Is OnlyFans illegal for creators and users in Australia?
In the last few years, OnlyFans has become one of the most talked-about websites. It’s a platform where creators can offer subscribers access to exclusive content, usually for a monthly cost. A lot of people use it for fitness, lifestyle, or cooking material, but it’s most recognized for adult entertainment. This has led many Australians to wonder — is OnlyFans illegal in Australia?
The short answer is no, OnlyFans is not illegal in Australia. But there are key restrictions and duties that both creators and subscribers must follow to stay on the right side of the law in Australia.
Knowing if OnlyFans is legal in Australia
OnlyFans is legal for adults
OnlyFans is legal for Australians aged 18 years and over. Before uploading any content, creators must verify their age and identity. Similarly, subscribers are required to prove they are over 18.
Australians can use OnlyFans and get money from it as long as the content they provide is lawful, consensual, and only for adults.
Key legal rules for OnlyFans users in Australia
1. The Online Safety Act 2021
The Online Safety Act 2021 in Australia is a big part of how online platforms like OnlyFans are controlled. Under this law, the eSafety Commissioner has the power to remove illegal or harmful material.
Class 1A or 1B content is anything that encourages violence, child sexual exploitation, or terrorism. It is absolutely against the law. Platforms that don’t take down this kind of content might be fined a lot.
It’s up to you as a creator on OnlyFans to make sure that everything you upload follows this law. In Australia, it is against the law to share content that would be “Refused Classification” (RC).
2. Image-based abuse laws
In every state and territory in Australia, it is against the law to post or share private pictures of someone else without their permission. This is commonly called “revenge porn.”
You must have unambiguous permission to share or sell a photo or video, even if the person who took it gave you permission. The eSafety Commissioner can tell people to take down this kind of content and help victims report the people who did it.
So, if you work with another creative or partner, be sure you have written permission for everything you share. This keeps your legal rights and your reputation safe.
3. Age restrictions and child protection
Only adults can use OnlyFans. The Criminal Code Act 1995 says that it is against the law to make or share content that includes a minor (anyone under 18) or even looks like it does.
If you break this law, you could face serious criminal charges, including jail time. The platform also doesn’t allow anything that makes minors look sexual, no matter what the goal or context is.
Content that is not allowed on OnlyFans in Australia
While adult content itself is legal, several forms of material are banned in Australia, including:
- Any picture of a minor or someone who looks like one.
- Intimate stuff that isn’t consensual.
- Sex activities that involve extreme violence, animals, or drugs.
- Content that is hateful or tied to terrorism.
If your content fits under any of these categories, it can be taken down right away, and you could be investigated under the Criminal Code or the Online Safety Act.
Is it illegal to subscribe to OnlyFans in Australia?
No, it’s not against the law for adults in Australia to subscribe to OnlyFans. You can pay for and watch content as long as it’s legal and you are over 18.
But if you download or share someone else’s content without their consent, you could be breaking copyright and privacy laws. Taking screenshots or reposting creators’ private content without their permission is considered image-based abuse and can lead to legal action.
Tax obligations for Australian OnlyFans creators
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) requires creators to pay tax on any income earned from OnlyFans. You have to report your income on your annual tax return, whether you consider it a hobby or a business.
- You’ll need an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Keep track of your revenue, subscriptions, and costs.
- If your income exceeds the GST threshold, you must register for GST
- Failing to report your income can result in ATO penalties
Staying safe and protecting your privacy online
Because OnlyFans is a site where people share personal and occasionally private information, artists should do the following to keep safe:
- Use a stage name instead of your real one
- Don’t give out personal information like your address or where you work.
- Enable two-factor authentication on your account
- Watermark your content to prevent unauthorised use
- Report impersonation or leaks to the eSafety Commissioner immediately
These actions will keep you safe from frauds and from problems with your reputation or career in the future.
The social and cultural context in Australia
OnlyFans has changed how Australians feel about working and having fun online. Some people still don’t like the platform, but it has given them the chance to be financially independent and creative, especially during the pandemic when a lot of people turned to internet revenue sources.
People in Australia are increasingly open to talking about sex work, consent, and privacy online, but there is still a lot of stigma around these topics. Everyone is safer online when you know your rights, follow the law, and use OnlyFans responsibly.
Conclusion
So, is OnlyFans illegal in Australia? No — but it has clear limits. As long as you are over 18, create and share lawful, consensual content, and pay your taxes, you’re operating within the law. Australia’s principal goal is to make the internet safe, not to stop adults from being creative.
The basic truth is that OnlyFans is legal in Australia as long as you follow the rules about privacy, consent, and content safety. Knowing these rules helps Australian creators do well in a burgeoning digital business in a responsible way.