Preliminary
Part 1—Preliminary
1 Name
This instrument is the Radiocommunications (Low Interference Potential Devices) Class Licence 2025.
2 Commencement
This instrument commences at the start of 1 October 2025.
Note: The Federal Register of Legislation is available, free of charge, at www.legislation.gov.au.
3 Authority
This instrument is made under section 132 of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.
4 Interpretation
(1) In this instrument:
additional limitation, for a class of radiocommunications transmitters, means a limitation in a clause mentioned in column 4 of the table item in Schedule 1 for that class.
class of radiocommunications transmitters means a class of radiocommunications transmitters:
(a) specified in column 1 of a table item in Schedule 1; and
(b) that satisfies any additional requirements in a clause of Schedule 1 that applies to the table that includes the table item.
commercial broadcasting licence means a commercial radio broadcasting licence or a commercial television broadcasting licence.
commercial television broadcasting service has the meaning given by the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.
community television broadcasting licence has the meaning given by the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.
community television broadcasting service means a service provided under a community television broadcasting licence.
controlled premises, in relation to a person operating a radiocommunications transmitter, means premises that are owned by or under the control of that person.
coverage area, for a broadcasting station, means:
(a) if the station is used to provide a commercial television broadcasting service or community television broadcasting service – the area within the licence area for the service where the median field strength E(50,50) of the transmission made by the station, at 10 metres above ground level, is at least the specified limit;
(b) in any other case – the area where the median field strength E(50,50) of the transmission made by the station, at 10 metres above ground level, is at least the specified limit.
DAB means digital audio broadcasting.
EN 300 328 means EN 300 328, Wideband transmission systems; Data transmission equipment operating in the 2,4 GHz band; Harmonised Standard for access to radio spectrum, published by ETSI.
Note: EN 300 328 is available, free of charge, from ETSI’s website at www.etsi.org.
EN 300 422-1 means EN 300 422-1, Wireless Microphones; Audio PME up to 3 GHz; Part 1: Audio PMSE Equipment up to 3 GHz; Harmonised Standard for access to radio spectrum, published by ETSI.
Note: EN 300 422-1 is available, free of charge, from ETSI’s website at www.etsi.org.
EN 300 440 means EN 300 440, Short Range Devices (SRD); Radio equipment to be used in the 1 GHz to 40 GHz frequency range; Harmonised Standard for access to radio spectrum, published by ETSI.
Note: EN 300 440 is available, free of charge, from ETSI’s website at www.etsi.org.
EN 301 091-1 means EN 301 091-1, Short Range Devices; Transport and Traffic Telematics (TTT); Radar equipment operating in the 76 GHz to 77 GHz range; Harmonised Standard covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of Directive 2014/53/EU; Part 1: Ground based vehicular radar, published by ETSI.
Note: EN 301 091-1 is available, free of charge, from ETSI’s website at www.etsi.org.
EN 301 091-2 means EN 301 091-2, Short Range Devices; Transport and Traffic Telematics (TTT); Radar equipment operating in the 76 GHz to 77 GHz range; Harmonised Standard covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of Directive 2014/53/EU; Part 2: Fixed infrastructure radar equipment, published by ETSI.
Note: EN 301 091-2 is available, free of charge, from ETSI’s website at www.etsi.org.
EN 301 091-3 means EN 301 091-3, Short Range Devices; Transport and Traffic Telematics (TTT); Radar equipment operating in the 76 GHz to 77 GHz range; Harmonised Standard covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of Directive 2014/53/EU; Part 3: Railway/Road Crossings obstacle detection system applications, published by ETSI.
Note: EN 301 091-3 is available, free of charge, from ETSI’s website at www.etsi.org.
EN 301 357 means EN 301 357, Cordless audio devices in the range 25 MHz to 2 000 MHz; Harmonised Standard covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the Directive 2014/53/EU, published by ETSI.
Note: EN 301 357 is available, free of charge, from ETSI’s website at www.etsi.org.
EN 301 559 means EN 301 559, Short Range Devices (SRD); Low Power Active Medical Implants (LP-AMI) and associated Peripherals (LP-AMI-P) operating in the frequency range 2 483,5 MHz to 2 500 MHz; Harmonised Standard covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the Directive 2014/53/EU, published by ETSI.
Note: EN 301 559 is available, free of charge, from ETSI’s website at www.etsi.org.
EN 301 839 means EN 301 839, Ultra Low Power Active Medical Implants (ULP-AMI) and associated Peripherals (ULP-AMI-P) operating in the frequency range 402 MHz to 405 MHz; Harmonised Standard covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the Directive 3014/53/EU, published by ETSI.
Note: EN 301 839 is available, free of charge, from ETSI’s website at www.etsi.org.
EN 302 065-1 means EN 302 065-1, Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology (UWB); Harmonised Standard covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the Directive 2014/53/EU; Part 1: Requirements for Generic UWB applications, published by ETSI.
Note: EN 302 065-1 is available, free of charge, from ETSI’s website at www.etsi.org.
EN 302 065-2 means EN 302 065-2, Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology (UWB); Harmonised Standard covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the Directive 2014/53/EU; Part 2: Requirements for UWB location tracking, published by ETSI.
Note: EN 302 065-2 is available, free of charge, from ETSI’s website at www.etsi.org.
EN 302 065-4 means EN 302 065-4, Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology (UWB); Harmonised Standard covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the Directive 2014/53/EU; Part 4: Material Sensing devices using UWB technology below 10,6 GHz, published by ETSI.
Note: EN 302 065-4 is available, free of charge, from ETSI’s website at www.etsi.org.
EN 302 065-5 means EN 302 065-5, Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology (UWB); Harmonised Standard covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the Directive 2014/53/EU; Part 5: Devices using UWB technology onboard aircraft, published by ETSI.
Note: EN 302 065-5 is available, free of charge, from ETSI’s website at www.etsi.org.
EN 302 066 means EN 302 066, Short Range Devices (SRD)l Ground- and Wall- Probing Radio determination (GPR/WPR) devices; Harmonised Standard for access to radio spectrum, published by ETSI.
Note: EN 302 066 is available, free of charge, from ETSI’s website at www.etsi.org.
EN 302 264 means EN 302 264, Short Range Devices; Transport and Traffic Telematics (TTT); Short Range Radar equipment operating in the 77 GHz to 81 GHz band; Harmonised Standard covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of Directive 2014/53/EU, published by ETSI.
Note: EN 302 264 is available, free of charge, from ETSI’s website at www.etsi.org.
EN 302 288 means EN 302 288, Short Range Devices; Transport and Traffic Telematics (TTT); Ultra-wideband radar equipment operating in the 24,35 GHz to 26,65 GHz range; Harmonised Standard covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of Directive 2014/53/EU, published by ETSI.
Note: EN 302 288 is available, free of charge, from ETSI’s website at www.etsi.org.
EN 302 372 means EN 302 372, Short Range Devices (SRD); Tank Level Probing Radar (TLPR) equipment operating in the frequency ranges 4,5 GHz to 7 GHz, 8,5 GHz to 10,6 GHz, 24,05 GHz to 27 GHz, 57 GHz to 64 GHz, 75 GHz to 85 GHz; Harmonised Standard covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the Directive 2014/53/EU, published by ETSI.
Note: EN 302 372 is available, free of charge, from ETSI’s website at www.etsi.org.
EN 302 537 means EN 302 537, Ultra Low Power Medical Data Service (MEDS) Systems operating in the frequency range 401 MHz to 402 MHz and 405 MHz to 406 MHz; Harmonised Standard covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the Directive 2014/53/EU, published by ETSI.
Note: EN 302 537 is available, free of charge, from ETSI’s website at www.etsi.org.
EN 302 729 means EN 302 729, Short Range Devices (SRD); Level Probing Radar (LPR) equipment operating in the frequency ranges 6 GHz to 8,5 GHz, 24.05 GHz to 26,5 GHz, 57 GHz to 64 GHz, 75 GHz to 85 GHz; Harmonised Standard covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the Directive 2014/53/EU, published by ETSI.
Note: EN 302 729 is available, free of charge, from ETSI’s website at www.etsi.org.
EN 303 203 means EN 303 203, Short Range Devices (SRD); Medical Body Area Network Systems (MBANSs) operating in the 2 483,5 MHz to 2 500 MHz range; Harmonised Standard covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the Directive 2014/53/EU, published by ETSI.
Note: EN 303 203 is available, free of charge, from ETSI’s website at www.etsi.org.
ERP means effective radiated power.
ETSI means the European Telecommunications Standards Institute.
FCC Rules means the rules and regulations made by the United States of America Federal Communications Commission.
Note: The FCC Rules are available, free of charge, from United States government’s Code of Federal Regulations website at www.ecfr.gov.
field strength means the intensity of the electromagnetic field produced by a radiocommunications transmitter, at a particular distance from the transmitter, measured in:
(a) in relation to the electric component of the field – V/m, where V means volts and m means metres;
(b) in relation to the magnetic component of the field – A/m, where A means amperes and m means metres.
infrared transmitter means a radiocommunications transmitter having a radio emission in the frequency range 187.5 THz to 420 THz.
licence area means:
(a) in relation to a broadcasting station used to provide a commercial broadcasting service – the licence area designated for the relevant commercial broadcasting licence under section 29 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992;
(b) in relation to a broadcasting station used to provide a community broadcasting service, other than a service provided under a temporary community broadcasting licence – the licence area designated for the relevant community television broadcasting licence under section 29 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992;
(c) in relation to a broadcasting station used to provide a community broadcasting service provided under a temporary community broadcasting licence – the licence area designated for the relevant temporary community broadcasting licence under section 92G of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.
maximum EIRP, for a class of radiocommunications transmitters, means the EIRP mentioned in:
(a) column 3 of the table item in Schedule 1 for that class; or
(b) if column 3 of the table item refers to a clause of Schedule 1 – that clause.
Note: See subsections 7(2), (4) and (5).
nominated distance of a specified Australian radio-astronomy site means the following:
(a) in relation to the Parkes Observatory located at latitude 32° 59’ 54.25” south, longitude 148° 15’ 48.65” east – 10 kilometres of the Parkes Observatory;
(b) in relation to the Paul Wild Observatory located at latitude 30° 18’ 46.40” south, longitude 149° 33’ 0.44” east – 10 kilometres of the Paul Wild Observatory;
(c) in relation to the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex located at latitude 35° 23’ 48.39” south, longitude 148° 58’ 44.35” east – 3 kilometres of the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex.
nominated distance of a specified SRS earth station means:
(a) in relation to the Perth facility located at latitude 31° 48’ 13.37” south, longitude 115° 53’ 1.24” east – 2 kilometres of the facility;
(b) in relation to the New Norcia facility located at latitude 31° 02’ 53.57” south, longitude 116° 11’ 29.20” east – 5 kilometres of the facility;
(c) in relation to the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex located at latitude 35° 23’ 48.39” south, longitude 148° 58’ 44.35” east – 5 kilometres of the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex.
permitted frequency, for a class of radiocommunications transmitters, means a frequency, or a frequency in a frequency band, mentioned in column 2 of the table item in Schedule 1 for that class.
radiated power, in relation to a radiocommunications transmitter, means the power that is emitted from or at any of the following:
(a) an antenna that is an integral part of the transmitter;
(b) an antenna that is connected to the transmitter;
(c) the surface of a specified enclosure containing the antenna;
(d) for a table item in Schedule 1 that mentions an opening and an underground environment – the opening to the underground environment.
radio broadcasting service means a broadcasting service that provides radio programs.
RFID transmitter means a radiocommunications transmitter used for a radiofrequency identification tag.
shielded enclosure means a container, room, or other thing that encloses a space, which prevents, or is designed to prevent, the entry or escape of radio emissions from that space.
significant event means an event declared to be a significant event by the ACMA under:
(a) subsection 54A(2) of the Radiocommunications Equipment (General) Rules 2021; or
(b) if a later instrument replaces those rules and provides for the ACMA to declare a significant event – the later instrument.
Note: The Radiocommunications Equipment (General) Rules 2021 are available, free of charge, from the Federal Register of Legislation at www.legislation.gov.au.
specified limit, in relation to the median field strength E(50,50) of a transmission made by a station, means:
(a) for a transmission in the band 174–230 MHz, in respect of a television broadcasting service – 44 dBu V/m;
(b) for a transmission in the band 174–230 MHz, in respect of a radio broadcasting service – 63 dBu V/m;
(c) for a transmission in the band 520–610 MHz – 50 dBu V/m;
(d) for a transmission in the band 610–694 MHz – 54 dBu V/m.
television broadcasting service means a broadcasting service that provides television programs.
temporary community broadcasting licence has the meaning given by the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.
transmitter power means the power at the output of the transmitter going to the antenna.
TRP (short for total radiated power) means the integral of the power transmitted in different directions over the entire radiation sphere. It is measured by considering the combination of all radiating elements on an antenna panel or individual device.
TS 38.101-2 means TS 38.101-2, Group Radio Access Network; NR; User Equipment (UE) radio transmission and reception; Part 2: Range 2 Standalone, published by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project.
Note: TS 38.101-2 is published by the 3GPP and is available, free of charge, from its website at www.3gpp.org
TS 38.104 means TS 38.104, Group Radio Access Network; NR; Base Station (BS) radio transmission and reception, published by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project.
Note 1: TS 38.104 is published by the 3GPP and is available, free of charge, from its website at www.3gpp.org.
Note 2: A number of other expressions used in this instrument are defined in the Act, including the following:
(a) ACMA;
(b) broadcasting station;
(c) commercial broadcasting service;
(d) commercial radio broadcasting licence;
(e) commercial television broadcasting licence;
(f) community broadcasting service;
(g) environment;
(h) equipment;
(i) equipment rules;
(j) frequency band;
(k) import
(l) interference;
(m) operate;
(n) permit;
(o) radiocommunication;
(p) radiocommunications device;
(q) radiocommunications transmitter;
(r) radio emission;
(s) spectrum plan;
(t) television program;
(u) transmitter.
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, that applies to this instrument, including:
(a) Act;
(b) ARPANSA Standard;
(c) broadcasting services bands;
(d) datacasting service station;
(e) EIRP;
(f) indoors;
(g) radiodetermination.
(2) In this instrument, latitude and longitude are measured with reference to the geodetic datum designated as the “Geocentric Datum of Australia (GDA94)” gazetted in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. GN 35 on 6 September 1995.
Note: More information on the Geocentric Datum of Australia is available from the Geoscience Australia website at www.ga.gov.au.
5 References to other instruments
In this instrument, unless the contrary intention appears: (a) a reference to any other legislative instrument is a reference to that other legislative instrument as in force from time to time; and (b) a reference to any other kind of instrument is a reference to that other instrument as in force from time to time.
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.
Note 2: All Commonwealth Acts and legislative instruments are registered on the Federal Register of Legislation.
Note 3: See section 314A of the Act.
Part 2—Class licence
6 Class licence
This instrument authorises a person to operate a radiocommunications transmitter included in a class of radiocommunications transmitters, subject to the conditions set out in Part 3 of this instrument.
Note: Subsection 132(3) of the Act provides that the operation of a radiocommunications device is not authorised by a class licence if it is not in accordance with the conditions of the class licence.
Part 3—Conditions
7 Operation – operating parameters set out in Schedule 1
Conditions (1) A person must not operate a radiocommunications transmitter included in a class of radiocommunications transmitters otherwise than on a permitted frequency for the class. (2) A person must not operate a radiocommunications transmitter included in a class of radiocommunications transmitters at a radiated power that exceeds, in any direction, the maximum EIRP for the class. (3) A person must not operate a radiocommunications transmitter included in a class of radiocommunications transmitters otherwise than in accordance with any additional limitations for the class.
Note: A radiocommunications transmitter may fall within more than one class specified in Schedule 1. For each class the radiocommunications transmitter falls within, the transmitter may be operated in accordance with the permitted frequencies, maximum EIRP and additional limitations specified in the table item for that class.
Interpretation (4) For the purposes of subsection (2), if column 3 of a table item in Schedule 1 refers to a particular clause of Schedule 1, the maximum EIRP is worked out in accordance with that clause.
Note: A clause in Schedule 1 may refer to another document, which sets out what the maximum EIRP is for the class of radiocommunications transmitters.
(5) If, for a class of radiocommunications transmitters: (a) there is an additional limitation; and (b) that additional limitation refers to a document (the limitation document); then, unless the contrary intention appears: (c) a frequency or frequency band mentioned in an additional limitation for the class; and (d) the maximum EIRP for the class; must be construed in accordance with any interpretative provisions of the limitation document.
Note: The effect of paragraph (5)(c) is that any frequency or frequency band that appears in column 4 (or in a clause referred to in column 4) of a table item is interpreted in accordance with a limitation document that applies to that table item. For a frequency or frequency band that appears in column 2 (a permitted frequency), see subsection (6).
(6) If, for a class of radiocommunications transmitters: (a) there is an additional limitation; and (b) that additional limitation refers to a document (the limitation document); then, unless the contrary intention appears, a permitted frequency for the class must not be construed in accordance with any interpretative provisions of the limitation document.
Note: The effect of subsection (6) is that any frequency or frequency band that appears in column 2 of a table item is not interpreted in accordance with a limitation document that applies to that table item. For a frequency or frequency band that appears in column 4 (or in a clause referred to in column 4), see subsection (5).
(7) If, for a class of radiocommunications transmitters: (a) there is an additional limitation; and (b) the additional limitation refers to a document (the limitation document); and (c) the additional limitation requires a radiocommunications transmitter in that class, or the operation of such a transmitter, to comply with all or part of the limitation document; the additional limitation does not apply to the operation of a radiocommunications transmitter in that class where: (d) the transmitter is imported solely for use or operation in Australia in connection with a significant event; and (e) if there is a requirement, imposed otherwise than by the limitation document, to the effect that the transmitter must be tested or inspected before it may be used or operated in Australia – the requirement has been satisfied before the transmitter is used or operated; and (f) if there is a condition or requirement, imposed otherwise than by the limitation document, on the use or operation of the transmitter in Australia – the transmitter is only used or operated in accordance with that condition or requirement; and (g) the transmitter is only used or operated in Australia at the location, and during the period, specified in the notifiable instrument that declares the event to be a significant event.
Note 1: A radiocommunications transmitter may be operated under this instrument in parts of the radiofrequency spectrum used by other radiocommunications devices. A radiocommunications receiver tuned to the transmitter will not be afforded protection from interference caused by other radiocommunications devices. A radiocommunications transmitter operated under this instrument is generally not expected to suffer interference; however, an individual transmitter may experience interference arising from the particular circumstances of the transmitter’s operation.
Note 2: In accordance with the requirements of footnote AUS 32 and footnote 150 to the Table of Frequency Band Allocations in the spectrum plan, a low interference potential device will not be afforded protection from interference that may be caused by industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) applications in the ISM frequency bands 13.553 MHz to 13.567 MHz, 26.957 MHz to 27.283 MHz, 40.66 MHz to 40.70 MHz, 918 MHz to 926 MHz, 2 400 MHz to 2 500 MHz, 5 725 MHz to 5 875 MHz and 24 000 MHz to 24 250 MHz.
Note 3: Some radiocommunications transmitters operated under this instrument must meet additional physical or technical requirements outside the scope of this instrument. The use, marketing and supply of such devices in Australia may be dependent on the approval of the appropriate regulatory body, such as the Therapeutic Goods Administration or State and Territory government authorities.
Note 4: The operation of a radiocommunications transmitter with an external antenna, other than an antenna supplied with the transmitter, may result in a breach of the conditions of this instrument. An external antenna is a removable antenna that is not an integral antenna. An integral antenna is an antenna that is permanently fixed to a transmitter, or which is intended for direct attachment to a fixed connector on the transmitter, without the use of an external cable.
Note 5: A radiocommunications transmitter, or group of transmitters, capable of operating simultaneously on more than one permitted frequency must comply with the standard prescribed by Schedule 4 to the Radiocommunications Equipment (General) Rules 2021, or by a later instrument that replaces those rules and prescribes a standard, for the total power that is emitted. Those rules are available, free of charge, from the Federal Register of Legislation at www.legislation.gov.au.
Note 6: Information about electromagnetic energy regulatory arrangements is available, free of charge, from the ACMA website at www.acma.gov.au.
8 Operation – interference
(1) A person must not operate a radiocommunications transmitter, whether on its own or in operation with one or more other radiocommunications transmitters, if the operation causes interference to radiocommunications. (2) Without limiting subsection (1), a radiocommunications transmitter must not be operated if all the following circumstances exist: (a) the transmitter is operated on a frequency, or in a frequency band, between 70 MHz and 25.25 GHz; and (b) the transmitter is operated within 70 kilometres of the Murchison Radioastronomy Observatory located at latitude 26° 42’ 15” south, longitude 116° 39’ 32” east; (c) the operation causes interference to the radio astronomy observations of the Observatory.
9 Operation – compliance with ARPANSA Standard
A person must not operate a radiocommunications transmitter, or a group of radiocommunications transmitters, if the electromagnetic energy emitted by the transmitter, or group of transmitters, exceeds the general public exposure limits specified in the ARPANSA Standard in a place accessible by the public.
Note 1: A radiocommunications transmitter with an integral antenna must not be supplied unless it complies with the standard prescribed by Schedule 4 to the Radiocommunications Equipment (General) Rules 2021, which adopts the exposure limits specified in the ARPANSA Standard. Under section 9 of this instrument, the ARPANSA Standard exposure limits must also be met by a radiocommunications transmitter, whether on its own or included in a group of transmitters, to which, after it is supplied, a person attaches an external antenna (that is, an antenna other than an integral antenna), located in an area accessible to the public. An integral antenna is an antenna that is permanently fixed to a device, or which is intended for direct attachment to a fixed connector on the device, without the use of an external cable.
Note 2: A radiocommunications transmitter with a dedicated antenna (as defined by applicable instruments produced by ETSI) is equivalent to a transmitter with an integral antenna for the purpose of the ARPANSA Standard.
Note 3: The standards AS/NZS IEC 60825.14 Safety of laser products, Part 14: A user’s guide and AS/NZS IEC 60825.1 Safety of laser products, Part 1:Equipment classification and requirements set out the requirements that are necessary to protect persons from radiation from a laser device, the use of which may be authorised by this instrument. These standards may be obtained, for a fee, from a Standard Australia distributor listed on the Standards Australia website at www.standards.org.au. They are also available to be viewed, on prior request, at an ACMA office, subject to licensing conditions.
Note 4: Where a radiocommunications transmitter, or group of transmitters, is capable of operating simultaneously on more than one permitted frequency in places accessible by the public, the general public exposure limits specified in the ARPANSA Standard apply to the total power emitted.