Broadcasting transmitter (apparatus) licences

A broadcasting licence lets you:

• operate transmitters to broadcast TV or radio programs
• test stations that plan to broadcast TV or radio programs

Broadcasting licences do not cover services that:

1. only provide data or text (including teletext), with or without images
2. make a program available on demand on a point to point basis (includes dial up services)
3. the Minister determines is not a broadcasting service under the BSA. 

There are 6 options for broadcasting apparatus licences:

• Broadcast service. Authorises transmissions by a holder of a national, commercial or community broadcasting licence under the Broadcasting Services Act.
• HF domestic service. Authorises broadcasting transmissions in the frequency range 2.3 MHz to 26.1 MHz. Provides a service within Australia or its territories.
• HF overseas IBL service. Authorises broadcasting transmissions in the frequency range 5.9 MHz to 26.1 MHz. Provides an international broadcasting service within the meaning of section 18A of the Broadcasting Services Act.
• HF overseas service. Authorises broadcasting transmissions in the frequency range 5.9 MHz to 26.1 MHz. Provides a broadcasting service targeted to audiences outside Australia and its territories.
• Narrowband area service. Authorises one-way radio transmission to at least 4 narrowband area receivers. Uses an occupied bandwidth of 4 MHz or less and is not operated in the broadcasting services band.
• Open narrowcasting service:
  • Low-power open narrowcasting service (LPON). Authorises transmissions under the broadcasting open narrowcasting class licence, at a power of less than 1 watt in a residential area, or less than 10 watts in a non-residential area. Find out more about LPON transmitter licences.
  • High-power open narrowcasting service (HPON). Authorises transmissions under the broadcasting open narrowcasting class licence, at a power of over 1 watt in a residential area, or over 10 watts in a non-residential area.

If you have a broadcasting licence, you can operate in the broadcasting services bands.

Sometimes you can operate outside of these bands. We make these decisions on an individual basis.

Broadcasting services bands 

When you have a broadcasting licence, you must follow the conditions of your licence.

These include:

• conditions of the Radiocommunications Act 1992
• conditions of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992
• Licence Condition (Apparatus Licence) Determination 2015
• Licence Conditions (Broadcasting Licence) Determination 2015
• Licence Conditions (Temporary Community Broadcasting Licence) Determination 2015
• other conditions that apply to you under ‘special conditions’

These conditions help you communicate safely and without interference.

We will include information you should be aware of under the heading 'advisory notes'.

Call signs are a unique series of letters and numbers. They make it easy to identify a station.

We will give you a call sign or explain how to create one when we give you a licence.

You should use your call sign:

• every time you start to transmit
• before you transmit in a series
• when you test

Licence fees depend on where and how you will broadcast.

See what licence fee applies to you in the apparatus licence fee schedule.

Find out if you can get a licence fee exemption or concession.

To apply for a broadcasting licence, you can complete an application for apparatus licence in the broadcasting services bands. 

When you have completed the form, email it to us.

For certain types of broadcasting licences options (narrowband area service, open narrowcasting service (LPON) and the 3 HF options) 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 broadcasting licence

You can apply to:

• transfer your broadcasting licence into someone else
• let someone else use a device under your licence

Broadcast Australia has information about national broadcasting services.

You should contact the ABC or SBS if you have questions about national radio or TV programs.

You might also be interested in:

• broadcast beyond your radio licence area
• technical planning guidelines for broadcasters
• TV program standards
• advertisement codes of conduct

Or you can contact us.