Disrupting branded SMS scams
We will launch the first stage of the SMS Sender ID Register in July 2026 under the Australian Government’s Fighting Scams initiative. From commencement, unregistered sender IDs will be labelled as ‘Unverified’, disrupting SMS scam messages impersonating trusted brands.
We will focus on making sure that telcos are complying with the new rules, creating an environment where consumers can be confident that the branded SMS they receive can be trusted. We will actively promote telco compliance and take enforcement action where we find non-compliance.
Compliance and enforcement of Triple Zero and public safety requirements
Since 2024, we have taken active steps to strengthen the Emergency Call Service (ECS) regulatory framework. Stronger safeguards are now in place to make sure people can access emergency services when needed and receive better updates about network outages.
An effective ECS system relies on telcos complying with ECS regulatory responsibilities. This year, we are prioritising proactive compliance to help prevent issues before they impact the community, supported by strong and proportionate enforcement where serious non-compliance occurs.
Equipment regulation for mobile phones
Suppliers of mobile phones to the Australian market must ensure their products are compliant with our regulatory requirements. We will prioritise testing the effectiveness of the current framework and strengthening assurances that phones supplied in Australia remain compliant across their life cycle.
In particular, we will check if phones are labelled with the Regulatory Compliance Mark and have been tested to carry a call to a mobile network, including Triple Zero calls. This will complement and extend our previous compliance and enforcement focus on the supply of ‘dodgy devices’.
Enforcing domestic, sexual and family violence telco safeguards
The prevalence of domestic, sexual and family violence is a serious concern for the community. It is essential for people experiencing violence to have access to safe and secure telecommunications services to seek help, stay connected and maintain independence. Like other sectors, telcos have a clear and important role to play in supporting affected consumers and preventing the misuse of services.
During 2026–27, we will enforce consumer safeguards that came into effect on 1 April 2026. We will focus on how telcos are complying with these new rules, including protecting affected consumers and preventing the misuse of telecommunications services to facilitate harm.
Gambling advertising – implementation of new reforms
We will prioritise the implementation of law reforms (following enactment by the Parliament) that are proposed to introduce new restrictions on gambling advertising. For example, gambling advertising is proposed to be banned during live sporting events within allocated times and subject to tighter controls on television, radio and online platforms. To support final reforms, we will provide guidance to help industry understand and meet its obligations. We will also undertake investigations and enforcement action where advertisers, broadcasters or online content providers fail to comply with the new requirements.
Enduring priorities
In 2024, the ACMA identified enduring priorities for the first time. These are matters that are always a priority for the ACMA. They reflect our long-term focus on matters of significant and ongoing harm to the Australian community. Below we have identified examples of ongoing work directed at each of these enduring priorities:
Preventing gambling harm
Working to prevent the social, financial and health-related impacts and harms arising from gambling is an enduring priority of the ACMA. In 2026–27, we will focus on:
- collaborating with other regulators and industry in combatting ‘scambling’ services that exploit vulnerable Australians
- targeting influencers who promote illegal gambling services
- disrupting illegal services
- driving improved compliance with BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register™.
Work on this enduring priority will be in addition to the annual priority ‘Gambling advertising – implementation of new reforms’.
Combatting spam and telco scams
Under our enduring priority to combat spam (unlawful e-marketing) and telco scams, we will continue to pursue new approaches to disrupt phone scams and will crack down on telcos that fail to comply with mobile number fraud rules. We will also take action against businesses that send e-marketing where we see serious or systemic compliance issues.
Protecting vulnerable telco customers
Protecting consumers experiencing vulnerability is an enduring compliance and enforcement priority. This year we will focus on enforcing telco financial hardship safeguards. This includes detecting and addressing systemic conduct that disproportionately impacts vulnerable consumers. Our focus will be on identifying and addressing non-compliance by telcos, including failures to identify and support vulnerable consumers. We will also work towards preventing consumer harm at a systemic level and driving improved industry practices to deliver better consumer outcomes.
Read about our previous compliance priorities.