Radiocommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1992

This Act carries forward licences, permits, standards, guidelines and other instruments made under the Radiocommunications Act 1983 so they continue to operate under the Radiocommunications Act 1992, mapping old instrument types to their new counterparts. It preserves regulations and frequency reservations, carries over authorisations, and leaves suspended instruments suspended until the suspension ends. It affects licence‑holders, applicants and the spectrum management authority (SMA), preventing legal gaps on repeal while shifting issuing authority to the SMA and creating administrative cross‑references and limited exceptions.

The Radiocommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1992 is a transitional statute designed to manage the administrative shift from the Radiocommunications Act 1983 (the old Act) to the Radiocommunications Act 1992 (the new Act). Commencing on 1 July 1993 under section 2, the primary function of this Act is to prevent a regulatory vacuum during the overhaul of Australia's spectrum management framework. It achieves this by preserving existing instruments, licences, permits, standards, and appointments, converting them into equivalent instruments under the newly established regulatory regime.

Mechanically, the Act transfers the administration of spectrum resources. Under the old Act, many primary administrative decisions and instruments were executed by the Minister. The Act systematically transfers these instruments to the Spectrum Management Agency (SMA), the statutory regulator established under the new Act. By preserving these instruments "as if" they had been made by the SMA under the new Act, the legislation maintains the continuity of commercial operations, public safety communications, and individual spectrum access rights without requiring immediate re-application or re-assessment.

The scope of this transition is extensive. It covers the legal preservation of twenty four distinct categories of statutory instruments, ranging from inspector appointments and technical standards to transmitter and receiver licences, certificates of proficiency, and price-based allocation systems. It also preserves the validity of historical regulations, manages the status of suspended licences, protects transitional frequency reservations, and makes necessary consequential amendments to other Commonwealth statutes to align their enforcement and copyright provisions with the new legislative terminology.

The regulatory transition is built upon several core legal concepts:

The Dual Interpretive Rule

Section 3 establishes a dual interpretive framework to manage the co-existence of concepts from different legislative eras. Under subsection 3(2), any term or expression used in the transitional Act that relates to the new Act carries the same meaning as in the Radiocommunications Act 1992. Conversely, under subsection 3(3), any term or expression that relates to the Radiocommunications Act 1983 or actions taken under it retains the meaning it held under the 1983 Act. This dual-track interpretation prevents confusion when dealing with terms that may have altered in scope or definition between the two principal Acts.

Saving of Instruments

Section 4 establishes an automatic statutory conversion mechanism. Instead of requiring the SMA to reissue thousands of individual instruments, any instrument listed in Column 2 of the section 4 table that was in force immediately before 1 July 1993 continues in force as if it had been made by the SMA under the corresponding provision of the 1992 Act (listed in Column 3). This concept of statutory continuity is absolute; the saved instruments are taken "for all purposes" to have been issued by the SMA, ensuring their ongoing enforceability and validity.

The Suspension Exclusion

Section 5 introduces the concept of a conditional transition for compromised instruments. If a compliance statement certificate or a transmitter licence was under suspension immediately before the commencement date, the automatic saving mechanism under section 4 is held in abeyance. The transition of the instrument to the new regulatory framework does not occur until the suspension ceases to have effect, provided the instrument has not otherwise expired or been cancelled.

Frequency Reservation and Non-Interference

Section 7 preserves the concept of reserved spectrum for specific entities. Even though the 1983 Act was repealed, a frequency reservation certificate issued under section 21 of the old Act remains in force for its original term. To protect this transition, the concept of non-interference is enforced: the SMA is statutorily prohibited from issuing any permit or licence to a third party that is inconsistent with that reservation, subject to a narrow exception for short-term permits of 14 days or less.

The Act directly impacts multiple classes of stakeholders across the public and private sectors, altering their legal relationships, administrative pathways, and compliance requirements.

The Spectrum Management Agency (SMA)

As the newly established regulator under the 1992 Act, the SMA is the primary administrative beneficiary of this Act. The legislation automatically populates the SMA’s regulatory portfolio with saved instruments. Under section 4, the SMA is deemed to have issued all active transmitter licences, receiver licences, standards, and permits. This avoids the administrative burden of an active registration campaign but inherits the regulatory responsibilities and enforcement obligations of those saved instruments.

Commercial and Private Spectrum Users

Holders of transmitter licences (under sections 24 and 24B of the old Act) and receiver licences (under section 38 of the old Act) are heavily affected. Their instruments are automatically transitioned to sections 100, 102, or 100 of the new Act respectively. Similarly, holders of certificates of proficiency (old section 31 transition to new section 121) and temporary permits (old section 35 transition to new section 100 transmitter licences) maintain their operating rights without interruption.

Regulatory Inspectors

Individuals appointed as inspectors under the old Act (paragraph 3(5)(a) or (b)) are affected by an automatic re-appointment under paragraph 267(1)(a) or (b) of the new Act. Their identity cards, issued under section 68 of the old Act, transition to become valid identity cards under section 268 of the new Act, ensuring continuity of inspection and enforcement powers.

Broadcasters and Copyright Holders

Under section 14(3), copyright owners of broadcasts are affected. The Act ensures that historical copyright protections linked to broadcasts made under 1983 Act transmitter licences or temporary permits remain valid, even if those licences or permits had already expired before the transition date of 1 July 1993.

The Act establishes a balanced set of statutory duties and rights designed to transition regulatory authority to the SMA while protecting the established interests of spectrum users.

The SMA's Duty of Non-Interference

The primary statutory duty created by the Act is set out in subsection 7(2). The SMA is under a strict duty not to issue a permit or a transmitter licence to any third party that would authorise the operation of a transmitter in a manner inconsistent with an active frequency reservation certificate held by another person under subsection 7(1). This duty acts as a shield for holders of reserved frequencies, preventing the regulator from double-allocating or degrading the utility of reserved spectrum.

The SMA's Short-Term Exemption Right

An exception to the non-interference duty is carved out under subsection 7(3). The SMA has the statutory right to issue a permit or a transmitter licence that would otherwise be inconsistent with an active frequency reservation, provided the authorisation does not exceed 14 days. This allows the SMA to manage short-term, urgent, or emergency spectrum needs without permanently infringing on transitional frequency reservations.

The SMA's Cancellation Power

Under subsection 7(4), the SMA is granted the same power to cancel transitional frequency reservation certificates as the Minister possessed immediately before the repeal of the 1983 Act. This ensures that while reservation holders have transitional protections, they do not hold an absolute or unreviewable property right; the SMA can intervene and cancel the reservation under the historical criteria.

Spectrum Users' Right of Continued Authorisation

Section 6 secures the rights of third parties authorised to operate transmitters. If a licence holder had granted an authority to another person to operate a transmitter under section 26 of the old Act, that authority is preserved. It continues as if it were an authorisation given under section 114 of the new Act, protecting the operating rights of secondary users and contractors.

Because the Act is primarily administrative and transitional, it does not establish a standalone schedule of criminal offences or civil penalties. Instead, it carefully manages the transition of enforcement powers and ensures that past non-compliance remains punishable under the new regulatory regime.

Preservation of Inspector Powers

A critical enforcement mechanism is the preservation of inspector identities and appointments under section 4. Inspector appointments under the old Act are mapped directly to paragraph 267(1)(a) or (b) of the new Act (Item 1 in the table), and their physical identity cards are saved under section 268 of the new Act (Item 23 in the table). This ensures that inspectors can continue to enter premises, inspect equipment, and enforce compliance on and after 1 July 1993 without any gap in their lawful authority or any vulnerability to challenges of trespass or unlawful search.

Cross-Act Application of Past Contraventions

Section 14(2) directly bridges the enforcement gap for electoral and referendum laws. It amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (subsection 362(4)) and the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984 (section 108A). Under these amendments, any statutory reference to a contravention of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 is legally expanded to include contraventions of the Radiocommunications Act 1983 that occurred prior to 1 July 1993. This prevents individuals or organisations from escaping the electoral consequences of historical broadcasting breaches simply because the underlying radiocommunications statute was repealed and replaced.

The Enforcement Freeze on Suspended Instruments

Section 5 functions as an enforcement tool by excluding suspended instruments from the automatic transition benefits of section 4. If an operator's compliance statement certificate or transmitter licence was suspended under the 1983 Act, they cannot claim the status of holding a valid, active licence under the 1992 Act. This prevents the transition from acting as an accidental amnesty for non-compliant operators. The suspension must be resolved under the terms of the old Act (or expire) before any transitional rights can materialize.

The Act serves as a statutory bridge between several key pieces of Commonwealth legislation, ensuring that references to the old radiocommunications framework are updated across the statute book.

The Radiocommunications Acts of 1983 and 1992

The entire Act is an exercise in managing the interface between these two principal statutes. Section 3 binds the two Acts together definitionally, while section 11 ensures that the regulations made under the 1983 Act continue to operate as if made under the 1992 Act. This regulatory saving mechanism is subject to a vital limitation: under subsection 11(3), a regulation does not survive if its making would not have been authorised under the regulation-making power of the 1992 Act.

The Copyright Act 1968

Section 14(3) modifies the application of the Copyright Act 1968. Specifically, references in subparagraphs 91(a)(iii) and (c)(iii) of the Copyright Act 1968 to transmitter licences issued under the Radiocommunications Act 1992 are extended. They are taken to include references to transmitter licences or temporary permits issued under the 1983 Act that were in force at the time a particular broadcast was made, even if those instruments were not in force immediately before 1 July 1993. This protects the historical copyright chain of title for broadcasters, ensuring that past broadcasts remain protected under copyright law despite the repeal of the licensing act under which they were originally transmitted.

Commonwealth Electoral and Referendum Acts

As noted, section 14(2) directly interacts with the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984. By reading past contraventions of the 1983 Act as contraventions of the 1992 Act, it preserves the integrity of electoral advertising regulations and enforcement actions. It ensures that historical violations of radiocommunications standards remain admissible and relevant in electoral compliance proceedings.

As a transitional and consequential amendment Act, the Radiocommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1992 was enacted as a single, structurally finite instrument to facilitate a specific constitutional and regulatory handoff on 1 July 1993.

The structure of the Act is divided into three distinct Parts:

Part 1 (Preliminary): Contains the short title (section 1) and the commencement provision (section 2), which set the operational date of 1 July 1993.
Part 2 (Transitional provisions): Contains the core savings clauses (sections 3 to 11), including the extensive conversion table in section 4, the suspension rules in section 5, the continuation of operator authorities in section 6, the preservation of frequency reservations in section 7, and the survival of regulations under section 11.
Part 3 (Repeal and consequential amendments): Executes the formal repeal of the Radiocommunications Act 1983 (as indicated by the reference in section 13 and the transitional mechanics) and sets out the consequential amendments to other federal statutes in section 14.

Because transitional Acts of this nature are designed to execute a historic, point-in-time legal transfer, they rarely undergo subsequent substantive amendments. Their primary utility to modern researchers is historical and interpretive, serving to document the chain of title for spectrum allocations, licences, and regulations that originated under the 1983 regime and continue to exist in modified forms under modern iterations of the radiocommunications framework.

While transitional acts are highly technical, they are critical in litigation because they establish the continuity of regulatory authority and the chain of title for older spectrum rights. Although the source text does not name specific common law cases, several categories of legal disputes typically arise from transitional frameworks of this nature.

Validity of Inspector Authorisations

In prosecutions for radiocommunications offences, defendants have historically challenged the authority of inspectors who initiated investigations or seized equipment. Where an inspector's appointment originated under the 1983 Act, the prosecution relies directly on Item 1 and Item 23 of the section 4 table to prove that the inspector's credentials and identity card transitioned seamlessly into valid instruments under sections 267 and 268 of the 1992 Act. Any administrative defect in this mapping would render subsequent search and seizure operations unlawful.

Disputes Over "In Force" Status

The operation of section 4 is contingent on an instrument being "in force immediately before the commencement of this Act." Litigation can turn on whether a licence or permit had lapsed, expired, or been effectively cancelled prior to 1 July 1993. If a licence was technically defunct on 30 June 1993, it could not benefit from the saving mechanism of section 4, and any subsequent operation of a transmitter by the owner would constitute an unlicensed transmission under the 1992 Act.

Ultra Vires Challenges to Transitional Regulations

Under subsection 11(3), a regulation made under the old Act only survives if its making is authorised by the new Act. This has been a fertile ground for administrative law challenges. If a litigant can demonstrate that a preserved 1983 regulation exceeded the regulation-making scope of the 1992 Act, that regulation is immediately void, bypassing the general saving provision of subsection 11(1).

For legal practitioners, corporate compliance officers, and spectrum managers, the Act contains several hidden regulatory risks (gotchas) that can disrupt operations if overlooked.

The Suspension Trap (Section 5)

If a client holds a compliance statement certificate or a transmitter licence that was suspended on 30 June 1993, it does not transition under section 4. This creates an administrative trap. If the operator assumes their licence will automatically carry over to the new SMA regime, they may attempt to resume broadcasting once the suspension period ends. However, because the licence did not transition on 1 July 1993, they may find themselves operating without a valid licence under the 1992 Act, exposing them to significant unauthorized transmission liability. The suspension must be formally resolved, and the transition confirmed, before operations resume.

The Regulation Invalidity Risk (Subsection 11(3))

One cannot assume that because a regulation existed under the 1983 Act, it remained legally enforceable after 1 July 1993. Compliance teams must perform a comparative statutory analysis. If the 1992 Act did not grant the regulator the power to make a regulation of that specific type, the regulation died on 1 July 1993 by operation of subsection 11(3). Relying on an invalidly saved regulation for compliance standards can result in systemic operational breaches.

The 14-Day Frequency Reservation Carve-Out (Subsection 7(3))

Holders of transitional frequency reservation certificates under section 7 must realize their exclusivity is not absolute. The SMA has the explicit right to issue short-term transmitter licences (up to 14 days) that directly conflict with the reserved frequency. Operators who rely on absolute quiet in their reserved spectrum for sensitive testing or calibrations may experience unexpected interference from these lawful, short-term SMA allocations.

Discretionary Cancellation of Reservations (Subsection 7(4))

A frequency reservation is not a permanent property right. Under subsection 7(4), the SMA retains the Minister's historical, broad administrative discretion to cancel reservation certificates. If an operator fails to actively utilize or justify their reserved spectrum, the SMA can unilaterally terminate the reservation using the same criteria that existed under the 1983 Act.

Achieving and maintaining compliance under this transitional framework requires systematic verification of spectrum assets, statutory powers, and regulatory instruments.

Step 1: Conduct a Transitional Asset Audit

For any organisation operating on spectrum rights that originated prior to July 1993, perform an audit of the regulatory chain of title.

Locate the original instrument issued under the Radiocommunications Act 1983.
Verify that the instrument was active and "in force" immediately before 1 July 1993.
Confirm that the instrument was not subject to any active suspension under section 13 or section 28 of the old Act on 30 June 1993 (to avoid the Section 5 suspension trap).
Map the old instrument to its new counterpart using the 24-item table in section 4 (for example, mapping an old section 24 transmitter licence to a new section 100 licence).

Step 2: Validate Authorisations and Permissions

If your operations rely on secondary users or third-party operators:

Review all written authorisations granted under section 26 of the old Act.
Document their continuation as authorisations under section 114 of the new Act in accordance with section 6 of the transitional Act.
Ensure that any delegation or permission given under old paragraphs 65(5)(a) or 65(12)(a) is mapped to new subsections 193(1) and 195(1) respectively.

Step 3: Monitor Frequency Reservation Lifespans

For entities holding frequency reservation certificates preserved under section 7:

Establish the precise expiry date of the certificate as originally granted under section 21 of the old Act.
Monitor SMA licence allocations in adjacent or overlapping bands, keeping in mind the SMA's power to issue conflicting 14-day permits under subsection 7(3).
Maintain open communication with the SMA to mitigate the risk of discretionary cancellation under subsection 7(4).

Step 4: Verify Inspector Credentials

For compliance professionals facing regulatory audits or investigations where the inspector's authority dates back to the transition era:

Request to inspect the inspector’s identity card.
Verify that the card, if originally issued under section 68 of the old Act, is properly treated as an identity card under section 268 of the new Act.

Part 1—Preliminary

1 Short title

This Act may be cited as the Radiocommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1992.

2 Commencement

This Act commences on 1 July 1993.

Part 2—Transitional provisions

3 Interpretation

(1) In this Part, unless the contrary intention appears:

old Act means the Radiocommunications Act 1983.

new Act means the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), terms and expressions used in this Part have the same meaning as they have in the new Act. (3) Terms and expressions used in this Part that relate to the old Act or anything done under the old Act have the same meaning as they have in the old Act.

4 Saving of instruments under the old Act

Subject to section 5, if an instrument is made by the Minister that: (a) is an instrument of a kind referred to in column 2 of the following table; and (b) was in force immediately before the commencement of this Act; then the instrument: (c) continues in force immediately after that commencement as if, at the time it had been made, it had been made, in the same terms, by the SMA as an instrument of the kind referred to in the corresponding item in column 3 of the following table; and (d) is taken, for all purposes, to have been issued by the SMA as such an instrument.

<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="margin-left:0.25pt; border-collapse:collapse"><thead><tr><td colspan="3" style="width:343.5pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading" style="page-break-inside:avoid"><span>TABLE</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading" style="page-break-inside:avoid"><span>Column 1</span><br><span>Item No.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading" style="page-break-inside:avoid"><span>Column 2</span><br><span>Instrument made under</span><br><span>the old Act</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading" style="page-break-inside:avoid"><span>Column 3</span><br><span>Instrument made under</span><br><span>the new Act</span></p></td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-inside:avoid; page-break-after:avoid"><span>1.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-inside:avoid; page-break-after:avoid"><span>Appointment of a person under paragraph</span><span> </span><span>3(5)(a) or</span><span> </span><span>(b) to be an inspector.</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-inside:avoid; page-break-after:avoid"><span>Appointment of a person under paragraph</span><span> </span><span>267(1)(a) or (b) to be an inspector.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>2.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A standard made under subsection</span><span> </span><span>9(1).</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A standard made under section</span><span> </span><span>162.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>3.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A test permit granted under section</span><span> </span><span>10.</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A permit issued under section</span><span> </span><span>167.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>4.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A permission given under subparagraph</span><span> </span><span>11(2)(b)(i).</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A permission given under subsection</span><span> </span><span>174(1).</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>5.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A compliance statement certificate issued under subsection</span><span> </span><span>12(1).</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A compliance certificate issued under section</span><span> </span><span>184.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>6.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>An advisory guideline made under subsection</span><span> </span><span>16(1).</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>An advisory guideline made under section</span><span> </span><span>262.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>7.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>An assignment of a part of the spectrum to the ABA under subsection</span><span> </span><span>18(3).</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A referral of that part of the spectrum to the ABA under section</span><span> </span><span>31.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>8.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A frequency band plan prepared under section</span><span> </span><span>19.</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A frequency band plan prepared under section</span><span> </span><span>32.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>9.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A transmitter licence granted under section</span><span> </span><span>24.</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A transmitter licence issued under section</span><span> </span><span>100.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>10.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A transmitter licence granted under section</span><span> </span><span>24B.</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A transmitter licence issued under section</span><span> </span><span>102.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>11.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A certificate of proficiency issued under section</span><span> </span><span>31.</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A certificate of proficiency issued under section</span><span> </span><span>121.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>12.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>An approval of an examination under subsection</span><span> </span><span>31(4).</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>An approval of an examination under section</span><span> </span><span>122.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>13.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A declaration, under subsection</span><span> </span><span>31(4), of a prescribed age for the purposes of section</span><span> </span><span>31 in relation to a class of certificates of proficiency.</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A declaration, under subsection</span><span> </span><span>122(2), of a minimum age for the purposes of section</span><span> </span><span>122 in relation to that class of certificates of proficiency.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>14.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A notice under subsection</span><span> </span><span>32(1).</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A request under subsection</span><span> </span><span>123(1).</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>15.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A temporary permit granted under section</span><span> </span><span>35.</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A transmitter licence issued under section</span><span> </span><span>100.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>16.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A receiver licence granted under section</span><span> </span><span>38.</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A receiver licence issued under section</span><span> </span><span>100.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>17.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A declaration of a period of emergency under section</span><span> </span><span>40.</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A declaration of a period of emergency under section</span><span> </span><span>219.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>18.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>An order made under section</span><span> </span><span>41.</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A restrictive order made under section</span><span> </span><span>222.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>19.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Guidelines made under section</span><span> </span><span>42.</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Guidelines made under section</span><span> </span><span>230.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>20.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A permission given under paragraph</span><span> </span><span>65(5)(a).</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A permission given under subsection</span><span> </span><span>193(1).</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>21.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A permission given under paragraph</span><span> </span><span>65(12)(a).</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A permission given under subsection</span><span> </span><span>195(1).</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>22.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A declaration under section</span><span> </span><span>66A in relation to a device.</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A declaration under subsection</span><span> </span><span>190(1) in relation to the device.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>23.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>An identity card issued under section</span><span> </span><span>68.</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>An identity card issued under section</span><span> </span><span>268.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>24.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A determination of a price-based allocation system under section</span><span> </span><span>92A.</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A determination of a price-based allocation system under section</span><span> </span><span>106.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>

5 Instruments subject to suspension

If, immediately before the commencement of this Act: (a) a compliance statement certificate issued under section 12 of the old Act is the subject of suspension under section 13 of the old Act; or (b) a transmitter licence granted under section 24 or 24B of the old Act is the subject of suspension under section 28 of the old Act; section 4 of this Act does not apply to the certificate or licence until the suspension ceases to have effect (otherwise than because of the expiry or cancellation of the certificate or licence).

6 Authorities under transmitter licences

An authority given by a person, under section 26 of the old Act, that was in force immediately before the commencement of this Act continues in force immediately after that commencement as if it had been an authorisation given by that person under section 114 of the new Act.

7 Frequency reservation certificates

(1) Subject to subsection (4), despite the repeal of the old Act by section 13 of this Act, a frequency reservation certificate granted under section 21 of the old Act that was in force immediately before the commencement of this Act remains in force after that commencement for the period for which it would have remained in force if the old Act were not repealed. (2) If an unallocated frequency is reserved in the name of a person in accordance with a frequency reservation certificate in force under subsection (1), the SMA must not issue to a person other than that person a permit or transmitter licence authorising the operation of a transmitter in a manner inconsistent with that reservation. (3) For the purposes of subsection (2), issuing a permit or transmitter licence that authorises the operation of a transmitter for a period not exceeding 14 days is taken to be not inconsistent with a reservation. (4) The SMA has the same power to cancel a frequency reservation certificate to which subsection (1) applies as the Minister had, immediately before the commencement of this Act, to cancel frequency reservation certificates.

11 Regulations under the Radiocommunications Act

(1) Subject to subsection (3), any regulations made under the old Act and in force immediately before the commencement of this Act continue in force as if made under the new Act. (2) A reference in a regulation so continued in force to a provision of the old Act is taken to be a reference to the corresponding provision in the new Act. (3) This section does not apply to a regulation the making of which would not be authorised by the new Act.

Part 3—Repeal and consequential amendments

14 Consequential amendments of Acts

(2) References in subsection 362(4) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 as amended by this Act, and in section 108A of the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984 as so amended, to contraventions of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 are taken to include references to contraventions of the Radiocommunications Act 1983 that took place before the commencement of this Act. (3) Without limiting the application of section 4 of this Act: (a) a reference in subparagraphs 91(a)(iii) and (c)(iii) of the Copyright Act 1968, as amended by this Act, to a transmitter licence issued under the Radiocommunications Act 1992; is taken to include: (b) a reference to a transmitter licence or a temporary permit that, although not in force immediately before the commencement of this Act, was in force at the time when the broadcast in question was made.

Part 1 Preliminary

Part 1—Preliminary

1 Short title

This Act may be cited as the Radiocommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1992.

2 Commencement

This Act commences on 1 July 1993.

Part 2 Transitional provisions

Part 2—Transitional provisions

3 Interpretation

(1) In this Part, unless the contrary intention appears:

old Act means the Radiocommunications Act 1983.

new Act means the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

4 Saving of instruments under the old Act

<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="margin-left:0.25pt; border-collapse:collapse"><thead><tr><td colspan="3" style="width:343.5pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading" style="page-break-inside:avoid"><span>TABLE</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading" style="page-break-inside:avoid"><span>Column 1</span><br><span>Item No.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading" style="page-break-inside:avoid"><span>Column 2</span><br><span>Instrument made under</span><br><span>the old Act</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading" style="page-break-inside:avoid"><span>Column 3</span><br><span>Instrument made under</span><br><span>the new Act</span></p></td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-inside:avoid; page-break-after:avoid"><span>1.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-inside:avoid; page-break-after:avoid"><span>Appointment of a person under paragraph</span><span> </span><span>3(5)(a) or</span><span> </span><span>(b) to be an inspector.</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-inside:avoid; page-break-after:avoid"><span>Appointment of a person under paragraph</span><span> </span><span>267(1)(a) or (b) to be an inspector.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>2.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A standard made under subsection</span><span> </span><span>9(1).</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A standard made under section</span><span> </span><span>162.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>3.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A test permit granted under section</span><span> </span><span>10.</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A permit issued under section</span><span> </span><span>167.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>4.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A permission given under subparagraph</span><span> </span><span>11(2)(b)(i).</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A permission given under subsection</span><span> </span><span>174(1).</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>5.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A compliance statement certificate issued under subsection</span><span> </span><span>12(1).</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A compliance certificate issued under section</span><span> </span><span>184.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>6.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>An advisory guideline made under subsection</span><span> </span><span>16(1).</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>An advisory guideline made under section</span><span> </span><span>262.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>7.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>An assignment of a part of the spectrum to the ABA under subsection</span><span> </span><span>18(3).</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A referral of that part of the spectrum to the ABA under section</span><span> </span><span>31.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>8.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A frequency band plan prepared under section</span><span> </span><span>19.</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A frequency band plan prepared under section</span><span> </span><span>32.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>9.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A transmitter licence granted under section</span><span> </span><span>24.</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A transmitter licence issued under section</span><span> </span><span>100.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>10.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A transmitter licence granted under section</span><span> </span><span>24B.</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A transmitter licence issued under section</span><span> </span><span>102.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>11.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A certificate of proficiency issued under section</span><span> </span><span>31.</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A certificate of proficiency issued under section</span><span> </span><span>121.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>12.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>An approval of an examination under subsection</span><span> </span><span>31(4).</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>An approval of an examination under section</span><span> </span><span>122.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>13.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A declaration, under subsection</span><span> </span><span>31(4), of a prescribed age for the purposes of section</span><span> </span><span>31 in relation to a class of certificates of proficiency.</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A declaration, under subsection</span><span> </span><span>122(2), of a minimum age for the purposes of section</span><span> </span><span>122 in relation to that class of certificates of proficiency.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>14.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A notice under subsection</span><span> </span><span>32(1).</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A request under subsection</span><span> </span><span>123(1).</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>15.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A temporary permit granted under section</span><span> </span><span>35.</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A transmitter licence issued under section</span><span> </span><span>100.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>16.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A receiver licence granted under section</span><span> </span><span>38.</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A receiver licence issued under section</span><span> </span><span>100.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>17.</span></p></td><td style="width:133.2pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A declaration of a period of emergency under section</span><span> </span><span>40.</span></p></td><td style="width:136.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; p

Plain English Summary

Deep Dive

What it does

Main concepts

The Dual Interpretive Rule

Saving of Instruments

The Suspension Exclusion

Frequency Reservation and Non-Interference

Who it affects

The Spectrum Management Agency (SMA)

Commercial and Private Spectrum Users

Regulatory Inspectors

Broadcasters and Copyright Holders

Key duties and rights

The SMA's Duty of Non-Interference

The SMA's Short-Term Exemption Right

The SMA's Cancellation Power

Spectrum Users' Right of Continued Authorisation

Penalties and enforcement

Preservation of Inspector Powers

Cross-Act Application of Past Contraventions

The Enforcement Freeze on Suspended Instruments

How it interacts with other laws

The Radiocommunications Acts of 1983 and 1992

The Copyright Act 1968

Commonwealth Electoral and Referendum Acts

Amendment history

Litigation history

Validity of Inspector Authorisations

Disputes Over "In Force" Status

Ultra Vires Challenges to Transitional Regulations

Gotchas

The Suspension Trap (Section 5)

The Regulation Invalidity Risk (Subsection 11(3))

The 14-Day Frequency Reservation Carve-Out (Subsection 7(3))

Discretionary Cancellation of Reservations (Subsection 7(4))

How to comply

Step 1: Conduct a Transitional Asset Audit

Step 2: Validate Authorisations and Permissions

Step 3: Monitor Frequency Reservation Lifespans

Step 4: Verify Inspector Credentials

Current sections

Preliminary

Part 1—Preliminary

Short title

1 Short title

Commencement

2 Commencement

Transitional provisions

Part 2—Transitional provisions

Interpretation

3 Interpretation

Saving of instruments under the old Act

4 Saving of instruments under the old Act

Instruments subject to suspension

5 Instruments subject to suspension

Authorities under transmitter licences

6 Authorities under transmitter licences

Frequency reservation certificates

7 Frequency reservation certificates

Regulations under the Radiocommunications Act

11 Regulations under the Radiocommunications Act

Repeal and consequential amendments

Part 3—Repeal and consequential amendments

Consequential amendments of Acts

14 Consequential amendments of Acts

Source text: opening excerpt

Part 1 Preliminary

Part 1—Preliminary

1 Short title

1 Short title

2 Commencement

2 Commencement

Part 2 Transitional provisions

Part 2—Transitional provisions

3 Interpretation

3 Interpretation

4 Saving of instruments under the old Act

4 Saving of instruments under the old Act