Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated ActsAct No. 47 of 1997 as amended
This compilation was prepared on 1 July 2008
taking into account amendments up to Act No. 22 of 2008
[Note: Subsections 531F(1) and (2) and paragraphs 531G(2)(e) and (3A)(e) cease to have effect on 27 May 2009, see subsections 531F(3), 531G(3) and (3B)]
The text of any of those
amendments not in force
on that date is appended in the Notes section
The operation of amendments that
have been incorporated may be
affected by application provisions that are set out in the Notes section
Prepared by the Office of
Legislative Drafting and Publishing
,
Attorney‑General's Department,
Canberra
Contents
Part 1--Introduction 1
1............ Short title [see Note 1] ....................................................................... 1
2............ Commencement [see Note 1] .............................................................. 1
3............ Objects ................................................................................................ 1
4............ Regulatory policy ............................................................................... 3
5............ Simplified outline ................................................................................ 3
6............ Main index .......................................................................................... 7
7............ Definitions .......................................................................................... 8
8............ Crown to be bound ........................................................................... 18
9............ Extra‑territorial application .............................................................. 18
10.......... Extension to external Territories ....................................................... 19
11.......... Extension to offshore areas ............................................................... 19
11A....... Application of the Criminal Code .................................................... 20
12.......... Act subject to Radiocommunications Act ........................................ 20
13.......... Continuity of partnerships ............................................................... 20
14.......... Controlled carriage services, controlled networks and controlled facilities 20
15.......... Content service ................................................................................. 22
16.......... Listed carriage services ..................................................................... 22
18.......... Access to an emergency call service ................................................. 23
19.......... Recognised person who operates an emergency call service ............ 23
20.......... Customer cabling .............................................................................. 23
21.......... Customer equipment ........................................................................ 24
22.......... Customer cabling and customer equipment--boundary of a telecommunications network 25
23.......... Immediate circle ................................................................................ 27
24.......... Extended meaning of use ................................................................... 31
Part 2--Network units 32
Division 1--Simplified outline 32
25.......... Simplified outline .............................................................................. 32
Division 2--Basic definition 33
26.......... Single line links connecting distinct places in Australia .................... 33
27.......... Multiple line links connecting distinct places in Australia ............... 33
28.......... Designated radiocommunications facility ......................................... 34
29.......... Facilities specified in Ministerial determination ............................... 35
Division 3--Related definitions 36
30.......... Line links .......................................................................................... 36
31.......... Designated radiocommunications facility ......................................... 36
32.......... Public mobile telecommunications service ........................................ 38
33.......... Intercell hand‑over functions ............................................................ 39
34.......... When a base station is part of a terrestrial radiocommunications customer access network 40
35.......... Fixed radiocommunications link ....................................................... 41
Division 4--Distinct places 43
36.......... Distinct places--basic rules ............................................................. 43
37.......... Properties ......................................................................................... 43
38.......... Combined areas ................................................................................. 44
39.......... Principal user of a property ............................................................. 45
40.......... Eligible combined areas ..................................................................... 45
Part 3--Carriers 46
Division 1--Simplified outline 46
41.......... Simplified outline .............................................................................. 46
Division 2--Prohibitions relating to carriers 47
42.......... Network unit not to be used without carrier licence or nominated carrier declaration 47
43.......... Continuing offences .......................................................................... 48
44.......... Supply to the public ......................................................................... 48
45.......... Exemption--defence ......................................................................... 50
46.......... Exemption--intelligence operations ................................................. 50
47.......... Exemption--transport authorities .................................................... 51
48.......... Exemption--broadcasting services ................................................... 52
49.......... Exemption--electricity supply bodies ............................................. 54
50.......... Exemption--line links authorised by or under previous laws .......... 54
51.......... Exemption--Ministerial determination ............................................ 56
Division 3--Carrier licences 58
52.......... Applications for carrier licence ......................................................... 58
53.......... Form of application etc. ................................................................... 58
53A....... Copy of application to be given to Communications Access Co‑ordinator 58
54.......... Application to be accompanied by charge ........................................ 58
55.......... Further information .......................................................................... 58
56.......... Grant of licence ................................................................................. 59
56A....... Consultation with Communications Access Co‑ordinator ............... 59
57.......... Carrier licence has effect subject to this Act .................................... 60
58.......... Refusal of carrier licence--disqualified applicant ............................. 61
58A....... Refusal of carrier licence--security .................................................. 63
59.......... Time limit on licence decision ........................................................... 64
60.......... Notification of refusal of application ............................................... 67
61.......... Conditions of carrier licence specified in Schedule 1 ........................ 67
61A....... Review before 1 July 2009 of conditions relating to operational separation of Telstra 67
62.......... Condition of carrier licence set out in section 152AZ of the Trade Practices Act 1974 68
63.......... Conditions of carrier licence declared by Minister ........................... 68
64.......... Consultation about declared licence conditions ................................ 70
65.......... Conditions about foreign ownership or control ................................ 71
67.......... Carrier licence conditions--special provisions ................................. 71
68.......... Compliance with conditions ............................................................. 71
69.......... Remedial directions--breach of condition ........................................ 72
69A....... Remedial directions--breach by Telstra of conditions relating to operational separation 73
69B....... Review by the Australian Competition Tribunal of remedial directions given by the ACCC 73
70.......... Formal warnings--breach of condition ............................................. 75
71.......... Surrender of carrier licence ................................................................ 75
72.......... Cancellation of carrier licence ........................................................... 76
73.......... Collection of charges relating to carrier licences ............................... 77
73A....... Refund of application charge ............................................................ 79
74.......... Collection of charges on behalf of the Commonwealth .................... 79
75.......... Cancellation of certain exemptions from charge ............................... 79
76.......... Commonwealth not liable to charge .................................................. 80
Division 4--Nominated carrier declarations 81
77.......... Applications for nominated carrier declarations ............................... 81
78.......... Application to be accompanied by charge etc. ................................. 81
79.......... Form of application etc. ................................................................... 81
80.......... Further information .......................................................................... 81
81.......... Making a nominated carrier declaration ............................................ 82
81A....... Obligations of nominated carrier ....................................................... 82
82.......... Notification of refusal of application ............................................... 83
83.......... Revocation of nominated carrier declaration ..................................... 83
Division 5--Register of nominated carrier declarations and carrier licences 85
84.......... Register of nominated carrier declarations and carrier licences ......... 85
Part 4--Service providers 86
Division 1--Simplified outline 86
85.......... Simplified outline .............................................................................. 86
Division 2--Service providers 87
86.......... Service providers .............................................................................. 87
Division 3--Carriage service providers 88
87.......... Carriage service providers ................................................................. 88
88.......... Supply to the public ......................................................................... 90
89.......... Exemption from definition--customers located on the same premises 91
90.......... Exemption from definition--defence ................................................ 91
91.......... Exemption from definition--intelligence operations ........................ 92
92.......... Exemption from definition--transport authorities ........................... 92
93.......... Exemption from definition--broadcasting services .......................... 93
94.......... Exemption from definition--electricity supply bodies .................... 94
95.......... Exemption from definition--Ministerial determination ................... 94
96.......... Exemption from certain regulatory provisions--Ministerial determination 95
Division 4--Content service providers 96
97.......... Content service providers ................................................................. 96
Division 5--Service provider rules 97
5>98.......... Service provider rules ....................................................................... 97
99.......... Service provider determinations ....................................................... 97
100........ Exemptions from service provider rules ........................................... 98
101........ Service providers must comply with service provider rules ............ 98
102........ Remedial directions--breach of service provider rules ..................... 99
103........ Formal warnings--breach of service provider rules ....................... 100
Part 5--Monitoring of the performance of carriers and carriage service providers 101
104........ Simplified outline ............................................................................ 101
105........ Monitoring of performance--annual report ................................... 101
105A..... Monitoring of performance--additional report .............................. 103
Part 6--Industry codes and industry standards 104
Division 1--Simplified outline 104
106........ Simplified outline ............................................................................ 104
Division 2--Interpretation 105
107........ Industry codes ................................................................................ 105
108........ Industry standards .......................................................................... 105
108A..... Electronic messaging service provider ............................................ 105
108B..... Telecommunications industry ........................................................ 105
109........ Telecommunications activity .......................................................... 106
109A..... E‑marketing activity ....................................................................... 106
109B..... Telemarketing activity .................................................................... 107
110........ Sections of the telecommunications industry ................................. 109
110A..... Sections of the e‑marketing industry .............................................. 110
110B..... Sections of the telemarketing industry ........................................... 111
111........ Participants in a section of the telecommunications industry ........ 112
111A..... Participants in a section of the e‑marketing industry ..................... 112
111AA.. Participants in a section of the telemarketing industry .................. 112
111B..... Unsolicited commercial electronic messages ................................... 112
Division 3--General principles relating to industry codes and industry standards 113
112........ Statement of regulatory policy ....................................................... 113
113........ Examples of matters that may be dealt with by industry codes and industry standards 115
114........ Industry codes and industry standards may confer powers on the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman 117
115........ Industry codes and industry standards not to deal with certain design features and performance requirements 117
116........ Industry codes and industry standards not to deal with matters dealt with by codes and standards under Part 9 of the Broadcasting Services Act .............................................................. 118
116A..... Industry codes and standards do not affect Privacy Act 1988 ....... 119
Division 4--Industry codes 120
117........ Registration of industry codes ........................................................ 120
118........ ACMA may request codes ............................................................. 122
119........ Publication of notice where no body or association represents a section of the telecommunications industry, the e‑marketing industry or the telemarketing industry ....................... 124
120........ Replacement of industry codes ...................................................... 124
121........ Directions about compliance with industry codes ......................... 124
122........ Formal warnings--breach of industry codes .................................. 126
122A..... De‑registering industry codes and provisions of industry codes ... 127
Division 5--Industry standards 128
123........ ACMA may determine an industry standard if a request for an industry code is not complied with 128
124........ ACMA may determine industry standard where no industry body or association formed 129
125........ ACMA may determine industry standards where industry codes fail 130
125A..... ACMA must determine certain industry standards relating to the telemarketing industry 131
126........ Industry standards not to be determined for certain privacy matters 132
127........ Industry standards not to be determined during the first 180 days after commencement 132
128........ Compliance with industry standards .............................................. 132
129........ Formal warnings--breach of industry standards ............................ 133
130........ Variation of industry standards ...................................................... 133
131........ Revocation of industry standards ................................................... 134
132........ Public consultation on industry standards ..................................... 134
133........ Consultation with ACCC and the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman 135
134........ Consultation with Privacy Commissioner ...................................... 135
135........ Consultation with consumer body ................................................. 136
135A..... Consultation with the States and Territories .................................. 136
Division 6--Register of industry codes and industry standards 137
136........ ACMA to maintain Register of industry codes and industry standards 137
Division 6A--Reimbursement of costs of development of consumer‑related industry codes 138
136A..... Application for eligibility for reimbursement of costs of development of consumer‑related industry code 138
136B..... Declaration of eligibility for reimbursement of costs of development of consumer‑related industry code 139
136C..... Reimbursement of costs of developing consumer‑related industry code 140
136D..... Costs--transactions between persons not at arm's length ............ 141
136E...... Refundable cost .............................................................................. 142
Division 7--Miscellaneous 143
137........ Protection from civil proceedings ................................................... 143
138........ Implied freedom of political communication .................................. 143
139........ Agreements for the carrying on of telemarketing activities must require compliance with this Part 143
Part 13--Protection of communications 145
Division 1--Introduction 145
270........ Simplified outline ............................................................................ 145
271........ Eligible person ................................................................................ 145
272........ Number‑database operator and eligible number‑database person ... 146
273........ Information ..................................................................................... 146
274........ Telecommunications contractor ...................................................... 146
275........ Number‑database contractor ........................................................... 146
275A..... Location information ...................................................................... 147
Division 2--Primary disclosure/use offences 148
276........ Primary disclosure/use offence--eligible persons .......................... 148
277........ Primary disclosure/use offence--eligible number‑database persons 150
278........ Primary disclosure/use offence--emergency call persons .............. 151
Division 3--Exceptions to primary disclosure/use offences 153
Subdivision A--Exceptions 153
279........ Performance of person's duties ...................................................... 153
280........ Authorisation by or under law ....................................................... 154
281........ Witnesses ........................................................................................ 154
284........ Assisting the ACMA, the ACCC or the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman 155
285........ Integrated public number database ................................................. 155
286........ Calls to emergency service number ................................................. 159
287........ Threat to person's life or health ..................................................... 159
288........ Communications for maritime purposes ........................................ 160
289........ Knowledge or consent of person concerned ................................... 160
290........ Implicit consent of sender and recipient of communication ........... 160
291........ Business needs of other carriers or service providers ..................... 161
292........ Circumstances prescribed in the regulations ................................... 163
293........ Uses connected with exempt disclosures ....................................... 163
294........ Effect of this Subdivision ............................................................... 164
Subdivision B--Burden of proof 164
295........ Burden of proof .............................................................................. 164
Division 3A--Integrated public number database authorisations 165
Subdivision A--ACMA scheme for the granting of authorisations 165
295A..... ACMA to make integrated public number database scheme .......... 165
295B..... Scheme must deal with certain matters ........................................... 165
295C..... Applications may be treated differently ........................................ 165
295D..... Scope of authorisations .................................................................. 166
295E...... Provisional and final authorisations ................................................ 166
295F...... Conditions ...................................................................................... 166
295G..... Varying or revoking authorisations ................................................. 166
295H..... Scheme may confer administrative powers on the ACMA ............ 166
295J...... Ancillary or incidental provisions .................................................. 166
295K..... Scheme‑making power not limited .................................................. 167
295L...... Variation of scheme ........................................................................ 167
295M.... Consultation ................................................................................... 167
Subdivision B--Ministerial instruments 167
295N..... Criteria for deciding authorisation applications .............................. 167
295P...... Conditions ...................................................................................... 168
295Q..... Other reviewable decisions ............................................................. 168
Subdivision C--Enforcing compliance with conditions of authorisations 168
295R..... Offence of breaching a condition .................................................... 168
295S...... Remedial directions for breaching a condition ................................ 169
295T..... Formal warnings for breaching a condition ..................................... 169
Subdivision D--Report to Minister 169
295U..... Report to Minister ......................................................................... 169
Division 4--Secondary disclosure/use offences 171
296........ Performance of person's duties ...................................................... 171
297........ Authorisation by or under law ....................................................... 171
299........ Assisting the ACMA, the ACCC or the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman 171
299A..... Integrated public number database ................................................. 172
300........ Threat to person's life or health ..................................................... 173
301........ Communications for maritime purposes ........................................ 173
302........ Business needs of other carriers or service providers ..................... 173
303........ Secondary offence--contravening this Division ............................. 174
303A..... Generality of Division not limited .................................................. 174
Division 4A--Relationship with the Privacy Act 1988 175
303B..... Acts taken to be authorised by law for purposes of Privacy Act .. 175
303C..... Prosecution of an offence against this Part does not affect proceedings under the Privacy Act 1988 175
Division 5--Record‑keeping requirements 176
304........ Associate ........................................................................................ 176
305........ Authorisations under the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 176
306........ Record of disclosures--general ....................................................... 176
306A..... Record of disclosures--prospective authorisation under the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 ........................................................................................................ 178
307........ Incorrect records ............................................................................. 179
308........ Annual reports to the ACMA by carriers, carriage service providers or number‑database operators 179
309........ Monitoring by the Privacy Commissioner ..................................... 180
Division 6--Instrument‑making powers not limited 181
310........ Instrument‑making powers not limited .......................................... 181
Part 14--National interest matters 182
311........ Simplified outline ............................................................................ 182
312........ ACMA's obligations ...................................................................... 182
313........ Obligations of carriers and carriage service providers ..................... 183
314........ Terms and conditions on which help is to be given ........................ 185
315........ Suspension of supply of carriage service in an emergency ............. 186
316........ Generality of Part not limited ......................................................... 187
Part 16--Defence requirements and disaster plans 188
Division 1--Introduction 188
333........ Simplified outline ............................................................................ 188
334........ Defence authority ........................................................................... 188
Division 2--Supply of carriage services 189
335........ Requirement to supply carriage services for defence purposes or for the management of natural disasters 189
Division 3--Defence planning 191
336........ Definitions ...................................................................................... 191
337........ Preparation of draft agreement ....................................................... 191
338........ ACMA's certification of draft agreement ...................................... 192
339........ Requirement to enter into certified agreement ................................ 193
340........ Compliance with agreement ............................................................ 193
341........ Withdrawal of certification of agreement ........................................ 193
342........ Duration of agreement .................................................................... 193
343........ Variation of agreement .................................................................... 194
Division 4--Disaster plans 195
344........ Designated disaster plans ............................................................... 195
345........ Carrier licence conditions about designated disaster plans ............. 195
346........ Service provider determinations about designated disaster plans ... 195
346A..... Carrier and carriage service provider immunity .............................. 195
Division 5--Delegation 196
347........ Delegation ....................................................................................... 196
Part 17--Pre‑selection in favour of carriage service providers 197
348........ Simplified outline ............................................................................ 197
349........ Requirement to provide pre‑selection ............................................ 197
350........ When pre‑selection is provided in favour of a carriage service provider 198
350A..... Declared carriage services ............................................................... 199
351........ Pre‑selection to be provided ........................................................... 200
352........ Exemptions from requirement to provide pre‑selection ................. 201
353........ Use of over‑ride dial codes ............................................................. 201
Part 18--Calling line identification 203
354........ Simplified outline ............................................................................ 203
355........ Calling line identification ................................................................ 203
356........ Exemptions from calling line identification requirement ................. 203
Part 19--Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS) 205
357........ Simplified outline ............................................................................ 205
358........ Meaning of AMPS ........................................................................... 205
359........ Scope of Part .................................................................................. 205
360........ No new AMPS ............................................................................... 205
361........ AMPS to be phased out ................................................................. 205
362........ Limited exemption from phase‑out of AMPS ................................ 206
363........ Competition not to be reduced ....................................................... 207
Part 20--International aspects of activities of the telecommunications industry 208
Division 1--Simplified outline 208
364........ Simplified outline ............................................................................ 208
Division 2--Compliance with international agreements 209
365........ INTELSAT and Inmarsat--directions to Signatories ..................... 209
366........ Compliance with conventions ........................................................ 209
Division 3--Rules of conduct about dealings with international telecommunications operators 211
367........ Rules of conduct about dealings with international telecommunications operators 211
368........ ACCC to administer Rules of Conduct .......................................... 213
369........ Rules of Conduct to bind carriers and carriage service providers ... 213
370........ Unenforceability of agreements ...................................................... 214
371........ Investigations by the ACCC .......................................................... 214
372........ Reviews of the operation of this Division ...................................... 214
Part 21--Technical regulation 216
Division 1--Simplified outline 216
373........ Simplified outline ............................................................................ 216
Division 2--Interpretative provisions 218
374........ Part applies to networks or facilities in Australia operated by carriers or carriage service providers 218
375........ Manager of network or facility ....................................................... 218
Division 3--Technical standards about customer equipment and customer cabling 219
376........ ACMA's power to make technical standards ................................ 219
377........ Adoption of voluntary standards ................................................... 220
378........ Procedures for making technical standards ..................................... 220
379........ Making technical standards in cases of urgency ............................. 221
Division 4--Disability standards 223
380........ Disability standards ........................................................................ 223
381........ Adoption of voluntary standards ................................................... 224
382........ Procedures for making disability standards .................................... 224
383........ Effect of compliance with disability standards .............................. 225
Division 5--Technical standards about the interconnection of facilities 226
384........ ACMA's power to make technical standards ................................ 226
385........ Adoption of voluntary standards ................................................... 227
386........ Procedures for making technical standards ..................................... 227
387........ Procedures for making technical standards ..................................... 228
388........ Provision of access ......................................................................... 229
389........ Promotion of the long‑term interests of end‑users of carriage services and of services supplied by means of carriage services ........................................................................................... 229
Division 6--Connection permits and connection rules 230
Subdivision A--Connection permits authorising the connection of non‑standard customer equipment and non‑standard cabling 230
390........ Application for connection permit ................................................. 230
391........ Form of application ........................................................................ 230
392........ Application to be accompanied by charge ...................................... 231
393........ Further information ........................................................................ 231
394........ Issue of connection permits ............................................................ 231
395........ Connection permit has effect subject to this Act ........................... 232
396........ Nominees of holder ......................................................................... 232
397........ Duration of connection permits ...................................................... 232
398........ Conditions of connection permits .................................................. 232
399........ Offence of contravening condition .................................................. 233
400........ Formal warnings--breach of condition ........................................... 234
401........ Surrender of connection permit ...................................................... 234
402........ Cancellation of connection permit .................................................. 234
403........ Register of connection permits ....................................................... 234
Subdivision B--Connection rules 235
5>404........ Connection rules ............................................................................. 235
405........ Procedures for making connection rules ......................................... 236
Division 7--Labelling of customer equipment and customer cabling 238
406........ Application of labels ...................................................................... 238
406A..... Application of Division to agent of manufacturer or importer ...... 238
407........ Labelling requirements .................................................................... 238
408........ Requirements to apply labels--ancillary matters .......................... 239
409........ Recognised testing authorities and competent bodies .................... 240
410........ Certification bodies ......................................................................... 241
411........ Connection of customer equipment or customer cabling--breach of section 376 standards 241
412........ Connection of labelled customer equipment or customer cabling not to be refused 243
413........ Supply of unlabelled customer equipment or unlabelled customer cabling 244
414........ Applying labels before satisfying requirements under subsection 408(5) 245
415........ Failure to retain records etc. ........................................................... 245
416........ Application of labels containing false statements about compliance with standards 246
Division 8--Protected symbols 247
417........ Protected symbols .......................................................................... 247
Division 9--Cabling providers 251
418........ Cabling work ................................................................................... 251
419........ Types of cabling work .................................................................... 251
420........ Prohibition of unauthorised cabling work ....................................... 251
421........ Cabling provider rules ..................................................................... 252
422........ Procedures for making cabling provider rules ................................. 253
423........ Application for cabling licence ....................................................... 253
424........ Form of application ........................................................................ 254
425........ Application to be accompanied by charge ...................................... 254
426........ Further information ........................................................................ 254
427........ Grant of cabling licence ................................................................... 254
428........ Time limit on licence decision ......................................................... 255
429........ Notification of refusal of application ............................................. 255
430........ Cabling licence has effect subject to this Act ................................. 255
431........ Duration of cabling licence .............................................................. 256
432........ Conditions of cabling licence .......................................................... 256
433........ Procedures for changing licence conditions ..................................... 256
434........ Offence in relation to contravening condition ................................. 257
435........ Formal warnings--breach of condition ........................................... 258
436........ Surrender of cabling licence ............................................................. 258
437........ Suspension of cabling licence .......................................................... 258
438........ Cancellation of cabling licence ........................................................ 259
439........ ACMA may limit application of Division in relation to customer cabling 259
440........ Ministerial directions ...................................................................... 260
441........ Delegation ....................................................................................... 260
442........ Register of cabling licences ............................................................. 261
Division 10--Remedies for unauthorised connections to telecommunications networks etc. 262
443........ Civil action for unauthorised connections to telecommunications networks etc. 262
444........ Remedy for contravention of labelling requirements ...................... 263
445........ Remedies for connection of unlabelled customer equipment or unlabelled customer cabling 264
446........ Disconnection of dangerous customer equipment or customer cabling 266
447........ Disconnection of customer equipment or customer cabling--protection of the integrity of networks and facilities ........................................................................................................ 267
448........ Civil action for dangerous connections to telecommunications networks etc. 268
449........ Other remedies not affected ............................................................ 269
Division 11--Prohibited customer equipment and prohibited customer cabling 270
450........ Declaration of prohibited customer equipment or prohibited customer cabling 270
451........ Consultation on proposed declaration ............................................ 271
452........ Operation of prohibited customer equipment or customer cabling 271
Division 12--Pre‑commencement labels 272
453........ Pre‑commencement labels ............................................................... 272
Division 13--Penalties payable instead of prosecution 273
453A..... Penalties payable instead of prosecution ....................................... 273
Part 22--Numbering of carriage services and regulation of electronic addressing 274
Division 1--Simplified outline 274
454........ Simplified outline ............................................................................ 274
Division 2--Numbering of carriage services