Title: Australia - Telecommunications Act 1997 and Trade Practices

Language: English

Type: Document

Nature: Laws and Regulations

Published: January 1, 1997


Region: East Asia and Pacific (EAP)

Country: Australia

Sector: Telecom and ICT

Keywords: PPPs by Sector *, Information & Communication Technology PPPs **, Australia

Document Link(s):

Document(s):


Document Summary:

Telecommunications Act1997


Document Details:

TABLE OF PROVISIONS
*This content is not complete. For all the content please visit this page. 

  PART 1--INTRODUCTION

   1.      Short title [see Note 1]  

   2.      Commencement [see Note 1]  

   3.      Objects  

   4.      Regulatory policy  

   5.      Simplified outline  

   6.      Main index  

   7.      Definitions  

   8.      Crown to be bound  

   9.      Extra-territorial application  

   10.     Extension to external Territories  

   11.     Extension to offshore areas  

   11A.    Application of the Criminal Code  

   12.     Act subject to Radiocommunications Act  

   13.     Continuity of partnerships  

   14.     Controlled carriage services, controlled networks and controlled facilities  

   15.     Content service  

   16.     Listed carriage services  

   18.     Access to an emergency call service  

   19.     Recognised person who operates an emergency call service  

   20.     Customer cabling  

   21.     Customer equipment  

   22.     Customer cabling and customer equipment--boundary of a telecommunications network  

   23.     Immediate circle  

   24.     Extended meaning of use  

   PART 2--NETWORK UNITS

           Division 1--Simplified outline

   25.     Simplified outline  

           Division 2--Basic definition

   26.     Single line links connecting distinct places in Australia  
   27.     Multiple line links connecting distinct places in Australia  
   28.     Designated radiocommunications facility  
   29.     Facilities specified in Ministerial determination  

           Division 3--Related definitions

   30.     Line links  
   31.     Designated radiocommunications facility  
   32.     Public mobile telecommunications service  
   33.     Intercell hand-over functions  
   34.     When a base station is part of a terrestrial radiocommunications customer access network  
   35.     Fixed radiocommunications link  

           Division 4--Distinct places

   36.     Distinct places--basic rules  
   37.     Properties  
   38.     Combined areas  
   39.     Principal user of a property  
   40.     Eligible combined areas  

   PART 3--CARRIERS

           Division 1--Simplified outline

   41.     Simplified outline  

           Division 2--Prohibitions relating to carriers

   42.     Network unit not to be used without carrier licence or nominated carrier declaration  
   43.     Continuing offences  
   44.     Supply to the public  
   45.     Exemption--defence  
   46.     Exemption--intelligence operations  
   47.     Exemption--transport authorities  
   48.     Exemption--broadcasting services  
   49.     Exemption--electricity supply bodies  
   50.     Exemption--line links authorised by or under previous laws  
   51.     Exemption--Ministerial determination  

           Division 3--Carrier licences

   52.     Applications for carrier licence  
   53.     Form of application etc.  
   53A.    Copy of application to be given to Communications Access Co-ordinator  
   54.     Application to be accompanied by charge  
   55.     Further information  
   56.     Grant of licence  
   56A.    Consultation with Communications Access Co-ordinator  
   57.     Carrier licence has effect subject to this Act  
   58.     Refusal of carrier licence--disqualified applicant  
   58A.    Refusal of carrier licence--security  
   59.     Time limit on licence decision  
   60.     Notification of refusal of application  
   61.     Conditions of carrier licence specified in Schedule 1  
   61A.    Review before 1 July 2009 of conditions relating to operational separation of Telstra  
   62.     Condition of carrier licence set out in section 152AZ of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010  
   62A.    Condition of carrier licence set out in section 152BCO of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010  
   62B.    Condition of carrier licence set out in section 152BDF of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010  
   62C.    Condition of carrier licence set out in section 152BEC of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010  
   62D.    Condition of carrier licence set out in section 152CJC of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010  
   62E.    Condition of carrier licence set out in section 37 of the National Broadband Network Companies Act 2011  
   63.     Conditions of carrier licence declared by Minister  
   64.     Consultation about declared licence conditions  
   65.     Conditions about foreign ownership or control  
   67.     Carrier licence conditions--special provisions  
   68.     Compliance with conditions  
   69.     Remedial directions--breach of condition  
   69AA.   Remedial directions--breach of conditions relating to access  
   69A.    Remedial directions--breach by Telstra of conditions relating to operational separation  
   69B.    Review by the Australian Competition Tribunal of remedial directions given by the ACCC  
   70.     Formal warnings--breach of condition  
   71.     Surrender of carrier licence  
   72.     Cancellation of carrier licence  
   73.     Collection of charges relating to carrier licences  
   73A.    Refund of application charge  
   74.     Collection of charges on behalf of the Commonwealth  
   75.     Cancellation of certain exemptions from charge  
   76.     Commonwealth not liable to charge  

           Division 4--Nominated carrier declarations

   77.     Applications for nominated carrier declarations  
   78.     Application to be accompanied by charge etc.  
   79.     Form of application etc.  
   80.     Further information  
   81.     Making a nominated carrier declaration  
   81A.    Obligations of nominated carrier  
   82.     Notification of refusal of application  
   83.     Revocation of nominated carrier declaration  

           Division 5--Register of nominated carrier declarations and carrier licences

   84.     Register of nominated carrier declarations and carrier licences  

   PART 4--SERVICE PROVIDERS

           Division 1--Simplified outline

   85.     Simplified outline  

           Division 2--Service providers

   86.     Service providers  

           Division 3--Carriage service providers

   87.     Carriage service providers  
   88.     Supply to the public  
   89.     Exemption from definition--customers located on the same premises  
   90.     Exemption from definition--defence  
   91.     Exemption from definition--intelligence operations  
   92.     Exemption from definition--transport authorities  
   93.     Exemption from definition--broadcasting services  
   94.     Exemption from definition--electricity supply bodies  
   95.     Exemption from definition--Ministerial determination  
   96.     Exemption from certain regulatory provisions--Ministerial determination  

           Division 4--Content service providers

   97.     Content service providers  

           Division 5--Service provider rules

   98.     Service provider rules  
   99.     Service provider determinations  
   100.    Exemptions from service provider rules  
   101.    Service providers must comply with service provider rules  
   102.    Remedial directions--breach of service provider rules  
   103.    Formal warnings--breach of service provider rules  

   PART 5--MONITORING OF THE PERFORMANCE OF CARRIERS AND CARRIAGE SERVICE PROVIDERS

   104.    Simplified outline  
   105.    Monitoring of performance--annual report  
   105A.   Monitoring of performance--additional report  

   PART 6--INDUSTRY CODES AND INDUSTRY STANDARDS

           Division 1--Simplified outline

   106.    Simplified outline  

           Division 2--Interpretation

   107.    Industry codes  
   108.    Industry standards  
   108A.   Electronic messaging service provider  
   108B.   Telecommunications industry  
   109.    Telecommunications activity  
   109A.   E-marketing activity (Removed in latest amendment) 
   109B.   Telemarketing activity  
   109C.   Fax marketing activity  
   110.    Sections of the telecommunications industry  
   110A.   Sections of the e-marketing industry (Removed in latest amendment) 
   110B.   Sections of the telemarketing industry  
   110C.   Sections of the fax marketing industry  
   111.    Participants in a section of the telecommunications industry  
   111A.   Participants in a section of the e-marketing industry (Removed in latest amendment) 
   111AA.  Participants in a section of the telemarketing industry  
   111AB.  Participants in a section of the fax marketing industry  
   111B.   Unsolicited commercial electronic messages  

           Division 3--General principles relating to industry codes and industry standards

   112.    Statement of regulatory policy  
   113.    Examples of matters that may be dealt with by industry codes and industry standards  
   114.    Industry codes and industry standards may confer powers on the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman  
   115.    Industry codes and industry standards not to deal with certain design features and performance requirements  
   116.    Industry codes and industry standards not to deal with matters dealt with by codes and standards under Part 9 of the Broadcasting Services Act  
   116A.   Industry codes and standards do not affect Privacy Act 1988  

           Division 4--Industry codes

   117.    Registration of industry codes  
   118.    ACMA may request codes  
   119.    Publication of notice where no body or association represents a section of the telecommunications industry, the e-marketing industry, the telemarketing industry or the fax marketing industry  
   120.    Replacement of industry codes  
   121.    Directions about compliance with industry codes  
   122.    Formal warnings--breach of industry codes  
   122A.   De-registering industry codes and provisions of industry codes  

           Division 5--Industry standards

   123.    ACMA may determine an industry standard if a request for an industry code is not complied with  
   124.    ACMA may determine industry standard where no industry body or association formed  
   125.    ACMA may determine industry standards where industry codes fail  
   125AAACMA must determine an industry standard if directed by the Minister  
   125A.   ACMA must determine certain industry standards relating to the telemarketing industry  
   125B.   ACMA must determine certain industry standards relating to the fax marketing industry  
   126.    Industry standards not to be determined for certain privacy matters  
   127.    Industry standards not to be determined during the first 180 days after commencement (Removed in latest amendment) 
   128.    Compliance with industry standards  
   129.    Formal warnings--breach of industry standards  
   130.    Variation of industry standards  
   131.    Revocation of industry standards  
   132.    Public consultation on industry standards  
   133.    Consultation with ACCC and the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman  
   134.    Consultation with Information Commissioner  
   135.    Consultation with consumer body  
   135A.   Consultation with the States and Territories  

           Division 6--Register of industry codes and industry standards

   136.    ACMA to maintain Register of industry codes and industry standards  

           Division 6A--Reimbursement of costs of development of consumer-related industry codes

   136A.   Application for eligibility for reimbursement of costs of development of consumer-related industry code  
   136B.   Declaration of eligibility for reimbursement of costs of development of consumer-related industry code  
   136C.   Reimbursement of costs of developing consumer-related industry code  
   136D.   Costs--transactions between persons not at arm's length  
   136E.   Refundable cost  

           Division 7--Miscellaneous

   137.    Protection from civil proceedings  
   138.    Implied freedom of political communication  
   139.    Agreements for the carrying on of telemarketing activities or fax marketing activities must require compliance with this Part  

   PART 13--PROTECTION OF COMMUNICATIONS

           Division 1--Introduction

   270.    Simplified outline  
   271.    Eligible person  
   272.    Number-database operator and eligible number-database person  
   273.    Information  
   274.    Telecommunications contractor  
   275.    Number-database contractor  
   275A.   Location information  
   275B.   Emergency management person  
   275C.   Emergency  
   275D.   Emergency law  
   275E.   Relevant information  

           Division 2--Primary disclosure

   276.    Primary disclosure/use offence--eligible persons  
   277.    Primary disclosure/use offence--eligible number-database persons  
   278.    Primary disclosure/use offence--emergency call persons  

           Division 3--Exceptions to primary disclosure
           Subdivision A--Exceptions

   279.    Performance of person's duties  
   280.    Authorisation by or under law  
   281.    Witnesses  
   284.    Assisting the ACMA, the ACCC or the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman  
   285.    Integrated public number database  
   285A.   Data for emergency warnings  
   286.    Calls to emergency service number  
   287.    Threat to person's life or health  
   288.    Communications for maritime purposes  
   289.    Knowledge or consent of person concerned  
   290.    Implicit consent of sender and recipient of communication  
   291.    Business needs of other carriers or service providers  
   291A.   Location dependent carriage services  
   292.    Circumstances prescribed in the regulations  
   293.    Uses connected with exempt disclosures  
   294.    Effect of this Subdivision  
           Subdivision B--Burden of proof
   295.    Burden of proof  

           Division 3A--Integrated public number database authorisations
           Subdivision A--ACMA scheme for the granting of authorisations

   295A.   ACMA to make integrated public number database scheme  
   295B.   Scheme must deal with certain matters  
   295C.   Applications may be treated differently  
   295D.   Scope of authorisations  
   295E.   Provisional and final authorisations  
   295F.   Conditions  
   295G.   Varying or revoking authorisations  
   295H.   Scheme may confer administrative powers on the ACMA  
   295J.   Ancillary or incidental provisions  
   295K.   Scheme-making power not limited  
   295L.   Variation of scheme  
   295M.   Consultation  
           Subdivision B--Ministerial instruments
   295N.   Criteria for deciding authorisation applications  
   295P.   Conditions  
   295Q.   Other reviewable decisions  
           Subdivision C--Enforcing compliance with conditions of authorisations
   295R.   Offence of breaching a condition  
   295S.   Remedial directions for breaching a condition  
   295T.   Formal warnings for breaching a condition  
           Subdivision D--Report to Minister
   295U.   Report to Minister  

           Division 3B--Emergency warnings

   295V.   Use or disclosure of information by emergency management persons  
   295W.   Use or disclosure of information by other persons  
   295X.   Effect on telecommunications network  
   295Y.   Coronial and other inquiries  
   295Z.   Offence--use or disclosure of information by emergency management persons  
   295ZA.  Offence--use or disclosure of information by other persons  
   295ZB.  Reports of access  
   295ZC.  Annual reports to the ACMA and Information Commissioner  
   295ZD.  Arrangements with States and Territories  
   295ZE.  Commonwealth immunity  

           Division 4--Secondary disclosure

   296.    Performance of person's duties  
   297.    Authorisation by or under law  
   299.    Assisting the ACMA, the ACCC or the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman  
   299A.   Integrated public number database  
   300.    Threat to person's life or health  
   301.    Communications for maritime purposes  
   302.    Business needs of other carriers or service providers  
   302A.   Location dependent carriage services  
   303.    Secondary offence--contravening this Division  
   303A.   Generality of Division not limited  

           Division 4A--Relationship with the Privacy Act 1988

   303B.   Acts taken to be authorised by law for purposes of Privacy Act  
   303C.   Prosecution of an offence against this Part does not affect proceedings under the Privacy Act 1988  

           Division 5--Record-keeping requirements

   304.    Associate  
   305.    Authorisations under the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979  
   306.    Record of disclosures--general  
   306A.   Record of disclosures--prospective authorisation under the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979  
   307.    Incorrect records  
   308.    Annual reports to the ACMA by carriers, carriage service providers or number-database operators  
   309.    Monitoring by the Information Commissioner  

           Division 6--Instrument-making powers not limited

   310.    Instrument-making powers not limited  

   PART 14--NATIONAL INTEREST MATTERS

   311.    Simplified outline  
   312.    ACMA's obligations  
   313.    Obligations of carriers and carriage service providers  
   314.    Terms and conditions on which help is to be given  
   315.    Suspension of supply of carriage service in an emergency  
   316.    Generality of Part not limited  

   PART 16--DEFENCE REQUIREMENTS AND DISASTER PLANS

           Division 1--Introduction

   333.    Simplified outline  
   334.    Defence authority  

           Division 2--Supply of carriage services

   335.    Requirement to supply carriage services for defence purposes or for the management of natural disasters  

           Division 3--Defence planning

   336.    Definitions  
   337.    Preparation of draft agreement  
   338.    ACMA's certification of draft agreement  
   339.    Requirement to enter into certified agreement  
   340.    Compliance with agreement  
   341.    Withdrawal of certification of agreement  
   342.    Duration of agreement  
   343.    Variation of agreement  

           Division 4--Disaster plans

   344.    Designated disaster plans  
   345.    Carrier licence conditions about designated disaster plans  
   346.    Service provider determinations about designated disaster plans  
   346A.   Carrier and carriage service provider immunity  

           Division 5--Delegation

   347.    Delegation  

   PART 17--PRE-SELECTION IN FAVOUR OF CARRIAGE SERVICE PROVIDERS

   348.    Simplified outline  
   349.    Requirement to provide pre-selection  
   350.    When pre-selection is provided in favour of a carriage service provider  
   350A.   Declared carriage services  
   351.    Pre-selection to be provided  
   352.    Exemptions from requirement to provide pre-selection  
   353.    Use of over-ride dial codes  

   PART 18--CALLING LINE IDENTIFICATION

   354.    Simplified outline  
   355.    Calling line identification  
   356.    Exemptions from calling line identification requirement  

   PART 19--ADVANCED MOBILE PHONE SYSTEM (AMPS)

   357.    Simplified outline  
   358.    Meaning of AMPS  
   359.    Scope of Part  
   360.    No new AMPS  
   361.    AMPS to be phased out  
   362.    Limited exemption from phase-out of AMPS  
   363.    Competition not to be reduced  

   PART 20--INTERNATIONAL ASPECTS OF ACTIVITIES OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY

For more information about this sector, please visit Public–Private Partnerships in Telecommunications & ICT.

Ref: Tele1997_WD02

Image by Pixabay


Updated: