Mobile phones sold online or from overseas

Cheap mobile phones sold online, especially from overseas, may not meet Australian standards.

This means they may not work on local networks, including if you need to make an emergency call. 

Unsafe mobile phones can put people’s lives at risk, including your own – don’t risk it.

Does the phone meet Australian standards?

All mobile phones sold in Australia must meet our technical standards.

Not all manufacturers make phones that meet Australian standards. Check with the seller if you’re not sure. 

Does the phone have a Regulatory Compliance Mark?

Before a phone can be supplied in Australia, manufacturers and importers must:

• test the product
• make sure it meets Australian standards
• label the product with the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM).  

The RCM may not always be visible. It may be:

• in the phone’s settings, usually under a legal or regulatory tab
• on the phone’s packaging or linked to a QR code on the packaging or manual. 

Check with the seller or manufacturer that the phone has an RCM before buying.

Is the deal too good to be true?

If the phone is far cheaper than other brands, the seller may not have checked that the phone is tested to our technical standards. Don't risk it.

Will the phone work on your telco’s network?

Even if there is an RCM, you should check with your telco that it will work on their network before buying a phone.

Telstra: telstra.com.au

Optus: optus.com.au

Vodafone: vodafone.com.au

TPG Telecom: tpgtelecom.com.au

Telcos are not allowed to provide a service through a device that cannot make a call to Triple Zero (000). 

View more information about choosing a mobile phone plan.

Once you have your new phone, it’s important to keep the software updated to the latest version for your phone model. This helps to:

• protect against security threats
• fix bugs that cause performance issues
• ensure compatibility with emergency calling arrangements in Australia.