About ABAC

Overview

The ABAC Scheme is the centrepiece of alcohol marketing regulation in Australia.  It is a not for profit organisation established to promote the marketing of alcohol beverages occurring responsibly and consistently with standards of good practice via regulation, education and advice.  The ABAC Scheme is:

• administered by a Management Committee which, along with government, includes representatives from industry and advertising;
• quasi-regulatory in nature as the Australian Governments are represented on the Management Committee and a Professor of Public Health, nominated by government is part of all adjudication panel hearings; and
• funded by industry via membership levies, direct signatory fees and pre-vetting fees.

The ABAC Scheme is not the only set of rules affecting advertising in Australia.  Alcohol advertising must also comply with other applicable laws and codes, for example:

• Federal Competition and Consumer Act and State Fair Trading legislation
• State and Territory Liquor Licensing alcohol promotion requirements;
• Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code
• Australian Association of National Advertisers Code of Ethics
• Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice
• Commercial Radio Code of Practice
• Outdoor Media Association Code of Ethics and Alcohol Advertising Policy

An overview of each of the components of the ABAC Scheme can be accessed via the menu on the left side of your screen.

Click here to download a list of frequently asked questions.