Data retention reporting form

Carriers and carriage service providers (including internet service providers) have data retention obligations.

On this page

The ACMA reports each year on the that costs telcos have incurred by complying with data retention rules. These obligations are set out in Part 5-1A of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979. We seek this information from telcos.

Costs that should be reported

Using the form below, we request that telcos report their costs incurred. These include:

  • administrative costs – the costs incurred to comply with the data retention obligations
  • substantive costs – the costs incurred to deliver the applicable regulatory outcomes sought by the data retention obligations.

Completing the form

If you are reporting on behalf of multiple organisations, you can provide one aggregated report, or several individual reports.

A monetary value must be entered for all costs requested.  If you have not incurred any compliance costs and have a nil response, please enter ‘0’ value.

When to submit the form

Complete and submit the form to the ACMA by 5 pm (AEST) on Monday 1 September 2026.

If you do not receive an email acknowledging receipt of your form, please contact us. The ACMA is not responsible for ensuring the delivery of the information. Please also contact the ACMA if you require further information about the online reporting form.

More information about data retention obligations is available from the Department of Home Affairs.

 

Data retention reporting form 2025–26

Please submit your report by Tuesday 1 September 2026

Organisation details

Contact details

Reporting

Provide the administrative compliance costs your organisation incurred that are directly related to complying with the data retention requirements: 

Examples include costs of making, keeping and providing records and costs of notifying the government of certain activities.

Provide the substantive compliance costs your organisation incurred that are directly related to complying with the data retention requirements: 

Examples include costs of providing training to employees to meet regulatory requirements, costs of purchasing and maintaining plant and equipment, costs of professional services incurred to meet the data retention requirements.

Specify any costs your organisation recovered from criminal law enforcement agencies (CLEAs) in responding to requests for data 

Note: When providing reasonably necessary assistance to CLEAs, carriers and carriage service providers must not benefit from or assume the costs of giving that assistance and can therefore recover costs in accordance with agreed terms and conditions.

Last updated: 06 July 2026
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