Review of alcohol advertising rules in the Free TV Code

Terms of reference: Review into alcohol advertising restrictions in Free TV Code

Explainer: Alcohol advertising under the Free TV Code

In June 2025, we announced our decision not to register a revised version of the Free TV Code, as we were not satisfied the revised code would provide appropriate community safeguards. This means that the current Free TV Code remains in force. 

Free TV’s public consultation surfaced long-standing concerns from health advocates about the existing alcohol advertising rules in part 6.2 of the Free TV Code, including exemptions for sport. 

In response, we have decided to review these rules.

We want to hear from you about how the current alcohol advertising restrictions in the Free TV Code are operating and if you think they provide appropriate community safeguards. 

We strongly encourage you to include or identify any relevant evidence, including data and academic research, that relates to this review’s terms of reference.  

We are interested in your views on:

• the operation and outcomes of current Free TV Code provisions, including the volume, frequency and placement of alcohol advertising in sport and non-sport programming on commercial TV
• available data and research that is directed towards establishing a direct or indirect link between alcohol advertising on television, increased alcohol consumption and broader social harms
• the economic contribution of alcohol advertising on commercial TV.

We may also provide insights on: 

• in-stadia and integrated content advertising, such as alcohol advertising in sporting stadiums, signage on jerseys and sponsored collaborations within programming
• insights about alcohol advertising placement on mediums, including video-on-demand services, that is subscription video on demand, advertising-based video on demand and broadcaster video on demand. 

The following items are out of scope of the review: 

• the content of alcohol advertisements or programs
• other advertising restrictions covered by existing industry codes and standards.

Use the ‘Upload submission’ button at the top of this page to send us your views. 

We welcome your feedback by 5 pm (AEST) on Thursday 30 April 2026.  

You can send submissions by post to:

Manager, Content and Media Reform
Australian Communications and Media Authority
PO Box 78, Belconnen ACT 2616

Consultation enquiries can be emailed to camr@acma.gov.au.