Telephone numbers are important in our everyday lives and in the telecommunications industry.
The NAC brings together the telco industry, consumer organisations and government. It gives advice to us on telephone numbering issues, including:
- rights of use and porting of numbers
- scam reduction activities
- evolving numbering matters.
Australia’s numbering is regulated under the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 2015, related instruments and industry codes.
Current membership
- Australian Communications and Media Authority (Chair)
- Australian Communications Consumer Action Network
- Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
- Commpete
- Communications Alliance
- Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
- Symbio
- Optus
- Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman
- Telstra
- TPG Telecom
- Verizon
- Vocus.
More information
If you would like more details or have a question, please email nacsecretariat@acma.gov.au.
Terms of reference
The NAC is established under section 58 of the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005 to assist the ACMA to regulate the public resource of telephone numbering in Australia.
Context
Telephone numbers play an important part in the social and economic life of Australians. They are increasingly integral to connectivity, identity verification and a range of transactions fundamental to our way of life.
They are also critical to the efficient and effective operations of the telecommunications industry, and a competitive telco market.
About the terms of reference
The ACMA regulates Australia’s numbering arrangements under the Telecommunications Act 1997, the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 2015 (Numbering Plan) and associated instruments, and monitors registered industry codes. The main regulatory objectives are to promote:
- the long-term interests of customers (‘end-users’) of telco services
- the efficiency and international competitiveness of the Australian telco industry
- the availability of accessible and affordable services that enhance the welfare of Australians.
The NAC provides informed and representative advice to the ACMA on issues related, but not limited, to:
- the making, variation and administration of the Numbering Plan, and any instruments or registered Industry Codes relevant to numbering
- the specification, allocation, rights of use, and porting of numbers, as well as scam reduction activities concerning numbering arrangements
- the impact on industry, consumers and others associated with numbering arrangements
- overseas issues, trends or changes in numbering
- other numbering issues as they arise.
Membership
The NAC is chaired by the ACMA, represented by a full-time ACMA Authority Member.
Membership of the NAC will generally represent a range of views from the telecommunications industry, consumer interest groups and government.
Members are appointed, and revoked, at the ACMA’s sole discretion by written notice.
Membership is non-remunerated and will generally be for 3-year terms.
Non-attendance at 2 or more meetings without notice may lead the ACMA to revoke membership.
The ACMA may also invite observers to attend NAC meetings, or otherwise provide advice to the NAC, where they have experience or an interest relevant to a particular issue.
Members and observers must declare any actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to matters within the scope of the NAC on an issue-by-issue basis, noting that the intent of the committee is for the interests of particular groups, including sectors of the industry, to be discussed and considered.
Frequency of meetings
The NAC will generally meet once or twice a year, or less or more frequently as issues determine, at the discretion of the ACMA.
Meetings will be held in person where possible, and otherwise by video or teleconference.