{"id":"F2021L00755","name":"Radiocommunications (Conditions of Frequency Assignment Certificates – Apparatus Licences) Determination 2021","slug":"radiocommunications-conditions-of-frequency-assignment-certificates-apparatus-licences-determination","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":101906,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2021L00755-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 (Conditions of Frequency Assignment Certificates – Apparatus Licences) Determination 2021.","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"#### 2 Commencement\n\n  This instrument commences on the later of the following:\n    (a) the same time as the Radiocommunications Accreditation (General) Rules 2021;\n    (b) the day after the day the instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation.\n\n> Note: 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":"section","heading":"Authority","content":"#### 3 Authority\n\n  This instrument is made under section 266A of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Repeal of the Radiocommunications (Frequency Assignment Certificates) Determination 2014","content":"#### 4 Repeal of the Radiocommunications (Frequency Assignment Certificates) Determination 2014\n\n  The Radiocommunications (Frequency Assignment Certificates) Determination 2014 (F2014L01193) is repealed.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"#### 5 Definitions\n\n  In this instrument:\n\n> accredited person means a person who holds a kind of accreditation specified in the legislative rules made for the purposes of subsection 100(4A) of the Act.\n\n> Act means the Radiocommunications Act 1992.\n\n> frequency assignment certificate means a certificate issued under subsection 100(4A) of the Act.\n\n> frequency channel has the same meaning as in paragraph 100(4A)(a) of the Act.\n\n> procedural document means a document that:\n\n    (a) is published on the ACMA’s website; and\n    (b) sets out policies or procedures for an accredited person to follow or have regard to; and\n    (c) is expressed to relate to the issue of frequency assignment certificates, or to the issue of frequency assignment certificates in relation to apparatus licences or a class of apparatus licences.\n\n> Note 1: The procedural documents are available, free of charge, from the ACMA’s website: [http://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) accreditation;\n    (b) ACMA;\n    (c) apparatus licence;\n    (d) device;\n    (e) frequency band plan;\n    (f) legislative rules;\n    (g) re-allocation period;\n    (h) spectrum;\n    (i) spectrum plan;\n    (j) spectrum re-allocation declaration.\n\n> Note 3: 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.","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 in existence 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":"Application of Part","content":"#### 7 Application of Part\n\n  Each section in this Part sets out a condition to be satisfied by the operation of a device under an apparatus licence, for the purposes of subsection 100(4A) of the Act.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Consistency with Act, instruments and procedural documentation","content":"#### 8 Consistency with Act, instruments and procedural documentation\n\n  (1) The operation of a device under the apparatus licence must be consistent with:\n    (a) the Act;\n    (b) subject to subsection (2), the spectrum plan;\n    (c) subject to subsection (2), any applicable frequency band plan;\n    (d) subject to subsection (2), any applicable condition specified in a determination made under subsection 110A(1) or (2) of the Act;\n    (e) except to the extent any of the following is inconsistent with the Act or any legislative instrument made under the Act:\n    (i) any procedural document, specified in the frequency assignment certificate, that applies to the frequency or frequencies, or the frequency channel, on which the device would operate;\n    (ii) if subparagraph (i) does not apply – the interference management criteria:\n    (A) devised and used by the accredited person; and\n    (B) recorded by the accredited person in accordance with the Radiocommunications Accreditation (General) Rules 2021.\n  (2) The operation of a device under the apparatus licence may be inconsistent with the spectrum plan, an applicable frequency band plan, or an applicable condition specified in a determination made under subsection 110A(1) or (2) of the Act, if:\n    (a) the apparatus licence is of a kind mentioned in subsection 104(1) of the Act; and\n    (b) the accredited person has consulted with the ACMA before issuing a frequency assignment certificate in relation to the licence.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Belief that ACMA would issue the licence","content":"#### 9 Belief that ACMA would issue the licence\n\n  The operation of a device under the apparatus licence must be such that the accredited person believes, on reasonable grounds, that the ACMA would issue an apparatus licence authorising operation of the device:\n    (a) on a frequency or frequencies, or on a frequency channel;\n    (b) at a constancy;\n    (c) at a location;\n    (d) subject to the technical conditions;\n  specified in the frequency assignment certificate issued by the accredited person.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Special cases — where spectrum licences planned or issued","content":"#### 10 Special cases – where spectrum licences planned or issued\n\n  (1) If the apparatus licence is of a kind mentioned in subsection 105(1) or (2) of the Act, the operation of a device under the apparatus licence must be such that the accredited person believes, on reasonable grounds, that the ACMA would issue an apparatus licence authorising operation of the device in accordance with subsection 105(3) of the Act.\n  (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), in order to believe, on reasonable grounds, that the ACMA would issue an apparatus licence authorising operation of the device in accordance with subsection 105(3) of the Act, the accredited person must have consulted with the ACMA before forming the belief.\n  (3) If:\n    (a) a spectrum re-allocation declaration states that a part or parts of the spectrum should be re-allocated, with respect to one or more specified areas; and\n    (b) the declaration specifies a re-allocation period; and\n    (c) the apparatus licence, if issued, would authorise operation of a device in one or more of those parts of the spectrum, in one or more of those areas; and\n    (d) the apparatus licence, if issued, would reasonably be likely to be issued during the re-allocation period;\n  the operation of a device under the apparatus licence must be such that the accredited person believes, on reasonable grounds, that the ACMA would issue an apparatus licence authorising operation of the device in accordance with subsection 153P(2) of the Act.\n  (4) For the purposes of subsection (3), in order to believe, on reasonable grounds, that the ACMA would issue an apparatus licence authorising operation of the device in accordance with subsection 153P(2) of the Act, the accredited person must have consulted with the ACMA before forming the belief.","sortOrder":9}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The instrument repeals the 2014 Determination (s4) and re‑specifies conditions for frequency assignment certificates under subsection 100(4A) of the Act. It narrows operational detail into links with ACMA procedural documents and explicitly requires accredited persons to form reasonable‑grounds beliefs and, in specified cases, consult ACMA before issuing certificates (ss8,9,10), thereby shifting some decision‑making and compliance obligations onto accredited persons."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross‑referencing to the Radiocommunications Act 1992 and other instruments (ss3,5,6,8) increases interpretive complexity.","Delegation of operational detail to ACMA procedural documents and accredited persons' recorded interference criteria (s5 definition; s8(1)(e)) creates reliance on external, evolving materials.","Reasonableness standard for accredited persons' belief that ACMA would issue a licence (s9) introduces subjective judicial‑style assessment and potential evidentiary burden.","Explicit exceptions allowing inconsistency with spectrum/band plans where consultation occurs (s8(2)) add conditional pathways and require ACMA engagement.","Mandatory consultation requirements in specified circumstances (s10(2),(4)) create procedural steps and compliance costs for accredited persons.","Repeal of the 2014 Determination (s4) can produce transitional and scope effects that depend on advisory material or ACMA practice.","Commencement tied to separate rules (s2) means practical effect depends on coordination with other instruments, complicating implementation timing."],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument sets the conditions accredited persons must meet when issuing frequency assignment certificates for apparatus licences under the Radiocommunications Act 1992. It repeals the 2014 determination and ties certificate conditions to the Act, the spectrum and frequency‑band plans, ACMA procedural documents, and accredited persons’ recorded interference‑management criteria.\n\nAccredited persons must reasonably believe ACMA would issue the equivalent apparatus licence and, in specific situations (including planned or reallocated spectrum), consult ACMA before forming that belief."},"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":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This instrument maintains the same scope as its predecessor (the 2014 Determination). It continues to specify conditions for frequency assignment certificates for apparatus licences only. The 2021 version updates cross-references to new accreditation rules and clarifies consultation requirements, but does not expand beyond the original purpose of setting technical and procedural conditions for accredited persons."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross-references to primary legislation (Radiocommunications Act 1992) and subordinate rules (Radiocommunications Accreditation (General) Rules 2021)","Nested conditional logic in section 8 with multiple exceptions and 'subject to' clauses","Defined terms rely on external definitions from the Act, legislative rules, and procedural documents not contained in this instrument","Dual consultation requirements in sections 8(2), 10(2) and 10(4) that trigger different compliance pathways","Interaction between apparatus licences and spectrum licences creates overlapping regulatory regimes that must be navigated"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument updates the rules governing frequency assignment certificates issued by accredited persons under apparatus licences, replacing the 2014 determination. It sets tightened conditions that accredited experts must meet before approving frequency use, aligning approvals with ACMA policy and protecting against interference.\n\nIt affects accredited persons, apparatus licence holders (broadcasters, telcos, emergency services, defence) and ACMA, and preserves a self‑regulatory approach that speeds up licensing while maintaining spectrum integrity."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-conditions-of-frequency-assignment-certificates-apparatus-licences-determination","history":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-conditions-of-frequency-assignment-certificates-apparatus-licences-determination/history","analysis":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-conditions-of-frequency-assignment-certificates-apparatus-licences-determination/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-conditions-of-frequency-assignment-certificates-apparatus-licences-determination/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-conditions-of-frequency-assignment-certificates-apparatus-licences-determination/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-conditions-of-frequency-assignment-certificates-apparatus-licences-determination/documents"}}