{"id":"F2023L00286","name":"Radiocommunications (Australian Radio Quiet Zone Western Australia) Frequency Band Plan 2023","slug":"radiocommunications-australian-radio-quiet-zone-western-australia-frequency-band-plan-2023","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":103938,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2023L00286-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Name","content":"# 1 Name\n\n This is the Radiocommunications (Australian Radio Quiet Zone Western Australia) Frequency Band Plan 2023.","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Commencement","content":"# 2 Commencement\n\n This instrument commences on 1 April 2023.\n\n> Note: This instrument was registered before it commenced. The Federal Register of Legislation may be accessed, free of charge, at [www.legislation.gov.au](http://www.legislation.gov.au).","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"part","heading":"Authority","content":"# 3 Authority\n\n This instrument is made under subsection 32(1) of the Act.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Purpose of the frequency band plan","content":"# 4 Purpose of the frequency band plan\n\n (1) The purpose of this frequency band plan is to establish a radio quiet zone to prevent harmful interference to radio astronomy services.\n (2) In particular, this frequency band plan makes provision for the purposes for which applicable frequency bands may be used in the RQZ.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"part","heading":"Interpretation","content":"# 5 Interpretation\n\n (1) In this instrument, unless the contrary intention appears:\n\n> applicable frequency band has the meaning given by section 6.\n\n> CSIRO means the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.\n\n> GDA94 means the geodetic datum designated as the “Geocentric Datum of Australia (GDA)”, gazetted in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. GN 35, on 6 September 1995, as existing on that date.\n\n> Note 1: The Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. GN 35 is available, free of charge, from the Federal Register of Legislation at [www.legislation.gov.au](http://www.legislation.gov.au).\n\n> Note 2: More information on GDA94 can be obtained, free of charge, from Geoscience Australia at [www.ga.gov.au](http://www.ga.gov.au) and from the Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping at [www.icsm.gov.au](http://www.icsm.gov.au).\n\n> radio astronomy service has the same meaning as in the spectrum plan.\n\n> RQZ means that part of the radio quiet zone:\n\n (a) described in columns 2 to 4 of item 1 in Schedule 1; and\n (b) described in columns 2 to 4 of item 2 in Schedule 1.\n\n> Note 1: A number of other expressions used in this instrument are defined in the Act, including the following:\n\n ACMA;\n apparatus licence;\n class licence;\n frequency band;\n frequency band plan;\n interference;\n operate;\n spectrum plan.\n\n> Note 2: A number of other expressions used in this instrument may be defined in a determination made under section 64 of the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005. At the time this instrument was made, the following expressions were defined in such a determination:\n\n Act;\n harmful interference.\n\n (2) In this instrument, unless otherwise specified, a reference to a frequency band includes all frequencies that are greater than but not including the lower frequency, up to and including the higher frequency.\n\n> Note: This subsection means the lower number in the reference to a frequency band is not included in the frequency band.\n\n (3) In this instrument, geographic coordinates describing a point do so with reference to GDA94.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"part","heading":"Meaning of applicable frequency band","content":"# 6 Meaning of applicable frequency band\n\n A frequency band is an applicable frequency band for an area if it is applicable to the area under section 7.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"part","heading":"Applicable frequency band","content":"# 7 Applicable frequency band\n\n (1) The frequency band applicable to the part of the RQZ described in columns 2 to 4 of item 1 in Schedule 1 is the range set out in column 5 of the item.\n (2) The frequency band applicable to the part of the RQZ described in columns 2 to 4 of item 2 in Schedule 1 is the range set out in column 5 of the item.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"part","heading":"Permitted purposes","content":"# 8 Permitted purposes\n\n (1) An applicable frequency band:\n (a) may be used for 1 or more of the following:\n (i) radio astronomy services; or\n (ii) any additional services mentioned in section 9; and\n (b) may be reserved for prevention or control of interference with radio astronomy services.\n (2) For an apparatus licence or a class licence issued under the Act, a service mentioned in subparagraph (1)(a)(ii) that is authorised to operate in the part of the RQZ described in columns 2 to 4 of item 1 in Schedule 1 in an applicable frequency band is taken to be a secondary service in relation to a service mentioned in subparagraph (1)(a)(i).","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"part","heading":"Additional services","content":"# 9 Additional services\n\n (1) An applicable frequency band may also be used for services provided under an apparatus licence whether issued before or after the commencement of this frequency band plan.\n (2) The use under subsection (1) must not be inconsistent with the spectrum plan or another frequency band plan.\n\n> Note: The spectrum plan and frequency band plans are available, free of charge, from the Federal Register of Legislation at [www.legislation.gov.au](http://www.legislation.gov.au).\n\n (3) If an apparatus licence is issued after the commencement of this frequency band plan, subsection (1) only applies for services under the licence if the applicant for the licence consults with CSIRO about those services before applying for the licence.\n (4) However, the ACMA may, in writing, decide that an applicant need not consult with CSIRO.\n\n> Note: See subsection 32(5A) of the Act.\n\n (5) An applicable frequency band may also be used for services provided under, and in accordance with the conditions of, a class licence whether issued before or after the commencement of this frequency band plan.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 1 Description of radio quiet zo","sectionType":"part","heading":"Schedule 1 Description of radio quiet zone","content":"# Schedule 1 Description of radio quiet zone\n\n (sections 5, 7 and 8)\n\n```html\n

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Column 5

Item

Name or description

Central location or coordinates

Radius

Frequency range

1

RQZ (inner)

latitude 26.704167 South, longitude 116.658889 East (GDA94)

70 km

70 MHz — 25.25 GHz

2

RQZ (outer)

latitude 26.704167 South, longitude 116.658889 East (GDA94)

70 - 150 km

70 MHz — 25.25 GHz

\n```","sortOrder":9}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose: establishing a radio quiet zone for the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory. The scope has not expanded beyond protecting radio astronomy services in the defined geographic area."},"complexity_factors":["Short instrument: only 9 substantive sections plus a schedule","Minimal defined terms: 5 explicit definitions in section 5, with others imported by reference from the parent Act and spectrum plan","Simple conditional logic: only one substantive exception (section 9(4) allowing ACMA to waive CSIRO consultation)","Single cross-reference structure: relies heavily on Schedule 1 table for operational content","No nested exceptions or recursive definitions","Geographic scope clearly delineated by coordinates and radii in tabular format"],"plain_english_summary":"This law creates a radio‑quiet zone around the Murchison Radio‑astronomy Observatory (Boolardy, WA) with an inner 70 km and outer 70–150 km band, covering 70 MHz–25.25 GHz and restricting radio equipment to prevent harmful interference with observations.\n\nIt requires CSIRO consultation on new licences (ACMA may waive), treats existing licences as secondary, and protects world‑class telescopes — including SKA science — from stray signals that can ruin sensitive measurements."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument expressly states its purpose (s 4) and defines the RQZ, applicable bands and permitted uses (ss 6–9; Schedule 1). It does not indicate any amendment or narrowing of previously stated objectives or an earlier band plan within the text, so there is no internal evidence that the instrument changes scope from its own stated purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-references to primary legislation and other instruments (Act, spectrum plan) create dependency on external texts for full effect (ss 3, 5; notes).","Technical geographic specification using GDA94 and precise coordinates requires geodetic conversion and mapping to determine regulated area (s 5(3); Schedule 1).","Two concentric zones with different radii but the same frequency range create spatially graduated regulatory impact that must be operationalised (Schedule 1).","Frequency-band inclusion rule excludes the lower bound (s 5(2)) — a drafting nuance affecting whether a boundary frequency is regulated.","Priority and status rules: radio astronomy is primary; some other services are explicitly secondary in the inner zone, affecting interference rights and licence priority (s 8(1)–(2)).","Procedural compliance: applicants for new apparatus licences must consult CSIRO before applying (s 9(3)), imposing pre‑application steps and potential costs; ACMA may waive this (s 9(4)), adding administrative discretion.","Applies to both apparatus and class licences, and requires consistency with the spectrum plan and other frequency band plans (s 8(1), s 9(1)–(2)), layering licensing conditions.","Commencement and authority are statutory (commences 1 April 2023; made under subsection 32(1) of the Act) — the instrument’s validity depends on the cited power (ss 2–3)."],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument creates a Radio Quiet Zone (RQZ) in Western Australia, specifying two concentric areas (inner 70 km, outer 70–150 km) around given GDA94 coordinates and making 70 MHz–25.25 GHz the applicable frequency range. It commences 1 April 2023.\n\nThe bands are reserved principally for radio astronomy; additional services may operate only if compatible with the spectrum plan. New apparatus‑licence applicants must consult CSIRO before applying unless ACMA waives that requirement, and some authorised services are treated as secondary to radio astronomy."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-australian-radio-quiet-zone-western-australia-frequency-band-plan-2023","history":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-australian-radio-quiet-zone-western-australia-frequency-band-plan-2023/history","analysis":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-australian-radio-quiet-zone-western-australia-frequency-band-plan-2023/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-australian-radio-quiet-zone-western-australia-frequency-band-plan-2023/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-australian-radio-quiet-zone-western-australia-frequency-band-plan-2023/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-australian-radio-quiet-zone-western-australia-frequency-band-plan-2023/documents"}}