FuriaHubAustralia levies 2.5% on platforms that skip local news deals
Australia passed the News Bargaining Incentive, taxing designated platforms 2.5% of advertising revenue if they lack commercial deals with local media. The rule covers Meta, Google, TikTok, and LinkedIn when they run a significant social or search service and local ad revenue exceeds A$250 million.
On August 20, 2026, Reuters reported that Australia passed legislation forcing large platforms to pay a levy if they fail to strike commercial deals with local news outlets. The News Bargaining Incentive taxes designated companies 2.5% of advertising revenue unless they reach agreements.
What we know
- The levy applies to Meta, Google, TikTok, and LinkedIn if they provide a significant social or search service in Australia and local ad revenue exceeds A$250 million ($178 million).
- Platforms can avoid the charge by agreeing deals with at least eight publishers by the end of their reporting period.
- Deal spending is offset against levy liability; proceeds of unpaid levy go to local Australian news outlets.
- The scheme is meant to close a gap in the older News Media Bargaining Code, which platforms could dodge by dropping news.
Takeaways
- The tax is 2.5% of local ad revenue, not a per-article fee.
- Eight publisher deals are the off-ramp from the levy.
- LinkedIn is in scope alongside Meta, Google, and TikTok.
Source: Reuters
