications activity in column 1 of an item of the table in subsection 5(1) are notified or announced in accordance with any of the following laws: (a) Part XXA of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918; (b) Part IX of the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984; (c) subclause 4(2) of Schedule 2 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992; (d) subsection 79A(2) of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983; (e) subsection 70A(2) of the Special Broadcasting Service Act 1991. (2) A disclosure relating to the instance may be made in the same form and manner as the notification or announcement (instead of the form and manner in column 2 of the item of the table in subsection 5(1)). (3) The content of a disclosure relating to the instance may comply with subsection (4) of this section (instead of complying with subsection 5(2)). (4) A disclosure made in reliance on subsection (3) must: (a) include a statement that the communication is a registrable activity under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme; and (b) identify the foreign principal on whose behalf the communications activity is undertaken, if the foreign principal’s identity is not apparent from the information or material communicated or distributed, or from the particulars; and (c) state that the communications activity is undertaken on behalf of the foreign principal, if that is not apparent from the information or material communicated or distributed, or from the particulars.

8 Language of disclosure

For the purposes of paragraphs 38(2)(b) and (c) of the Act, a disclosure relating to an instance of a communications activity is to be made in each language used (outside the disclosure) in the information or material communicated or distributed or, if no language is used (outside the disclosure) in that information or material, in English.

9 Written disclosures not to be obstructed or distorted

For the purposes of paragraphs 38(2)(b) and (c) of the Act, so far as a disclosure is, under this Part, to be made in writing, the writing is not to be obstructed, or distorted, to any extent by anything in the rest of the communication, information or material.

Part 1 Preliminary

Part 1—Preliminary

1 Name

This instrument is the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme (Disclosure in Communications Activity) Rules 2018.

2 Commencement

<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:100%; border-collapse:collapse"><thead><tr><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Commencement information</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:25.44%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Column 1</span></p></td><td style="width:52.54%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Column 2</span></p></td><td style="width:22.02%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Column 3</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:25.44%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Provisions</span></p></td><td style="width:52.54%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Commencement</span></p></td><td style="width:22.02%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Date/Details</span></p></td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td style="width:25.44%; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>1.</span><span> </span><span>The whole of this instrument</span></p></td><td style="width:52.54%; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>At the same time as the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018</span><span> commences.</span></p></td><td style="width:22.02%; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>10</span><span> </span><span>December 2018</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>

Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this instrument as originally made. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this instrument.

3 Authority

This instrument is made under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018.

4 Definitions

Note: A number of expressions used in this instrument are defined in the Act, including the following:

(a) communications activity;
(b) foreign principal;
(c) on behalf of;
(d) person.

In this instrument:

Act means the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018.

digital banner advertising includes both of the following:

(a) displaying a static or dynamic banner on a website accessed using an internet browser;
(b) causing a video to stream when a banner on such a website is hovered over.

electronic message means a message sent:

(a) using:
(i) a listed carriage service that enables end‑users to access the internet; or
(ii) any other listed carriage service; and
(b) to an electronic address in connection with:
(i) an email account; or
(ii) an instant messaging account; or
(iii) a telephone account; or
(iv) a similar account;

except a message sent by way of a voice call made using a standard telephone service (within the meaning of the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999).

Note: Email addresses and telephone numbers are examples of electronic addresses.

listed carriage service has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications Act 1997.

message means information:

(a) whether in the form of text; or
(b) whether in the form of data; or
(c) whether in the form of speech, music or other sounds; or
(d) whether in the form of visual images (animated or otherwise); or
(e) whether in any other form; or
(f) whether in any combination of forms.

telephony includes a voice call:

(a) whether or not the call involves voice over IP; and
(b) whether or not the call is initiated by an individual.

voice call means:

(a) a voice call within the ordinary meaning of that expression; or
(b) a call that involves a recorded or synthetic voice; or
(c) if a call covered by paragraph (a) or (b) is not practical for a particular customer with a disability (for example, because the customer has a hearing impairment)—a call that is equivalent to a call covered by either of those paragraphs;

whether or not the customer responds by way of pressing buttons on a telephone handset or similar thing.

Part 2 Disclosures in communications activities

Part 2—Disclosures in communications activities

5 Disclosures in communications activities generally

<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:100%; border-collapse:collapse"><thead><tr><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Form and manner of disclosures for instances of communications activity</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Column 1</span><br><span>Instance of communications activity</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Column 2</span><br><span>Form and manner of disclosure</span></p></td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>1</span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Communication or distribution of printed material</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tablea"><span>(a) at the end (or bottom) of each page of the printed material; and</span></p><p class="Tablea"><span>(b) in a type size that can be read by a person with 20/20 vision without the use of any visual aid</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>2</span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Communication or distribution using a website, or web page, primarily used for communications activity that:</span></p><p class="Tablea"><span>(a) is undertaken on behalf of one or more foreign principals; and</span></p><p class="Tablea"><span>(b) is registrable in relation to at least one of those foreign principals within the meaning of section</span><span> </span><span>21 of the Act</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tablea"><span>At the bottom of each page of the website or web page</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>3</span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Communication or distribution of an article published online or a blog post</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tablea"><span>(a) at the end of the article or post; or</span></p><p class="Tablea"><span>(b) if the article or post appears over 2 or more pages—at the end of the content of the article or post on each of those pages</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>4</span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Telephony</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>At the beginning of the communication, information or material</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>5</span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Electronic message</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tablea"><span>(a) at the end of the message; or</span></p><p class="Tablea"><span>(b) if the content of the disclosure is too long to be included in the message—in a website that can be accessed by a URL that is included in the message with an indication that the URL is of a website that contains a disclosure under the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>6</span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Communication or distribution by social media, whether or not involving pictures or other images</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tablea"><span>(a) at the end of the communication; or</span></p><p class="Tablea"><span>(b) if the content of the disclosure is too long to be included in the communication—in:</span></p><p class="Tablei"><span>(i) a website that can be accessed by a URL that is included in the communication with an indication that the URL is of a website that contains a disclosure under the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018</span><span>; or</span></p><p class="Tablei"><span>(ii) a photo included in the communication</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>7</span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Search advertising</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tablea"><span>(a) at the bottom of the landing page from the URL; or</span></p><p class="Tablea"><span>(b) if the content of the disclosure is too long to be included in the word limit of the search advertising—in a website that can be accessed by a URL that is included in the search advertising with an indication that the URL is of a website that contains a disclosure under the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>8</span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Streaming music</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>In an announcement at the end of the communication</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:5.06%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>9</span></p></td><td style="width:28.98%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Digital banner advertising</span></p></td><td style="width:65.96%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tablea"><span>(a) at the end of the banner; or</span></p><p class="Tablea"><span>(b) if the content of the disclosure is too long to be included or embedded in the banner—in a website that can be accessed by a URL that is included in the banner with an indication that the URL is of a website that contains a disclosure under the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act

Plain English Summary

Deep Dive

What it does

Main concepts

Who it affects

Key duties and rights

Penalties and enforcement

How it interacts with other laws

Amendment history

Litigation history

Gotchas

How to comply

Current sections

Preliminary

Part 1—Preliminary

Name

1 Name

Commencement

2 Commencement

Authority

3 Authority

Definitions

4 Definitions

Disclosures in communications activities

Part 2—Disclosures in communications activities

Disclosures in communications activities generally

5 Disclosures in communications activities generally

Content of disclosure for radio advertisements

6 Content of disclosure for radio advertisements

Form, manner and content of disclosure for authorised political material

7 Form, manner and content of disclosure for authorised political material

Language of disclosure

8 Language of disclosure

Written disclosures not to be obstructed or distorted

9 Written disclosures not to be obstructed or distorted

Source text: opening excerpt

Part 1 Preliminary

Part 1—Preliminary

1 Name

1 Name

2 Commencement

2 Commencement

3 Authority

3 Authority

4 Definitions

4 Definitions

Part 2 Disclosures in communications activities

Part 2—Disclosures in communications activities

5 Disclosures in communications activities generally

5 Disclosures in communications activities generally