New Australian Legislation Increases Penalties for Telecommunications Breaches

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has welcomed the passage of new legislation aimed at strengthening consumer protections and increasing penalties for telecommunications companies that breach industry rules across Australia.

The Telecommunications Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2025 raises maximum civil penalties for corporate violations of industry codes, standards, and service provider determinations. Under the new laws, registered industry codes will be directly enforceable, granting the ACMA the authority to take action against breaches without first issuing a formal direction to comply. The legislation also strengthens the infringement notice penalty framework.

In addition, the reforms establish a new telecommunications registration scheme. According to the ACMA, this scheme will serve as a last resort mechanism allowing the regulator to bar providers with severe compliance failures from operating in the market. The ACMA stated that further information regarding the implementation of the registration scheme will be released before it begins.

Alongside the consumer safeguards bill, the passage of the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2026 establishes a pathway intended to make mobile voice and SMS coverage reasonably available outdoors across Australia.

Acting ACMA Chair Adam Suckling stated that the stronger penalties and enforcement tools are intended to address serious and systemic non-compliance, noting that phone and internet services are essential for consumers.

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