The Albanese Government has taken the next formal step to commence the SMS Sender ID Register to make it easier for Australian consumers to identify potential scams.
Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, has directed the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to implement an industry standard which telcos must follow regarding messages sent using sender IDs.
The new standard will place rules on telcos requiring them to check whether messages being sent using a sender ID correspond with the legitimate registered sender.
All messages with unregistered sender IDs will be disrupted, with telcos to be required to either block or flag as scams SMS and MMS messages that do not comply with Register rules.
With SMS a lucrative option for criminals to take advantage of unsuspecting consumers, the Register will help by identifying messages which cannot be verified as from a trusted source, and stop scammers using names of well-known brands to defraud consumers.
Consultation will be undertaken with industry representatives, regulators and consumer advocacy groups on this direction.
The ACMA anticipates the Register will be open for registration of Sender IDs from late 2025.
The Albanese Government is committed to protecting consumers by ensuring it fosters an environment which frustrates and disrupts criminal operations like SMS scams, and incentivises telcos to comply with the rules and provide protection to consumers.
This direction follows the Government's commitment to introduce reforms to ensure the ACMA has the necessary powers to swiftly and proportionately hold telcos to account for breaches of industry codes and standards bringing penalties in line with other sectors like banking and energy.
The new standard underpinning the SMS Sender ID Register rules will form part of those industry standards enforceable by the ACMA.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
"This direction is an important step in protecting consumers from SMS scams, which costs every day Australians millions each year.
"We're ensuring the ACMA has the tools it needs to protect consumers and hold industry to account if telcos don't do their part.
"We want Australia to be the toughest landscape in the world for scammers to make a living - so we're implementing measures to frustrate their attempts to defraud Australians at every step of the way."
Quotes attributable to the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services, the Hon Stephen Jones MP:
"Australians are sick of being bombarded by scam texts and our government is working to stamp them out.
"Cutting off the avenues scammers use to reach their victims is a key strategy in our fight against scammers.
"The register will keep us one step ahead of scammers and is part of our comprehensive plan to make Australia the toughest target for scammers."
