| Content Division | ||
| Top priorities | Key deliverables | 2025–26 milestones |
| Disrupting illegal offshore wagering providers (ACMA enduring compliance priority to minimise gambling harm) |
Monitor, investigate and take appropriate disruption action for:
|
Monitoring undertaken in the lead up to and during major domestic and international sporting events. Investigations and disruption action undertaken as required |
| Review potential data sources used by illegal wagering services | Q1 to Q2 | |
| Conduct consumer awareness campaigns around the risks of using illegal wagering services | Q2 & Q3 | |
| Engage with stakeholders including industry and domestic and international regulators | Q1 to Q2 | |
| NSER (National Self-Exclusion Register) – compliance and promotion (ACMA enduring compliance priority to minimise gambling harm) | Promote the NSER to consumers to increase awareness and drive take-up | Q1 to Q4 |
| Enforce industry compliance with the rules for the NSER | Q1 to Q4 | |
| Promote compliance expectations to the industry following the finalising of NSER investigations to contribute to broader industry uplift | Q1 to Q4 | |
| Engage with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (DITRDCSA) on the NSER statutory review and support any recommendations accepted by government | Q1 to Q4 | |
| Finalise NSER research project and identify actionable improvements from user feedback | Q1 & Q2 | |
| Mis/disinformation on digital platforms | Produce a 4th report to government on the effectiveness of the voluntary code | Q1 |
| Provide evidence-based contributions to DIGI’s proposed review of the code | As required | |
| ACMA compliance priority: TV prominence | Work proactively with device manufacturers to help build a culture of compliance before the TV prominence framework begins in January 2026, including by providing guidance on the scope and administration of the framework | Q1 to Q4 |
| Monitor industry compliance during the first 6 months of the scheme, including issuing statutory notices to manufacturers seeking advice and specifications on how they have implemented the prominence framework | Q3 to Q4 | |
| Media Diversity Measurement Framework: News media in Australia reports | Planning for development and publication of the second report in the News media in Australia series (early 2027), including commissioning projects and engaging with stakeholders to address data gaps | Q1 to Q4 |
| Supporting work to reform the media regulatory framework for a viable, sustainable and diverse media sector that supports the public interest and meets the needs of Australian audiences and sustainability of Australia’s broadcasting sector |
Continue to engage with industry peak bodies on reviews of broadcasting codes of practice, including:
|
Q1 to Q4 |
| Consider findings of community broadcasting sustainability review relevant to ACMA, including to adopt risk-based approaches to streamline community broadcasting licence renewals | Q1 to Q4 | |
| Consumer Division | ||
| Top priorities | Key deliverables | 2025–26 milestones |
| Mobile number fraud (MNF) (compliance priority) | Compliance priority plan actions | Q1 to Q4 |
| 5–10 targeted audits and/or shadow shopping of carriage service providers (CSPs) on their compliance with rules | Q1 to Q4 | |
| 10–12 investigations into potential non-compliance subject to intel and risk assessment | Q1 to Q4 | |
| 10–30 targeted education engagements with businesses where indicated, including through compliance and/or threat alerts, subject to intel | Q1 to Q4 | |
| Industry guidance on MNF obligations | Q3 | |
| Targeted consumer education via social media | Q1 and Q3 | |
| Finalise review of the Customer ID determination | Q2 | |
| Compliance with Triple Zero and public safety requirements (compliance priority) | Audit against obligations in Telecommunications (Emergency Call Service) Determination 2019 and Telecommunications (Customer Communications for Outages) Industry Standard 2024 | Q4 |
| Investigations into potential non-compliance, where indicated | Q1 to Q4 | |
| Design and execute a data and info gathering exercise to support review of effectiveness of 2024–25 amendments by end of 2026 calendar year | Q4 | |
| Consider registering C674:2025 Emergency Calling – Network and Mobile Phone Testing | Q2 (subject to it being submitted in Q1) | |
| Consider registering variation to C536: Emergency Call Service Requirements Industry Code (Bean Report) | Q2 | |
| Enforcing new rules to support telco consumers affected by domestic and family violence (compliance priority) | Update website to reflect obligations applying from 1 July and publish industry guidance by end September | Q1 |
| Conduct social media campaign to generate awareness among affected customers and their advocates | Q1 to Q4 | |
| Assess compliance against obligations in the Telecommunications (Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Consumer Protections) Industry Standard 2025 (DFV Standard) | Q1 to Q4 | |
| Update website to reflect obligations applying from 1 January 2026 | Q3 | |
| Investigations into potential non-compliance, where indicated | Q1 to Q4 | |
| Addressing persistent unwanted spam or telemarketing (enduring compliance priority) | Issue compliance alerts, subject to complaints and identifiable business | Q1 to Q4 |
| 10–30+ targeted engagements with businesses subject to persistent unwanted marketing complaints where harm not high | Q1 to Q4 | |
| Conduct investigations where assessment of risk is high | Q1 to Q4 | |
| Enforcing complaints handling rules with focus on vulnerable telco customers (enduring compliance priority) | Assess compliance with obligations around prominence and clarity | Q1 & Q2 |
| Assess compliance with complaint handling processes, including information about how to contact the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, and network outage complaints handling processes | Q2 & Q3 | |
| Rolling program to audit CSPs for Record Keeping Rule compliance | Q1 to Q4 | |
| Quarterly analysis and publication of complaints data | Q1 to Q4 | |
| Investigations into potential non-compliance as indicated by risk assessments | Q1 to Q4 | |
| Delivery of SMS Sender ID Register, subject to statutory timeframes | Maintain pilot during development | Q1 and Q4 – support pilot register in operation |
| Develop and implement SMS Sender ID Register |
Q1 – make Telecommunications Standard Q2 – make Telecommunications Determination Q1 to Q4 – develop ICT system; onboard telcos and register Sender IDs; implement comms plan |
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| Launch SMS Sender ID Register by 1 July 2026 | Q4 | |
| Implement Scams Protection Framework (SPF) for telco sector, subject to enabling delegations and designations | Engagement with SPF agencies – Treasury, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Australian Securities and Investments Commission, DITRDCSA and Australian Financial Complaints Authority on policy settings | Q1 to Q4 |
| Make telco sector SPF code and associated amendments to existing regulatory framework, subject to delegations and designations for which Treasury is accountable | Q3 & Q4 | |
| Ensure continued access to Do Not Call Register (DNCR) | Oversight of contract arrangements | Q1 to Q4 |
| Establish arrangements for post September 2026 support | Q4 | |
| Establish new telco consumer protections | Advice to Authority to inform decision on registration of draft Telecommunications Consumer Protection Code | Q1 to Q2 |
| Sunsetting review of Customer Service Guarantee Standards (October 2026) | Consult on any proposed changes and settle final position | Q3 & Q4 |
| Numbering work program | Complete analysis of regulatory instruments to identify any provisions that prohibit the multiple service/use of numbers practice (MSP) | Q2 |
| Engagement with relevant bodies regarding implementation of any identified changes to regulations to support MSP | Q3 | |
| Determine whether arrangements related to the Integrated Public Number Database should be amended to include information about numbers being used for MSP | Q4 | |
| Audit of use of mobile numbers | Assessment of industry compliance with mobile number allocation and use rules in the Numbering Plan. Investigations as indicated | Q2 & Q3 |
| Report to Authority on audit outcomes to inform potential introduction of additional number types in the Numbering Plan | Q4 | |
| Education strategy | Develop an ongoing program of industry and consumer engagement around protections available and entity responsibilities | Q1 to Q4 |
| Address low-value reporting obligations on participants in the industries we regulate | Invite peak bodies to submit proposals for reporting forbearance by the ACMA | Q1 |
| Make decisions on any proposals submitted | Within one quarter of receipt of proposals | |
| Communications Infrastructure Division | ||
| Top priorities | Key deliverables | 2025–26 milestones |
| Broadcast planning | AM-FM conversions, Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) and Broadcast Technical Liaison Group quarterly meetings | Ongoing |
| Digital radio rollout in response to industry demand and policy considerations | Ongoing | |
| Five-Year spectrum outlook (FYSO) – development and progress reporting | Release final FYSO 2025–30 | Q2 |
| Consultation on draft FYSO 2026–31, release 6-month progress report on FYSO 2025–30 | Q3 | |
Major spectrum planning and allocations projects |
Response to submissions on preliminary views and set out our preferred views on options for expiring spectrum licences (ESL) spectrum | Q2 |
| Further consultation on development of licence allocation framework for 2 GHz Mobile Satellite Services | Q1 | |
| Framework for ESL renewal applications and first tranche of renewals open | Q3 & Q4 | |
| Amateur licensing management | Implementation activities related to transition to amateur class-licensing arrangements | Ongoing |
| Spectrum Band planning | 1.5 GHz release an outcomes paper and begin implementation | Q4 |
| 1.9 GHz formalise arrangements for rail services | Q2 | |
| Finalise changes to the low interference potential devices (LIPD) class licence to include arrangements for radio local area network (RLAN)s in 6425–6585 MHz | Q1 | |
| Consult on apparatus licensed wireless broadband (WBB) arrangements in 6585–7100 MHz outside defined population areas Continue to monitor international developments that would support the establishment of a WBB equipment in the range 6585–7100 MHz | Q4 | |
| Satellite planning | Continue to engage internationally to coordinate, develop and implement measures to enhance spectrum use for satellite communications and space research services | Ongoing for satellite filings |
| International engagement | Management and attendance of Australian participation at ITU-R Study Groups, APT Wireless Group and APT World Radiocommunication Conference Preparatory Group meetings | Ongoing |
|
International engagement activities including:
|
Q3 |
|
| New technology policy initiatives |
Radiocommunications assignment and licensing instructions (RALI) review program – ongoing and updated annually in FYSO Design and delivery of secondary licensing framework (pending legislative change) |
TBD |
| Spectrum pricing | Update the annual electromagnetic energy (EME) component amount for 2025–26 | Q1 |
| Implement the annual update of taxes using the population-based methodology | Q3 | |
| Field operations interference diagnosis and investigations, including support for major sporting events | Investigations into interference and support for major events such as the Melbourne Grand Prix on an annual basis | Ongoing |
| Infrastructure and equipment regulation, including national security arrangements aligned with contemporary communications environment (standards and legislation updates) and regulating industry practices when deploying infrastructure | Consultation and engagement with the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Defence, and stakeholders to identify market and technology trends | Ongoing |
| Compliance priorities | Ongoing compliance work across a number of technologies and use cases including our program in 2025–26 to address the sale of ’dodgy devices’ online and low-powered open narrowcast licensees’ compliance with their licence conditions | Ongoing |
| Corporate and Research Division | ||
| Top priorities | Key deliverables | 2025–26 milestones |
| Melbourne refit project | Design and construct a new office fit-out for Melbourne office | Q4 |
| Review of cost recovery arrangements | Review of charging arrangements to consider enhancements to inform future costing models | Q2 |
| Develop the relationships and interactions of cost recovered activities and a sustainable funding model including an implementation roadmap | Q3 | |
| Cyber uplift | Build out continuous compliance, against relevant frameworks for all internal digital and technology services, and externally sourced managed services | Q4 |
| Information and record management | Implement the core recommendations of the new enterprise-wide information architecture | Q4 |
| Deliver core ICT infrastructure modernisation | Refresh and deploy the next generations of systems and software | Q2 |
| Digital Strategy (rebrand and refresh) | Update the 2022 digital strategy to reflect 2025–26 digital business priorities | Q1 |
| AI strategy (lite) | Develop and implement a 12+ month strategy identifying business benefit, implementation roadmap and resourcing | Q1 |
| Deliver prioritised ICT enabled projects, including governance and authorisation to operate | Deliver, within agreed standards, those programs of work that are prioritised by the ACMA and transition them into service with authority to operate | Q4 |
| Deliver refreshed data strategy | New 3-year data strategy and roadmap aligned to key agency functions, priorities and strategies | Q1 |
| Deliver data action projects and data governance | Deliver data analytics projects and data governance uplift activity | Q4 |
| Support agency-wide international engagement processes | Update international engagement strategy | Q2 |
| Deliver 2025–26 research program | Communications and media in Australia reports | Q2 to Q3 |
| News and media diversity | Q3 | |
| Workforce planning | Development of operational workforce plans to support workforce management and capability development | Q1 |
| Support key business priorities through media and external communications activities | These include the implementation of the SMS Sender ID Register, the ongoing Expiring Spectrum Licences process, and education of enhanced telco consumer protections | Q1 to Q4 |
| 2026–28 Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) | Engage the RAP Working Group to develop the 2026–28 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, building on the Innovate 2023–25 plan | Q3 |
