{"id":"F2025L00971","name":"Radiocommunications (Radio-controlled Models) Class Licence 2025","slug":"radiocommunications-radio-controlled-models-class-licence-2025","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":106722,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2025L00971-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 (Radio-controlled Models) Class Licence 2025.","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"#### 2 Commencement\n\n  This instrument commences at the start of 1 October 2025.\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":"Interpretation","content":"#### 4 Interpretation\n\n  (1) In this instrument, unless the contrary intention appears:\n\n> 29 MHz band means the part of the spectrum from 29.72 MHz to 30 MHz.\n\n> 36 MHz band means the part of the spectrum from 36 MHz to 36.6 MHz.\n\n> landcraft means a land-based vehicle.\n\n> Note 1: A number of other expressions used in this instrument are defined in the Act, including the following:\n\n    (a) equipment rules;\n    (b) frequency band;\n    (c) interference;\n    (d) operate;\n    (e) radiocommunication;\n    (f) radiocommunications device;\n    (g) vessel.\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, including:\n\n    (a) Act;\n    (b) ARPANSA Standard;\n    (c) EIRP.\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 this instrument limits any other condition.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"References to other instruments","content":"#### 5 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":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Class licence","content":"#### 6 Class licence\n\n  This instrument authorises a person to operate a radiocommunications device to control:\n    (a) a model aircraft;\n    (b) a model landcraft;\n    (c) a model vessel.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Condition — interference","content":"#### 7 Condition – interference\n\n  A person must not operate a radiocommunications device if the operation causes interference to radiocommunications.\n\n> Note 1: Under section 197 of the Act, a person must not engage in conduct that will result, or is likely to result in, substantial interference, substantial disruption or substantial disturbance to radiocommunications within Australia, or to radiocommunications between a place in Australia and a place outside Australia.\n\n> Note 2: The ACMA will generally not afford protection from interference to radiocommunications involving a radiocommunications device operated under this instrument.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Conditions — use of 29 MHz band or 36 MHz band, and EIRP range","content":"#### 8 Conditions – use of 29 MHz band or 36 MHz band, and EIRP range\n\n  Use of 29 MHz band or 36 MHz band\n  (1) A person must not operate a radiocommunications device otherwise than on a frequency in the 29 MHz band or the 36 MHz band.\n  (2) A person must not operate a radiocommunications device in the 36 MHz band to control a model landcraft.\n  (3) A person must not operate a radiocommunications device in the 36 MHz band otherwise than on a frequency worked out using:\n    (a) if the device is used to control a model vessel – the formula in subsection (4);\n    (b) if the device is used to control a model aircraft – either the formula in subsection (4) or the formula in subsection (5).\n  (4) For the purposes of paragraphs (3)(a) and (b), the formula is:\n  35.99 + n(0.02) MHz\n  where “n” is a whole number between one and 30 (both inclusive).\n  (5) For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), the formula is:\n  36 + n(0.02) MHz\n  where “n” is a whole number between one and 29 (both inclusive).\n  EIRP range\n  (6) A person must not operate a radiocommunications device otherwise than with an EIRP that is:\n    (a) greater than 300 mW; and\n    (b) equal to or less than 1 W.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Condition — compliance with ARPANSA Standard","content":"#### 9 Condition – compliance with ARPANSA Standard\n\n  (1) A person must not operate a radiocommunications device or a group of radiocommunications devices if:\n    (a) equipment rules do not prescribe the EME standard for the device, or for 2 or more devices in the group; and\n    (b) the device, or group, when operated, does not comply with the basic restrictions for general public exposure.\n\n> Note: If equipment rules prescribe the EME standard for a radiocommunications device, see section 160 of the Act.\n\n  (2) In subsection (1):\n\n> basic restrictions means the restrictions identified as basic restrictions in the ARPANSA Standard.\n\n> Note: The ARPANSA Standard is available, free of charge, from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency website at www.arpansa.gov.au.\n\n> EME standard has the meaning given by the:\n\n    (a) the Radiocommunications Equipment (General) Rules 2021; or\n    (b) if a later instrument replaces those rules and defines the term – the later instrument.\n\n> Note: The Radiocommunications Equipment (General) Rules 2021 are available, free of charge, from the Federal Register of Legislation at www.legislation.gov.au.","sortOrder":8}],"analysis":{"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"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument itself defines who may be authorised (operators of devices controlling model aircraft, landcraft and vessels) and the technical limits that apply. The text contains no statement that it alters or departs from a prior class licence or original intent, so no change of scope is evident from this instrument alone."},"complexity_factors":["Technical frequency prescriptions and discrete channel formulas for the 36 MHz band (s 8(3)–(5)) increase precision requirements for operators.","Numeric EIRP range requirement (>300 mW and ≤1 W) introduces a strict power compliance threshold (s 8(6)).","Prohibition on causing interference combined with ACMA's general non‑protection statement creates enforcement and risk allocation issues for operators (s 7).","EME / ARPANSA compliance rule depends on whether equipment rules prescribe an EME standard, creating a conditional compliance path and cross‑reference to other instruments (s 9 and notes).","Multiple cross‑references to the Radiocommunications Act, Radiocommunications Equipment (General) Rules and ARPANSA Standard mean operators must consult other instruments for full obligations (ss 3–5, s 9 notes)."],"plain_english_summary":"This class licence lets people operate radio transmitters to control model aircraft, land vehicles and vessels, subject to technical limits on allowed frequency bands, channel formulas and transmit power, and to electromagnetic exposure rules (see secs 6–9). Operators must not cause interference and ACMA generally will not protect these devices from interference. The licence shifts compliance costs and operating choices to individual operators and relies on ACMA and cross‑referenced rules for definitions and enforcement."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This appears to be a straightforward replacement or update of a class licence for radio-controlled models, consistent with the original purpose of regulating spectrum use for hobby RC equipment. The scope remains tightly focused on model aircraft, landcraft, and vessels with specific technical constraints."},"complexity_factors":["Mathematical formulas for frequency calculation in section 8 (two different formulas depending on vehicle type)","Nested prohibitions in section 8: general ban on non-29/36 MHz bands, then specific bans on 36 MHz for landcraft, then channel spacing requirements","Cross-references to external standards (ARPANSA Standard, Radiocommunications Equipment (General) Rules 2021) and the parent Act","Technical terminology requiring definitions (EIRP, basic restrictions, EME standard)","Conditional logic in section 9 regarding when ARPANSA compliance applies vs. when equipment rules apply instead"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument creates a class licence allowing people to operate radio equipment to control model aircraft, landcraft, and vessels without individual permits. It applies to hobbyists, manufacturers, retailers and others using RC transmitters.\n\nIt matters because it legalises everyday RC use while limiting harm: users must stick to certain 29 MHz or 36 MHz frequencies, meet specified channel spacing, follow 300 mW–1 W EIRP power limits, avoid causing interference, and comply with ARPANSA radiation-safety rules."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-radio-controlled-models-class-licence-2025","history":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-radio-controlled-models-class-licence-2025/history","analysis":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-radio-controlled-models-class-licence-2025/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-radio-controlled-models-class-licence-2025/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-radio-controlled-models-class-licence-2025/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-radio-controlled-models-class-licence-2025/documents"}}