From 1 July 2026, all organisations that send SMS or MMS messages using an alphanumeric Sender ID must have their Sender IDs registered in the SMS Sender ID Register. This Register has been established under Part 24B of the Telecommunications Act 1997 to prevent spoofing and protect Australians from SMS impersonation.
If you send SMS or MMS messages using a Sender ID (for example “FUJIFILM DMS”), please review the information below to understand what is required.
What happens from 1 July 2026
- If you send an SMS or MMS using a Sender ID that is not registered, your message will be displayed to recipients as “Unverified”.
- To avoid this, your organisation must register each Sender ID it uses and must ensure that it uses one or more participating telecommunications providers to send the sender identification messages.
Who can register a Sender ID
The following types of entities are eligible to register a Sender ID:
- Individuals
- Body corporates (companies)
- Corporations sole
- Bodies politic
- Government entities (as defined in the A New Tax System [Australian Business Number] Act 1999)
- Partnerships
- Unincorporated associations or body of persons
- Trusts
- Superannuation funds (as defines in the Supperannuation Industry [Supervision] Act 1993)
For an entity to be able to have its Sender ID registered in the Register, an entity must show that it has a valid and legitimate use case for the Sender ID it wants to register.
How to apply
Entities can apply through a participating telecommunications provider that is an originating telecommunications provider to submit applications to the Register. ACMA will publish a list of all participating telecommunications providers that are originating telecommunications providers on its website.
If your organisation has an ABN
You can submit a registration request through:
- Any participating telecommunications provider that is an originating provider, or
- A partner of a participating telecommunications provider.
To have a request approved:
- Authorised person: The person submitting the request must be listed as an authorised contact for the organisation on the Australian Business Register, or otherwise authorised by that entity.
- ID verification: The person must complete an identity check.
- Terms of use: The person must agree to the Register’s terms of use.
Once your provider submits the application:
- ACMA will send instructions to the authorised person explaining how to access the Register.
- After ACMA approves the organisation, the organisation will be able to confirm the Sender ID registration.
There may be costs for registering a Sender ID, including possible annual charges.
After registration of the Sender ID, the organisation may authorise other participating telecommunications providers to send messages using the registered Sender ID.
Organisations with an ABN may also register through a certified telecommunications provider that is an originating telecommunications provider.
If your organisation does NOT have an ABN
Entities without an ABN can only apply through:
- A certified telecommunications provider that is an originating provider, or
- A partner of a certified telecommunications provider.
These providers will conduct authorisation and identity checks similar to those required for ABN-holding organisations.
However, entities without an ABN cannot gain direct access to the Register, even after registration.
