Under the Spam Act 2003 it is illegal to send, or cause to be sent, unsolicited commercial electronic messages. The Act covers email, instant messaging, SMS and MMS (text and image-based mobile phone messaging) of a commercial nature. It does not cover faxes, internet pop-ups or voice telemarketing.
The ACMA is responsible for enforcing the Spam Act and actively works to fight spam in Australia. This section of the ACMA’s website provides practical information and handy tips on how you can reduce and help to fight spam.
Spam is a generic term used to describe electronic 'junk mail' – unwanted messages sent to a person's email account or mobile phone.
Find out more about:
- Understanding spam
- Avoiding spam
- Reporting spam with SpamMATTERS
- Ensuring that you don’t spam
- Protecting yourself online
- Lodging a complaint
- The Spam Act and Codes of Practice
- How the ACMA is fighting spam
- Current scams
- Information for ISPs and ESPs
The ACMA plays an important role in e-Security in Australia, gathering evidence and assisting in protecting Australians from computer fraud and identity theft. The ACMA also regulates internet content issues, deals with internet content complaints and provides information about mobile premium services.
Recent media coverage
February 2010 - The ACMA accepted an enforceable undertaking from Funmobile Australia Pty Limited, a premium SMS supplier, following an investigation into allegations that it had sent SMS messages in breach of the Spam Act. More...