Apply to install a submarine cable

As a carrier, you need a permit from us to install:

• an international submarine cable inside or outside a protection zone
• a domestic submarine cable in a protection zone.

You do not need a permit from us to install a domestic cable outside a protection zone.

Protection Zone Installation Permit

You will need to apply to the ACMA for a protection zone installation permit to install:

• one or more submarine cables in a protection zone
• each international submarine cable in both a protection zone and Australian waters that are not in a protection zone and that are not coastal waters of a state or the Northern Territory.

Non-Protection Zone Installation Permit

You will need to apply to the ACMA for a non-protection zone installation permit to install one or more international submarine cables in Australian waters that are not in a protection zone and are not coastal waters of a state or the Northern Territory.

Check state and territory laws

Each state and territory has laws you must follow to install cables in its coastal waters. Check what it requires you to do before you install.

Only a licensed telecommunications carrier may apply for a permit to install a submarine cable.

Follow these steps to apply for a permit to install a submarine cable.

Step 1

Contact the ACMA to discuss a new cable proposal early in the planning phase of the project. You can contact the ACMA by telephone on (03) 9963 6800 or by email at subcablesenquiries@acma.gov.au.

Before you apply, read our Guide to Applying for a Submarine Cable Installation Permit.

Step 2

Before submitting your application, contact subcablesenquiries@acma.gov.au to obtain an invoice.

For an invoice to be raised, you will need to provide the following information:

• ABN/ACN of the applicant
• postal address
• registered business address (if different from the postal address)
• details of the contact person for the application (full name, position, telephone and email).

The Telecommunications (Charges) Determination 2022 sets the charges as follows:

For a non-protection zone installation permit, the consultancy deposit must be paid with the application fee before lodging an application.

An application should be accompanied by the application charge and the consultancy deposit (if applicable).

Step 3

An application for a permit to install a submarine cable must:

• be in writing, using the approved form Application for a permit to install a submarine cable in Australian waters
• include the proposed route or routes in Australian waters of the submarine cable or cables in the application
• include information about the ownership and control of the submarine cable or cables in the application
• include any relevant supporting information or documentation.

Please submit your complete application to the ACMA by email at subcablesenquiries@acma.gov.au.

Consultation

We must consult with the Secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department and the Home Affairs Secretary and give them a copy of your application before making a decision on a permit application.

We may also consult with other relevant persons or organisations about the permit application.

Notification of change of circumstances

While the application is being processed, you need to notify the ACMA as soon as you become aware of a change of circumstances in relation to information set out in the application.

We will decide if the change is material and will notify you accordingly.

Timeframes

We are required to grant or refuse a permit application within the following timeframes:

• Protection zone installation permit – 25 business days after the day the permit application is received. We may extend this period up to, but not exceeding, 35 business days
• Non-protection zone installation permit – 60 business days after the day the permit application is received. We may extend this period up to, but not exceeding 90 business days.

The timeframe can be put on hold in certain circumstances, including when:

• we request further information from the applicant
• the Secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department or the Home Affairs Secretary give us a written notice stating that while the notice remains in force, the ACMA must not grant the permit.

Duration of a permit

Once we issue a permit, it is valid for 18 months.

Before the permit expires, you can apply to us to extend it for 180 days.

You must apply before your permit expires. We cannot accept a request to extend your permit once it expires.

Write to us and tell us the reason why you need to extend your permit. Include a project plan with key dates and milestones. You should include information about:

• when you will complete a marine route survey
• other permits and when you will get them
• suppliers and their contract dates
• cable manufacture and assembly
• cable landing facilities
• the date you will start to lay cable
• the date you propose to be ready for service

Email us this information at: subcablesenquiries@acma.gov.au.

There is no limit on how many times you can ask us to extend your permit. There is a non-refundable fee of $1,394 for each request you make.

We will write to you and tell you our decision. If we do not extend your permit, we will explain the reasons.