Australian audiences should be able to access TV shows and movies online when they want, from wherever in the world they want to find them, according to the Productivity Commission.

Key points: Consumers who get around practice of blocking overseas content shouldn't be penalised, commission says

Consumers who get around practice of blocking overseas content shouldn't be penalised, commission says Australian consumers pay higher prices for professional software, report says

Australian consumers pay higher prices for professional software, report says Opposition will not support any changes, arguing it jeopardises future of publishing

In its final report on the nation's intellectual property system, the commission said the Federal Government needed to intervene and specify that consumers who choose to get around the practice of blocking overseas content, known as geoblocking, should not be considered to have breached the nation's copyright system.

"The use of 'geoblocking' technology is pervasive, and frequently results in Australian consumers being offered a lower level of digital service [such as a more limited music or TV streaming catalogue] at a higher price than in overseas markets," the report stated.

"Studies show Australian consumers systematically pay higher prices for professional software, music, games and ebooks than consumers in comparable overseas markets.

"While some digital-savvy consumers are able to avoid these costs [through the use of proxy servers and Virtual Private Networks], most pay inflated prices for lower-standard services and some will ultimately infringe."

A number of Australian media outlets have made submissions to the commission, arguing in support for the status quo to remain.

The ABC said it uploaded Doctor Who episodes on iview at the same time they aired in the UK. ( BBC )

They included the ABC, which said it relied on geographic limitations to both "acquire material and to sell its own content throughout the world".

The public broadcaster had cited its broadcast of series Doctor Who, arguing it had uploaded the premiere episodes of the past three series on its online platform iview at the same time they aired in the UK.

"This approach has allowed Australian fans to legally watch the show without any disadvantage to their UK counterparts," the ABC's June submission said.

Free TV Australia — the organisation that represents the nation's free-to-air commercial television broadcasters — was also strongly opposed to any changes.

It argued it would impact the ability for Australian content providers to reinvest in the local industry.

Foxtel also raised concerns, arguing the Productivity Commission had not properly considered the "very serious ramifications" lifting geoblocking restrictions would have on "Australia's production industry and Australia's creative life and culture".

Opposition doesn't support any changes

The Federal Government has opened up the final report for public consultation, before it delivers a response to its recommendations in mid-2017.

Along with recommending changes to the nation's patent system, and cutting the length of time copyright protections apply, the commission has also gone down the well-travelled path of recommending scrapping import restrictions on books published overseas.

It said eight reviews, including those by the commission, had recommended scrapping parallel import restrictions (PIRs).

"PIRs on books are the physical equivalent of 'geoblocking'," the report said.

"Except in limited cases, Australian booksellers are prevented from purchasing stock from lower-priced suppliers overseas, but must purchase from an Australian publisher regardless of the price.

"This restriction applies to booksellers only — Australian consumers can purchase books themselves from overseas online retailers.

"The restrictions can put Australian booksellers at a competitive disadvantage, and result in those Australians unable to purchase online paying higher prices."

The Federal Opposition will not support any changes, arguing it risks jeopardising the future of the local publishing industry.