Before making an outbound marketing call to an Australian mobile or fixed line, check the DNCR. Numbers listed cannot be called except by exempt organisations or with explicit consent.
The DNCR covers all Australian fixed-line and mobile numbers. Numbers remain registered for life (unless the consumer deregisters). Exemptions from DNCR restrictions include: government bodies, registered charities, educational institutions, and market research firms conducting genuine research. Political parties and licensed real estate agents conducting property appraisals also have partial exemptions. Commercial telemarketers and lead generators have no blanket exemptions.
ACMA's Telemarketing and Research Calls Industry Standard mandates the following permitted hours: Monday–Friday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM (recipient's local time). Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Sunday & Public Holidays: No telemarketing calls permitted. These windows are stricter than US federal rules and strictly enforced. ACMA actively monitors compliance and publishes enforcement actions.
Under the Spam Act 2003, commercial electronic messages (including SMS) must: (1) be sent with the recipient's consent (express or inferred); (2) clearly identify the sender; and (3) include a functioning unsubscribe mechanism that is honoured within 5 business days. Inferred consent applies where there is an existing business relationship and the message is relevant to that relationship. Mass purchased-list SMS campaigns without explicit consent are illegal under the Spam Act.
Calling a DNCR-registered number
ACMA civil penalty regime — per campaign, not per call
Up to $1.98M per breach (corporates)
Calling outside permitted hours
ACMA enforcement notices and infringement notices
Up to $198,000 per breach
Spam Act SMS violation (no consent / no unsubscribe)
ACMA administers Spam Act enforcement
Up to $2.97M for serious/repeated breaches