//
© 2026 Zoe. All rights reserved.
Zoe is a legal information platform. Always consult the official source for authoritative text.
Commonwealth act
This Act is the rulebook for SBS (Special Broadcasting Service) — Australia's publicly funded multilingual and multicultural broadcaster. It covers everything from SBS's core mission to how its board is run, how it's funded, and what limits apply to government control.
1. Sets SBS's mission (the 'Charter'): SBS must provide multilingual and multicultural broadcasting and online (digital media) services that inform, educate and entertain Australians, reflecting Australia's diverse society. It must serve ethnic, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and broadcast in people's preferred languages where possible.
Want the full deep dive?
Zoe can write the in-depth analysis on top of the summary above: how it works, who it affects and what each part actually does.
Direct links to the current provisions in Special Broadcasting Service Act 1991.
Zoe has indexed the source text for search and analysis. Use the official register for the original document and download formats.
View on official registerSourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
2. Establishes independence from government: The government cannot tell SBS what programs to broadcast or what content to put online. Ministers can give directions only in limited, publicly disclosed circumstances — and any such direction must be tabled in Parliament. This shields SBS from political interference in its journalism and programming.
3. Creates a Board to run SBS: A Board of Directors (appointed by the Governor-General — the formal head of state who acts on the government's advice) governs SBS. At least one director must be an Indigenous person. Former politicians and senior political staff are blocked from appointment for 12 months after leaving those roles. Board appointments go through an independent merit-based selection process (via a 'Nomination Panel') to reduce political cronyism.
4. Limits advertising: SBS can carry ads and sponsorships, but only up to 5 minutes per hour on broadcast channels, and only before, after or during natural breaks in programs. Digital media services have separate (less restrictive) advertising rules.
5. Bans paid election and referendum ads: SBS cannot broadcast paid political advertising during election campaigns or referendums — from the Wednesday night before polling day until polls close.
6. Sets financial rules: SBS is funded by Parliament but can also earn money from ads, sponsorships, and commercial activities. It can borrow money with the Finance Minister's approval. SBS pays no tax under any Australian law.
7. Requires transparency: SBS must publish detailed annual reports covering ministerial directions, advertising revenue, Charter compliance, and community consultation. Corporate plans must also be publicly available.
8. Protects editorial records: SBS must keep recordings of political and current affairs content for at least 6 weeks (or longer if a complaint or legal case is involved).
If you watch SBS, listen to SBS Radio, or use SBS On Demand, this law is what ensures that service exists, remains independent of political interference, and is legally required to serve Australia's diverse communities — not just mainstream audiences.