Each year, we target key areas of focus for improved industry compliance. We choose these areas because they are in the public interest or may have a negative impact on the community.
We also prioritise developing areas where we can encourage compliance and boost public confidence. As new technologies and markets emerge, we will test how well our regulatory framework and current laws are working.
In 2020–21, we’ll focus on:
1. Protecting telco customers
The TCP Code is an important part of regulation aimed at protecting consumers. It was revised in 2019, with new rules for telcos. These include responsible approaches to selling, credit assessment and consumer financial hardship.
We’ll be monitoring how telcos follow these rules, with a focus on how they sell to and interact with disadvantaged and vulnerable people.
2. A better move to the NBN
In 2018, we introduced new rules to improve the process for households and small businesses moving their phone and internet to services delivered over the NBN.
While the rollout is almost complete, many consumers and small businesses still need to move their services. We’ll conduct audits, take enforcement action and guide telco providers on the rules.
3. 5G and EME
Every mobile phone base station, including small cell and 5G base stations, must meet Australian standards designed to protect people against electromagnetic energy (EME) emissions.
We’ll be making sure mobile base station emissions meet Australian standards set by the radiation protection agency. We’ll also be monitoring how telcos follow the rules to ensure people receive accurate information about the rollout of 5G networks in their local areas.
4. Phone scams
Phone scams are increasing and can cause serious harm. They can have severe financial and social impacts on Australians, especially those in vulnerable circumstances.
We’ll look at new ways to fight phone scams, including making sure telcos follow new rules we’ve introduced to protect Australians from fraud and identity theft—a critical consequence of phone scams.
5. Financial services marketing
Illegal financial services marketing—by SMS, email and phone—can cause serious harm, particularly for vulnerable people. Complaints remain high for both spam and telemarketing. We’ll be targeting cold calling for financial services, including when this marketing is outsourced.
As well as undertaking compliance activities and investigations, we’ll be educating Australians about their rights, and businesses about their responsibilities.
6. Online casinos targeting Aussies
It’s illegal to provide or advertise online casino-style gambling services to people in Australia. These services pose a risk for problem gamblers and do not have the consumer protections we expect in Australia.
We’ll focus on the providers of online casinos that target Australians as well as associated marketers and other supporting services. We’ll move quickly to disrupt their services and protect Australians.
7. Interference from unlicensed mobile phone repeaters and in the construction and resources industries
In our role managing the radiofrequency spectrum, we try to minimise interference between users. This year, we’ll focus on two areas:
- unlicensed mobile phone repeaters, which are often bought online and cause interference and poor mobile network performance
- interference caused in the construction and resources industry that poses safety risks.