Accessing the IPND

A listed number is one a person has agreed can be shown in phone number directories and related services.

An unlisted (or ‘silent’) number is one a person does not want to make available. Telephone providers must give their customers a choice of a listed or unlisted number.

Under the IPND Scheme, people who publish telephone number directories can apply to use information in the IPND. They can only get information about listed numbers.

Researchers can also apply to use information about listed numbers in the IPND. This must be research that isn’t commercial and relates to:

• public health
• Federal, state and local government electoral matters
• Commonwealth government public policy

Access may be ongoing or for a period of time.

T021 form—Public number directory publisher—Application for provisional authorisation

T028 form—Research entity application for authorisation and Privacy Impact Assessment

Under the regulations, researchers can apply to use unlisted mobile phone numbers and related postcodes from the IPND. This must be research that isn’t commercial and relates to:

• public health
• Federal, state and local government electoral matters
• Commonwealth government public policy

Access may be given to one person or a group of researchers for up to 12 months.

T031 form and guide to completing an application for access to unlisted mobile phone numbers for permitted research

The IPND Scheme and regulations require:

• applicants to make detailed written applications
• applicants to meet the rules and conditions (including any special requirements given by us)
• that we assess applications within 90 days (it may be longer if more information is needed)

To protect IPND data and the community's privacy, applicants must:

• do a Privacy Impact Assessment
• comply with the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles
• comply with unsolicited contact laws in the Spam Act 2003 and Do Not Call Register Act 2006

T023 form—Privacy Impact Assessment—public number directory publishers

• Telecommunications Integrated Public Number Database Scheme 2017, supported by instruments under Part 13 of the Telecommunications Act
• Telecommunications Regulations 2021.

Authorisations given under the scheme for doing research.

Research approvals (listed numbers)

* All research authorisations start when the IPND Manager first supplies IPDN data to the authorised researcher.

Research approvals (unlisted numbers)

Authorisations given under the regulations for doing research.

* All research authorisations start when the IPND Manager first supplies IPND data to the authorised researcher.

Authorisations given for keeping directories