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Bringing telecommunications equipment into Australia FAQs

 

Alert: Changes to ACMA labelling arrangements from 1 March 2013.

New single compliance mark – RCM. Further information is available.

 

Mobile phones

What mobile phone technologies are suitable for use in Australia?

Australian mobile phone service carriers operate two digital technologies - GSM and 3G.

Mobile phones use a subscriber identity module (SIM) card to connect the handset to the network. If you import a mobile phone on a 'one-off' basis (that is, for personal use), you can purchase a SIM card from most mobile phone retail outlets in Australia that will enable you to connect to an Australian network. If your overseas-purchased mobile phone is covered by a contract with an overseas mobile carrier, you may need to have your mobile phone unlocked from the SIM card that was issued as part of the contract. Only the overseas carrier can carry out the unlocking process.

I have lived or travelled overseas - can I use the mobile phone I purchased overseas in Australia?

A mobile phone (for personal use) may be brought into Australia and connected to a mobile telecommunications network provided the phone meets Australian standards. If you are travelling and plan to purchase a mobile phone overseas, the ACMA recommends that prior to departing from Australia you contact your mobile carrier to find out what mobile phones are suitable for use in Australia. Some features on certain models of mobile phones purchased overseas may not work on the Australian mobile networks. There are no labelling requirements for a mobile phone imported for personal use by this method.

I have an overseas mobile phone and have bought a SIM card in Australia - why doesn't my mobile phone work?

It may be that your mobile phone is still under contract (SIM-locked) to your overseas mobile phone service carrier and is unable to be connected to another carrier's network. The ACMA recommends you contact your original overseas mobile carrier to arrange to have the mobile phone unlocked from its original SIM card.

I am a temporary visitor - can I use the mobile phone in Australia?

If you are a temporary visitor to Australia, you may be able to enter into an international roaming agreement with your mobile carrier, in the country where you purchased the mobile phone or entered into a service agreement, which will enable you to use your mobile phone in Australia. You should contact your mobile carrier before leaving the country where you purchased the mobile phone or have a service agreement to find out if there is a roaming agreement in force with an Australian carrier.

Mobile phone service providers in many countries have established international roaming agreements with carriers in Australia that allow their customers to continue to use their mobile phones in Australia.

I plan to travel overseas - can I use the mobile phone in another country?

If you are travelling overseas where a local mobile phone service carrier has an international roaming agreement with a carrier in Australia, then you should be able to use your mobile phone in that country. You should contact your carrier in Australia before departing to check whether your destination is covered by a roaming agreement and whether any other arrangements are required.

Can the Australian manufacturer assist me to connect my overseas-purchased mobile phone?

No. Australian manufacturers are generally unable to assist in connecting mobile phones to a carrier's mobile network in Australia. The ACMA recommends that you contact an Australian carrier or service provider to assist with the connection of a mobile phone to an Australian carrier's mobile network.

Can the ACMA assist me to connect my overseas-purchased mobile phone?

No. The ACMA is an Australian Government licensing and regulatory body and cannot assist with the connection of a mobile phone to an Australian carrier's mobile network.

Telephones, modems, answering or facsimile machines

I have lived or travelled overseas - can I use the telephone, modem, answering or facsimile machine that I purchased overseas in Australia?

If you have purchased a telecommunications product overseas (apart from a mobile phone), the product will not have the A-Tick mark on it and you should not connect it to a telecommunications network in Australia.A-TICK

Only telecommunications products that carry the A-Tick mark should be connected to a telecommunications network in Australia. It is illegal to connect equipment that does not carry the A-Tick label and penalties can be imposed. If you connect equipment that is not labelled with the A-Tick mark to an Australian telecommunications network, and this equipment causes damage to the network, the Australian carrier may also seek financial compensation from you.

In almost all cases, communications equipment purchased overseas is not suitable for use in Australia. The differences between Australian requirements and those of other countries are concerned with electrical safety for the user of the equipment and protection of the network within Australia. These requirements are different to those in most other countries.

I plan to buy a laptop (that has an internal modem) from overseas - can I use the internal modem in Australia?

Internal modems should only be connected to an Australian telecommunications network if the modem is labelled with the A-Tick mark.

Only telecommunications products that carry the A-Tick mark can be connected to a telecommunications network in Australia. If the modem does not carry the A-Tick mark, it is an offence to connect it to a telecommunications network in Australia. If you connect equipment that is not labelled with the A-Tick mark to an Australian telecommunications network, and this equipment causes damage to the network, the Australian carrier may also seek financial compensation from you.

In most cases, a laptop (that has an internal modem) purchased from overseas would not be suitable for use in Australia. The differences between Australian requirements and those of other countries are concerned with electrical safety for the user of the equipment and protection of the network within Australia. These requirements are different to those in most other countries.

If the modem is removable, you may be able to purchase a compliant modem in Australia and replace the overseas modem.

I purchased overseas a similar model of equipment that is sold in Australia but it does not have the A-Tick mark - can the ACMA confirm it is the same model sold in Australia?

No. The ACMA recommends that you contact the supplier in Australia to confirm the compliance of the equipment with Australian standards. If the equipment is compliant, the supplier may apply the A-Tick mark along with their supplier identification.

Only telecommunications products that carry the A-Tick mark should be connected to a telecommunications network in Australia. It is illegal to connect equipment that does not carry the A-Tick label and penalties can be imposed. If you connect equipment that is not labelled with the A-Tick mark to an Australian telecommunications network, and this equipment causes damage to the network, the Australian carrier may also seek financial compensation from you.

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Cordless phones

I have lived or travelled overseas - can I use the cordless phone I purchased overseas in Australia?

No. Cordless phones operating within Australia must meet the requirements of both the telecommunications and radiocommunications regulatory arrangements.

If you have purchased a cordless phone overseas, the equipment will not have the A-Tick mark and you should not connect it to a telecommunications network in Australia. It is highly unlikely that the cordless phone will be suitable for use on the Australian telecommunications network or make use of correct radiofrequencies. Operating a device on incorrect frequencies may interfere with other services.

Only telecommunications products that carry the A-Tick mark should be connected to a telecommunications network in Australia. If the cordless phone does not carry the A-Tick mark, it is an offence to connect it to a telecommunications network in Australia and penalties can be imposed. If you connect equipment that is not labelled with the A-Tick mark to an Australian telecommunications network, and this equipment causes damage to the network, the Australian carrier may also seek financial compensation from you.

Compliance in Australia

What is the A-Tick mark?

A-TICK image

The A-Tick is an Australian telecommunications compliance mark indicating that telecommunications equipment meets the minimum safety and network integrity standards set by the ACMA. Products that carry the A-Tick can legally be connected to the telecommunications network in Australia.

The A-Tick mark appears on telecommunications products including fixed, cordless and mobile telephones, answering and facsimile machines and computer modems. Only telecommunications products that carry the A-Tick mark should be connected to a telecommunications network in Australia.

What does the A-Tick label consist of?

This label consists of the A-Tick mark and supplier identification. For example:

A-Tick mark supplier identification

In the example, the supplier identification shown is the supplier code number issued by the ACMA.

Other options for supplier identification information include:

  • a business name and address in Australia;
  • a business name registered on the national business register;
  • a personal name and address in Australia of the place of business;
  • an Australian company number;
  • an Australian registered body number;
  • an Australian business number;
  • an Australian registered trademark; or
  • the supplier code number issued by the ACMA.

What happens if I connect non-compliant equipment to a telecommunications network in Australia?

Connecting non-compliant equipment to a telecommunications network in Australia is an offence and can result in fines under the Telecommunications Act 1997, or civil action for damages by the carrier if the equipment causes damage to their network.

Is it worthwhile having my overseas-purchased equipment tested for compliance to Australian standards to enable connection to an Australian telecommunications network?

Having a single item of equipment tested to confirm compliance to enable connection to a network in Australia is time consuming and expensive compared with the cost of an Australian-purchased replacement. For example, testing a telephone, modem, answering or facsimile machine against the applicable ACMA technical standards in Australia will cost you several thousand dollars. For this reason, it is not worthwhile for one-off imports to be tested for compliance. Apart from mobile phones (see Mobile Phones) one-off imports should not be connected to an Australian telecommunications network.

Is there an approval process in place under the current compliance arrangements?

There is no approval process in place under the current compliance arrangements. Further information about the ACMA compliance arrangements is available on the ACMA website.

What is the status of equipment that is labelled with an AUSTEL permit number or Telecom authorisation number?

Equipment labelled with an AUSTEL permit number or Telecom authorisation number can continue to be connected to a telecommunications network in Australia, as long as it has not been modified or altered since purchase.

Compliance in other countries

Can I use telecommunications equipment purchased in Australia in other countries?

To find out whether you are able to use Australian-purchased telecommunications equipment in other countries, you will need to contact the consulate, embassy or telecommunications carrier of the country you are planning to visit.

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Last update: 25 February 2013 15:27