What a scientific licence is for
A scientific licence lets you perform these activities for radiocommunications:
- research
- teach
- demonstrate
- trial, for example a new technology or product
- repair and maintenance.
Common users of this licence include:
- teaching institutions
- research bodies
- radio manufacturers
- people or businesses that design or repair radios
- people or businesses that sell radios.
You cannot get a scientific licence to use a non-standard transmitter, unless you have a permit.
The Radiocommunications (Interpretation) Determination 2015 defines scientific licences.
Please note that we intend to repeal provisions for scientific non-assigned stations when the instrument is reviewed in the sunsetting process. The instrument is due to sunset on 1 April 2025.
Trial a new technology
We support trials of new technology, including for broadcasting.
If we give you a scientific apparatus licence for a trial, you cannot:
- use it for any other purpose or length of time other than the trial
- expect the technology to be automatically introduced in Australia
- assume the trial will continue in the future.
People who participate in the trial must know it's temporary.
We may decide that it's in the public's best interest to know the results of your trial. Your licence will say if you need to show us your results.
Options for scientific licences
There are 2 options for scientific licences:
- apparatus licence
- class licence
You should only apply for an apparatus licence if you need an assigned frequency.
From 31 August 2023, you can operate a station for general scientific activities under the Radiocommunications (Science and Research) Class Licence 2023.
This means you can no longer apply for a non-assigned licence. If you still hold a non-assigned scientific licence and wish to surrender it, you may be eligible for a refund.
A licensee that surrenders their non-assigned licence can still operate under the Radiocommunications (Science and Research) Class Licence 2023. This is because the class licence allows people to perform the same activities as previously under non-assigned scientific licences.
You can find out further details on our website.
Licence conditions
When you have a scientific apparatus licence, you must follow the conditions of your licence.
These include:
- conditions of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 (the Act)
- Licence Conditions (Apparatus Licence) Determination 2015
- Licence Conditions (Scientific Licence) Determination 2023
- other conditions on individual licences.
These conditions help you communicate safely and without interference.
You can find information about scientific apparatus licences and the process for applying below.
Call signs
Call signs are a unique series of letters and numbers. They make it easy to identify a station.
You may not need to use a call sign for a scientific licence if:
- you do not communicate by voice
- the way you transmit makes it technically unrealistic to use a call sign.
It will say on your licence if you need to use a call sign.
If you do, you should use your call sign:
- every time you start to transmit
- before you transmit in a series
- when you test.
Call sign template for scientific licences
| AXmaaa | Scientific call sign template (example of a typical call sign: AX2VAB) |
| AX | first 2 alpha characters of the allocated call sign series for scientific stations |
| m | |
| aaa | first alpha character represents the State or Territory where the station operates, for example V is Victoria and S is South Australia. The second and third characters are any alpha |
Fees
We charge fees for apparatus licences.
In some circumstances, you can apply for a licence fee exemption or concession.
Device rules and standards
As well as needing a licence to operate devices and equipment, you will also need to comply with our technical standards.
These include:
- some general standards – see Schedule 5 to the General Equipment Rules
- the Radiocommunications (Electromagnetic Compatibility) Standard 2017
- the Electromagnetic Energy (EME) Standard – see Schedule 4 to the General Equipment Rules.
Read more about our technical standards including our general radiocommunications standards, the EMC standard and the EME standard.
If your device or equipment does not meet the rules in our technical standards, you will need a permit to supply, use or have it. This is separate from a licence. Find out about permits and fees under the General Equipment Rules.
Apply for a scientific apparatus licence
To apply for a scientific apparatus licence, you should contact an accredited person.
They can:
- assign you a frequency
- give you a frequency assignment certificate
- apply for your licence for you.
Transfer a scientific apparatus licence
You can apply to transfer your scientific apparatus licence to someone else.
Let someone else use your licence
There are rules you must follow to let someone else use a device under your scientific apparatus licence.