Declaring the Australian Formula One Grand Prix 2026 a significant event
On 6 February 2026, we made the Radiocommunications (Significant Event – Australian Formula One Grand Prix) Declaration 2026 under subsection 54A(2) of the General Equipment Rules.
In the declaration, the 2026 Australian Formula One Grand Prix has been declared as a significant event.
Period of significant event
The event commences on 3 March 2026 and ends on 9 March 2026.
Location of significant event
The significant event is located in a circle that:
- is centred on the following GDA94 coordinates: 37.846702°S, 144.971342°E
- has a 1.6 km radius.
Please note that the significant event covers the Albert Park Grand Prix circuit in Albert Park, Melbourne, and parts of surrounding areas.
Exemptions
A declaration of a significant event may give exemptions for:
- radiocommunications devices
- transmitters
- telecommunications customer equipment and customer cabling
- cabling work.
Radiocommunications device exemptions
The General Equipment Rules exempt a person from using, operating, possessing or supplying devices that do not comply with the general standard if the device is imported solely for use in Australia in connection with a significant event such as the grand prix.
The device can only be used or operated in Australia at the location of the significant event and only during the significant event.
Rules in relation to the electromagnetic compatibility standard, electromagnetic energy standard and Radiocommunications (Low Interference Potential Devices) Class Licence 2025 (LIPD class licence) may still apply to the device.
Transmitters and LIPD class licence exemptions
You may be exempt from operating a transmitter under the LIPD class licence if the transmitter:
- is imported into Australia solely for use in connection with a significant event like the grand prix
- meets any requirements to be tested or inspected before it is used in Australia
- complies with all conditions or requirements imposed on the use of the transmitter in Australia
- is used in Australia only at the location of the significant event
- is used in Australia only for the duration of the significant event.
Telecommunications customer equipment and customer cabling exemptions
The Telecommunications (Labelling Notice for Customer Equipment and Customer Cabling) Instrument 2025 exempts an item from telecommunications labelling rules if:
- the item is imported for connection to a telecommunications network or a facility of such a network in relation to a significant event
- the manager of the network or facility has given written consent to the connection for the event.
Cabling work exemptions
Cabling work may be exempt from the Telecommunications (Cabling Provider) Rules 2025 in some circumstances.
The Telecommunications (Types of Cabling Work) Declaration 2024 exempts cabling work if it involves the installation or maintenance of customer cabling that:
- is for broadcasting content for the significant event
- is connected, or is for connection to, a telecommunications network with the written consent of the network manager
- will be removed from all locations after the significant event.