On 18 October 2017, the Senate referred the following matter to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by ​9 May 2018:

The economic and cultural value of Australian content on broadcast, radio and streaming services, with particular reference to:

1. the current state and operation of the market for Australian television and music industry, including competition issues relating to the relative market power of producers and broadcasters for traditional, streaming and catch up viewing;
2. the contribution the Australian television and music industries make to the economy;
3. the value and importance of:
   1. local content requirements for television, radio and streaming services in Australia, and
   2. Australian children’s television and children’s content;
4. related inquiries including:
   1. recent international reviews and reports, in particular, from the United Kingdom and Canada, and
   2. submissions made to:
      1. the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts inquiry into factors contributing to the growth and sustainability of the Australian film and television industry, and
      2. the Australian and Children’s Content Review, undertaken by the Department of Communications and the Arts, the Australian Communications and Media Authority and Screen Australia; and
5. any other related matters.

The closing date for submissions is 31 January 2018.

On 27 March 2018, the Senate granted an extension of time to report until 15 August 2018​.

On 25 June 2018, the Senate granted a further extension of time to report until 17 October 2018.

On 17 September 2018, the Senate granted a further extension of time to report until 4 December 2018.

On 3 December 2018, the Senate granted a further extension of time to report until 22 February 2019.

On 14 February 2019, the Senate granted a further extension of time to report until ​26 March 2019​.