The Australian Greens have unveiled a new policy proposal aimed at imposing a 3% digital services tax on major technology corporations operating in the country. If implemented, the tax is expected to generate $11.5 billion over the next decade, targeting multinational firms such as Meta, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Uber.
Taxing the Digital Economy
Under the proposal, the tax would apply to global companies that earn more than €750 million (AU$1.275 billion) in international revenue and make at least AU$20 million in Australia through digital services like advertising, social media, user data, and online marketplace transactions.
This means that food delivery platforms like Menulog and DoorDash, job marketplaces such as SEEK, and e-commerce sites like eBay could also be affected by the tax if they meet the revenue threshold.
Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, reported $US164 billion (AU$264 billion) in revenue for 2024, while Amazon made $US638 billion (AU$1.017 trillion) and Uber generated $US44 billion (AU$70.1 billion)—figures that would place them squarely within the proposed tax’s scope.
Greens Call for “Fair Share” Contributions
Speaking ahead of the policy launch, Greens communications spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young said the tax would ensure that “tech giants and billionaire tech bros” contribute to the Australian economy.
“Companies that trade in Australia need to pay tax on the money they make in Australia. Global tech giants are making billions of dollars in revenue in Australia while paying very little in tax,” she stated.
The Greens argue that the revenue generated could be used to fund essential services, including their $200 billion proposal to expand Medicare by incorporating dental care.
Potential Industry Pushback
A Parliamentary Budget Office analysis has warned that multinational companies affected by the tax may restructure their Australian operations to minimize exposure. However, the Greens remain committed to pursuing the tax as a key policy demand in the event of a power-sharing parliament following the upcoming federal election, scheduled by May 17.
“These big foreign-owned corporations make huge profits off Australians and resist regulation at every turn. It’s time they paid their fair share of tax,” Senator Hanson-Young stated.
She also framed the policy as part of a broader fight against the influence of U.S. tech billionaires, saying: “We need to stand up for our national interest against Donald Trump’s billionaire oligarchs like Zuckerberg, Musk, and Bezos.”
Broader Regulatory Efforts
The Labor government has also signaled an increasingly aggressive stance towards major tech platforms. In 2024, Meta withdrew from the AU$200 million News Media Bargaining Code, which required social media companies to pay news outlets for content.
In response, Labor proposed the News Bargaining Incentive, which would impose a tax on platforms that fail to strike payment agreements with Australian news organizations.
With mounting pressure from both Labor and the Greens, major tech corporations may soon face a tougher regulatory and taxation environment in Australia. The extent of industry pushback—and potential legal or structural responses—remains to be seen.
