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Compliance and enforcement priorities 2025–26

Each year we target key areas for improved industry compliance. We identify areas that are sources of community harm or concern, and areas where we are implementing new rules. This year we are also particularly focussed on matters of public safety, Triple Zero and community safeguards, in accordance with our Minister’s Statement of Expectations.

TV Prominence – Supporting access to Australian TV

Australian audiences will be able to easily access free-to-air TV services under the TV prominence framework, which starts in January 2026. All smart TVs and similar streaming devices sold in Australia will be required to install TV apps from free-to-air broadcasters and make them available on the home screen.

We will work proactively with device manufacturers and broadcasters to help build a culture of compliance before the framework begins and provide guidance and greater certainty on the scope and administration of the framework.

Tackling the supply of dodgy devices

We continue to see complaints about non-compliant radiocommunications devices advertised or bought online. These devices may not meet safety standards and can cause interference to communications, GPS and emergency services, which can put Australians at risk.

In response, we are introducing the ACMA equipment safety product pledge in early 2025–26. This voluntary product safety pledge will require sellers to follow a set of principles to better protect Australians buying radiocommunications devices online. We will also keep educating people about the harms non-compliant radiocommunications devices can cause.

Disrupting mobile number fraud

Mobile number fraud has serious impacts on Australians, including identity theft, misuse of personal information and significant financial loss. There are rules requiring telcos to protect Australians from these harms, such as verifying customer IDs and following mandatory processes when porting numbers from one telco to another.

Telcos that do not comply with rules directed at fraud prevention expose their customers to significant risk of harm.

We will monitor whether telcos are complying with their fraud prevention obligations and will take strong enforcement action if we find non-compliance. 

Compliance with Triple Zero and public safety requirements

The effective operation of telco networks is essential for people to access emergency services. Australians should be confident they can connect to Triple Zero when they need it.

In 2024–25, we worked on strengthening the regulatory frameworks that support access to Triple Zero. This year, we will build on this work by making sure telcos are meeting their new obligations under those frameworks. This includes meeting the different requirements for communicating with customers during unplanned outages.

Enforcing new rules to support telco consumers affected by domestic and family violence 

Domestic and family violence remains a significant and urgent issue in Australia and supporting affected Australians remains a key focus. Telco services play a critical role in the safety and well-being of victim-survivors.

The ACMA has made new rules in an enforceable industry standard to better protect telco consumers affected by domestic and family violence. We will monitor industry’s implementation of the new rules, particularly those that require telcos to provide key information to these customers. Our compliance and enforcement activities will focus on telcos providing the critical information and enhanced support affected customers need.

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:

Minimising gambling harm

We will take action to further disrupt illegal wagering providers that target Australians, particularly during major domestic and international sporting and racing events. We will keep educating industry on the rules including by using investigation findings. We will continue to build awareness of BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register™ and its rules and also the risks of using illegal gambling services.

Combating spam and telco scams

Unwanted spam or telemarketing can have a range of adverse impacts on consumers – ranging from frustration through to financial loss or serious health impacts. We contact businesses when we receive a complaint about persistent unwanted spam or telemarketing. We’ll be escalating our approach to those businesses that do not take advantage of these early warnings and comply with the law.

Protecting vulnerable telco customers

Our ongoing work in protecting vulnerable telco customers includes a focus on compliance with telco complaints-handling rules. All customers, and particularly those in vulnerable circumstances, rely on compliance with these rules. We’ll be auditing compliance with the rules and undertaking investigations where issues are identified.  We will also keep working with industry on its complaints monitoring and analysis obligations, and to increase awareness among consumers of their rights.

Next up: Our EME compliance strategy
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