ACMA guidelines
Our guidelines outline the information you need to provide in your application. Please read the guidelines carefully before you apply.
Who can apply
Applications are open to corporations that operate or control a news business.
The application form must be completed and submitted by an authorised representative of the applicant corporation.
As a security measure, the authorised representative will need to use myGovID to access the application portal. myGovID allows individuals to access government online services on behalf of a business.
Please note that a myGovID is not the same as a myGov account.
How to set up myGovID
Follow these steps to set up myGovID:
- A principal authority of the business must first set up a personal myGovID. Details on how to do this can be found on the myGovID website. A principal authority is a person recorded on the Australian Business Register as a trustee, public officer, director, partner, or office bearer of the applicant corporation.
- The principal authority then needs to link the business to their personal myGovID using the Relationship Authorisation Manager.
- If they wish, the principal authority of the business can then set up authorisations for others to access government services on behalf of the business. Note that these nominated users need to set up their own personal myGovID before the principal authority can authorise them to act on behalf of the business.
Registering your myGovID with the ACMA
To be able to access the application form, the authorised representative who will submit the application first needs to register their myGovID with the ACMA.
To do so, follow these steps:
- Email the ACMA Customer Service Centre at info@acma.gov.au to request your one-time token.
- Go to the ACMA lodgement portal and enter your myGovID.
- Specify ‘News Media Bargaining Code’ as the business area you wish to access and provide your ABN.
If you have already registered your myGovID with the ACMA for another purpose, you do not need to do so again.
For questions about registering your myGovID with the ACMA, please contact the ACMA Customer Service Centre during business hours on 1300 850 115.
Accessing the application form
To access the application form, follow these steps:
- Go to the ACMA lodgement portal and enter your myGovID.
- If applicable, choose the business you are acting for.
- Choose ‘News Media Bargaining Code’ from the list of services.
- Choose ‘Register a news business’ and click the arrow.
- Read the information on the following page carefully.
- Please note, the maximum number of news sources that can be added to an application through the lodgement portal is 20. If you have more than 20 news sources, please contact the ACMA at bargainingcode@acma.gov.au or call 1300 850 115.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the application process, please email us at bargainingcode@acma.gov.au.