{"id":"F2024L00764","name":"Radiocommunications (Cordless Communications Devices) Class Licence 2024","slug":"radiocommunications-cordless-communications-devices-class-licence-2024","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":105278,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2024L00764-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Part 1 Preliminary","sectionType":"section","heading":"Part 1 Preliminary","content":"#### Part 1 Preliminary\n\n#### 1 Name\n\n This is the Radiocommunications (Cordless Communications Devices) Class Licence 2024.\n\n#### 3 Authority\n\n This instrument is made under section 132 of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.\n\n#### 5 Interpretation\n\n (1) In this instrument, unless the contrary intention appears:\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> cordless communications device means any of the following:\n\n (a) a land station or handset that operates on a frequency in one of the following frequency bands:\n (i) 1.7175 MHz to 1.7925 MHz;\n (ii) 30.0625 MHz to 30.3125 MHz;\n (iii) 39.7625 MHz to 40.25 MHz;\n (b) a radiocommunications device that both:\n (i) uses Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications technology; and\n (ii) operates in a frequency between 1880 MHz and 1900 MHz.\n\n> ETSI EN 301 406 means the most recently published version of ETSI EN 301 406 ‘Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT); Harmonised Standard for access to radio spectrum’, published by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute.\n\n> Note 1: ETSI EN 301 406 is available, free of charge, from the website of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute at www.etsi.org.\n\n> Note 2: At the time this instrument was made, the most recently published version of ETSI EN 301 406 consisted of two parts (Part 1 and Part 2).\n\n> group of cordless communications devices means 2 or more cordless communications devices transmitting simultaneously on the same frequency.\n\n> handset means a handset that is part of a cordless telephone service.\n\n> Note 1: A number of other expressions used in this instrument are defined in the Act, including the following:\n\n (a) frequency band;\n (b) operate;\n (c) radiocommunications device.\n\n> Note 2: 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:\n\n (a) Act;\n (d) cordless telephone service;\n (e) EIRP;\n (f) land station.\n (2) In this instrument, unless the contrary intention appears, a reference to a part of the spectrum or frequency band includes all frequencies that are greater than but not including the lower frequency, up to and including the higher frequency.\n (3) Unless the contrary intention appears, no condition in Part 3 limits any other condition in Part 3.\n\n#### 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.\n\n \n\n#### Part 2 Class licence\n\n#### 7 Class licence\n\n This instrument authorises a person to operate a cordless communications device, subject to the conditions in Part 3.","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name","content":"#### 1 Name\n\n This is the Radiocommunications (Cordless Communications Devices) Class Licence 2024.","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":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Interpretation","content":"#### 5 Interpretation\n\n (1) In this instrument, unless the contrary intention appears:\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> cordless communications device means any of the following:\n\n (a) a land station or handset that operates on a frequency in one of the following frequency bands:\n (i) 1.7175 MHz to 1.7925 MHz;\n (ii) 30.0625 MHz to 30.3125 MHz;\n (iii) 39.7625 MHz to 40.25 MHz;\n (b) a radiocommunications device that both:\n (i) uses Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications technology; and\n (ii) operates in a frequency between 1880 MHz and 1900 MHz.\n\n> ETSI EN 301 406 means the most recently published version of ETSI EN 301 406 ‘Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT); Harmonised Standard for access to radio spectrum’, published by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute.\n\n> Note 1: ETSI EN 301 406 is available, free of charge, from the website of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute at www.etsi.org.\n\n> Note 2: At the time this instrument was made, the most recently published version of ETSI EN 301 406 consisted of two parts (Part 1 and Part 2).\n\n> group of cordless communications devices means 2 or more cordless communications devices transmitting simultaneously on the same frequency.\n\n> handset means a handset that is part of a cordless telephone service.\n\n> Note 1: A number of other expressions used in this instrument are defined in the Act, including the following:\n\n (a) frequency band;\n (b) operate;\n (c) radiocommunications device.\n\n> Note 2: 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:\n\n (a) Act;\n (d) cordless telephone service;\n (e) EIRP;\n (f) land station.\n (2) In this instrument, unless the contrary intention appears, a reference to a part of the spectrum or frequency band includes all frequencies that are greater than but not including the lower frequency, up to and including the higher frequency.\n (3) Unless the contrary intention appears, no condition in Part 3 limits any other condition in Part 3.","sortOrder":3},{"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":4},{"sectionNumber":"Part 2 Class licence","sectionType":"section","heading":"Part 2 Class licence","content":"#### Part 1 Preliminary\n\n#### 1 Name\n\n This is the Radiocommunications (Cordless Communications Devices) Class Licence 2024.\n\n#### 3 Authority\n\n This instrument is made under section 132 of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.\n\n#### 5 Interpretation\n\n (1) In this instrument, unless the contrary intention appears:\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> cordless communications device means any of the following:\n\n (a) a land station or handset that operates on a frequency in one of the following frequency bands:\n (i) 1.7175 MHz to 1.7925 MHz;\n (ii) 30.0625 MHz to 30.3125 MHz;\n (iii) 39.7625 MHz to 40.25 MHz;\n (b) a radiocommunications device that both:\n (i) uses Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications technology; and\n (ii) operates in a frequency between 1880 MHz and 1900 MHz.\n\n> ETSI EN 301 406 means the most recently published version of ETSI EN 301 406 ‘Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT); Harmonised Standard for access to radio spectrum’, published by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute.\n\n> Note 1: ETSI EN 301 406 is available, free of charge, from the website of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute at www.etsi.org.\n\n> Note 2: At the time this instrument was made, the most recently published version of ETSI EN 301 406 consisted of two parts (Part 1 and Part 2).\n\n> group of cordless communications devices means 2 or more cordless communications devices transmitting simultaneously on the same frequency.\n\n> handset means a handset that is part of a cordless telephone service.\n\n> Note 1: A number of other expressions used in this instrument are defined in the Act, including the following:\n\n (a) frequency band;\n (b) operate;\n (c) radiocommunications device.\n\n> Note 2: 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:\n\n (a) Act;\n (d) cordless telephone service;\n (e) EIRP;\n (f) land station.\n (2) In this instrument, unless the contrary intention appears, a reference to a part of the spectrum or frequency band includes all frequencies that are greater than but not including the lower frequency, up to and including the higher frequency.\n (3) Unless the contrary intention appears, no condition in Part 3 limits any other condition in Part 3.\n\n#### 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.\n\n \n\n#### Part 2 Class licence\n\n#### 7 Class licence\n\n This instrument authorises a person to operate a cordless communications device, subject to the conditions in Part 3.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Class licence","content":"#### 7 Class licence\n\n This instrument authorises a person to operate a cordless communications device, subject to the conditions in Part 3.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"Part 3 Conditions","sectionType":"section","heading":"Part 3 Conditions","content":"#### Part 3 Conditions\n\n#### 9 Operation – power level\n\n A person must not operate a cordless communications device that is mentioned in column 1 of the following table at a level of EIRP that exceeds the maximum EIRP mentioned in column 2.\n\n| | Column 1 | Column 2 |\n| --- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------ |\n| | Cordless communications device | Maximum EIRP |\n| 1 | A device that operates in the one of the following frequency bands:(a) 1.7175 MHz to 1.7925 MHz;(b) 30.0625 MHz to 30.3125 MHz;(c) 39.7625 MHz to 40.25 MHz | 1.23 dBm |\n| 2 | A device that:(a) operates in the 1880 MHz to 1900 MHz frequency band; and(b) is a device covered by the scope of Part 1 of ETSI EN 301 406 | 36 dBm |\n| 3 | A device that:(a) operates in the 1880 MHz to 1900 MHz frequency band; and(b) is a device covered by the scope of Part 2 of ETSI EN 301 406 | 30 dBm |\n\n#### 10 Operation – compliance with ARPANSA standard\n\n A person must not operate a cordless communications device, or a group of cordless communications devices, if the electromagnetic energy emitted by the device, or by the group, exceeds the general public exposure limits specified in the ARPANSA standard in a place accessible by the public.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Operation — power level","content":"#### 9 Operation – power level\n\n A person must not operate a cordless communications device that is mentioned in column 1 of the following table at a level of EIRP that exceeds the maximum EIRP mentioned in column 2.\n\n| | Column 1 | Column 2 |\n| --- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------ |\n| | Cordless communications device | Maximum EIRP |\n| 1 | A device that operates in the one of the following frequency bands:(a) 1.7175 MHz to 1.7925 MHz;(b) 30.0625 MHz to 30.3125 MHz;(c) 39.7625 MHz to 40.25 MHz | 1.23 dBm |\n| 2 | A device that:(a) operates in the 1880 MHz to 1900 MHz frequency band; and(b) is a device covered by the scope of Part 1 of ETSI EN 301 406 | 36 dBm |\n| 3 | A device that:(a) operates in the 1880 MHz to 1900 MHz frequency band; and(b) is a device covered by the scope of Part 2 of ETSI EN 301 406 | 30 dBm |","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Operation — compliance with ARPANSA standard","content":"#### 10 Operation – compliance with ARPANSA standard\n\n A person must not operate a cordless communications device, or a group of cordless communications devices, if the electromagnetic energy emitted by the device, or by the group, exceeds the general public exposure limits specified in the ARPANSA standard in a place accessible by the public.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"Endnotes","sectionType":"section","heading":"Endnotes","content":"#### Endnotes\n\nEndnote 1—About the endnotes\n\nThe endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.\n\nThe following endnotes are included in every compilation:\n\nEndnote 1—About the endnotes\n\nEndnote 2—Abbreviation key\n\nEndnote 3—Legislation history\n\nEndnote 4—Amendment history\n\nAbbreviation key—Endnote 2\n\nThe abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.\n\nLegislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4\n\nAmending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.\n\nThe legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.\n\nThe amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.\n\nMisdescribed amendments\n\nA misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.\n\nIf a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.\n\nEndnote 2—Abbreviation key\n\n| ad = added or inserted | orig = original |\n| ---------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------- |\n| am = amended | par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s) |\n| amdt = amendment | /sub‑subparagraph(s) |\n| c = clause(s) | pres = present |\n| C[x] = Compilation No. x | prev = previous |\n| Ch = Chapter(s) | (prev…) = previously |\n| def = definition(s) | Pt = Part(s) |\n| Dict = Dictionary | r = regulation(s)/rule(s) |\n| disallowed = disallowed by Parliament | reloc = relocated |\n| Div = Division(s) | renum = renumbered |\n| exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have | rep = repealed |\n| effect | rs = repealed and substituted |\n| F = Federal Register of Legislation | s = section(s)/subsection(s) |\n| gaz = gazette | Sch = Schedule(s) |\n| LA = Legislation Act 2003 | Sdiv = Subdivision(s) |\n| LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003 | SLI = Select Legislative Instrument |\n| (md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment | SR = Statutory Rules |\n| cannot be given effect | Sub‑Ch = Sub‑Chapter(s) |\n| mod = modified/modification | SubPt = Subpart(s) |\n| No. = Number(s) | underlining = whole or part not |\n| o = order(s) | commenced or to be commenced |\n| Ord = Ordinance | |\n\nEndnote 3—Legislation history\n\n| Name | Registration | Commencement | Application, saving and transitional provisions |\n| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------- | ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |\n| Radiocommunications (Cordless Communications Devices) Class Licence 2024 | 24 June 2024(see F2024L00764) | 1 July 2024 | |\n| Radiocommunications (Cordless Communications Devices) Class Licence Variation 2024 (No. 1) | 26 September 2024(see F2024L01215) | 27 September 2024 | |\n| | | | |\n\n> Note: Endnote 4—Amendment history\n\n```html\n

Provision affected

How affected

s.2.....................

rep. LA 48D

s.4.....................

rep. LA 48C

s.5(1)...................

am. F2024L01215

s.8.....................

rep. F2024L01215

\n```","sortOrder":10}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The endnotes record a class-licence variation (Radiocommunications (Cordless Communications Devices) Class Licence Variation 2024 (No.1)) that amended section 5(1) and repealed section 8 (see Endnote 3 and the amendment history entries). Those changes alter the instrument’s definitional and conditional content from the original 1 July 2024 text, so scope has been modified and users must rely on the consolidated (amended) instrument."},"complexity_factors":["Technical frequency-band and device definitions in section 5 (multiple discrete bands and DECT coverage) increase subject-matter detail.","Power limits are numerical and differentiated by device category and external standard scope (section 9), requiring technical measurement of EIRP.","Mandatory compliance with an external public-exposure standard (ARPANSA standard) in section 10 creates an operational safety obligation tied to a separate agency document.","References to an external harmonised standard (ETSI EN 301 406) require interpretation of that standard to determine which devices fall into Part 1 vs Part 2 categories (section 5 and table in section 9).","Cross-references to other legislation and determinations (Radiocommunications Act 1992; ACMA Act determinations) in sections 3, 5 and 6 introduce delegated definitions and external legal instruments to consult for full effect.","The instrument treats groups of devices (simultaneous transmitters) differently for exposure compliance (section 5 definition; section 10), adding aggregation and measurement complexity.","Amendment and endnote history (variation registered 26 Sept 2024) means practitioners must track changes to definitions/conditions to confirm current scope."],"plain_english_summary":"This class licence authorises people to operate specified cordless communications devices without an individual licence, subject to technical and safety conditions. It defines which devices are covered, sets maximum EIRP (transmit power) caps for device categories (see section 9), and requires that emissions in public places meet ARPANSA exposure limits (section 10). It affects anyone deploying or selling those cordless devices and matters because it governs allowed power, applicable standards and public-exposure obligations."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a straightforward replacement class licence that maintains the traditional scope of regulating cordless telephone devices. It updates technical references (notably the ARPANSA 2021 standard and current ETSI standards) but does not expand beyond the original purpose of licensing cordless communications devices."},"complexity_factors":["Short instrument with only 10 substantive sections (excluding endnotes)","7 defined terms in section 5, with 4 additional terms referenced from other legislation","Simple two-part structure: preliminary matters + licence conditions","Only 2 operative conditions in Part 3 (power limits and ARPANSA compliance)","Cross-references to external technical standards (ETSI EN 301 406 and ARPANSA standard) that incorporate complex technical requirements by reference","Frequency band definitions require careful reading due to inclusive/exclusive boundary notation in section 5(2)"],"plain_english_summary":"This class licence lets people use specified cordless communications devices (old low‑frequency cordless phones and modern DECT phones) without applying for an individual licence, provided they meet set conditions. \n\nIt enforces transmit power limits and ARPANSA radiation‑exposure limits to prevent interference and protect public health, affecting consumers, manufacturers and importers who must comply with the automatic licence conditions."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-cordless-communications-devices-class-licence-2024","history":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-cordless-communications-devices-class-licence-2024/history","analysis":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-cordless-communications-devices-class-licence-2024/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-cordless-communications-devices-class-licence-2024/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-cordless-communications-devices-class-licence-2024/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-cordless-communications-devices-class-licence-2024/documents"}}