{"id":"F2025L00261","name":"Radiocommunications (Communication with Space Object) Class Licence 2025","slug":"radiocommunications-communication-with-space-object-class-licence-2025","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":106077,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2025L00261-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name","content":"#### 1 Name\n\n  This is the Radiocommunications (Communication with Space Object) Class Licence 2025.","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"#### 2 Commencement\n\n  This instrument commences at the start of the day after the day it is registered.\n\n> Note: The Federal Register of Legislation is available, free of charge, at www.legislation.gov.au.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Authority","content":"#### 3 Authority\n\n  This instrument is made under section 132 of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Repeal","content":"#### 4 Repeal\n\n  The Radiocommunications (Communication with Space Object) Class Licence 2015 \\[F2015L01486\\] is repealed.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Interpretation","content":"#### 5 Interpretation\n\n  (1) In this instrument, unless the contrary intention appears:\n\n> 26 GHz band spectrum licence area means an area specified in the relevant tables for HCIS area descriptions set out in RALI SM 26 that apply to the frequency band of 25.1 GHz to 27.5 GHz.\n\n> aircraft has the meaning given by section 3 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988.\n\n> ARPANSA Standard means:\n\n    (a) the Radiation Protection Standard for Limiting Exposure to Radiofrequency Fields – 100 kHz to 300 GHz (2021), published by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency; or\n    (b) if a later standard is published by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency as a replacement of that standard – the later standard.\n\n> Note: The ARPANSA Standard is available, free of charge, from the website of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency at www.arpansa.gov.au.\n\n> Australian Spectrum Map Grid means the Australian Spectrum Map Grid 2012, published by the ACMA.\n\n> Note: The Australian Spectrum Map Grid is available, free of charge, from the ACMA’s website at www.acma.gov.au.\n\n> device compliance day for a station means the later of:\n\n    (a) if the station was manufactured in Australia – the day it was manufactured; or\n    (b) if the station was imported – the day it was imported; or\n    (c) if the station was altered or modified in a material respect in Australia – the day it was altered or modified.\n\n> HCIS (short for Hierarchical Cell Identification Scheme) means the cell grouping hierarchy scheme used to describe areas in the Australian Spectrum Map Grid.\n\n> ITU means the International Telecommunication Union.\n\n> ITU-R Resolution 169 (WRC-19) means “ITU-R Resolution 169 Use of the frequency bands 17.7-19.7 GHz and 27.5-29.5 GHz by earth stations in motion communicating with geostationary space stations in the fixed-satellite service”, published by the ITU.\n\n> Note: ITU-R Resolution 169 (WRC-19) is available, free of charge, from the ITU’s website at [www.itu.int](http://www.itu.int).\n\n> metropolitan area has the same meaning as in the Radiocommunications (Mobile-Satellite Service) (1980–2010 MHz and 2170–2200 MHz) Frequency Band Plan 2022.\n\n> Note: The Radiocommunications (Mobile-Satellite-Service) (1980–2010 MHz and 2170–2200 MHz) Frequency Band Plan 2022 is available, free of charge, from the Federal Register of Legislation at www.legislation.gov.au.\n\n> occupied bandwidth, in relation to a radiocommunications transmitter, means the width of a frequency band having upper and lower limits that are necessary to contain 99% of the true mean power of the transmitter’s emission at any time.\n\n> RALI SM 26 means the Radiocommunications Assignment and Licensing Instruction No. SM 26, Restrictions on Apparatus Licensing in Spectrum Licensed Spaces, published by the ACMA, as existing from time to time.\n\n> Note 1: RALI SM 26 is available, free of charge, from the ACMA’s website at [www.acma.gov.au](http://www.acma.gov.au).\n\n> Note 2: A number of other expressions used in this instrument are defined in the Act, including the following:\n\n    (a) ACMA;\n    (b) apparatus licence;\n    (c) equipment rules;\n    (d) frequency band;\n    (e) import;\n    (f) radio emission;\n    (g) radiocommunication;\n    (h) radiocommunications receiver;\n    (i) radiocommunications transmitter;\n    (j) reception;\n    (k) spectrum;\n    (l) spectrum plan.\n\n> Note 3: In this instrument, aircraft has a different meaning to that given by the Act.\n\n> Note 4: Other expressions used in this instrument may be defined in a determination made under subsection 64(1) of the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005, that applies to this instrument, including the following:\n\n    (a) Act;\n    (b) area-wide receive licence;\n    (c) area-wide receive station;\n    (d) earth receive licence;\n    (e) EIRP;\n    (f) point to point station;\n    (g) ship;\n    (h) space licence;\n    (i) space object;\n    (j) space receive licence;\n    (k) station.\n  (2) In this instrument, unless the contrary intention appears, a reference to a part of the spectrum or 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 means the lower number in the reference to a part of the spectrum or a frequency band is not included in the part of the spectrum or the frequency band.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"References to other instruments","content":"#### 6 References to other instruments\n\n  In this instrument, unless the contrary intention appears:\n    (a) a reference to any other legislative instrument is a reference to that other legislative instrument as in force from time to time; and\n    (b) a reference to any other kind of instrument or writing is a reference to that other instrument or writing as in force, or existing, from time to time.\n\n> Note 1: For references to Commonwealth Acts, see section 10 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901; and see also subsection 13(1) of the Legislation Act 2003 for the application of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 to legislative instruments.\n\n> Note 2: All Commonwealth Acts and legislative instruments are registered on the Federal Register of Legislation.\n\n> Note 3: See section 314A of the Act.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Class licence","content":"#### 7 Class licence\n\n  (1) This instrument authorises a person to operate a station for the purpose of communicating with:\n    (a) a station on a space object which is authorised by a space licence or space receive licence; or\n    (b) another station, through a station on a space object which is authorised by a space licence or space receive licence;\n  subject to subsection (2) and to the conditions set out in sections 8, 9, 10 and 11.\n  (2) This instrument applies to all stations except:\n    (a) stations located on a space object; and\n    (b) stations authorised by an apparatus licence to operate for a purpose that is substantially the same as the purpose set out in paragraphs (1)(a) or (b).","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Authorised frequencies","content":"#### 8 Authorised frequencies\n\n  This instrument authorises transmission or reception of radio emissions by a station in the following frequency bands only:\n    (a) for transmission:\n\n(i) 148 MHz to 150.05 MHz;\n\n(ii) 399.9 MHz to 400.05 MHz;\n\n(iii) 1610 MHz to 1660.5 MHz;\n\n(iv) 1668 MHz to 1675 MHz;\n\n(v) 2005 MHz to 2010 MHz;\n\n(vi) 14 GHz to 14.5 GHz;\n\n(vii) 27.5 GHz to 30 GHz;\n\n    (b) for reception:\n\n(i) 137 MHz to 138 MHz;\n\n(ii) 400.05 MHz to 400.15 MHz;\n\n(iii) 400.15 MHz to 401 MHz;\n\n(iv) 1518 MHz to 1559 MHz;\n\n(v) 1613.8 MHz to 1626.5 MHz;\n\n(vi) 2195 MHz to 2200 MHz;\n\n(vii) 2483.5 MHz to 2500 MHz;\n\n(viii) 10.7 GHz to 12.75 GHz;\n\n(ix) 17.7 GHz to 20.2 GHz.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Equipment rules and standards","content":"#### 9 Equipment rules and standards\n\n  (1) A person must not operate a station under this instrument unless the station complies with:\n    (a) if the device compliance day for the station occurs before 17 June 2021 – any standard applicable to it, as in force on the device compliance day; or\n    (b) if the device compliance day for the station occurs on or after 17 June 2021 – any equipment rules applicable to it, as in force on the device compliance day.\n\n> Note: Part 1 of Schedule 4 to the Radiocommunications Legislation Amendment (Reform and Modernisation) Act 2020 commenced on 17 June 2021. That Part replaces standards with equipment rules. See also item 42 of that Schedule.\n\n  (2) A person must not operate a station, or a group of stations, to which this instrument applies if the electromagnetic energy emitted by the station, or group of stations, exceeds the general public exposure limits specified in the ARPANSA Standard in a place accessible by the public.\n  (3) In paragraph (1)(a), standard has the meaning given by section 5 of the Act, as in force immediately before 17 June 2021.\n\n> Note: Part 1 of Schedule 4 to the Radiocommunications Legislation Amendment (Reform and Modernisation) Act 2020 commenced on 17 June 2021. That Part replaces standards with equipment rules. See also item 42 of that Schedule.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Interference with other stations","content":"#### 10 Interference with other stations\n\n  (1) This instrument authorises operation of a station only when its operation does not interfere with the operation of a radiocommunications receiver.\n  (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the operation of a station authorised by this instrument is taken to not interfere with the operation of an area-wide receive station that is:\n    (a) operating under an area-wide receive licence in the frequency band of 27.5 GHz to 28.1 GHz that is located outside a 26 GHz band spectrum licence area; or\n    (b) operating under an area-wide receive licence in the frequency band of 28.1 GHz to 29.5 GHz.\n  (3) This instrument authorises operation of a station in the frequency bands of 1610 MHz to 1626.5 MHz and 1670 MHz to 1675 MHz within 20 kilometres of a radio astronomy observatory mentioned in Australian footnote reference AUS87 of the spectrum plan, only if:\n    (a) the operator of the station has sought advice from the operator of the radio astronomy observatory about when it may operate the station in order to minimise the risk of interference; and\n    (b) the station is operated during periods consistently with the advice from the operator of the radio astronomy observatory.\n\n> Note: The spectrum plan is available, free of charge, from the Federal Register of Legislation at www.legislation.gov.au.\n\n  (4) The operator of a radio astronomy observatory may give advice to a person for the purposes of subsection (3).\n\n> Note: See subsection 133(3) of the Act.\n\n  (5) This instrument does not authorise operation of a station in the frequency bands of 1660 MHz to 1660.5 MHz and 1668 MHz to 1670 MHz when the station:\n    (a) is within 500 kilometres of a radio astronomy observatory mentioned in Australian footnote reference AUS87 of the spectrum plan; or\n    (b) is on board an aircraft that is in the air.\n\n> Note: The spectrum plan is available, free of charge, from the Federal Register of Legislation at www.legislation.gov.au.\n\n  (6) This instrument does not authorise the operation of a station in the frequency band of 1673.38 MHz to 1675 MHz if the emissions of the radiocommunications transmitter of the station exceed a level of -128.1 dBm/4 MHz for more than 20% of the time at the output of the antenna of any radiocommunications receiver authorised to operate in all or part of that frequency band under an earth receive licence.\n  (7) Subject to subsection (8), this instrument authorises the operation of a station in the frequency band of 2005 MHz to 2010 MHz only if:\n    (a) the radiocommunications transmitter of the station is not on board an aircraft that is in the air; and\n    (b) the emissions of the radiocommunications transmitter above the frequency 2010 MHz do not exceed an EIRP of -66 dBW for each MHz.\n  (8) This instrument does not authorise the operation of a station in the frequency band of 2005 MHz to 2010 MHz in a metropolitan area unless:\n    (a) the emissions of the radiocommunications transmitter of the station do not exceed a maximum EIRP of 0.5 dBW for each MHz; and\n    (b) the maximum duty cycle of the radiocommunications transmitter does not exceed 1% averaged over a 15-minute period; and\n    (c) each transmission of the radiocommunications transmitter does not exceed 4 seconds in duration.\n  (9) This instrument authorises the operation of a station in the frequency band of 27.5 GHz to 28.3 GHz on land only if the radiocommunications transmitter of the station:\n    (a) is not operated in the frequency band of 27.5 GHz to 28.1 GHz in a 26 GHz band spectrum licence area; and\n    (b) when operated in the frequency band of 28.1 GHz to 28.3 GHz in a 26 GHz band spectrum licence area, is not operated within the greater of:\n\n(i) 50 MHz above 28.1 GHz; or\n\n(ii) twice the occupied bandwidth of the radiocommunications transmitter above 28.1 GHz; and\n\n    (c) when operated in the frequency band of 27.5 GHz to 28.1 GHz outside a 26 GHz band spectrum licence area, the emissions of the radiocommunications transmitter do not exceed a maximum EIRP to the horizon of -17.8 dBW in a 1 MHz bandwidth within 30 kilometres of a 26 GHz band spectrum licence area; and\n    (d) when operated in the frequency band of 27.5 GHz to 27.7 GHz outside a 26 GHz band spectrum licence area, is not operated within the greater of:\n\n(i) 50 MHz above 27.5 GHz; or\n\n(ii) twice the occupied bandwidth of the radiocommunications transmitter above 27.5 GHz.\n\n  (10) This instrument authorises the operation of a station in the frequency band of 27.5 GHz to 28.3 GHz on board an aircraft that is in the air only if the radiocommunications transmitter of the station does not exceed the maximum power flux density limits specified in clause 3.1 of Part II: Aeronautical ESIMs of Annex 3 to ITU-R Resolution 169 (WRC-19) for any radio emissions in the frequency band of 27.5 GHz to 28.1 GHz in a 26 GHz band spectrum licence area.\n  (11) This instrument authorises the operation of a station in the frequency band of 27.5 GHz to 28.3 GHz on board a ship only if the radiocommunications transmitter of the station does not exceed a power flux density on the shore of -112.2 dBW per square metre for each MHz at a height of 30 metres above ground level for any radio emissions in the frequency band of 27.5 GHz to 28.1 GHz in a 26 GHz band spectrum licence area.\n  (12) This instrument does not authorise the operation of a station in a way that is inconsistent with the Radiocommunications (Australian Radio Quiet Zone Western Australia) Frequency Band Plan 2023, as in force from time to time.\n\n> Note 1: A station to which this instrument applies will not be afforded protection from interference caused by a radiocommunications transmitter of other radiocommunications services.\n\n> Note 2: The Radiocommunications (Australian Radio Quiet Zone Western Australia) Frequency Band Plan 2023 is available, free of charge, from the Federal Register of Legislation at www.legislation.gov.au.\n\n> Note 3: Section 197 of the Act makes it an offence for a person to engage in conduct where they are reckless as to whether that conduct will result in substantial interference with, or substantial disruption or disturbance of, radiocommunications. In administering that provision with respect to the operation of a station for transmission on land under this instrument within the RQZ (inner) zone described in item 1 of Schedule 1 to the Radiocommunications (Australian Radio Quiet Zone Western Australia) Frequency Band Plan 2023, as in force from time to time, the ACMA will take into account whether or not the entity responsible for operating the Murchison Radioastronomy Observatory objects to the operation of the station.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Interference to certain receiving stations","content":"#### 11 Interference to certain receiving stations\n\n  The operation of a station for reception in the following frequency bands is subject to no protection from interference caused by a point to point station:\n    (a) 10.7 GHz to 11.7 GHz;\n    (b) 18.2 GHz to 18.8 GHz;\n    (c) 19.3 GHz to 19.7 GHz.","sortOrder":10}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Section 4 expressly repeals the Radiocommunications (Communication with Space Object) Class Licence 2015. This instrument defines its own scope by authorising stations to communicate with space objects subject to specific frequency bands, equipment and interference conditions (see ss7–11). The text of the repealed 2015 instrument is not included here, so this instrument clearly replaces the prior instrument (s4) but the exact additions or removals of permissions or limits compared with the 2015 instrument cannot be determined from this instrument alone."},"complexity_factors":["Detailed list of authorised transmit and receive frequency bands with narrow ranges and exceptions (s8).","Multiple technical limits expressed in specialist metrics (EIRP, duty cycle, power flux density, dBm/4 MHz thresholds) and temporal limits (s10(6)–(11)).","Geographic constraints tied to other instruments and mapped areas (26 GHz band spectrum licence areas, Australian Spectrum Map Grid, HCIS) (s5, s10).","Cross-references to numerous external instruments, standards and industry documents (ARPANSA Standard, RALI SM 26, ITU-R Resolution 169, spectrum plan) creating dependency on moving external texts (s5, s6, s9, s10).","Conditional permissions and prohibitions that vary by platform (land, ship, aircraft) and location (metropolitan areas, within 20 km or 500 km of radio astronomy observatories) (s7, s10).","Definitions and temporal rules (device compliance day) affect which technical regime (standard vs equipment rules) applies (s5, s9).","Interaction with licensing regime (class licence vs apparatus licence vs space licences/space receive licences) requires cross-instrument interpretation (s7, s5 Note 4).","Non-protection clauses and operational limitations that shift interference risk onto some operators (s10 Note 1, s11)."],"plain_english_summary":"This class licence allows people to operate stations to communicate with space objects (or via them) under specified frequency bands, equipment standards, power limits and interference rules. It applies to ground, ship and airborne stations except stations on space objects or those already covered by an apparatus licence. It matters to satellite operators, ground‑station operators and nearby spectrum licence holders because it prescribes authorised frequencies, technical limits, and geographic constraints (notably near radio‑astronomy sites and 26 GHz licence areas)."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The legislation has grown significantly beyond simple satellite ground station authorisation. The original 2015 version has expanded to include complex coordination requirements with 5G spectrum licences (26 GHz band), detailed aircraft and maritime provisions referencing ITU resolutions, specific radio astronomy protection zones with distance-based exclusions, metropolitan area restrictions for certain bands, and transitional provisions bridging old standards and new equipment rules. The technical specificity and cross-referencing to external technical instruments has increased substantially."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple nested conditional logic structures (e.g., subsections 10(7)-(11) with layered geographic, frequency, and operational conditions)","19 defined terms in section 5, plus incorporation of external definitions from the Act and other instruments","Extensive cross-referencing to external documents: ARPANSA Standard, Australian Spectrum Map Grid, RALI SM 26, ITU-R Resolution 169, spectrum plan, and the Australian Radio Quiet Zone Western Australia Frequency Band Plan 2023","Technical measurement requirements using specialised units (dBW, dBm, EIRP, power flux density, occupied bandwidth, duty cycle)","Dual regulatory frameworks for equipment compliance depending on manufacture/import date (pre/post 17 June 2021)","Geographic restrictions using complex spatial concepts (26 GHz band spectrum licence areas, metropolitan areas, distances from radio astronomy observatories, RQZ zones)","Frequency band definitions with asymmetrical inclusion/exclusion rules (section 5(2) note about lower frequencies being excluded)","Multiple exceptions to the general 'no interference' rule in section 10(2) and specific prohibitions in 10(5), 10(6), 10(12)"],"plain_english_summary":"This class licence lets people operate ground radio stations to communicate with satellites and other space objects without an individual licence. It affects satellite operators and users (including aircraft and ships), radio astronomers, and telcos, and sets limits on which frequency bands can be used, required equipment standards and safety rules, interference protections (notably strict radio‑astronomy safeguards), and detailed constraints in the 26–28 GHz range. It updates the 2015 rules for modern technology and spectrum use."},"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"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-communication-with-space-object-class-licence-2025","history":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-communication-with-space-object-class-licence-2025/history","analysis":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-communication-with-space-object-class-licence-2025/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-communication-with-space-object-class-licence-2025/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-communication-with-space-object-class-licence-2025/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-communication-with-space-object-class-licence-2025/documents"}}