What is the eSafety Commissioner, and can foreign residents report to it?

The eSafety Commissioner is Australia's online safety regulator, empowered under the Online Safety Act 2021 to issue removal notices for harmful online content. Anyone in Australia can report for free, regardless of visa type — working holiday, student, temporary visa or otherwise.

Can I report directly to eSafety without going through the platform first?

It depends on the type. Image-based abuse and illegal or restricted content can be reported directly to eSafety without first reporting to the platform. Child cyberbullying and adult cyber abuse must, as a rule, be reported to the relevant platform first, and you report to eSafety only if there is no action within 48 hours.

Someone is demanding money and threatening to share a private image. If I pay, will it stop?

No. The typical pattern is that once you comply, the demands keep coming. Never send money or more images. Instead, secure evidence by capturing the account name and conversation, then block them. After that, report it to eSafety as image-based abuse, and because threats and extortion are crimes, also report it to police via ReportCyber. It is not the victim's fault, and there are many cases where reporting has stopped the material from spreading.

Will reporting affect my visa? My English is not strong — can I still report?

Reporting harm has nothing to do with your visa assessment and is not grounds for any disadvantage. The eSafety report form is in English, but if you need an interpreter you can use the TIS National (131 450) phone interpreting service. If you have individual visa concerns, consult a MARA (OMARA) registered migration agent.

Can I report deepfake (fabricated) images too?

Yes. Even if it is not real footage, a digitally altered composite (deepfake) that manipulates a face or other features to look like a private image can also be reported as image-based abuse. Not only actually sharing the image but even the threat to share it is grounds for a report.

If the offender is anonymous or overseas, is there any point in reporting?

No. eSafety can require removal from the platform where the content is posted, not from the individual offender, so removal action is possible even if the offender is anonymous or overseas. Identifying the offender is a matter for police investigation, so also report any criminal circumstances such as threats through ReportCyber.

My underage child has been harassed or threatened online. How can I help?

A parent or guardian can report to eSafety on behalf of their child. The most important thing is to support your child without blaming them, and once you have secured evidence, report it to the platform and to eSafety. Report requests for sexual images or grooming to the ACCCE (Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation) — and never save any related images — and for psychological support you can use Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800).

Reporting online harm in Australia — responding to eSafety image-based abuse and cyberbullying - Western Australia

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Reporting online harm — responding to eSafety image-based abuse and cyberbullying

Non-consensual image sharing, deepfakes, cyberbullying — you don't have to endure it alone. Here is everything in one place: Australia's eSafety reporting process, how to preserve evidence, how to respond to threats, and where to get psychological support.

eSafety Commissioner — an online safety body with the power to order removal

Australia has a dedicated government body for online harm — the eSafety Commissioner. Empowered under the Online Safety Act 2021 to issue removal notices for harmful content and impose fines for non-compliance, it is one of the few official regulators of its kind in the world. If you have suffered non-financial online harm such as non-consensual sharing of private images or cyberbullying, anyone in Australia can report for free, regardless of visa type. Being harmed is not your fault, and reporting is the most reliable way to stop the harm from spreading.

Telling it apart from a financial scam

This guide covers non-financial online harm such as image sharing and harassment. If you have been hit by a scam aimed at your money, such as a fake investment or phishing, reporting to Scamwatch and contacting your bank comes first, so refer to the separate scam prevention guide. That said, threats demanding money using a private image (sextortion) follow this guide's process (eSafety + police report).

The reporting process — platform first, eSafety after 48 hours

For most cyberbullying and abusive content, reporting to the relevant platform (social media, app or game) first is a requirement for reporting to eSafety. If the platform does not act within 48 hours or has no reporting feature, report through the online form on the official eSafety site (esafety.gov.au/report). Reporting is free and the form is in English, but if you need an interpreter you can get help from TIS National (131 450).

What eSafety can do

eSafety reviews the report and, if the requirements are met, can legally require the platform or poster to remove the content (removal notice), and if they fail to comply a fine (civil penalty) may be imposed. The handling criteria and timeframes differ by type, so check the latest details on the official eSafety site.

Step 1 — Report through the platform's own reporting feature and record the date and details of your report.

Preserving evidence before reporting — capture first, before requesting removal

The urge to delete it quickly is strong, but if you request removal, the evidence disappears with it. Whether you report to the platform, eSafety or police, evidence determines how quickly your case is handled, so secure the items below before requesting removal.

Copy the URL (link) of the post or profile and save it in a separate document.
Take screenshots showing the offender's account name and profile screen as well as the entire post.
Capture the threatening or harassing messages together with the date and time, and if there are several, arrange them in chronological order.

The four types eSafety accepts reports for

eSafety accepts reports of the following four types of online harm. Check which one your situation falls under and report using the relevant form. If the type is unclear, you can report under the closest type and eSafety will guide you during its review.

Image-based abuse

Sharing private images or videos without consent, or threatening to share them. This includes digitally fabricated material such as deepfakes. It can be reported directly to eSafety without first reporting to the platform.

Cyberbullying (of children)

Content that seriously threatens, intimidates, humiliates or harasses a child or young person under 18. The person themselves or a parent or guardian can report, and if the platform does not act within 48 hours of a report, eSafety steps in.

Adult cyber abuse

Threatening or abusive content targeting an adult (18 or over) with the intent to cause serious harm. Mere rudeness or a difference of opinion does not meet the requirements, and reporting to the platform is a prerequisite.

Illegal and restricted content

Illegal content such as child sexual exploitation material or incitement to terrorism, and seriously harmful content. Anonymous reporting is possible — do not save any child-related material and report immediately using only the URL.

Responding to sextortion (image-sharing threats) in 5 steps

If you have received a threat demanding money or more images using a private image, it is frightening and distressing, but giving in to the threat is the most dangerous choice. This kind of threat is more common than you might think and has been resolved through reporting in many cases, so respond calmly in the order below.

Never comply — if you send money or more images, the demands will not stop and will only repeat.
Before blocking, capture the account name, the conversation and the details of the payment demand to secure evidence, then stop the conversation and block them.

Cautions — 5 common mistakes that make the harm worse

In the immediate aftermath, shame and anxiety can easily cloud your judgment. Just avoiding the mistakes below will make responding far easier. And remember — the fault lies entirely with the offender.

Requesting removal before securing evidence — capturing screenshots and URLs comes first. Without evidence, handling by eSafety and police can be delayed.
Giving in to the threat — the moment you send money or images, the demands repeat. Do not comply — report it.
Trying to confront or persuade the offender directly — this can make the situation worse and give them further leverage. Just keep records and block them.

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