Licensing
- Do I need a licence for the Citizen Band radio service?
- How can I get a copy of the regulations for Citizen Band radio service?
- Do I need a licence for a radio transmitter? If so, how much will it cost?
- What application form should I use to obtain a licence?
- When is my renewal sent out and how can it be paid?
Interference
- How does the ACMA help with television or radio interference?
- How can I make a complaint of television or radio interference?
- What is the procedure for resolving interference to my telephone?
Amateurs
Publications
- How do I get a copy of the CD-ROM?
- Do you sell frequency charts and how much do they cost?
- Where can I get a list of television and radio stations and their frequencies?
Licensing
Do I need a licence for the Citizen Band radio service?
Individual licences are no longer required when operating radiocommunications equipment on the Citizens Band Radio Service (CBRS) as their operation is covered by a generic licence called the Citizen Band Radio Stations Class Licence. The Class Licence removes the requirement for the payment of a fee. However, users of the CBRS must comply with the conditions of the Class Licence.
Although operation on the Citizen Band is covered by the Class License there is still a need to individually licence Citizen Band Repeater Stations for frequency coordination purposes.
How can I get a copy of the regulations for Citizen Band radio service?
The Citizen Band Radio Stations Class Licence contains conditions applicable to users of the Citizen Band Radio Service and is available on the ACMA website or free of charge from ACMA Offices.
Do I need a licence for a radio transmitter? If so, how much will it cost?
A licence is required for most radio transmitters. Information about radiocommunications licensing is available on the ACMA website and details of relevant fees and charges. ACMA Offices can also provide details of what licences are needed and their associated fees.
What application form should I use to obtain a licence?
Application forms R057 (Application for Apparatus Licence), R077 (Additional Station Information) and R060 (Application for Transfer of Apparatus Licence) are the most common. Application forms are available on the ACMA website or from ACMA Offices.
When is my renewal sent out and how can it be paid?
Renewals are normally sent out 6 to 8 weeks prior to the expiry date of the licence. It is the licensee's responsibility to ensure that licences are renewed on or before the expiry date of the licence to prevent the application of additional charges.
If a renewal request is not received by 60 days after the expiry of the old licence, the frequency assignment and call sign become available for assignment to other services. If renewal is applied for after the 60 day period then new issue charges will apply.
Interference
How does the ACMA help with television or radio interference?
The ACMA may offer technical advice, by telephone, to people who have applied for and received one of the publications, such as Better Television and Radio Reception, Interference from Citizens Band or Amateur Radio Transmitters or Audio Equipment to assist them diagnose their reception difficulties.
In the ACMA publication Better Television and Radio Reception, the ACMA provides advice on identifying and resolving analog TV reception problems. Free-to-air television in Australia is progressively making the switch, region by region, from analog to digital-only transmissions, with switchover to be complete by the end of 2013.
More information on digital switchover including the switchover schedule is available from the Are you READY for digital TV? website. Viewers experiencing problems with analog TV reception should consider digital TV as a possible solution.
How can I make a complaint of television or radio interference?
In individual cases of interference affecting television /radio reception, correction of the problem is usually within control of the complainant. Consequently, the ACMA has adopted a self help approach to interference resolution and provides information to assist individuals to diagnose their television/radio reception difficulties.
The ACMA will however investigate television/radio interference problems free of charge when your local antenna installer or service person has investigated the reception problem and formed the opinion that the reception problem is the result of external interference that is beyond your control.
Further information is available through the ACMA’s interference investigation service.
What is the procedure for resolving interference to my telephone?
Interference occurs when the telephone instrument fails to 'block-out' a nearby radio communication. Complaints about interference to a telephone supplied by a service provider (for example, Telstra or Optus) should be directed to your service provider for attention. Complaints about interference to a telephone recently purchased should be directed to the telephone manufacturer or the place of purchase for attention.
Amateurs
How do I get an amateur licence?
Persons wishing to become amateur radio operators are required to pass certain examinations before a licence will be issued. The level of examination is dependent on the level of certificate required. The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) is responsible for coordinating invigilators for all examinations and should be contacted, through the number listed in capital city phone books, if you desire to sit for an examination.
Before a certificate and licence can be issued applicants are required to provide details of examination results to the ACMA. The ACMA usually accepts original written notification by the WIA, setting out the subjects passed, as proof of examination results. The examination results will determine the level of certificate and licence to be issued by the ACMA.
Additional information is available in the Amateur Licence Information Paper on the ACMA website.
Publications
How do I get a copy of the CD-ROM?
CD-ROMs are available by filling in Application form RF114 (CD-ROM Data Order Form) and End User Licence Registration form found here on the ACMA website. Currently, a fee is charged for the Radiocommunications Record of Licences (RRL) CD-ROM, for costs please call (02) 6219 5574.
Do you sell frequency charts and how much do they cost?
Australian Radiofrequency Spectrum Charts can be purchased from the ACMA, for costs please call 1300 850 115. The chart is available here on the ACMA website.
For more detailed information, a copy of the Australian Radiofrequency Spectrum Plan can also be purchased from the ACMA, for costs please call 1300 850 115.
Where can I get a list of television and radio stations and their frequencies?
A list of television and broadcast stations is available on the ACMA website and is updated quarterly. The list is also published annually in a book that is available from Australian Government Bookshops.
