Radiodetermination licence

Radiodetermination equipment uses radio waves to determine this information about an object:

• position
• speed
• characteristics.

Traffic radar speed guns and navigational beacons use radiodetermination. 

This licence lets you operate a radiodetermination station.

While this licence is generally for radio signals, we may sometimes allow voice communication.

The Radiocommunications (Interpretation) Determination 2025 defines radiodetermination licences.

You can find frequency information for radiodetermination stations in the Australian radiofrequency spectrum plan.

You need to ask us if you want to use a frequency outside the approved bands.

Traffic radar speed guns for police use the frequency band 34.2 to 35.2 GHz.

An RNSS repeater station or system can use the frequency bands: 

• 1164 to 1300 MHz
• 1559 to 1610 MHz. 

To use a radiodetermination frequency for a radar on an aircraft or ship, see:

• aircraft class licence
• maritime ship apparatus licences
• maritime ship station class licence.

When you have a radiodetermination licence, you must follow the conditions of your licence.

These include:

• conditions of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 (the Act)
• Licence Conditions (Transmitter Licence) Determination 2025
• other conditions that apply to you under ‘special conditions’.

These conditions help you communicate safely and without interference.

We will include information you should be aware of under the heading 'advisory notes'.

Call signs are a unique series of letters and numbers. They make it easy to identify a station.

If you need to use a call sign for a radiodetermination licence, it will say it on your licence.

You should use your call sign or station identifier:

• every time you start to transmit
• before you transmit in a series
• when you test.

Call signs for stations that use navigational equipment

If you operate a navigational beacon, you must use Morse code to identify it. We will explain how and when to use it on your licence.

We may ask navigation stations that don't use beacons to identify themselves with:

• where the station is located
• the name of the licence holder.

We charge fees for apparatus licences.

In some circumstances, you can apply for a licence fee exemption or concession.

To apply for a radiodetermination assigned licence, you should contact an accredited person.

They can:

• assign you a frequency (if required)
• give you a frequency assignment certificate (if required)
• apply for your licence for you.

Transfer a radiodetermination licence

You can apply to:

• transfer your radiodetermination licence to someone else
• let someone else use a device under your licence.

See technical details for radiodetermination licences.