The Rules of Running a Facebook or Instagram Competition in Australia

 

Update – From August 2020 you can now run a National ‘Game of Chance’ competition online through your social media channels.

 

Here you will find ALL the rules for Facebook, Instagram as well as the state-by-state laws of Australia. 

Disclaimer: These rules are up to date as at August 2020 and are to be used as a guide, all links to the individual states, Facebook and Instagram are included at the bottom of this guide and should be referred to if you are looking to run a competition today.

Disclaimer aside let’s look at how to run an online competition in Australia, starting with the Australian Competition Guidelines.

 

Australian Competition Guidelines

If you are looking to run a competition to promote your goods or services in Australia, it is called a “Trade Promotion” and there are 2 types:

1.Game of Skill – where people are asked to either “write in 25 words or less” (very traditional) or (more modern) “show us your favourite emoji/gif” or “upload a photo of xyz”.

2.Game of Chance – where winners are selected at random.

 

National Competitions Australia Wide

In the past permits were required in some states, however as at August 2020 you DO NOT need a permit to run a GAME OF SKILL or a GAME OF CHANCE with a total prize value of under $3,000 in Australia, however you must abide by the following:

• It must be free to enter (or the cost to purchase a good/service – buy this and get free entry into the competition)
• You must clearly state the start and end date of the competition
• You must explain how you will announce/notify the winner

 

State by State Competitions

ACT
No permit is required for a game of skill or a game of chance if the total prize value is under $3,000.

NSW
No permit is required for game of skill or a game of chance if the total prize value is under $10,000.

NT
No permit is required for a game of skill or a game of chance if the total prize value is under $5,000

QLD
No permits for either option.

SA
No permit is required for a game of skill or a game of chance if the total prize value is under $5,000

TAS
No permits for either option.

VIC
No permits for either option.

WA
No permits for either option.

 

Facebook Competition Rules

You CANNOT

• You CANNOT ask people to “tag your friends in this post to enter”
• You CANNOT ask people to “share on their timeline to enter”
• You CANNOT ask people to “share on your friends timelines to get additional entries”

 

You CAN

• You CAN ask people to like your page
• You CAN ask people to comment on your post (photo, gif, emoji or text based answers)
• You CAN ask people to message your business page

 

You MUST
State that Facebook has nothing to do with this competition using the wording (as provided by Facebook): “This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Facebook”

 

Example Facebook Competition Post that covers a national competition

GIVEAWAY – You could win xxx
To enter you must
– Upload a photo of x in the comments
– Like this page

Terms and Conditions:
1. Entry is open to Australian residents only. Only one (1) entry per individual will be accepted.
2. Promotion commences xx/xx/xx and final entries close on xx/xx/xx
3. To enter participants must upload a photo in the comments and like this Facebook Page
4. The Prize is a xxx valued at $xx. Prizes are not transferable or exchangeable and cannot be taken as cash.
5. Winners will be notified via our Facebook page on xx/xx/xx
This competition is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook.

 

Instagram Competition Rules

You CAN

• You CAN ask people to like your page
• You CAN ask people to like your post
• You CAN ask people to comment on your post
• You CAN ask people to share your photo
• You CAN ask people to share a specific competition #hashtag

You MUST
State that Instagram has nothing to do with this competition using the wording (as provided by Instagram): “This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Instagram”

Example Instagram Competition Post that covers a national competition

GIVEAWAY – You could win xxx
To enter
– Re-post this photo using the #xxx hashtag
– Like this page

Terms and Conditions:
1. Entry is open to Australian residents only. Only one (1) entry per individual will be accepted.
2. Promotion commences xx/xx/xx and final entries close on xx/xx/xx
3. To enter participants must re-post this photo and like this Instagram Page
4. The Prize is a xxx valued at $xx. Prizes are not transferable or exchangeable and cannot be taken as cash.
5. Winners will be notified via our Instagram page on xx/xx/xx
This competition is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram

For more helpful tips like this, follow up on:

Links to do your own research with the latest up to date information:
Facebook Guidelines: https://www.facebook.com/policies/pages_groups_events/
Instagram Guidelines: https://help.instagram.com/179379842258600
ACT: https://www.gamblingandracing.act.gov.au/industry/lotteries/trade-promotions
NSW: https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/community-gaming/trade-promotion-lottery
QLD: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/hospitality-tourism-sport/liquor-gaming/gaming/not-profit-charitable/competitions-raffles-bingo

NT: https://nt.gov.au/industry/gambling/lotteries-community-gambling/apply-to-run-a-trade-lottery
SA: https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/business-and-trade/running-a-business/trade-promotions
TAS: https://www.treasury.tas.gov.au/liquor-and-gaming/gambling/licences-and-permits/tasmanian-gaming-licence
VIC: https://www.vcglr.vic.gov.au/gambling/lotteries/trade-promotion-lotteries/about-trade-promotion-lotteries
WA: https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/racing-gaming-and-liquor/racing-gaming-and-wagering/gaming-applications/how-to-conduct-a-trade-promotion-lottery