Spam is the term used to describe electronic junk mail – unwanted messages sent to a person's email account or mobile phone.
The Spam Act 2003 makes it illegal to send, or cause to be sent, 'unsolicited commercial electronic messages' that either:
- originate in Australia,
- were commissioned in Australia, or
- originate overseas but have been sent to an address accessed in Australia.
The Spam Act covers commercial messages sent by email, SMS/MMS and instant message.
What you can do
If you're receiving spam, there are a few options available to you. To find out more about spam, visit the spam and e-Security pages.
Contact the business directly
If you are receiving messages from a recognised business or organisation, you may find that unsubscribing from their mailing list is your most simple and effective option.
If you continue to receive messages from the business or organisation, you can make a complaint to the ACMA.
Report spam to the ACMA
Complaints and reports of spam can be made to the ACMA. Find out more about reporting complaints & enquiries.
Fraudulent or offensive content
If you are receiving spam that contains material you find offensive or believe may be illegal, you can report it to the ACMA. Find out more about internet content complaints.
Scams are often circulated via email. The Australian Government's Scamwatch website provides information about email scams and how to report them.
Privacy complaints
If you receive spam that has used or involves your personal information, you can lodge a complaint with the Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner.
