If a network unit is used to supply carriage services to the public, the owner(s) must hold a telecommunications carrier licence unless either:
- the owner or owners enter into an arrangement by which a licensed telecommunications carrier is nominated to take on the carrier-related responsibilities in relation to their network units (a nominated carrier declaration)
- the use of the network unit is exempt from the requirement to hold a carrier licence under the provisions of Part 3 of the Telecommunications Act 1997).
Before you apply for a carrier licence
The following legislation is relevant to a licensed carrier:
- Telecommunications Act 1997
- Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999
- Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979
- Telecommunications (Emergency Call Service) Determination 2019
- Telecommunications (Customer Communications for Outages) Industry Standard 2024
- any other related regulations or additional conditions imposed by the Minister of Communications
- Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 and subordinate legislation.
How to apply for a carrier licence
Follow these steps to apply for a carrier licence.
Step 1
Read our carrier licensing guide.
Step 2
Contact us at carriers@acma.gov.au to provide an overview of your reasons for seeking a carrier licence. This should include a brief description of the relevant network units and their ownership arrangements. We may seek further information from you to understand your situation.
Step 3
Once it has been determined that a carrier licence is required, we will provide an invoice for payment of the carrier licence application charge.
For an invoice to be raised, we require the following information of the applicant:
- ABN, ACN or applicable company identifier
- registered office address (where a company or business receives official correspondence and documents)
- details of the contact person for the purposes of the application (full name, position, telephone and email).
The Telecommunications (Carrier Licence Charges) (Application) Determination 2022 sets the charge, which is $2,862.
Step 4
Complete form T033 Application for carrier licence.
Applicants should refer to the checklist in form T033 to ensure their application is complete prior to submitting it to the ACMA.
Submit the application by email at carriers@acma.gov.au.
An application must be accompanied by the application charge. This is generally non-refundable.
How we assess your application
We must consult the Communications Access Coordinator (CAC) about a carrier licence application. Generally, the ACMA has 20 business days after the day the application is received by the CAC to decide whether to grant a licence.
However, this timeframe can vary in certain circumstances, including when:
- we request further information from the applicant
- the CAC gives us a written notice under section 56A of the Telecommunications Act stating that while the notice remains in force, the ACMA must not grant the carrier licence.
The carrier licensing guide explains how we manage applications for carrier licences.
Once you hold a licence
Carriers may need to pay annual charges and levies.
Carriers may also be required to report on activities as a condition of their licence.
Carriers appear on the register of carrier licences and nominated carrier declarations.
Exemptions
Sections 45 to 51 of the Telecommunications Act set out exemptions to the carrier licensing requirements. This includes where the network units are used solely or principally for purposes such as defence, transport, electricity supply and broadcasting.
Under section 51 of the Telecommunications Act, the Minister may make a determination that the carrier licensing requirements do not apply to either:
- a specified network unit
- specified person
- specified use of a network unit.
The Minister has made the Telecommunications (Carrier Licence Exemption - Trial Network Units) Determination 2019, which allows the ACMA to issue a trial certificate to a person in certain circumstances.
If a trial certificate is issued, a person is authorised to conduct a trial using the specified network unit/s for up to 6 months in the first instance without a carrier licence or nominated carrier declaration in force.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the application process for a carrier licence or trial certificate, please contact us at carriers@acma.gov.au.