Restricted terms
The SMS Sender ID Register (Application, Access and Administration) Determination 2025 outlines the requirements for sender IDs.
We will not accept applications to register sender IDs that consist of only one or more restricted words on the following list:
- account
- alert
- anti-fraud
- assist
- assistance
- bank
- banking
- bill
- billing
- delivery
- help
- important
- info
- information
- message
- notice
- notify
- package
- password
- sale
- secure
- security
- service
- support
- tax
- urgent
- verify
- verified
Valid use of restricted words
Restricted words can only be used when combined with additional characters that identify the organisation. This is consistent with the valid use case requirements in the Telecommunications (SMS Sender ID Register) Industry Standard 2025.
For example, the ACMA cannot register the sender ID ‘Alert’ but it can register ‘ACMA Alert’.
Why these words are restricted
Restricted words are commonly used in scam messages to mislead or deceive, often by creating a false sense of urgency or authority.
We will regularly review this list and may add restricted words to reflect emerging scam tactics.