Contents
Part 1—Introduction                                                                                                           1
1............................ Short title............................................................................ 1
2............................ Commencement.................................................................. 1
3............................ Objects................................................................................ 1
4............................ Regulatory policy................................................................ 3
5............................ Simplified outline................................................................ 3
6............................ Main index.......................................................................... 7
7............................ Definitions.......................................................................... 8
8............................ Crown to be bound........................................................... 23
9............................ Extra‑territorial application................................................ 23
10.......................... Extension to external Territories....................................... 23
11.......................... Extension to offshore areas............................................... 23
11A....................... Application of the Criminal Code..................................... 24
12.......................... Act subject to Radiocommunications Act......................... 24
13.......................... Continuity of partnerships................................................ 25
14.......................... Controlled carriage services, controlled networks and controlled facilities              25
15.......................... Content service................................................................. 26
16.......................... Listed carriage services..................................................... 27
18.......................... Access to an emergency call service................................. 28
19.......................... Recognised person who operates an emergency call service 28
20.......................... Customer cabling.............................................................. 28
21.......................... Customer equipment......................................................... 29
22.......................... Customer cabling and customer equipment—boundary of a telecommunications network     30
23.......................... Immediate circle................................................................ 32
24.......................... Extended meaning of use.................................................. 37
Part 2—Network units                                                                                                     38
Division 1—Simplified outline                                                                               38
25.......................... Simplified outline.............................................................. 38
Division 2—Basic definition                                                                                   39
26.......................... Single line links connecting distinct places in Australia.... 39
27.......................... Multiple line links connecting distinct places in Australia. 39
28.......................... Designated radiocommunications facility.......................... 40
29.......................... Facilities specified in Ministerial determination................ 41
Division 3—Related definitions                                                                            42
30.......................... Line links.......................................................................... 42
31.......................... Designated radiocommunications facility.......................... 42
32.......................... Public mobile telecommunications service........................ 44
33.......................... Intercell hand‑over functions............................................ 45
34.......................... When a base station is part of a terrestrial radiocommunications customer access network    46
35.......................... Fixed radiocommunications link....................................... 47
Division 4—Distinct places                                                                                     49
36.......................... Distinct places—basic rules.............................................. 49
37.......................... Properties.......................................................................... 49
38.......................... Combined areas................................................................ 50
39.......................... Principal user of a property............................................... 51
40.......................... Eligible combined areas.................................................... 51
Part 3—Carriers                                                                                                                  52
Division 1—Simplified outline                                                                               52
41.......................... Simplified outline.............................................................. 52
Division 2—Prohibitions relating to carriers                                               53
42.......................... Network unit not to be used without carrier licence or nominated carrier declaration              53
43.......................... Continuing offences.......................................................... 54
44.......................... Supply to the public.......................................................... 54
45.......................... Exemption—defence......................................................... 56
46.......................... Exemption—intelligence operations.................................. 57
47.......................... Exemption—transport authorities..................................... 57
48.......................... Exemption—broadcasting services................................... 58
49.......................... Exemption—electricity supply bodies............................... 60
50.......................... Exemption—line links authorised by or under previous laws 61
51.......................... Exemption—Ministerial determination............................. 63
Division 3—Carrier licences                                                                                  65
52.......................... Applications for carrier licence......................................... 65
53.......................... Form of application etc..................................................... 65
53A....................... Copy of application to be given to Communications Access Co‑ordinator             65
54.......................... Application to be accompanied by charge......................... 65
55.......................... Further information........................................................... 66
56.......................... Grant of licence................................................................. 66
56A....................... Consultation with Communications Access Co‑ordinator 66
57.......................... Carrier licence has effect subject to this Act...................... 68
58.......................... Refusal of carrier licence—disqualified applicant............. 68
58A....................... Refusal of carrier licence—security.................................. 71
59.......................... Time limit on licence decision........................................... 72
60.......................... Notification of refusal of application................................. 74
61.......................... Conditions of carrier licence specified in Schedule 1........ 74
62.......................... Condition of carrier licence set out in section 152AZ of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 74
62A....................... Condition of carrier licence set out in section 152BCO of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010Â Â Â Â Â 75
62B........................ Condition of carrier licence set out in section 152BDF of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010Â Â Â Â Â 75
62C........................ Condition of carrier licence set out in section 152BEC of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010Â Â Â Â Â 75
62D....................... Condition of carrier licence set out in section 152CJC of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010Â Â Â Â Â Â 75
62E........................ Condition of carrier licence set out in section 37 of the National Broadband Network Companies Act 2011.......................................................................................... 76
63.......................... Conditions of carrier licence declared by Minister............ 76
64.......................... Consultation about declared licence conditions................. 77
65.......................... Conditions about foreign ownership or control................ 78
67.......................... Carrier licence conditions—special provisions................. 78
68.......................... Compliance with conditions.............................................. 79
69.......................... Remedial directions—breach of condition........................ 79
69AA.................... Remedial directions—breach of conditions relating to access 81
70.......................... Formal warnings—breach of condition............................ 82
71.......................... Surrender of carrier licence............................................... 85
72.......................... Cancellation of carrier licence........................................... 85
73.......................... Collection of charges relating to carrier licences............... 86
73A....................... Refund of application charge............................................ 88
74.......................... Collection of charges on behalf of the Commonwealth..... 89
75.......................... Cancellation of certain exemptions from charge................ 89
76.......................... Commonwealth not liable to charge.................................. 89
Division 4—Nominated carrier declarations                                                90
77.......................... Applications for nominated carrier declarations................ 90
78.......................... Application to be accompanied by charge etc.................... 90
79.......................... Form of application etc..................................................... 90
80.......................... Further information........................................................... 90
81.......................... Making a nominated carrier declaration............................ 91
81A....................... Obligations of nominated carrier....................................... 91
82.......................... Notification of refusal of application................................. 92
83.......................... Revocation of nominated carrier declaration..................... 92
Division 5—Register of nominated carrier declarations and carrier licences  94
84.......................... Register of nominated carrier declarations and carrier licences 94
Part 4—Service providers                                                                                              95
Division 1—Simplified outline                                                                               95
85.......................... Simplified outline.............................................................. 95
Division 2—Service providers                                                                              96
86.......................... Service providers.............................................................. 96
Division 3—Carriage service providers                                                          97
87.......................... Carriage service providers................................................ 97
88.......................... Supply to the public.......................................................... 99
89.......................... Exemption from definition—customers located on the same premises    100
90.......................... Exemption from definition—defence.............................. 100
91.......................... Exemption from definition—intelligence operations....... 101
92.......................... Exemption from definition—transport authorities........... 101
93.......................... Exemption from definition—broadcasting services........ 102
94.......................... Exemption from definition—electricity supply bodies.... 103
95.......................... Exemption from definition—Ministerial determination... 103
96.......................... Exemption from certain regulatory provisions—Ministerial determination             104
Division 4—Content service providers                                                          105
97.......................... Content service providers............................................... 105
Division 5—Service provider rules                                                                  106
98.......................... Service provider rules..................................................... 106
99.......................... Service provider determinations...................................... 107
100........................ Exemptions from service provider rules......................... 108
101........................ Service providers must comply with service provider rules 108
102........................ Remedial directions—breach of service provider rules... 109
103........................ Formal warnings—breach of service provider rules....... 111
Part 5—Monitoring of the performance of carriers and carriage service providers      113
104........................ Simplified outline............................................................ 113
105........................ Monitoring of performance—annual report.................... 113
105A..................... Monitoring of performance—additional report............... 115
105C...................... Monitoring of breaches by Telstra of an undertaking about structural separation   116
Part 6—Industry codes and industry standards                                            117
Division 1—Simplified outline                                                                             117
106........................ Simplified outline............................................................ 117
Division 2—Interpretation                                                                                    118
107........................ Industry codes................................................................ 118
108........................ Industry standards.......................................................... 118
108A..................... Electronic messaging service provider............................ 118
108B...................... Telecommunications industry......................................... 119
109........................ Telecommunications activity........................................... 119
109B...................... Telemarketing activity..................................................... 119
109C...................... Fax marketing activity..................................................... 121
110........................ Sections of the telecommunications industry.................. 123
110B...................... Sections of the telemarketing industry............................ 125
110C...................... Sections of the fax marketing industry............................ 125
111........................ Participants in a section of the telecommunications industry 126
111AA.................. Participants in a section of the telemarketing industry..... 126
111AB................... Participants in a section of the fax marketing industry.... 127
111B...................... Unsolicited commercial electronic messages................... 127
Division 3—General principles relating to industry codes and industry standards       128
112........................ Statement of regulatory policy........................................ 128
113........................ Examples of matters that may be dealt with by industry codes and industry standards           130
114........................ Industry codes and industry standards may confer powers on the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman........................................................................................ 133
115........................ Industry codes and industry standards not to deal with certain design features and performance requirements........................................................................................ 133
116........................ Industry codes and industry standards not to deal with matters dealt with by codes and standards under Part 9 of the Broadcasting Services Act.................................... 135
116A..................... Industry codes and standards do not affect Privacy Act 1988Â 135
Division 4—Industry codes                                                                                   136
117........................ Registration of industry codes........................................ 136
118........................ ACMA may request codes............................................. 138
119........................ Publication of notice where no body or association represents a section of the telecommunications industry, the telemarketing industry or the fax marketing industry 141
119A..................... Variation of industry codes............................................. 141
119B...................... Publication requirements for submissions...................... 144
120........................ Replacement of industry codes....................................... 147
121........................ Directions about compliance with industry codes........... 147
122........................ Formal warnings—breach of industry codes.................. 148
122A..................... De‑registering industry codes and provisions of industry codes             149
Division 5—Industry standards                                                                         150
123........................ ACMA may determine an industry standard if a request for an industry code is not complied with       150
124........................ ACMA may determine industry standard where no industry body or association formed      151
125........................ ACMA may determine industry standards where industry codes fail     152
125AA.................. ACMA must determine an industry standard if directed by the Minister 153
125A..................... ACMA must determine certain industry standards relating to the telemarketing industry       154
125B...................... ACMA must determine certain industry standards relating to the fax marketing industry      155
126........................ Industry standards not to be determined for certain privacy matters        156
128........................ Compliance with industry standards............................... 156
129........................ Formal warnings—breach of industry standards............ 157
130........................ Variation of industry standards....................................... 157
131........................ Revocation of industry standards.................................... 158
132........................ Public consultation on industry standards....................... 158
133........................ Consultation with ACCC and the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman       159
134........................ Consultation with Information Commissioner................ 159
135........................ Consultation with consumer body.................................. 160
135A..................... Consultation with the States and Territories.................... 160
Division 6—Register of industry codes and industry standards       161
136........................ ACMA to maintain Register of industry codes and industry standards  161
Division 6A—Reimbursement of costs of development or variation of consumer‑related industry codes                                                                                                                   162
136A..................... Application for eligibility for reimbursement of costs of development or variation of consumer‑related industry code................................................................................ 162
136B...................... Declaration of eligibility for reimbursement of costs of development or variation of consumer‑related industry code................................................................................ 163
136C...................... Reimbursement of costs of developing or varying consumer‑related industry code 165
136D..................... Costs—transactions between persons not at arm’s length 168
136E...................... Refundable cost.............................................................. 168
Division 7—Miscellaneous                                                                                    169
137........................ Protection from civil proceedings................................... 169
138........................ Implied freedom of political communication................... 169
139........................ Agreements for the carrying on of telemarketing activities or fax marketing activities must require compliance with this Part................................................................... 169
Part 7—Layer 2 bitstream services                                                                        171
140........................ Simplified outline............................................................ 171
141........................ Supply of Layer 2 bitstream services.............................. 171
141A..................... Exemptions..................................................................... 174
141B...................... Deemed networks........................................................... 174
141C...................... Certain installations and connections are not taken to be an extension, alteration or upgrade  176
141D..................... Local access line............................................................. 176
141E...................... Alteration........................................................................ 177
141F...................... Upgrade of telecommunications network........................ 177
141G..................... Small business customer................................................. 177
Part 8—Superfast fixed‑line networks                                                                 178
Division 1—Introduction                                                                                       178
142........................ Simplified outline............................................................ 178
142A..................... Definitions...................................................................... 178
Division 2—Supply of eligible services to be on wholesale basis      181
143........................ Supply of eligible services to be on wholesale basis....... 181
144........................ Exemptions—Ministerial instrument.............................. 182
145........................ Exemption—transport authorities................................... 183
146........................ Exemption—electricity supply bodies............................. 184
147........................ Exemption—gas supply bodies...................................... 184
148........................ Exemption—water supply bodies................................... 185
149........................ Exemption—sewerage services bodies........................... 185
150........................ Exemption—storm water drainage services bodies......... 186
151........................ Exemption—State or Territory road authorities.............. 186
Division 3—Other provisions                                                                              188
152........................ Associate........................................................................ 188
153........................ Control............................................................................ 189
154........................ Control of a company..................................................... 189
155........................ When a person is in a position to exercise control of a network              189
156........................ Deemed networks........................................................... 191
157........................ Certain installations and connections are not taken to be an extension, alteration or upgrade  192
158........................ Local access line............................................................. 193
159........................ Alteration........................................................................ 193
160........................ Upgrade of telecommunications network........................ 193
Part 13—Protection of communications                                                             194
Division 1—Introduction                                                                                       194
270........................ Simplified outline............................................................ 194
271........................ Eligible person................................................................ 194
272........................ Number‑database operator and eligible number‑database person            195
273........................ Information..................................................................... 195
274........................ Telecommunications contractor....................................... 195
275........................ Number‑database contractor........................................... 196
275A..................... Location information....................................................... 196
275B...................... Emergency management person...................................... 196
275C...................... Emergency...................................................................... 197
275D..................... Emergency law............................................................... 197
275E...................... Relevant information....................................................... 197
Division 2—Primary disclosure/use offences                                              198
276........................ Primary disclosure/use offence—eligible persons.......... 198
277........................ Primary disclosure/use offence—eligible number‑database persons       200
278........................ Primary disclosure/use offence—emergency call persons 202
Division 3—Exceptions to primary disclosure/use offences                204
Subdivision A—Exceptions                                                                                 204
279........................ Performance of person’s duties...................................... 204
280........................ Authorisation by or under law........................................ 205
281........................ Witnesses........................................................................ 207
284........................ Assisting the ACMA, the eSafety Commissioner, the ACCC or the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman................................................................... 208
285........................ Integrated public number database.................................. 209
285A..................... Data for emergency warnings......................................... 213
286........................ Calls to emergency service number................................. 214
287........................ Threat to person’s life or health...................................... 214
288........................ Communications for maritime purposes......................... 215
289........................ Knowledge or consent of person concerned................... 215
290........................ Implicit consent of sender and recipient of communication 215
291........................ Business needs of other carriers or service providers..... 216
291A..................... Location dependent carriage services.............................. 218
292........................ Circumstances prescribed in the regulations................... 219
293........................ Uses connected with exempt disclosures........................ 219
294........................ Effect of this Subdivision............................................... 220
Subdivision B—Burden of proof                                                                       220
295........................ Burden of proof.............................................................. 220
Division 3A—Integrated public number database authorisations   221
Subdivision A—ACMA scheme for the granting of authorisations          221
295A..................... ACMA to make integrated public number database scheme 221
295B...................... Scheme must deal with certain matters............................ 221
295C...................... Applications may be treated differently........................... 222
295D..................... Scope of authorisations................................................... 222
295E...................... Provisional and final authorisations................................ 222
295F...................... Conditions...................................................................... 222
295G..................... Varying or revoking authorisations................................ 222
295H..................... Scheme may confer administrative powers on the ACMA 223
295J....................... Ancillary or incidental provisions................................... 223
295K...................... Scheme‑making power not limited.................................. 223
295L...................... Variation of scheme........................................................ 223
295M..................... Consultation.................................................................... 223
Subdivision B—Ministerial instruments                                                         224
295N..................... Criteria for deciding authorisation applications............... 224
295P...................... Conditions...................................................................... 224
295Q..................... Other reviewable decisions............................................. 225
Subdivision C—Enforcing compliance with conditions of authorisations 225
295R...................... Offence of breaching a condition.................................... 225
295S...................... Remedial directions for breaching a condition................ 225
295T...................... Formal warnings for breaching a condition.................... 226
Subdivision D—Report to Minister                                                                   226
295U..................... Report to Minister........................................................... 226
Division 3B—Emergency warnings                                                                 227
295V..................... Use or disclosure of information by emergency management persons    227
295W..................... Use or disclosure of information by other persons......... 228
295X..................... Effect on telecommunications network........................... 228
295Y..................... Coronial and other inquiries............................................ 228
295Z...................... Offence—use or disclosure of information by emergency management persons    229
295ZA................... Offence—use or disclosure of information by other persons.. 229
295ZB................... Reports of access............................................................ 230
295ZC................... Annual reports to the ACMA and Information Commissioner               230
295ZD................... Arrangements with States and Territories....................... 231
295ZE.................... Commonwealth immunity............................................... 231
Division 4—Secondary disclosure/use offences                                         232
296........................ Performance of person’s duties...................................... 232
297........................ Authorisation by or under law........................................ 232
299........................ Assisting the ACMA, the eSafety Commissioner, the ACCC or the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman................................................................... 232
299A..................... Integrated public number database.................................. 233
300........................ Threat to person’s life or health...................................... 234
301........................ Communications for maritime purposes......................... 235
302........................ Business needs of other carriers or service providers..... 235
302A..................... Location dependent carriage services.............................. 236
303........................ Secondary offence—contravening this Division............. 236
303A..................... Generality of Division not limited................................... 236
Division 4A—Relationship with the Privacy Act 1988                          237
303B...................... Acts taken to be authorised by this Act for purposes of Privacy Act      237
303C...................... Prosecution of an offence against this Part does not affect proceedings under the Privacy Act 1988Â Â Â Â Â Â 237
Division 5—Record‑keeping requirements                                                  238
304........................ Associate........................................................................ 238
305........................ Authorisations under the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 238
306........................ Record of disclosures—general...................................... 238
306A..................... Record of disclosures—prospective authorisation under the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979.......................................................................... 240
307........................ Incorrect records............................................................. 241
308........................ Annual reports to the ACMA by carriers, carriage service providers or number‑database operators      242
309........................ Monitoring by the Information Commissioner............... 242
Division 6—Instrument‑making powers not limited                                244
310........................ Instrument‑making powers not limited........................... 244
Part 14—National interest matters                                                                         245
Division 1—Simplified outline                                                                             245
311........................ Simplified outline............................................................ 245
Division 2—Obligations of ACMA and carriers and carriage service providers           247
312........................ ACMA’s obligations...................................................... 247
313........................ Obligations of carriers and carriage service providers.... 247
314........................ Terms and conditions on which help is to be given........ 252
Division 3—Notification of changes to telecommunications services or telecommunications systems relating to obligation under subsection 313(1A) or (2A) 254
Subdivision A—Individual notifications                                                         254
314A..................... Individual notifications................................................... 254
314B...................... Assessment of proposed change..................................... 257
Subdivision B—Security capability plans                                                       259
314C...................... Security capability plans................................................. 259
314D..................... Assessment of security capability plan........................... 260
314E...................... Relationship with section 314A...................................... 262
Division 4—Carriage service provider may suspend supply of carriage service in an emergency      263
315........................ Suspension of supply of carriage service in an emergency 263
Division 5—Directions by Home Affairs Minister                                   265
315A..................... Direction if use or supply of carriage services prejudicial to security      265
315B...................... Direction if risk of unauthorised interference or access involving telecommunications networks or facilities........................................................................................ 266
Division 6—Home Affairs Secretary’s information‑gathering powers 270
315C...................... Home Affairs Secretary may obtain information and documents from carriers and carriage service providers........................................................................................ 270
315D..................... Self‑incrimination........................................................... 271
315E...................... Copies of documents...................................................... 272
315F...................... Retention of documents.................................................. 272
315G..................... Delegation by Home Affairs Secretary........................... 273
Division 7—Information sharing and confidentiality                             274
315H..................... Information sharing and confidentiality.......................... 274
Division 8—Annual report                                                                                    276
315J....................... Annual report.................................................................. 276
Division 8A—Review by Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security             278
315K...................... Review by Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security 278
Division 9—Generality of Part not limited                                                  279
316........................ Generality of Part not limited.......................................... 279
Part 15—Industry assistance                                                                                      280
Division 1—Introduction                                                                                       280
317A..................... Simplified outline of this Part......................................... 280
317B...................... Definitions...................................................................... 282
317C...................... Designated communications provider etc........................ 288
317D..................... Electronic service............................................................ 292
317E...................... Listed acts or things........................................................ 293
317F...................... Extension to external Territories..................................... 295
Division 2—Voluntary technical assistance                                                 296
317G..................... Voluntary technical assistance provided to ASIO, the Australian Secret Intelligence Service, the Australian Signals Directorate or an interception agency................. 296
317H..................... Form of technical assistance request............................... 299
317HAA............... Provision of advice to designated communications providers 300
317HAB................ Notification obligations................................................... 301
317HA.................. Duration of technical assistance request.......................... 302
317J....................... Specified period etc......................................................... 303
317JAA................. Decision‑making criteria................................................. 303
317JA.................... Variation of technical assistance requests....................... 304
317JB.................... Revocation of technical assistance requests.................... 308
317JC.................... Whether a technical assistance request is reasonable and proportionate  310
317K...................... Contract etc..................................................................... 311
Division 3—Technical assistance notices                                                      313
317L...................... Technical assistance notices............................................ 313
317LA................... Approval of technical assistance notices given by the chief officer of an interception agency of a State or Territory.......................................................................... 314
317M..................... Form of technical assistance notice................................. 314
317MAA............... Provision of advice to designated communications providers 315
317MAB............... Notification obligations................................................... 317
317MA.................. Duration of technical assistance notice............................ 317
317N..................... Compliance period etc..................................................... 318
317P...................... Decision‑making criteria................................................. 319
317PA................... Consultation about a proposal to give a technical assistance notice         319
317Q..................... Variation of technical assistance notices......................... 320
317R...................... Revocation of technical assistance notices...................... 322
317RA................... Whether requirements imposed by a technical assistance notice are reasonable and proportionate          324
Division 4—Technical capability notices                                                       325
317S...................... Attorney‑General may determine procedures and arrangements relating to requests for technical capability notices............................................................................. 325
317T...................... Technical capability notices............................................. 325
317TAAA............. Approval of technical capability notice........................... 328
317TAA................ Provision of advice to designated communications providers 329
317TAB................ Notification obligations................................................... 329
317TA................... Duration of technical capability notice............................ 330
317U..................... Compliance period etc..................................................... 332
317V..................... Decision‑making criteria................................................. 332
317W..................... Consultation about a proposal to give a technical capability notice          333
317WA.................. Assessment and report.................................................... 334
317X..................... Variation of technical capability notices.......................... 339
317XA.................. Approval of variation of technical capability notice........ 341
317Y..................... Consultation about a proposal to vary a technical capability notice         342
317YA.................. Assessment and report.................................................... 343
317Z...................... Revocation of technical capability notices....................... 347
317ZAA................ Whether requirements imposed by a technical capability notice are reasonable and proportionate          348
Division 5—Compliance and enforcement                                                   350
317ZA................... Compliance with notices—carriers and carriage service providers          350
317ZB................... Compliance with notices—designated communications provider (other than a carrier or carriage service provider)......................................................................... 350
317ZC................... Civil penalty provision.................................................... 351
317ZD................... Enforceable undertakings................................................ 352
317ZE.................... Injunctions...................................................................... 353
Division 6—Unauthorised disclosure of information etc.                     354
317ZF.................... Unauthorised disclosure of information.......................... 354
317ZFA................. Powers of a court............................................................ 364
Division 7—Limitations                                                                                          366
317ZG................... Designated communications provider must not be requested or required to implement or build a systemic weakness or systemic vulnerability etc........................... 366
317ZGA................ Limits on technical capability notices.............................. 367
317ZH................... General limits on technical assistance requests, technical assistance notices and technical capability notices........................................................................................ 368
Division 8—General provisions                                                                         373
317ZJ.................... Immunity........................................................................ 373
317ZK................... Terms and conditions on which help is to be given etc... 373
317ZKA................ Notification obligations................................................... 380
317ZL.................... Service of notices etc...................................................... 382
317ZM.................. Interception agency—chief officer and officer................ 384
317ZN................... Delegation by Director‑General of Security.................... 385
317ZP.................... Delegation by Director‑General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service         385
317ZQ................... Delegation by Director‑General of the Australian Signals Directorate    386
317ZR................... Delegation by the chief officer of an interception agency 386
317ZRA................ Relationship of this Part to parliamentary privileges and immunities      387
317ZRB................. Inspection of records...................................................... 388
317ZS.................... Annual reports................................................................ 389
317ZT.................... Alternative constitutional basis....................................... 390
Part 16—Defence requirements and disaster plans                                     391
Division 1—Introduction                                                                                       391
333........................ Simplified outline............................................................ 391
334........................ Defence authority............................................................ 391
Division 2—Supply of carriage services                                                        392
335........................ Requirement to supply carriage services for defence purposes or for the management of natural disasters........................................................................................ 392
Division 3—Defence planning                                                                             394
336........................ Definitions...................................................................... 394
337........................ Preparation of draft agreement........................................ 394
338........................ ACMA’s certification of draft agreement....................... 395
339........................ Requirement to enter into certified agreement................. 396
340........................ Compliance with agreement............................................ 396
341........................ Withdrawal of certification of agreement........................ 396
342........................ Duration of agreement.................................................... 397
343........................ Variation of agreement.................................................... 397
Division 4—Disaster plans                                                                                    399
344........................ Designated disaster plans................................................ 399
345........................ Carrier licence conditions about designated disaster plans 399
346........................ Service provider determinations about designated disaster plans            399
346A..................... Carrier and carriage service provider immunity.............. 399
Division 5—Delegation                                                                                           401
347........................ Delegation....................................................................... 401
Part 17—Pre‑selection in favour of carriage service providers            402
348........................ Simplified outline............................................................ 402
349........................ Requirement to provide pre‑selection.............................. 402
350........................ When pre‑selection is provided in favour of a carriage service provider 408
350A..................... Declared carriage services............................................... 409
351........................ Pre‑selection to be provided............................................ 410
352........................ Exemptions from requirement to provide pre‑selection... 411
353........................ Use of over‑ride dial codes............................................. 411
Part 18—Calling line identification                                                                        413
354........................ Simplified outline............................................................ 413
355........................ Calling line identification................................................ 413
356........................ Exemptions from calling line identification requirement. 413
Part 20—International aspects of activities of the telecommunications industry               415
Division 1—Simplified outline                                                                             415
364........................ Simplified outline............................................................ 415
Division 2—Compliance with international agreements                       416
365........................ INTELSAT and Inmarsat—directions to Signatories..... 416
366........................ Compliance with conventions......................................... 416
Division 3—Rules of conduct about dealings with international telecommunications operators            418
367........................ Rules of conduct about dealings with international telecommunications operators  418
368........................ ACCC to administer Rules of Conduct........................... 420
369........................ Rules of Conduct to bind carriers and carriage service providers            421
370........................ Unenforceability of agreements...................................... 421
371........................ Investigations by the ACCC........................................... 421
372........................ Reviews of the operation of this Division....................... 422
Part 20A—Deployment of optical fibre etc.                                                      423
Division 1—Simplified outline                                                                             423
372A..................... Simplified outline............................................................ 423
Division 2—Deployment of optical fibre lines                                            425
372B...................... Deployment of optical fibre lines to building lots........... 425
372C...................... Deployment of optical fibre lines to building units......... 427
372D..................... Exemptions—Ministerial instrument.............................. 429
Division 3—Installation of fibre‑ready facilities                                       430
Subdivision A—Installation obligations                                                          430
372E...................... Installation of fibre‑ready facilities—building lots.......... 430
372F...................... Installation of fibre‑ready facilities—building units........ 431
Subdivision B—Sale of building lots and building units                             433
372G..................... Sale of building lots and building units—subdivisions... 433
372H..................... Sale of building units—other projects............................. 435
Subdivision C—NBN Co may issue statement about the non‑installation of optical fibre lines 437
372J....................... NBN Co may issue statement about the non‑installation of optical fibre lines        437
372JA.................... Register of Statements about the Non‑installation of Optical Fibre Lines               438
Subdivision D—Exemptions                                                                               438
372K...................... Exemptions—Ministerial instrument.............................. 438
Division 4—Third party access regime                                                          441
372L...................... Third party access regime............................................... 441
372M..................... Terms and conditions of access...................................... 443
372N..................... Exemptions—Ministerial instrument.............................. 444
372NA.................. Code relating to access.................................................... 444
Division 5—Exemption of certain projects                                                  446
372P...................... Exemption of certain projects.......................................... 446
Division 6—Miscellaneous                                                                                    447
372Q..................... Real estate development projects etc............................... 447
372R...................... Subdivision of an area of land........................................ 449
372S...................... Building units................................................................. 449
372T...................... Sale of building lots........................................................ 449
372U..................... Sale of building units...................................................... 450
372V..................... Fixed‑line facilities.......................................................... 450
372W..................... Fibre‑ready facility.......................................................... 451
372X..................... Installation of a facility.................................................... 451
372Y..................... Installation of a fibre‑ready facility in proximity to a building lot or building unit  451
372Z...................... Sewerage services, electricity or water supplied to a building lot or building unit   452
372ZA................... Supply to the public........................................................ 453
372ZB................... Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws........... 454
372ZD................... NBN Co......................................................................... 454
Part 21—Technical regulation                                                                                  455
Division 1—Simplified outline                                                                             455
373........................ Simplified outline............................................................ 455
Division 2—Interpretative provisions                                                            457
374........................ Part applies to networks or facilities in Australia operated by carriers or carriage service providers       457
375........................ Manager of network or facility....................................... 457
Division 3—Technical standards about customer equipment and customer cabling     458
376........................ ACMA’s power to make technical standards................. 458
376A..................... ACMA must make technical standards if directed by the Minister         460
377........................ Adoption of voluntary standards.................................... 460
378........................ Procedures for making technical standards..................... 460
379........................ Making technical standards in cases of urgency............. 461
Division 4—Disability standards                                                                       463
380........................ Disability standards........................................................ 463
381........................ Adoption of voluntary standards.................................... 463
382........................ Procedures for making disability standards.................... 464
383........................ Effect of compliance with disability standards................ 465
Division 5—Technical standards about the interconnection of facilities              466
384........................ ACMA’s power to make technical standards................. 466
385........................ Adoption of voluntary standards.................................... 467
386........................ Procedures for making technical standards..................... 467
387........................ Procedures for making technical standards..................... 468
388........................ Provision of access......................................................... 469
389........................ Promotion of the long‑term interests of end‑users of carriage services and of services supplied by means of carriage services.............................................................. 469
Division 5A—Technical standards relating to Layer 2 bitstream services        470
389A..................... ACMA’s power to determine technical standards.......... 470
389B...................... Compliance with technical standards.............................. 470
Division 6—Connection permits and connection rules                          472
Subdivision A—Connection permits authorising the connection of non‑standard customer equipment and non‑standard cabling                                                              472
390........................ Application for connection permit................................... 472
391........................ Form of application......................................................... 472
392........................ Application to be accompanied by charge....................... 473
393........................ Further information......................................................... 473
394........................ Issue of connection permits............................................ 473
395........................ Connection permit has effect subject to this Act............. 474
396........................ Nominees of holder........................................................ 474
397........................ Duration of connection permits....................................... 474
398........................ Conditions of connection permits................................... 475
399........................ Offence of contravening condition.................................. 475
400........................ Formal warnings—breach of condition.......................... 476
401........................ Surrender of connection permit....................................... 476
402........................ Cancellation of connection permit................................... 476
403........................ Register of connection permits........................................ 477
Subdivision B—Connection rules                                                                      478
404........................ Connection rules............................................................. 478
405........................ Procedures for making connection rules......................... 478
Division 7—Labelling of customer equipment and customer cabling 480
406........................ Application of labels....................................................... 480
406A..................... Application of Division to agent of manufacturer or importer 480
407........................ Labelling requirements.................................................... 480
408........................ Requirements to apply labels—ancillary matters............. 481
409........................ Recognised testing authorities and competent bodies...... 483
410........................ Certification bodies......................................................... 483
411........................ Connection of customer equipment or customer cabling—breach of section 376 standards   483
412........................ Connection of labelled customer equipment or customer cabling not to be refused 485
413........................ Supply of unlabelled customer equipment or unlabelled customer cabling              487
414........................ Applying labels before satisfying requirements under subsection 408(5)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 487
415........................ Failure to retain records etc............................................. 488
416........................ Application of labels containing false statements about compliance with standards 489
Division 8—Protected symbols                                                                           490
417........................ Protected symbols........................................................... 490
Division 9—Cabling providers                                                                           494
418........................ Cabling work.................................................................. 494
419........................ Types of cabling work.................................................... 494
420........................ Prohibition of unauthorised cabling work....................... 494
421........................ Cabling provider rules.................................................... 495
422........................ Procedures for making cabling provider rules................ 496
423........................ Application for cabling licence........................................ 497
424........................ Form of application......................................................... 497
425........................ Application to be accompanied by charge....................... 497
426........................ Further information......................................................... 497
427........................ Grant of cabling licence.................................................. 497
428........................ Time limit on licence decision......................................... 498
429........................ Notification of refusal of application............................... 499
430........................ Cabling licence has effect subject to this Act.................. 499
431........................ Duration of cabling licence............................................. 499
432........................ Conditions of cabling licence.......................................... 499
433........................ Procedures for changing licence conditions.................... 500
434........................ Offence in relation to contravening condition................. 500
435........................ Formal warnings—breach of condition.......................... 501
436........................ Surrender of cabling licence............................................ 501
437........................ Suspension of cabling licence......................................... 502
438........................ Cancellation of cabling licence........................................ 502
439........................ ACMA may limit application of Division in relation to customer cabling               503
440........................ Ministerial directions...................................................... 503
441........................ Delegation....................................................................... 504
442........................ Register of cabling licences............................................. 505
Division 10—Remedies for unauthorised connections to telecommunications networks etc.   506
443........................ Civil action for unauthorised connections to telecommunications networks etc.     506
444........................ Remedy for contravention of labelling requirements....... 507
445........................ Remedies for connection of unlabelled customer equipment or unlabelled customer cabling  508
446........................ Disconnection of dangerous customer equipment or customer cabling   510
447........................ Disconnection of customer equipment or customer cabling—protection of the integrity of networks and facilities........................................................................... 512
448........................ Civil action for dangerous connections to telecommunications networks etc.         513
449........................ Other remedies not affected............................................ 514
Division 11—Prohibited customer equipment and prohibited customer cabling             515
450........................ Declaration of prohibited customer equipment or prohibited customer cabling       515
452........................ Operation of prohibited customer equipment or customer cabling          515
Division 12—Pre‑commencement labels                                                        517
453........................ Pre‑commencement labels............................................... 517
Division 13—Penalties payable instead of prosecution                         518
453A..................... Penalties payable instead of prosecution......................... 518
Part 22—Numbering of carriage services and regulation of electronic addressing         519
Division 1—Simplified outline                                                                             519
454........................ Simplified outline............................................................ 519
Division 2—Numbering of carriage services                                              520
Subdivision A—Numbering plan                                                                       520
455........................ Numbering plan.............................................................. 520
456........................ Numbering plan—supply to the public........................... 522
457........................ Numbering plan—allocation otherwise than in accordance with an allocation system            522
458........................ Numbering plan—rules about portability of allocated numbers              522
459........................ ACMA to administer numbering plan............................ 523
460........................ Consultation about numbering plan................................ 523
461........................ Consultation with ACCC................................................ 524
462........................ Compliance with the numbering plan.............................. 525
Subdivision B—Allocation system for numbers                                            526
463........................ Allocation system for numbers....................................... 526
464........................ Consultation about an allocation system......................... 527
Subdivision C—Miscellaneous                                                                           528
465........................ Register of allocated numbers......................................... 528
466........................ Emergency service numbers........................................... 529
467........................ Delegation....................................................................... 530
468........................ Collection of numbering charges.................................... 531
469........................ Collection of charges on behalf of the Commonwealth... 533
470........................ Cancellation of certain exemptions from charge.............. 533
471........................ Commonwealth not liable to charge................................ 533
472........................ Integrated public number database.................................. 534
473........................ Letters and symbols taken to be numbers....................... 535
Division 3—Regulation of electronic addressing                                      536
474........................ Declared manager of electronic addressing..................... 536
475........................ ACMA may give directions to declared manager of electronic addressing             536
476........................ ACCC may give directions to declared manager of electronic addressing               537
477........................ ACCC’s directions to prevail over the ACMA’s directions 539
Part 23—Standard agreements for the supply of carriage services   540
478........................ Simplified outline............................................................ 540
479........................ Standard terms and conditions apply unless excluded.... 540
482........................ Concurrent operation of State/Territory laws.................. 541
483........................ Competition and Consumer Act not affected by this Part 542
Part 24—Carriers’ powers and immunities                                                      543
484........................ Schedule 3...................................................................... 543
Part 24A—Submarine cables                                                                                     544
484A..................... Schedule 3A................................................................... 544
Part 25—Public inquiries                                                                                             545
Division 1—Simplified outline                                                                             545
485........................ Simplified outline............................................................ 545
Division 2—Inquiries by the ACMA                                                                546
486........................ When inquiry must be held............................................. 546
487........................ When inquiry may be held.............................................. 546
488........................ Informing the public about an inquiry............................. 547
489........................ Discussion paper............................................................ 547
490........................ Written submissions and protection from civil actions.... 548
491........................ Hearings......................................................................... 548
492........................ Hearing to be in public except in exceptional cases......... 549
493........................ Confidential material not to be published........................ 550
494........................ Direction about private hearings..................................... 551
495........................ Reports on inquiries........................................................ 552
Division 3—Inquiries by the ACCC                                                                 553
496........................ When inquiry must be held............................................. 553
497........................ When inquiry may be held.............................................. 553
498........................ Informing the public about an inquiry............................. 553
499........................ Discussion paper............................................................ 554
500........................ Written submissions and protection from civil actions.... 554
501........................ Hearings......................................................................... 555
502........................ Hearing to be in public except in exceptional cases......... 556
503........................ Confidential material not to be published........................ 556
504........................ Direction about private hearings..................................... 557
505........................ Reports on inquiries........................................................ 558
505A..................... ACCC may use material presented to a previous public inquiry             559
505B...................... ACCC may adopt a finding from a previous public inquiry 560
506........................ ACCC’s other powers not limited.................................. 560
Part 26—Investigations                                                                                                  561
507........................ Simplified outline............................................................ 561
508........................ Matters to which this Part applies................................... 561
509........................ Complaints to the ACMA............................................... 562
510........................ Investigations by the ACMA.......................................... 564
511........................ Preliminary inquiries....................................................... 565
512........................ Conduct of investigations............................................... 565
513........................ Complainant and certain other persons to be informed of various matters              566
514........................ Reference of matters to Ombudsman or other responsible person          567
515........................ Reference of matters to the ACCC.................................. 568
515A..................... Reference of matters to Information Commissioner........ 569
516........................ Reports on investigations................................................ 570
517........................ Publication of reports...................................................... 571
518........................ Person adversely affected by report to be given opportunity to comment               572
519........................ Protection from civil actions........................................... 572
Part 27—The ACMA’s information‑gathering powers                            574
Division 1—Simplified outline                                                                             574
520........................ Simplified outline............................................................ 574
Division 2—Information‑gathering powers                                                 575
521........................ The ACMA may obtain information and documents from carriers and service providers      575
522........................ The ACMA may obtain information and documents from other persons               576
523........................ Copying documents—reasonable compensation............. 578
524........................ Self‑incrimination........................................................... 578
525........................ Giving false or misleading information or evidence........ 579
527........................ Copies of documents...................................................... 579
528........................ ACMA may retain documents........................................ 579
Division 3—Record‑keeping rules                                                                    581
529........................ ACMA may make record‑keeping rules......................... 581
530........................ Compliance with record‑keeping rules............................ 582
531........................ Incorrect records............................................................. 582
Part 28—Enforcement                                                                                                   583
Division 1—Introduction                                                                                       583
532........................ Simplified outline............................................................ 583
532A..................... References to the Spam Act 2003.................................... 584
Division 2—Inspectors and identity cards                                                    585
533........................ Inspectors....................................................................... 585
534........................ Identity cards.................................................................. 586
Division 3—Search warrants relating to breaches of the Spam Act 2003 or Part 21 of this Act          587
535........................ Magistrate may issue warrant......................................... 587
536........................ Reasonable grounds for issuing warrant etc................... 588
537........................ Contents of warrant........................................................ 588
538........................ Warrants may be issued by telephone etc........................ 588
539........................ Provisions relating to issue of warrant by telephone etc. 588
540........................ Proceedings involving warrant issued by telephone etc.. 590
Division 4—Searches and seizures relating to breaches of the Spam Act 2003 or Part 21 of this Act                                                                                                                   591
541........................ When is a thing connected with an offence?................... 591
541A..................... When is a thing connected with a breach of the Spam Act 2003?            591
542........................ Searches and seizures..................................................... 591
543........................ Production of identity card etc........................................ 592
544........................ Evidence of commission of other offences against Part 21 of this Act or other breaches of the Spam Act 2003........................................................................................ 593
545........................ Emergency entry, search and seizure.............................. 594
546........................ Retention of things seized............................................... 595
Division 5—Searches to monitor compliance with Part 21                 596
547........................ Searches to monitor compliance with Part 21................. 596
Division 5A—Searches to monitor compliance with the Spam Act 2003             597
547A..................... Powers available to inspectors for monitoring compliance 597
547B...................... Monitoring powers......................................................... 597
547C...................... Production of identity card etc........................................ 599
547D..................... Monitoring warrants....................................................... 599
547E...................... Details of warrant to be given to occupier etc................. 601
547F...................... Announcement before entry............................................ 601
547G..................... Compensation for damage to equipment......................... 601
547H..................... Occupier entitled to be present during search.................. 602
Division 5B—Access to computer data that is relevant to the Spam Act 2003 604
547J....................... Access to computer data that is relevant to the Spam Act 2003Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 604
Division 6—Other powers of inspectors                                                        606
548........................ General powers of inspectors......................................... 606
549........................ Power to require information etc..................................... 607
550........................ Retention of documents.................................................. 609
Division 7—Forfeiture                                                                                            610
551........................ Court may order forfeiture.............................................. 610
552........................ Forfeited goods may be sold........................................... 610
Division 8—Future offences                                                                                 611
553........................ Offences that are going to be committed......................... 611
Part 29—Review of decisions                                                                                     612
554........................ Simplified outline............................................................ 612
555........................ Decisions that may be subject to reconsideration by the ACMAÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 612
556........................ Deadlines for reaching certain decisions......................... 612
557........................ Statements to accompany notification of decisions......... 613
558........................ Applications for reconsideration of decisions................. 613
559........................ Reconsideration by the ACMA...................................... 614
560........................ Deadlines for reconsiderations........................................ 614
561........................ Statements to accompany notification of decisions on reconsideration    614
562........................ Review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal............ 615
Part 30—Injunctions                                                                                                       616
563........................ Simplified outline............................................................ 616
564........................ Injunctions...................................................................... 616
565........................ Interim injunctions.......................................................... 620
566........................ Discharge etc. of injunctions........................................... 620
567........................ Certain limits on granting injunctions not to apply.......... 620
568........................ Other powers of the court unaffected.............................. 621
Part 31—Civil penalties                                                                                                 622
569........................ Simplified outline............................................................ 622
570........................ Pecuniary penalties for contravention of civil penalty provisions            622
571........................ Civil action for recovery of pecuniary penalties.............. 624
572........................ Criminal proceedings not to be brought for contravention of civil penalty provisions            627
Part 31A—Enforceable undertakings                                                                  628
572A..................... Simplified outline............................................................ 628
572B...................... Acceptance of undertakings............................................ 628
572C...................... Enforcement of undertakings.......................................... 629
Part 31B—Infringement notices for contraventions of civil penalty provisions 631
572D..................... Simplified outline............................................................ 631
572E...................... When an infringement notice can be given...................... 631
572F...................... Matters to be included in an infringement notice............. 635
572G..................... Amount of penalty.......................................................... 636
572H..................... Withdrawal of an infringement notice............................. 636
572J....................... What happens if the penalty is paid................................. 637
572K...................... Effect of this Part on civil proceedings........................... 637
572L...................... Appointment of authorised infringement notice officer... 638
572M..................... Guidelines relating to infringement notices..................... 638
572N..................... Regulations..................................................................... 639
Part 32—Vicarious liability                                                                                         640
573........................ Simplified outline............................................................ 640
574........................ Proceedings under this Act............................................. 640
574A..................... Definition........................................................................ 640
575........................ Liability of corporations.................................................. 641
576........................ Liability of persons other than corporations.................... 642
Part 33—Voluntary undertakings given by Telstra                                    644
Division 1—Introduction                                                                                       644
577........................ Simplified outline............................................................ 644
Division 2—Structural separation                                                                    645
Subdivision A—Undertaking about structural separation                         645
577A..................... Acceptance of undertaking about structural separation... 645
577AA.................. Acceptance of undertaking about structural separation may be subject to the occurrence of events        650
577AB................... When undertaking about structural separation comes into force              652
577AC................... Publication requirements for undertaking about structural separation     653
577AD.................. Compliance with undertaking about structural separation 654
577B...................... Variation of undertaking about structural separation....... 654
577BA................... Authorised conduct—subsection 51(1) of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010             655
Subdivision B—Migration plan                                                                         662
577BB................... Migration plan principles................................................ 662
577BC................... Migration plan................................................................ 663
577BD................... Approval of draft migration plan by the ACCC—plan given after undertaking about structural separation comes into force.............................................................. 665
577BDA................ Approval of draft migration plan by the ACCC—plan given before undertaking about structural separation comes into force.............................................................. 667
577BDB................ Approval of draft migration plan by the ACCC—plan given in compliance with a direction  669
577BDC................ Approval of draft migration plan by the ACCC—plan given in response to a request            670
577BE................... Effect of approval of draft migration plan....................... 672
577BF................... Variation of final migration plan..................................... 673
Division 3—Hybrid fibre‑coaxial networks                                                 675
577C...................... Acceptance of undertaking about hybrid fibre‑coaxial networks             675
577CA................... Acceptance of undertaking about hybrid fibre‑coaxial networks may be subject to the occurrence of events........................................................................................ 676
577CB................... When undertaking about hybrid fibre‑coaxial networks comes into force               678
577CC................... Publication requirements for undertaking about hybrid fibre‑coaxial networks      679
577CD................... Compliance with undertaking about hybrid fibre‑coaxial networks        680
577D..................... Variation of undertaking about hybrid fibre‑coaxial networks 680
Division 4—Subscription television broadcasting licences                  682
577E...................... Acceptance of undertaking about subscription television broadcasting licences      682
577EA................... Acceptance of undertaking about subscription television broadcasting licences may be subject to the occurrence of events....................................................... 683
577EB................... When undertaking about subscription television broadcasting licences comes into force        685
577EC................... Publication requirements for undertaking about subscription television broadcasting licences               686
577ED................... Compliance with undertaking about subscription television broadcasting licences 687
577F...................... Variation of undertaking about subscription television broadcasting licences         687
Division 5—Enforcement of undertakings                                                   689
577G..................... Enforcement of undertakings.......................................... 689
Division 6—Limits on allocation of spectrum licences etc.                  691
577GA.................. Excluded spectrum regime.............................................. 691
577H..................... Designated part of the spectrum...................................... 691
577J....................... Limits on allocation of certain spectrum licences to Telstra 691
577K...................... Limits on use of certain spectrum licences by Telstra..... 694
577L...................... Limits on assignment of certain spectrum licences to Telstra etc.            696
Division 7—Other provisions                                                                              698
577M..................... Associate........................................................................ 698
577N..................... Control............................................................................ 699
577P...................... Control of a company..................................................... 699
577Q..................... When Telstra is in a position to exercise control of a network 699
Part 34—Special provisions relating to conventions and directions   702
579........................ Simplified outline............................................................ 702
580........................ ACMA must have regard to conventions....................... 702
581........................ Power to give directions to carriers and service providers 703
Part 35—Miscellaneous                                                                                                 705
582........................ Simplified outline............................................................ 705
583........................ Penalties for certain continuing offences......................... 706
584........................ Procedure relating to certain continuing offences............ 707
585........................ Treatment of partnerships............................................... 707
586........................ Giving of documents to partnerships.............................. 708
587........................ Nomination of address for service of documents............ 709
588........................ Service of summons or process on foreign corporations—criminal proceedings    709
589........................ Instruments under this Act may provide for matters by reference to other instruments           710
590........................ Arbitration—acquisition of property............................... 712
591........................ Compensation—constitutional safety net........................ 712
592........................ Act not to affect performance of State or Territory functions 713
593........................ Funding of consumer representation, and of research, in relation to telecommunications       713
594........................ Regulations..................................................................... 714
An Act about telecommunications, and for related purposes
Part 1—Introduction
1Â Short title
                  This Act may be cited as the Telecommunications Act 1997.
2Â Commencement
            (1) The following provisions of this Act commence on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent:
                    (a) this Part;
                    (b) Part 2;
                    (c) Divisions 2, 3 and 4 of Part 4;
                    (d) Division 3 of Part 25;
                     (f) section 589;
                    (g) section 594.
            (2) Sections 52 to 55 (inclusive) commence on 5 June 1997.
            (3) The remaining provisions of this Act commence on 1 July 1997.
3Â Objects
            (1) The main object of this Act, when read together with Parts XIB and XIC of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, is to provide a regulatory framework that promotes:
                    (a) the long‑term interests of end‑users of carriage services or of services provided by means of carriage services; and
                    (b) the efficiency and international competitiveness of the Australian telecommunications industry; and
                    (c) the availability of accessible and affordable carriage services that enhance the welfare of Australians.
            (2) The other objects of this Act, when read together with Parts XIB and XIC of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, are as follows:
                    (a) to ensure that standard telephone services and payphones are:
                             (i) reasonably accessible to all people in Australia on an equitable basis, wherever they reside or carry on business; and
                            (ii) are supplied as efficiently and economically as practicable; and
                           (iii) are supplied at performance standards that reasonably meet the social, industrial and commercial needs of the Australian community;
                    (c) to promote the supply of diverse and innovative carriage services and content services;
                    (d) to promote the development of an Australian telecommunications industry that is efficient, competitive and responsive to the needs of the Australian community;
                    (e) to promote the effective participation by all sectors of the Australian telecommunications industry in markets (whether in Australia or elsewhere);
                     (f) to promote:
                             (i) the development of the technical capabilities and skills of the Australian telecommunications industry; and
                            (ii) the development of the value‑adding and export‑oriented activities of the Australian telecommunications industry; and
                           (iii) research and development that contributes to the growth of the Australian telecommunications industry;
                    (g) to promote the equitable distribution of benefits from improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of:
                             (i) the provision of telecommunications networks and facilities; and
                            (ii) the supply of carriage services;
                    (h) to provide appropriate community safeguards in relation to telecommunications activities and to regulate adequately participants in sections of the Australian telecommunications industry;
                     (i) to promote the placement of lines underground, taking into account economic and technical issues, where placing such lines underground is supported by the affected community;
                     (j) to promote responsible practices in relation to the sending of commercial electronic messages;
                    (k) to promote responsible practices in relation to the making of telemarketing calls;
                     (l) to promote responsible practices in relation to the sending of marketing faxes.
4Â Regulatory policy
                  The Parliament intends that telecommunications be regulated in a manner that:
                    (a) promotes the greatest practicable use of industry self‑regulation; and
                    (b) does not impose undue financial and administrative burdens on participants in the Australian telecommunications industry;
but does not compromise the effectiveness of regulation in achieving the objects mentioned in section 3.
5Â Simplified outline
                  The following is a simplified outline of this Act:
•     This Act sets up a system for regulating telecommunications.
•     The main entities regulated by this Act are carriers and service providers.
•     A carrier is the holder of a carrier licence granted under this Act.
•     The owner of a network unit that is used to supply carriage services to the public must hold a carrier licence unless responsibility for the unit is transferred from the owner to a carrier.
•     There are 4 types of network unit:
    (a)       a single line link connecting distinct places in Australia, where the line link meets certain minimum distance requirements;
    (b)       multiple line links connecting distinct places in Australia, where the line links meet certain minimum distance requirements;
    (c)       a designated radiocommunications facility;
    (d)       a facility specified in a Ministerial determination.
•     Carrier licences are subject to conditions.
•     There are 2 types of service provider:
    (a)       a carriage service provider;
    (b)       a content service provider.
•     A carriage service provider is a person who supplies, or proposes to supply, certain carriage services.
•     A content service provider is a person who supplies, or proposes to supply, certain content services.
•     Service providers must comply with the service provider rules.
•     The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is to monitor, and report each year to the Minister on, significant matters relating to the performance of carriers and carriage service providers.
•     Bodies and associations that represent sections of the telecommunications industry, the telemarketing industry or the fax marketing industry may develop industry codes.
•     Industry codes may be registered by the ACMA.
•     Compliance with an industry code is voluntary unless the ACMA directs a particular participant in the telecommunications industry, the telemarketing industry or the fax marketing industry to comply with the code.
•     The ACMA has a reserve power to make an industry standard if there are no industry codes or if an industry code is deficient.
•     Compliance with industry standards is mandatory.
•     Carriers and carriage service providers must protect the confidentiality of communications.
•     The ACMA, carriers and carriage service providers must do their best to prevent telecommunications networks and facilities from being used to commit offences.
•     Carriers and carriage service providers must do their best to protect telecommunications networks and facilities from unauthorised interference or unauthorised access.
•     Carriers and carriage service providers must ensure that it is possible to execute a warrant issued under the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979.
•     Carriage service providers may be required to supply carriage services for defence purposes or for the management of natural disasters.
•     A carrier or carriage service provider may be required to enter into an agreement with the Commonwealth about:
    (a)       planning for network survivability; or
    (b)       operational requirements in times of crisis.
•    The ACMA may require certain carriers and carriage service providers to provide pre‑selection in favour of carriage service providers in relation to calls made using a standard telephone service.
•    The ACMA must require certain carriers and carriage service providers to provide pre‑selection in favour of carriage service providers in relation to calls made using a declared carriage service.
•     Carriers and carriage service providers may be required to comply with certain international conventions.
•     The Minister may make Rules of Conduct about dealings with international telecommunications operators.
•     Provision is made for the technical regulation of customer equipment, customer cabling and cabling work.
•     The ACMA may regulate numbering by means of a numbering plan.
•     Provision is made for standard agreements for the supply of carriage services.
•     The ACMA and the ACCC may hold public inquiries about certain matters relating to telecommunications.
•     The ACMA may investigate certain matters relating to telecommunications.
•     Certain switching systems must be capable of providing calling line identification.
•     Provision is made for the following ancillary matters:
    (a)       information‑gathering powers;
    (b)       powers of search, entry and seizure;
    (c)       review of decisions;
    (d)       injunctions.
6Â Main index
                  The following is a main index to this Act:
| Main Index | | |
| Item | Topic | Provisions |
| 2 | Calling line identification | Part 18 |
| 3 | Carriers’ powers and immunities | Part 24, Schedule 3 |
| 4 | Carrier licence conditions | Part 3, Schedule 1 |
| 5 | Carriers | Part 3 |
| 6 | Communications, protection of | Part 13 |
| 8 | Decisions, review of | Part 29, Schedule 4 |
| 9 | Defence requirements and disaster plans | Part 16 |
| 10 | Enforceable undertakings | Part 31A |
| 11 | Enforcement | Part 28 |
| 12 | Industry codes and industry standards | Part 6 |
| 13 | Information‑gathering powers | Part 27 |
| 14 | Injunctions | Part 30 |
| 15 | Inquiries, public | Part 25 |
| 16 | International aspects | Part 20 |
| 17 | Investigations | Part 26 |
| 19 | Liability, vicarious | Part 32 |
| 21 | National interest matters | Part 14 |
| 22 | Network units | Part 2 |
| 23 | Numbering and electronic addressing | Part 22 |
| 24 | Penalties, civil | Part 31 |
| 25 | Performance of carriers and carriage service providers, monitoring of | Part 5 |
| 26 | Pre‑selection | Part 17 |
| 28 | Service provider rules | Part 4, Schedule 2 |
| 29 | Service providers | Part 4 |
| 30 | Standard agreements for the supply of carriage services | Part 23 |
| 32 | Technical regulation | Part 21 |
| | | |
7Â Definitions
                  In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:
ACCC means the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
ACCC’s telecommunications functions and powers means the functions and powers conferred on the ACCC by or under:
                    (a) this Act; or
                    (b) the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999; or
                  (ba) the National Broadband Network Companies Act 2011; or
                    (c) Part XIB of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010; or
                    (d) Part XIC of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010; or
                    (e) any other provision of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, in so far as that provision applies to a matter connected with telecommunications.
For this purpose, telecommunications means the carriage of communications by means of guided and/or unguided electromagnetic energy.
access, in relation to an emergency call service, has a meaning affected by section 18.
ACMA means the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
ACMA’s telecommunications functions means the functions that are telecommunications functions, in relation to the ACMA, for the purposes of the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005.
ACMA’s telecommunications powers means the powers conferred on the ACMA by:
                    (a) this Act; or
                    (b) the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999; or
                  (ba) Chapter 4 or 5 of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979; or
                    (c) the Spam Act 2003; or
                   (ca) the Do Not Call Register Act 2006; or
                    (d) Part XIC of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010; or
                    (e) section 12 of the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005, in so far as that section relates to the ACMA’s telecommunications functions.
ACNC type of entity means an entity that meets the description of a type of entity in column 1 of the table in subsection 25‑5(5) of the Australian Charities and Not‑for‑profits Commission Act 2012.
adverse security assessment has the meaning given by section 35 of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979.
AFP Minister means the Minister administering the Australian Federal Police Act 1979.
aircraft includes a balloon.
ASIO means the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.
Australia, when used in a geographical sense, includes the eligible Territories.
Australian number has the same meaning as in the Do Not Call Register Act 2006.
authorised infringement notice officer means:
                    (a) the Chair of the ACMA; or
                    (b) a member of the staff of the ACMA appointed under section 572L.
base station that is part of a terrestrial radiocommunications customer access network has the meaning given by section 34.
broadcasting service has the same meaning as in the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.
building lot has the meaning given by section 372Q.
building unit has the meaning given by section 372S.
cabling licence means a licence granted under section 427.
carriage service means a service for carrying communications by means of guided and/or unguided electromagnetic energy.
carriage service intermediary means a person who is a carriage service provider under subsection 87(5).
carriage service provider has the meaning given by section 87.
carrier means the holder of a carrier licence.
carrier licence means a licence granted under section 56.
carry includes transmit, switch and receive.
civil penalty provision means:
                    (a) a provision of this Act (other than section 317ZB) that is declared by this Act to be a civil penalty provision; or
                    (b) a provision of the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999 that is declared by that Act to be a civil penalty provision; or
                    (c) a provision of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 that is declared by that Act to be a civil penalty provision for the purposes of this Act.
commercial electronic message has the same meaning as in the Spam Act 2003.
communications includes any communication:
                    (a) whether between persons and persons, things and things or persons and things; and
                    (b) whether in the form of speech, music or other sounds; and
                    (c) whether in the form of data; and
                    (d) whether in the form of text; and
                    (e) whether in the form of visual images (animated or otherwise); and
                     (f) whether in the form of signals; and
                    (g) whether in any other form; and
                    (h) whether in any combination of forms.
Communications Access Co‑ordinator has the meaning given by section 6R of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979.
connected, in relation to:
                    (a) a telecommunications network; or
                    (b) a facility; or
                    (c) customer cabling; or
                    (d) customer equipment;
includes connection otherwise than by means of physical contact, for example, a connection by means of radiocommunication.
connection permit means a permit issued under section 394.
constitutional corporation means a corporation to which paragraph 51(xx) of the Constitution applies.
content service has the meaning given by section 15.
content service provider has the meaning given by section 97.
controlled carriage service has the meaning given by section 14.
controlled facility has the meaning given by section 14.
controlled network has the meaning given by section 14.
customer cabling has the meaning given by section 20.
customer equipment has the meaning given by section 21.
data processing device means any article or material (for example, a disk) from which information is capable of being reproduced, with or without the aid of any other article or device.
Defence Department means the Department of State that deals with defence and that is administered by the Minister administering section 1 of the Defence Act 1903.
defence purposes means any one or more of the following:
                    (a) the operation of command or control systems;
                    (b) the operation, direction or use of a defence organisation;
                    (c) the operation of intelligence systems;
                    (d) the collection or dissemination of information relevant to the security or defence of:
                             (i) the Commonwealth; or
                            (ii) a foreign country that is allied or associated with the Commonwealth;
                    (e) the operation or control of weapons systems, including any thing that, by itself or together with any other thing or things, is intended for defensive or offensive use in combat;
                     (f) any other matter specified in the regulations.
designated part of the spectrum has the meaning given by section 577H.
designated radiocommunications facility has the meaning given by section 31.
Director‑General of Security means the Director‑General of Security holding office under the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979.
directory assistance services means services that are:
                    (a) provided to an end‑user of a standard telephone service to help the end‑user find the number of another end‑user of a standard telephone service; and
                    (b) provided by an operator or by means of:
                             (i) an automated voice response system; or
                            (ii) another technology‑based system.
distinct places has the meaning given by section 36.
draft functional separation undertaking means a draft functional separation undertaking under Division 2 of Part 9 of Schedule 1.
draft migration plan means a draft migration plan under Subdivision B of Division 2 of Part 33.
eligible partnership means a partnership where each partner is a constitutional corporation.
eligible Territory means:
                    (a) the Territory of Christmas Island; or
                    (b) the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands; or
                    (c) an external Territory prescribed for the purposes of section 10.
emergency call contractor means a person who performs services for or on behalf of a recognised person who operates an emergency call service, but does not include a person who performs such services in the capacity of an employee of the person who operates the emergency call service.
Note:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Recognised person who operates an emergency call service is defined by section 19.
emergency call person means:
                    (a) a recognised person who operates an emergency call service; or
                    (b) an employee of such a person; or
                    (c) an emergency call contractor; or
                    (d) an employee of an emergency call contractor.
Note:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Recognised person who operates an emergency call service is defined by section 19.
emergency call service means a service for:
                    (a) receiving and handling calls to an emergency service number; and
                    (b) transferring such calls to:
                             (i) a police force or service; or
                            (ii) a fire service; or
                           (iii) an ambulance service; or
                           (iv) a service specified in the numbering plan for the purposes of this subparagraph; or
                            (v) a service for despatching a force or service referred to in subparagraph (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv).
For the purposes of paragraph (b), transferring a call includes giving information in relation to the call for purposes connected with dealing with the matter or matters raised by the call.
emergency service number has the meaning given by section 466.
exempt network‑user means:
                    (a) a person:
                             (i) who is entitled to use a network unit to supply a carriage service; and
                            (ii) whose entitlement derives, directly or indirectly, from rights granted to a carrier; or
                    (b) if:
                             (i) a police force or service; or
                            (ii) a fire service; or
                           (iii) an ambulance service; or
                           (iv) an emergency service specified in the regulations;
                           (the first force or service) uses a network unit for the sole or principal purpose of enabling either or both of the following:
                            (v) communication between the members of the first force or service;
                           (vi) communication between the members of the first force or service and the members of another force or service, where the other force or service is of a kind covered by subparagraph (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv);
                           the first force or service.
For the purposes of paragraph (b), an employee of a force or service is taken to be a member of the force or service.
facility means:
                    (a) any part of the infrastructure of a telecommunications network; or
                    (b) any line, equipment, apparatus, tower, mast, antenna, tunnel, duct, hole, pit, pole or other structure or thing used, or for use, in or in connection with a telecommunications network.
fax marketing industry means an industry that involves carrying on a fax marketing activity (as defined by section 109C).
Federal Court means the Federal Court of Australia.
fibre‑ready facility has the meaning given by section 372W.
final functional separation undertaking means a final functional separation undertaking under Division 2 of Part 9 of Schedule 1.
final migration plan means a final migration plan under Subdivision B of Division 2 of Part 33.
Finance Minister means the Minister administering the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.
fixed‑line facility has the meaning given by section 372V.
fixed radiocommunications link has the meaning given by section 35.
Home Affairs Department means the Department administered by the Home Affairs Minister.
Home Affairs Minister means the Minister administering the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979.
Home Affairs Secretary means the Secretary of the Home Affairs Department.
hybrid fibre‑coaxial network means a telecommunications network:
                    (a) that is for use for the transmission of any broadcasting service; and
                    (b) that is also capable of being used to supply an internet carriage service; and
                    (c) the line component of which consists of optical fibre to connecting nodes, supplemented by coaxial cable connections from the nodes to the premises of end‑users.
immediate circle has the meaning given by section 23.
import means import into Australia.
industry levy means levy imposed by the Telecommunications (Industry Levy) Act 2012.
infringement notice means an infringement notice under section 572E.
inspector has the meaning given by section 533.
integrated public number database scheme means the scheme in force under section 295A.
intercell hand‑over functions has the meaning given by section 33.
internet carriage service means a carriage service that enables end‑users to access the internet.
internet service provider has the same meaning as in Schedule 5 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.
Layer 2 bitstream service means a carriage service that is:
                    (a) either:
                             (i) a Layer 2 Ethernet bitstream service; or
                            (ii) a Layer 2 bitstream service specified in a legislative instrument made by the ACMA for the purposes of this subparagraph; and
                    (b) a listed carriage service; and
                    (c) supplied using a line to premises occupied or used by an end‑user.
For this purpose, Layer 2 has the same meaning as in the Open System Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model for data exchange.
line means a wire, cable, optical fibre, tube, conduit, waveguide or other physical medium used, or for use, as a continuous artificial guide for or in connection with carrying communications by means of guided electromagnetic energy.
line link has the meaning given by section 30.
listed carriage service has the meaning given by section 16.
marketing fax means:
                    (a) a marketing fax (within the meaning of the Do Not Call Register Act 2006) that is sent to an Australian number; or
                    (b) a fax (within the meaning of the Do Not Call Register Act 2006) that is sent to an Australian number, where, having regard to:
                             (i) the content of the fax; and
                            (ii) the presentational aspects of the fax;
                           it would be concluded that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the fax is:
                           (iii) to conduct opinion polling; or
                           (iv) to carry out standard questionnaire‑based research.
member means a member of the ACMA (and does not include an associate member).
NBN corporation has the same meaning as in the National Broadband Network Companies Act 2011. This definition does not apply to:
                    (a) section 577BA; or
                    (b) section 577BC; or
                    (c) clause 17 of Schedule 1; or
                    (d) Part 5 of Schedule 1.
network unit has the meaning given by Division 2 of Part 2.
nominated carriage service provider means a carriage service provider covered by a declaration in force under subsection 197(4) of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979.
nominated carrier means a carrier in respect of whom a nominated carrier declaration is in force.
nominated carrier declaration means a declaration under section 81.
notifiable equipment has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979.
numbering plan has the meaning given by section 455.
optical fibre line means a line that consists of, or encloses, optical fibre.
owner, in relation to a network unit, means a person who legally owns the unit (whether alone or together with one or more other persons).
person includes a partnership.
point‑to‑multipoint service means a carriage service which allows a person to transmit a communication to more than one end‑user simultaneously.
project area for a real estate development project has the meaning given by section 372Q.
public body means:
                    (a) the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; or
                    (b) an authority, or institution, of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; or
                    (c) an incorporated company all the stock or shares in the capital of which is beneficially owned by one of the following:
                             (i) the Commonwealth;
                            (ii) a State;
                           (iii) a Territory; or
                    (d) an incorporated company limited by guarantee, where the interests and rights of the members in or in relation to the company are beneficially owned by one of the following:
                             (i) the Commonwealth;
                            (ii) a State;
                           (iii) a Territory.
public mobile telecommunications service has the meaning given by section 32.
radiocommunication has the same meaning as in the Radiocommunications Act 1992.
radiocommunications device has the same meaning as in the Radiocommunications Act 1992.
radiocommunications receiver has the same meaning as in the Radiocommunications Act 1992.
radiocommunications transmitter has the same meaning as in the Radiocommunications Act 1992.
real estate development project has the meaning given by section 372Q.
recognised person who operates an emergency call service has the meaning given by section 19.
recognised testing authority has the meaning given by section 409.
record‑keeping rule means a rule under section 529.
registered charity means an entity that is registered under the Australian Charities and Not‑for‑profits Commission Act 2012 as the type of entity mentioned in column 1 of item 1 of the table in subsection 25‑5(5) of that Act.
satellite‑based facility means a radiocommunications transmitter, or a radiocommunications receiver, in a satellite.
sell:
                    (a) when used in relation to a building lot—has the meaning given by section 372T; or
                    (b) when used in relation to a building unit—has the meaning given by section 372U.
service provider has the meaning given by section 86.
service provider rules has the meaning given by section 98.
spectrum has the same meaning as in the Radiocommunications Act 1992.
spectrum licence has the same meaning as in the Radiocommunications Act 1992.
standard questionnaire‑based research means research that involves people being asked to answer one or more standard questions, but does not include:
                    (a) opinion polling; or
                    (b) research of a kind specified in the regulations.
standard telephone service has the meaning given by section 6 of the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999.
subdivision of an area of land has a meaning affected by section 372R.
subscription television broadcasting licence has the same meaning as in the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.
telecommunications industry includes an industry that involves:
                    (a) carrying on business as a carrier; or
                    (b) carrying on business as a carriage service provider; or
                    (c) supplying goods or services for use in connection with the supply of a listed carriage service; or
                    (d) supplying a content service using a listed carriage service; or
                    (e) manufacturing or importing customer equipment or customer cabling; or
                     (f) installing, maintaining, operating or providing access to:
                             (i) a telecommunications network; or
                            (ii) a facility;
                           used to supply a listed carriage service.
Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999.
Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman scheme has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999.
telecommunications network means a system, or series of systems, that carries, or is capable of carrying, communications by means of guided and/or unguided electromagnetic energy.
telecommunications service has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979.
telecommunications system has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979.
telemarketing call means:
                    (a) a telemarketing call (within the meaning of the Do Not Call Register Act 2006) that is made to an Australian number; or
                    (b) a voice call (within the meaning of the Do Not Call Register Act 2006) that is made to an Australian number, where, having regard to:
                             (i) the content of the call; and
                            (ii) the presentational aspects of the call;
                           it would be concluded that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the call is:
                           (iii) to conduct opinion polling; or
                           (iv) to carry out standard questionnaire‑based research.
telemarketing industry means an industry that involves carrying on a telemarketing activity (as defined by section 109B).
Telstra has the same meaning as in the Telstra Corporation Act 1991.
this Act includes the regulations.
universal service obligation has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999.
vessel means a vessel or boat of any description, and includes:
                    (a) an air‑cushion vehicle; and
                    (b) any floating structure.
8Â Crown to be bound
            (1) This Act binds the Crown in right of the Commonwealth, of each of the States, of the Australian Capital Territory and of the Northern Territory.
            (2) This Act does not make the Crown liable to a pecuniary penalty or to be prosecuted for an offence.
            (3) The protection in subsection (2) does not apply to an authority of the Crown.
9 Extra‑territorial application
                  This Act applies both within and outside Australia.
10Â Extension to external Territories
            (1) This Act extends to:
                    (a) the Territory of Christmas Island; and
                    (b) the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands; and
                    (c) such other external Territories (if any) as are prescribed.
            (2) The operation of this Act in relation to Norfolk Island is not affected by the amendments made by Division 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 5 to the Territories Legislation Amendment Act 2016.
11Â Extension to offshore areas
            (1) This Act applies in relation to the offshore areas of:
                    (a) each of the States; and
                    (b) each of the eligible Territories;
as if references in this Act to Australia included references to those offshore areas. This subsection has effect subject to subsection (2).
            (2) The application of this Act in accordance with subsection (1) in relation to an offshore area extends only in relation to acts, matters and things touching, concerning, arising out of or connected with:
                    (a) the exploration of the continental shelf of Australia; or
                    (b) the exploitation of the resources of the continental shelf of Australia.
            (3) The application of this Act in accordance with subsection (1) in relation to an offshore area extends in relation to all acts done by or in relation to, and all matters, circumstances and things affecting, any person who is in the offshore area for a reason touching, concerning, arising out of or connected with:
                    (a) the exploration of the continental shelf of Australia; or
                    (b) the exploitation of the resources of the continental shelf of Australia.
            (4) Subsection (3) does not, by implication, limit subsection (2).
            (5) In this section:
offshore area, in relation to a State or Territory, has the same meaning as in the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006.
11AÂ Application of the Criminal Code
                  Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code (except Part 2.5) applies to all offences against this Act.
Note:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code sets out the general principles of criminal responsibility.
12Â Act subject to Radiocommunications Act
            (1) This Act has effect subject to the Radiocommunications Act 1992.
            (2) However, to avoid doubt, the fact that a person is authorised to do something under a licence under the Radiocommunications Act 1992 does not entitle the person to do that thing if the person is prohibited by or under this Act from doing it, unless a condition of the licence requires the person to do it.
13Â Continuity of partnerships
                  For the purposes of this Act, a change in the composition of a partnership does not affect the continuity of the partnership.
14Â Controlled carriage services, controlled networks and controlled facilities
Controlled carriage services
            (1) For the purposes of this Act, if:
                    (a) a carrier or carriage service provider supplies, or proposes to supply, a carriage service; and
                    (b) the carriage service involves, or will involve, the use of a controlled network, or a controlled facility, of the carrier or of the provider, as the case may be;
the carriage service is a controlled carriage service of the carrier or the provider, as the case may be.
Controlled networks
            (2) For the purposes of this Act, if:
                    (a) a carrier or carriage service provider operates a telecommunications network; and
                    (b) the network satisfies the geographical test set out in subsection (4);
the network is a controlled network of the carrier or the provider, as the case may be.
Controlled facilities
            (3) For the purposes of this Act, if:
                    (a) a carrier or carriage service provider operates a facility; and
                    (b) the facility satisfies the geographical test set out in subsection (4);
the facility is a controlled facility of the carrier or provider, as the case may be.
Geographical test
            (4) For the purposes of this section, a telecommunications network, or a facility, satisfies the geographical test if:
                    (a) the whole or any part of the network or facility, as the case requires, is, or will be, located in Australia; or
                    (b) all of the following conditions are satisfied:
                             (i) a person, or a group of persons, operates the network or the facility, as the case requires;
                            (ii) the person, or at least one of the members of the group, carries on, or will carry on, a telecommunications‑related business wholly or partly in Australia;
                           (iii) the network, or the facility, as the case requires, is used, or will be used, to supply a listed carriage service, or a service that is ancillary or incidental to such a service.
Definition
            (5) In this section:
telecommunications‑related business means a business that consists of, or includes:
                    (a) supplying a carriage service; or
                    (b) supplying goods or services for use in connection with the supply of a carriage service; or
                    (c) supplying a content service; or
                    (d) installing, maintaining, operating or providing access to:
                             (i) a telecommunications network; or
                            (ii) a facility.
15Â Content service
            (1) For the purposes of this Act, a content service is:
                    (a) a broadcasting service; or
                    (b) an on‑line information service (for example, a dial‑up information service); or
                    (c) an on‑line entertainment service (for example, a video‑on‑demand service or an interactive computer game service); or
                    (d) any other on‑line service (for example, an education service provided by a State or Territory government); or
                    (e) a service of a kind specified in a determination made by the Minister for the purposes of this paragraph.
            (2) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make a determination for the purposes of paragraph (1)(e).
16Â Listed carriage services
            (1) For the purposes of this Act, the following carriage services are listed carriage services:
                    (a) a carriage service between a point in Australia and one or more other points in Australia;
                    (b) a carriage service between a point and one or more other points, where the first‑mentioned point is in Australia and at least one of the other points is outside Australia;
                    (c) a carriage service between a point and one or more other points, where the first‑mentioned point is outside Australia and at least one of the other points is in Australia.
            (2) For the purposes of this section, a point includes a mobile or potentially mobile point, whether on land, underground, in the atmosphere, in outer space, underwater, at sea or anywhere else.
            (3) For the purposes of this section, a point that is:
                    (a) in the atmosphere; and
                    (b) in or below the stratosphere; and
                    (c) above Australia;
is taken to be a point in Australia.
            (4) For the purposes of this section, a point that is:
                    (a) on a satellite; and
                    (b) above the stratosphere;
is taken to be a point outside Australia.
18Â Access to an emergency call service
                  For the purposes of this Act, a person is taken not to have access to an emergency call service unless, in the event that the person attempts to place a call to the relevant emergency service number, the call can be established and maintained.
19Â Recognised person who operates an emergency call service
            (1) A reference in this Act to a recognised person who operates an emergency call service is a reference to a person who:
                    (a) operates an emergency call service; and
                    (b) is specified, in a written determination made by the ACMA for the purposes of this paragraph, as:
                             (i) a national operator of emergency call services; or
                            (ii) a regional operator of emergency call services.
            (2) A copy of a determination under paragraph (1)(b) is to be published in the Gazette.
            (3) A person may be specified in a determination under paragraph (1)(b) even if the person does not operate an emergency call service at the time the determination is made.
            (4) Subsection (3) is enacted for the avoidance of doubt.
20Â Customer cabling
            (1) For the purposes of this Act, customer cabling means a line that, under the regulations, is treated as customer cabling.
            (2) Regulations made for the purposes of subsection (1) may deal with a matter by reference to the boundary of a telecommunications network.
Note:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Boundary of a telecommunications network is defined by section 22.
            (3) Subsection (2) does not, by implication, limit subsection (1).
            (4) If no regulations are in force for the purposes of subsection (1), then, for the purposes of this Act, customer cabling means a line that is used, installed ready for use or intended for use on the customer side of the boundary of a telecommunications network.
Note:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Boundary of a telecommunications network is defined by section 22.
21Â Customer equipment
            (1) For the purposes of this Act, customer equipment means:
                    (a) any equipment, apparatus, tower, mast, antenna or other structure or thing; or
                    (b) any system (whether software‑based or otherwise);
that:
                    (c) is used, installed ready for use or intended for use in connection with a carriage service; and
                    (d) under the regulations, is treated as customer equipment;
but does not include a line.
            (2) Regulations made for the purposes of subsection (1) may deal with a matter by reference to the boundary of a telecommunications network.
Note:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Boundary of a telecommunications network is defined by section 22.
            (3) Subsection (2) does not, by implication, limit subsection (1).
            (4) If no regulations are in force for the purposes of subsection (1), then, for the purposes of this Act, customer equipment means:
                    (a) any equipment, apparatus, tower, mast, antenna or other structure or thing that is used, installed ready for use or intended for use on the customer side of the boundary of a telecommunications network; or
                    (b) any system (whether software‑based or otherwise) that is used, installed ready for use or intended for use on the customer side of the boundary of a telecommunications network;
but does not include:
                    (c) a line; or
                    (d) equipment of a kind specified in regulations made for the purposes of this paragraph; or
                    (e) an apparatus, tower, mast, antenna or other structure or thing that is of a kind specified in regulations made for the purposes of this paragraph; or
                     (f) a system (whether software‑based or otherwise) that is of a kind specified in regulations made for the purposes of this paragraph.
Note :Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Boundary of a telecommunications network is defined by section 22.
22 Customer cabling and customer equipment—boundary of a telecommunications network
            (1) For the purposes of sections 20, 21, 30, 349, 372B, 372C and 372V, the boundary of a telecommunications network is to be ascertained in accordance with the regulations.
            (2) Regulations made for the purposes of subsection (1) may deal with a matter by reference to any or all of the following:
                    (a) the terms of an agreement between 2 or more carriers, where the agreement is entered into for the purposes of those regulations;
                    (b) the terms of an agreement between 2 or more carriage service providers, where the agreement is entered into for the purposes of those regulations;
                    (c) the terms of an agreement between a carrier and a carriage service provider, where the agreement is entered into for the purposes of those regulations;
                    (d) the terms of an agreement between a carrier and a customer of the carrier, where the agreement is entered into for the purposes of those regulations;
                    (e) the terms of an agreement between a carriage service provider and a customer of the provider, where the agreement is entered into for the purposes of those regulations.
            (3) Subsection (2) does not, by implication, limit subsection (1).
            (4) If no regulations are in force for the purposes of subsection (1), then, for the purposes of sections 20, 21, 30, 349, 372B, 372C and 372V, the boundary of a telecommunications network is:
                    (a) in a case where a telecommunications network is used to supply a carriage service to an end‑user in a building by means of a line that enters the building—the point agreed between the customer and the carrier or carriage service provider who operates the telecommunications network, or, failing agreement:
                             (i) if there is a main distribution frame in the building and the line is connected to the frame—the side of the frame nearest to the end‑user; or
                            (ii) if subparagraph (i) does not apply but the line is connected to a network termination device located in, on or within close proximity to, the building—the side of the device nearest to the end‑user; or
                           (iii) if neither subparagraph (i) nor (ii) applies but the line is connected to one or more sockets in the building—the side nearest to the end‑user of the first socket after the building entry point; or
                    (b) in a case where a telecommunications network is used to supply a carriage service to an end‑user by means of a satellite‑based facility that transmits to, or receives transmissions from, the point where the end user is located—the outer surface of the satellite‑based facility; or
                    (c) in a case where:
                             (i) a telecommunications network is used to supply a carriage service to an end‑user; and
                            (ii) paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply;
                           the outer surface of the fixed facility nearest to the end‑user, where the facility is used, installed ready for use or intended for use to supply the carriage service.
            (5) If, immediately before 1 July 1997, the boundary of a telecommunications network used to supply a standard telephone service to an end‑user in a building by means of a line that enters the building is the side of a main distribution frame, or a telephone socket, nearest to the end‑user, paragraph (4)(a) has effect, on and after 1 July 1997, as if the customer and the carrier or carriage service provider who operates the network had agreed to the boundary at that point.
            (6) Subsection (5) does not prevent the customer and the carrier or carriage service provider agreeing to a boundary at a different point.
            (7) For the purposes of subsection (4), the building entry point is the point at which a line that is used to provide a carriage service to an end‑user in a building meets the outer surface of that building, immediately before entering the building.
            (8) In this section:
building includes a structure, a caravan and a mobile home.
23Â Immediate circle
            (1) For the purposes of this Act, a person’s immediate circle consists of the person, together with the following persons:
                    (a) if the person is an individual—an employee of the individual;
                    (b) if the person is a partnership—an employee of the partnership;
                    (c) if the person is a body corporate:
                             (i) an officer of the body corporate;
                            (ii) if another body corporate is related to the first‑mentioned body corporate (within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001)—that other body corporate and an officer of that other body corporate;
                    (d) if the person is the Commonwealth:
                             (i) an authority or institution of the Commonwealth (other than an authority or institution that carries on a business as a core function) and a constituent member or an employee of such an authority or institution;
                            (ii) an officer or employee of the Commonwealth;
                           (iii) a member of the Australian Defence Force;
                           (iv) a member of the Australian Federal Police;
                            (v) a member of the Parliament and a member of the staff of a member of the Parliament;
                           (vi) a person who holds or performs the duties of an office under the Constitution or a law of the Commonwealth;
                    (e) if the person is a State:
                             (i) an authority or institution of the State (other than an authority or institution that carries on a business as a core function) and a constituent member or an employee of such an authority or institution;
                            (ii) an officer or employee of the State;
                           (iii) a member of the police force of the State;
                           (iv) a member of the Parliament of the State and a member of the staff of a member of the Parliament of the State;
                            (v) a person who holds or performs the duties of an office under a law of the State;
                     (f) if the person is a Territory:
                             (i) an authority or institution of the Territory (other than an authority or institution that carries on a business as a core function) and a constituent member or an employee of such an authority or institution;
                            (ii) an officer or employee of the Territory;
                           (iii) a member of the police force of the Territory;
                           (iv) a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Territory and a member of the staff of a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Territory;
                            (v) a person who holds or performs the duties of an office under a law of the Territory;
                    (g) if the person is an authority or institution of the Commonwealth (other than an authority or institution that carries on a business as a core function):
                             (i) a constituent member or an employee of the authority or institution;
                            (ii) the Commonwealth;
                           (iii) an officer or employee of the Commonwealth;
                           (iv) a member of the Australian Defence Force;
                            (v) a member of the Australian Federal Police;
                           (vi) a member of the Parliament and a member of the staff of a member of the Parliament;
                          (vii) a person who holds or performs the duties of an office under the Constitution or a law of the Commonwealth;
                         (viii) another authority or institution of the Commonwealth (other than an authority or institution that carries on a business as a core function) and a constituent member or an employee of the other authority or institution;
                    (h) if the person is an authority or institution of the Commonwealth, being an authority or institution that carries on a business as a core function—a constituent member or an employee of the authority or institution;
                     (i) if the person is an authority or institution of a State (other than an authority or institution that carries on a business as a core function):
                             (i) a constituent member or an employee of the authority or institution;
                            (ii) the State;
                           (iii) an officer or employee of the State;
                           (iv) a member of the police force of the State;
                            (v) a member of the Parliament of the State and a member of the staff of a member of the Parliament of the State;
                           (vi) a person who holds or performs the duties of an office under a law of the State;
                          (vii) another authority or institution of the State (other than an authority or institution that carries on a business as a core function) and a constituent member or an employee of the other authority or institution;
                     (j) if the person is an authority or institution of a State, being an authority or institution that carries on a business as a core function—a constituent member or an employee of the authority or institution;
                    (k) if the person is an authority or institution of a Territory (other than an authority or institution that carries on a business as a core function):
                             (i) a constituent member or an employee of the authority or institution;
                            (ii) the Territory;
                           (iii) an officer or employee of the Territory;
                           (iv) a member of the police force of the Territory;
                            (v) a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Territory and a member of the staff of a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Territory;
                           (vi) a person who holds or performs the duties of an office under a law of the Territory;
                          (vii) another authority or institution of the Territory (other than an authority or institution that carries on a business as a core function) and a constituent member or an employee of the other authority or institution;
                     (l) if the person is an authority or institution of a Territory, being an authority or institution that carries on a business as a core function—a constituent member or employee of the authority or institution;
                   (m) if the person is a tertiary education institution:
                             (i) a member of the governing body of the tertiary education institution;
                            (ii) an officer or employee of the tertiary education institution;
                           (iii) a student of the tertiary education institution;
                    (n) a person specified in a determination under subsection (2).
            (2) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make a determination specifying persons for the purposes of paragraph (1)(n).
            (3) A determination under subsection (2) may be unconditional or subject to such conditions (if any) as are specified in the determination.
            (4) Paragraphs (1)(a) to (m) (inclusive) do not, by implication, limit subsections (2) and (3).
            (5) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make a determination providing that a specified authority or specified institution is taken to carry on a business as a core function for the purposes of subsection (1).
            (6) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make a determination providing that a specified authority or specified institution is taken not to carry on a business as a core function for the purposes of subsection (1).
            (7) A determination under subsection (2), (5) or (6) has effect accordingly.
            (9) For the purposes of this section, a person who holds or performs the duties of the office of Administrator of the Northern Territory is taken to be an officer of that Territory.
          (10) For the purposes of this section, the Australian Federal Police is taken to be the police force of the Australian Capital Territory.
          (11) In this section:
core function, in relation to an authority or institution, means a function of the authority or institution other than a secondary or incidental function.
director includes a constituent member of a body corporate incorporated for a public purpose by a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory.
executive officer, in relation to a body corporate, means a person, by whatever name called and whether or not a director of the body, who is concerned in, or takes part in, the management of the body.
officer, in relation to a body corporate, includes a director, secretary, executive officer or employee of the body.
tertiary education institution means:
                    (a) a higher education institution (within the meaning of the Student Assistance Act 1973); or
                    (b) a technical and further education institution (within the meaning of that Act).
24Â Extended meaning of use
                  Unless the contrary intention appears, a reference in this Act to the use of a thing is a reference to the use of the thing either:
                    (a) in isolation; or
                    (b) in conjunction with one or more other things.
Part 2—Network units
Division 1—Simplified outline
25Â Simplified outline
                  The following is a simplified outline of this Part:
•     The object of this Part is to define the expression network unit.
•     There are 4 types of network unit:
              (a)    a single line link connecting distinct places in Australia, where the line link meets certain minimum distance requirements;
             (b)    multiple line links connecting distinct places in Australia, where the line links meet certain minimum distance requirements;
              (c)    a designated radiocommunications facility;
             (d)    a facility specified in a Ministerial determination.
Division 2—Basic definition
26Â Single line links connecting distinct places in Australia
            (1) If:
                    (a) a line link connects distinct places in Australia; and
                    (b) the distinct places are at least the statutory distance apart;
the line link is a network unit.
            (2) For the purposes of this section, the statutory distance is:
                    (a) 500 metres; or
                    (b) if a longer distance, not exceeding 50 kilometres, is specified in the regulations—that longer distance.
27Â Multiple line links connecting distinct places in Australia
            (1) If:
                    (a) the same person owns, or the same persons own, 2 or more line links; and
                    (b) each of those line links connects distinct places in Australia; and
                    (c) the aggregate of the distances between the distinct places is more than the statutory distance;
each of those line links is a network unit.
Note:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Statutory distance is defined by subsection (3).
            (2) If:
                    (a) the following conditions are satisfied in relation to 2 or more line links:
                             (i) the owners of the line links are bodies corporate;
                            (ii) the owners of the line links are all members of the same related company group; and
                    (b) each of those line links connects distinct places in Australia; and
                    (c) the aggregate of the distances between the distinct places is more than the statutory distance;
each of those line links is a network unit.
Note:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Statutory distance is defined by subsection (3).
            (3) For the purposes of this section, the statutory distance is:
                    (a) 5 kilometres; or
                    (b) if a longer distance, not exceeding 500 kilometres, is specified in the regulations—that longer distance.
            (4) In this section:
owner means legal or beneficial owner, and own has a corresponding meaning.
related company group means a group of 2 or more bodies corporate, where each member of the group is related to each other member of the group.
            (5) For the purposes of this section, the question whether a body corporate is related to another body corporate is to be determined in the same manner as that question is determined under the Corporations Act 2001.
28Â Designated radiocommunications facility
            (1) If a designated radiocommunications facility is used, or is for use, to supply a carriage service between a point in Australia and one or more other points in Australia, the facility is a network unit.
            (2) It does not matter whether the supply involves:
                    (a) the use of a satellite; or
                    (b) the use of a line or other facility outside Australia.
            (3) For the purposes of this section, a point includes a mobile or potentially mobile point, whether on land, underground, in the atmosphere, in outer space, underwater, at sea or anywhere else.
            (4) For the purposes of this section, a point that is:
                    (a) in the atmosphere; and
                    (b) in or below the stratosphere; and
                    (c) above Australia;
is taken to be a point in Australia.
            (5) For the purposes of this section, a point that is:
                    (a) on a satellite; and
                    (b) above the stratosphere;
is taken to be a point outside Australia.
29Â Facilities specified in Ministerial determination
            (1) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, determine that a specified facility is a network unit for the purposes of this Act.
            (2) The determination has effect accordingly.
            (4) To avoid doubt, nothing in the other provisions of this Part limits the power conferred by subsection (1).
Division 3—Related definitions
30Â Line links
            (1) A line constitutes a line link.
            (2) If:
                    (a) a line is connected to another line; and
                    (b) the other line constitutes, or forms part of, a line link;
the first‑mentioned line, and the line link referred to in paragraph (b), together constitute a line link.
            (3) Subsection (2) is recursive, that is, the reference in paragraph (2)(b) to a line link is a reference to something that is a line link because of any other application or applications of this section.
            (4) For the purposes of subsection (2), a line is connected to another line if, and only if:
                    (a) the lines are connected to each other; or
                    (b) each of the lines is connected to the same facility (other than a line);
in such a way that a communication can be carried, by means of the 2 lines, or by means of facilities including the 2 lines, in the same way as if the 2 lines were a single line.
         (4A) A line does not form part of any line link to the extent that the line is on the customer side of the boundary of a telecommunications network.
Note:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Boundary of a telecommunications network is defined by section 22.
            (5) A facility other than a line does not form part of any line link.
31Â Designated radiocommunications facility
            (1) A reference in this Act to a designated radiocommunications facility is a reference to:
                    (a) a base station used, or for use, to supply a public mobile telecommunications service; or
                    (b) a base station that is part of a terrestrial radiocommunications customer access network; or
                    (c) a fixed radiocommunications link; or
                    (d) a satellite‑based facility; or
                    (e) a radiocommunications transmitter of a kind specified in a determination under subsection (2); or
                     (f) a radiocommunications receiver of a kind specified in a determination under subsection (3);
but does not include a reference to:
                    (g) a base station of a kind declared under subsection (5) to be exempt from this section; or
                    (h) a fixed radiocommunications link of a kind declared under subsection (5) to be exempt from this section; or
                     (i) a satellite‑based facility of a kind declared under subsection (5) to be exempt from this section.
Note 1:Â Â Â Â Â Â Public mobile telecommunications service is defined by section 32.
Note 2:Â Â Â Â Â Â Base station that is part of a terrestrial radiocommunications customer access network is defined by section 34.
Note 3:Â Â Â Â Â Â Fixed radiocommunications link is defined by section 35.
Note 4:      Satellite‑based facility is defined by section 7.
            (2) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make a determination for the purposes of paragraph (1)(e).
            (3) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make a determination for the purposes of paragraph (1)(f).
            (5) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make a declaration for the purposes of paragraph (1)(g), (h) or (i).
            (7) To avoid doubt, nothing in the other provisions of this Part limits a power conferred by subsection (2), (3) or (5).
32Â Public mobile telecommunications service
            (1) For the purposes of this Act, if:
                    (a) an end‑user can use a carriage service while moving continuously between places; and
                    (b) the customer equipment used for or in relation to the supply of the service is not in physical contact with any part of the telecommunications network by means of which the service is supplied; and
                    (c) the service is supplied by use of a telecommunications network that has intercell hand‑over functions; and
                    (d) the service is not an exempt service (as defined by subsection (2), (3) or (4));
the service is a public mobile telecommunications service.
            (2) For the purposes of this section, a carriage service is an exempt service if:
                    (a) the service is supplied by means of a telecommunications network (a primary network) that is connected to one or more line links or other facilities that, apart from this section, are eligible network units; and
                    (b) the principal function of the primary network is to supply carriage services between customer equipment connected to the primary network and other such equipment; and
                    (c) the supply of carriage services between such equipment and equipment connected to the network units is, at most, an ancillary function of the primary network; and
                    (d) despite the connection or connections referred to in paragraph (a), the primary network cannot be used in carrying a communication, as a single transaction, between equipment connected to the network units and other such equipment.
            (3) For the purposes of this section, a carriage service is an exempt service if the service is:
                    (a) a one‑way only, store‑and‑forward communications service; or
                    (b) a service that performs the same functions as such a service.
            (4) For the purposes of this section, a carriage service is an exempt service if all of the end‑users of the service are located at the same distinct place.
            (5) In this section:
eligible network unit means a network unit:
                    (a) that is owned by one or more carriers; or
                    (b) in relation to which a nominated carrier declaration is in force.
33 Intercell hand‑over functions
            (1) For the purposes of this Act, a telecommunications network is taken to have intercell hand‑over functions if, and only if:
                    (a) the facilities of the network include at least 2 base stations each of which transmits and receives signals to and from customer equipment (mobile equipment) that is:
                             (i) used for or in relation to the supply of an eligible mobile telecommunications service; and
                            (ii) located within a particular area (a cell); and
                    (b) the network includes the functions necessary to do the following while the network is carrying a communication made to or from particular mobile equipment:
                             (i) determine in which cell the equipment is located and cause the base station in that cell to transmit and receive signals to and from the equipment;
                            (ii) when the equipment moves from one cell to another, cause the base station in the one cell to stop, and the base station in the other cell to start, transmitting and receiving signals to and from the equipment.
            (2) For the purposes of this section, a carriage service is an eligible mobile telecommunications service if:
                    (a) an end‑user can use it while moving continuously between places; and
                    (b) customer equipment used for or in relation to the supply of the service is not in physical contact with any part of the telecommunications network by means of which the service is supplied.
34Â When a base station is part of a terrestrial radiocommunications customer access network
            (1) For the purposes of this Act, a base station is part of a terrestrial radiocommunications customer access network if, and only if:
                    (a) the base station is part of a telecommunications network; and
                    (b) the base station is not an exempt base station (as defined by subsection (2)); and
                    (c) the base station is used, or for use, in connection with the supply of a carriage service; and
                    (d) customer equipment used for or in relation to the supply of the service is not in physical contact with any part of the telecommunications network by means of which the service is supplied; and
                    (e) the service is wholly or principally used, or wholly or principally for use, by each end‑user:
                             (i) at premises occupied or used by the end‑user; or
                            (ii) in the immediate vicinity of those premises; and
                     (f) the network does not have intercell hand‑over functions; and
                    (g) the conditions (if any) specified in the regulations are satisfied; and
                    (h) the network is not an exempt network (as defined by subsection (3)).
            (2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), a base station is an exempt base station if the sole use of the base station is use by a broadcaster to:
                    (a) supply broadcasting services to the public; or
                    (b) supply a secondary carriage service by means of the main carrier signal of a primary broadcasting service;
or both.
            (3) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(h), a network is an exempt network if:
                    (a) the network is used, or for use, for the sole purpose of supplying carriage services on a non‑commercial basis; or
                    (b) the network is of a kind specified in the regulations.
            (4) In this section:
broadcaster means:
                    (a) the Australian Broadcasting Corporation; or
                    (b) the Special Broadcasting Service Corporation; or
                    (c) the holder of a licence under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992; or
                    (d) a person who provides a broadcasting service under a class licence under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.
35Â Fixed radiocommunications link
            (1) For the purposes of this Act, a fixed radiocommunications link is a facility, or a combination of facilities, where:
                    (a) the facility or combination is used, or for use, in connection with the supply of a carriage service between 2 or more fixed points by means of radiocommunication; and
                    (b) some or all of the communications carried by means of the facility or combination have the characteristic of double‑ended interconnection (as defined by subsection (3)); and
                    (c) the facility or combination does not consist of:
                             (i) one or more base stations that are part of a terrestrial radiocommunications customer access network; or
                            (ii) one or more base stations that would be part of such a network if paragraph 34(1)(h) had not been enacted.
            (2) For the purposes of this section, a fixed point is a fixed point on:
                    (a) land; or
                    (b) a building or structure on land.
            (3) For the purposes of this section, if:
                    (a) a communication is carried over a line link or other facility that, apart from this section, is an eligible network unit; and
                    (b) the communication is then carried (immediately or with a transmission delay of not longer than 30 seconds), by means of radiocommunication, between 2 or more fixed points; and
                    (c) the communication is then carried (immediately or with a transmission delay of not longer than 30 seconds) over another line link or other facility that, apart from this section, is an eligible network unit;
the communication referred to in paragraph (b) has the characteristic of double‑ended interconnection.
            (4) In this section:
eligible network unit means a network unit:
                    (a) that is owned by one or more carriers; or
                    (b) in relation to which a nominated carrier declaration is in force.
Division 4—Distinct places
36 Distinct places—basic rules
            (1) Places are distinct unless they are all in the same area because of subsection (2), (3) or (4).
            (2) Places are in the same area if they are all situated in the same property as defined by section 37.
            (3) Places are in the same area if they are situated in properties each of which forms part of a combined area as defined by section 38 and:
                    (a) the same person or persons is or are the principal user (as defined by section 39) of all the properties that together constitute that combined area; or
                    (b) because of a determination in force under section 40, that combined area is an eligible combined area for the purposes of this paragraph.
            (4) Places are in the same area if they are all situated in the same eligible Territory.
            (5) The later provisions of this Division have effect only for the purposes of this Division.
37Â Properties
            (1) An area of land is a property if:
                    (a) there is a single freehold or leasehold title in relation to that area (whether or not that title is registered under a law of a State or Territory relating to the registration of interests in land); and
                    (b) no part of that area is subject to a lease granted by the holder of that title; and
                    (c) the title to the area is defined by reference to geographical coordinates.
            (2) If:
                    (a) there is a single freehold or leasehold title (as mentioned in paragraph (1)(a)) in relation to an area of land; and
                    (b) some but not all of that area is subject to a lease granted by the holder of that title;
then, an area of land:
                    (c) all of which is within the area referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection; and
                    (d) none of which is subject to such a lease;
is a property unless it is only part of another such area.
            (3) An area of land is not a property except as provided in this section.
            (4) The regulations may prescribe the circumstances in which an area of land in relation to which there is a single freehold or leasehold title is not to constitute a property for the purposes of this Division.
            (5) Despite paragraph (1)(c), the regulations may prescribe the circumstances in which an area of land, the title to which is defined otherwise than by reference to geographical coordinates, is a property.
            (6) In this section:
land includes premises and a part of premises, but does not include unalienated Crown land.
lease includes sublease and leasehold title has a corresponding meaning.
38Â Combined areas
            (1) 2 contiguous properties form a combined area.
            (2) If:
                    (a) a property is contiguous with another property; and
                    (b) the other property forms part of a combined area;
the first‑mentioned property, and the combined area referred to in paragraph (b), together form a combined area.
            (3) Subsection (2) is recursive, that is, the reference in paragraph (2)(b) to a combined area is a reference to something that is a combined area because of any other application or applications of this section.
39Â Principal user of a property
            (1) The principal user of a property is the person who:
                    (a) occupies the property; or
                    (b) uses the property for the purpose that is the sole or principal purpose for which the property is used.
            (2) However, if 2 or more persons:
                    (a) together occupy a property; or
                    (b) together use a property for the purpose that is the sole or principal purpose for which the property is used;
they are taken to together be the principal user of the property.
40Â Eligible combined areas
                  The Minister may, by legislative instrument, determine that specified combined areas are eligible combined areas for the purposes of paragraph 36(3)(b).
Part 3—Carriers
Division 1—Simplified outline
41Â Simplified outline
                  The following is a simplified outline of this Part:
•     The owner of a network unit that is used to supply carriage services to the public must hold a carrier licence unless:
              (a)    a nominated carrier declaration is in force in relation to the network unit; or
             (b)    an exemption applies.
•     Carrier licences are granted by the ACMA.
•     The holder of a carrier licence is known as a carrier.
•     If responsibility for a network unit is transferred from the owner of the unit to a carrier, the ACMA may make a nominated carrier declaration that declares the carrier to be the nominated carrier in relation to the unit.
•     Carrier licences are subject to conditions.
Division 2—Prohibitions relating to carriers
42Â Network unit not to be used without carrier licence or nominated carrier declaration
            (1) If there is only one owner of a network unit, the owner of the network unit must not use the unit, either alone or jointly with one or more other persons, to supply a carriage service to the public, unless:
                    (a) the owner holds a carrier licence; or
                    (b) a nominated carrier declaration is in force in relation to the unit.
            (2) If there is only one owner of a network unit, the owner of the network unit must not allow or permit another person to use the unit to supply a carriage service to the public unless:
                    (a) the owner holds a carrier licence; or
                    (b) a nominated carrier declaration is in force in relation to the unit.
            (3) If there are 2 or more owners of a network unit, an owner of the network unit must not use the unit, either alone or jointly with one or more other persons, to supply a carriage service to the public, unless:
                    (a) the owner holds a carrier licence; or
                    (b) a nominated carrier declaration is in force in relation to the unit.
            (4) If there are 2 or more owners of a network unit, an owner of the network unit must not, either alone or together with one or more other owners, allow or permit another person to use the unit to supply a carriage service to the public unless:
                    (a) the owner holds a carrier licence; or
                    (b) a nominated carrier declaration is in force in relation to the unit.
            (5) A person who contravenes subsection (1), (2), (3) or (4) commits an offence punishable on conviction by a fine not exceeding 20,000 penalty units.
Note:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â See also sections 4AA and 4B of the Crimes Act 1914.
43Â Continuing offences
                  A person who contravenes section 42 commits a separate offence in respect of each day (including a day of a conviction under this section or any later day) during which the contravention continues.
44Â Supply to the public
            (1) This section sets out the circumstances in which a network unit is taken, for the purposes of section 42, to be used to supply a carriage service to the public.
            (2) If:
                    (a) there is only one owner of a network unit; and
                    (b) no nominated carrier declaration is in force in relation to the unit; and
                    (c) any of the following conditions is satisfied:
                             (i) the unit is used for the carriage of communications between 2 end‑users, where each end‑user is outside the immediate circle of the owner of the unit;
                            (ii) the unit is used to supply point‑to‑multipoint services to end‑users, where at least one end‑user is outside the immediate circle of the owner of the unit;
                           (iii) the unit is used to supply designated content services (other than point‑to‑multipoint services) to one or more end‑users, where at least one end‑user is outside the immediate circle of the owner of the unit;
the unit is used to supply a carriage service to the public.
            (3) If:
                    (a) there are 2 or more owners of a network unit; and
                    (b) no nominated carrier declaration is in force in relation to the unit; and
                    (c) any of the following conditions is satisfied:
                             (i) the unit is used for the carriage of communications between 2 end‑users, where each end‑user is outside the overlap of the immediate circles of the owners of the unit;
                            (ii) the unit is used to supply point‑to‑multipoint services to end‑users, where at least one end‑user is outside the overlap of the immediate circles of the owners of the unit;
                           (iii) the unit is used to supply designated content services (other than point‑to‑multipoint services) to one or more end‑users, where at least one end‑user is outside the overlap of the immediate circles of the owners of the unit;
the unit is used to supply a carriage service to the public.
            (4) If:
                    (a) a nominated carrier declaration is in force in relation to a network unit; and
                    (b) any of the following conditions is satisfied:
                             (i) the unit is used for the carriage of communications between 2 end‑users, where each end‑user is outside the immediate circle of the nominated carrier in relation to the unit;
                            (ii) the unit is used to supply point‑to‑multipoint services to end‑users, where at least one end‑user is outside the immediate circle of the nominated carrier in relation to the unit;
                           (iii) the unit is used to supply designated content services (other than point‑to‑multipoint services) to one or more end‑users, where at least one end‑user is outside the immediate circle of the nominated carrier in relation to the unit;
the unit is used to supply a carriage service to the public.
            (5) For the purposes of this section, a person is outside the overlap of the immediate circles of the owners of a network unit unless the person is:
                    (a) within the immediate circles of each of the owners of the unit; or
                    (b) the owner, or one of the owners, of the unit.
            (6) For the purposes of this section, a designated content service is a content service of a kind specified in a written determination made by the Minister.
            (7) A determination under subsection (6) is a legislative instrument.
45 Exemption—defence
            (1) If the sole use of a network unit is use by, or on behalf of, a defence organisation to carry communications necessary or desirable for defence purposes, section 42 does not apply to the unit.
            (2) If:
                    (a) the principal use of a network unit is use by, or on behalf of, a defence organisation to carry communications necessary or desirable for defence purposes; and
                    (b) the remaining use of the unit is use by one or more carriers, or by one or more exempt network‑users, to supply carriage services and/or content services;
section 42 does not apply to the unit.
            (3) In this section:
defence organisation means:
                    (a) the Defence Department; or
                    (b) the Australian Defence Force; or
                    (c) an organisation of a foreign country, so far as the organisation:
                             (i) has functions corresponding to functions of, or of a part of, the Defence Department or the Australian Defence Force; and
                            (ii) is authorised by the Commonwealth to operate or train in Australia or an external Territory; or
                    (d) a part of such an organisation or body.
46 Exemption—intelligence operations
                  Section 42 does not apply to a network unit that is used wholly or principally:
                    (a) by the Australian Secret Intelligence Service; or
                    (b) by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation; or
                    (c) by the Australian Signals Directorate.
47 Exemption—transport authorities
            (1) Section 42 does not apply to a network unit if the sole use of the unit is use by Airservices Australia to carry communications necessary or desirable for the workings of aviation services.
            (3) Section 42 does not apply to a network unit if the sole use of the unit is use by a State or Territory transport authority to carry communications necessary or desirable for the workings of any or all of the following services:
                    (a) train services of a kind provided by the authority;
                    (b) bus or other road services of a kind provided by the authority;
                    (c) tram services of a kind provided by the authority.
            (4) Section 42 does not apply to a network unit if the sole use of the unit is use by a rail corporation to carry communications necessary or desirable for the workings of train services.
            (5) Section 42 does not apply to a network unit if:
                    (a) the principal use of the unit is use by Airservices Australia to carry communications necessary or desirable for the workings of aviation services; and
                    (b) the remaining use of the unit is use by one or more carriers, or by one or more exempt network‑users, to supply carriage services and/or content services.
            (7) Section 42 does not apply to a network unit if:
                    (a) the principal use of the unit is use by a State or Territory transport authority to carry communications necessary or desirable for the workings of any or all of the following services:
                             (i) train services of a kind provided by the authority;
                            (ii) bus or other road services of a kind provided by the authority;
                           (iii) tram services of a kind provided by the authority; and
                    (b) the remaining use of the unit is use by one or more carriers, or by one or more exempt network‑users, to supply carriage services and/or content services.
            (8) Section 42 does not apply to a network unit if:
                    (a) the principal use of the unit is use by a rail corporation to carry communications necessary or desirable for the workings of train services; and
                    (b) the remaining use of the unit is use by one or more carriers, or by one or more exempt network‑users, to supply carriage services and/or content services.
            (9) In this section:
rail corporation means a body corporate that manages or operates either or both of the following:
                    (a) rail transport services;
                    (b) rail transport infrastructure.
48 Exemption—broadcasting services
            (1) If :
                    (a) the sole use of a network unit is use to carry communications that are necessary or desirable for either or both of the following purposes:
                             (i) the supply of broadcasting services to the public;
                            (ii) the supply of a secondary carriage service by means of the main carrier signal of a primary broadcasting service; and
                    (b) the unit does not consist of, or include, a facility used to carry communications between:
                             (i) the head end of a cable transmission system; and
                            (ii) the equipment used by an end‑user to receive a broadcasting service; and
                    (c) the unit does not consist of a broadcasting transmitter transmitting a signal of a broadcasting service to its intended audience;
section 42 does not apply to the unit.
            (2) If:
                    (a) the principal use of a network unit is use to carry communications that are necessary or desirable for either or both of the following purposes:
                             (i) the supply of broadcasting services to the public;
                            (ii) the supply of a secondary carriage service by means of the main carrier signal of a primary broadcasting service; and
                    (b) the unit does not consist of, or include, a facility used to carry communications between:
                             (i) the head end of a cable transmission system; and
                            (ii) the equipment used by an end‑user to receive a broadcasting service; and
                    (c) the unit does not consist of a broadcasting transmitter transmitting a signal of a broadcasting service to its intended audience; and
                    (d) the remaining use of the unit is use by one or more carriers, or by one or more exempt network‑users, to supply carriage services and/or content services;
section 42 does not apply to the unit.
            (3) If the sole use of a line link is use for the purpose of a re‑transmission of a kind mentioned in paragraph 212(1)(a) or (b) of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, section 42 of this Act does not apply to the line link.
            (4) If:
                    (a) the principal use of a line link is use for the purpose of a re‑transmission of a kind mentioned in paragraph 212(1)(a) or (b) of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992; and
                    (b) the remaining use of the line link is use by one or more carriers, or by one or more exempt network‑users, to supply carriage services and/or content services;
section 42 of this Act does not apply to the line link.
         (4A) For the purposes of this section, disregard subsection 212(3) of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.
            (5) In this section:
broadcasting transmitter means a radiocommunications transmitter used, or for use, to deliver a broadcasting service.
head end of a cable transmission system means a facility that:
                    (a) is connected to a line link; and
                    (b) is used, or for use, in connection with the delivery of a broadcasting service; and
                    (c) processes signals for delivery by the line link to end‑users having equipment appropriate for receiving the service.
49 Exemption—electricity supply bodies
            (1) If the sole use of a network unit is use by an electricity supply body to carry communications necessary or desirable for:
                    (a) managing the generation, transmission, distribution or supply of electricity; or
                    (b) charging for the supply of electricity;
section 42 does not apply to the unit.
            (2) If:
                    (a) the principal use of a network unit is use by an electricity supply body to carry communications necessary or desirable for:
                             (i) managing the generation, transmission, distribution or supply of electricity; or
                            (ii) charging for the supply of electricity; and
                    (b) the remaining use of the unit is use by one or more carriers, or by one or more exempt network‑users, to supply carriage services and/or content services;
section 42 does not apply to the unit.
            (3) In this section:
electricity supply body means an authority, or a body corporate, that carries on a business, or performs a function, of:
                    (a) generating, transmitting, distributing or supplying electricity; or
                    (b) managing the generation, transmission, distribution or supply of electricity.
50 Exemption—line links authorised by or under previous laws
            (1) If:
                    (a) a line link consists of facilities in relation to which an authorisation was in force under paragraph 13(1)(a) of the Telecommunications Act 1975 immediately before the repeal of that Act; and
                    (b) the sole use of the line link is use as provided in, and in accordance with any conditions specified in, the authorisation;
section 42 of this Act does not apply to the line link.
            (2) If:
                    (a) a line link consists of facilities in relation to which an authorisation was in force under paragraph 13(1)(a) of the Telecommunications Act 1975 immediately before the repeal of that Act; and
                    (b) the principal use of the line link is use as provided in, and in accordance with any conditions specified in, the authorisation; and
                    (c) the remaining use of the line link is use by one or more carriers, or by one or more exempt network‑users, to supply carriage services and/or content services;
section 42 of this Act does not apply to the line link.
            (3) If a line link consists of facilities that:
                    (a) were installed before the repeal of section 45 of the Telecommunications Act 1989; and
                    (b) immediately before that repeal, were permitted by that section to be maintained and operated;
section 42 of this Act does not apply to the line link.
            (4) If:
                    (a) a line link consists of facilities in relation to which an authorisation was in force under section 46 of the Telecommunications Act 1989 immediately before the repeal of that Act; and
                    (b) the sole use of the line link is use as provided in, and in accordance with any conditions specified in, the authorisation;
section 42 of this Act does not apply to the line link.
            (5) If:
                    (a) a line link consists of facilities in relation to which an authorisation was in force under section 46 of the Telecommunications Act 1989 immediately before the repeal of that Act; and
                    (b) the principal use of the line link is use as provided in, and in accordance with any conditions specified in, the authorisation; and
                    (c) the remaining use of the line link is use by one or more carriers, or by one or more exempt network‑users, to supply carriage services and/or content services;
section 42 of this Act does not apply to the line link.
            (6) If:
                    (a) a line link consists of facilities in relation to which an authorisation was in force under section 108 of the Telecommunications Act 1991 immediately before the repeal of that Act; and
                    (b) the sole use of the line link is use as provided in, and in accordance with any conditions specified in, the authorisation;
section 42 of this Act does not apply to the line link.
            (7) If:
                    (a) a line link consists of facilities in relation to which an authorisation was in force under section 108 of the Telecommunications Act 1991 immediately before the repeal of that Act; and
                    (b) the principal use of the line link is use as provided in, and in accordance with any conditions specified in, the authorisation; and
                    (c) the remaining use of the line link is use by one or more carriers, or by one or more exempt network‑users, to supply carriage services and/or content services;
section 42 of this Act does not apply to the line link.
51 Exemption—Ministerial determination
            (1) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, determine that section 42 does not apply in relation to:
                    (a) a specified network unit; or
                    (b) a specified person; or
                    (c) a specified use of a network unit.
            (2) A determination under this section may be unconditional or subject to such conditions (if any) as are specified in the determination.
            (3) A determination under this section has effect accordingly.
Division 3—Carrier licences
52Â Applications for carrier licence
                  A person may apply to the ACMA for a carrier licence, so long as the person is:
                    (a) a constitutional corporation; or
                    (b) an eligible partnership; or
                    (c) a public body.
53Â Form of application etc.
                  An application must be:
                    (a) in writing; and
                    (b) in accordance with the form approved in writing by the ACMA.
53A Copy of application to be given to Communications Access Co‑ordinator
            (1) The ACMA must give a copy of the application to the Communications Access Co‑ordinator.
            (2) For the purposes of sections 56A and 59, the application is taken not to have been received by the ACMA until the copy is received by the Communications Access Co‑ordinator.
54Â Application to be accompanied by charge
                  An application must be accompanied by the charge (if any) imposed on the application by Part 2 of the Telecommunications (Carrier Licence Charges) Act 1997.
55Â Further information
            (1) The ACMA may, within 20 business days after an application is made, request the applicant to give the ACMA, within the period specified in the request, further information about the application.
            (2) The ACMA may refuse to consider the application until the applicant gives the ACMA the information.
            (3) In this section:
business day means a day on which the ACMA is open for business in the Australian Capital Territory and in Victoria.
56Â Grant of licence
            (1) After considering an application, the ACMA may grant a carrier licence in accordance with the application.
            (2) If the ACMA grants a carrier licence to a person, the ACMA must give the person a written notice stating that the licence has been granted.
            (3) If the ACMA grants a carrier licence, the ACMA must cause to be published in the Gazette a notice stating that the licence has been granted.
56A Consultation with Communications Access Co‑ordinator
            (1) The ACMA must not grant a carrier licence unless it has consulted the Communications Access Co‑ordinator about the licence application.
            (2) Within 15 business days after the date on which the ACMA received the licence application, the Communications Access Co‑ordinator may give a written notice to the ACMA, stating that the Communications Access Co‑ordinator does not require any further consultation about the application. The notice cannot be revoked.
Note:         Under section 53A, the application is treated as not being received by the ACMA until a copy has been received by the Communications Access Co‑ordinator.
            (3) Within 15 business days after the date on which the ACMA received the licence application, the Communications Access Co‑ordinator may give a written notice to the ACMA:
                    (a) stating that, while the notice remains in force, the ACMA must not grant the carrier licence; and
                    (b) specifying the period during which the notice remains in force (unless earlier revoked), which period cannot end more than 3 months after the date of the notice.
However, the Communications Access Co‑ordinator cannot give such a notice if the Communications Access Co‑ordinator has earlier given a notice under subsection (2) in relation to the application.
            (4) At any time while a notice is in force under subsection (3), or under this subsection, the Communications Access Co‑ordinator may give a further written notice to the ACMA:
                    (a) stating that, while the notice remains in force, the ACMA must not grant the carrier licence; and
                    (b) specifying the period during which the notice remains in force (unless earlier revoked), which period cannot end more than 3 months after the date of the notice or more than 12 months after the date of the notice under subsection (3).
            (5) The Communications Access Co‑ordinator may, by notice in writing to the ACMA, revoke a notice under subsection (3) or (4).
            (6) The Communications Access Co‑ordinator cannot issue a further notice under subsection (3) or (4) in respect of the application after it has revoked such a notice.
            (7) The ACMA must give the applicant a copy of each notice that the ACMA receives from the Communications Access Co‑ordinator under subsection (3), (4) or (5).
            (8) The ACMA must not grant the carrier licence while a notice is in force under subsection (3) or (4).
            (9) In this section:
business day means a day on which the ACMA is open for business in the Australian Capital Territory and in Victoria.
57Â Carrier licence has effect subject to this Act
            (1) A carrier licence has effect subject to this Act.
            (2) In this section:
this Act includes the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999 and regulations under that Act.
58 Refusal of carrier licence—disqualified applicant
            (1) The ACMA may refuse to grant a carrier licence to an applicant if, immediately before the ACMA makes its decision on the application, the applicant is disqualified.
When body corporate is disqualified
            (2) For the purposes of this section, a body corporate is disqualified at a particular time (the test time) if:
                    (a) at any time before the test time, a carrier licence held by the body corporate was cancelled under subsection 72(1) or (2A); or
                    (b) at any time before the test time, a carrier licence held by a partnership in which the body corporate was a partner was cancelled under subsection 72(1) or (2A); or
                    (c) at the test time, any of the following individuals is disqualified:
                             (i) a director of the body corporate;
                            (ii) the secretary of the body corporate;
                           (iii) a person (by whatever name called and whether or not a director of the body corporate) who is concerned in, or takes part in, the management of the body corporate.
When individual is disqualified—failure to pay annual charge
            (3) For the purposes of subsection (2), an individual is disqualified at a particular time (the test time) if:
                    (a) at any time before the test time, a carrier licence held by a body corporate or partnership was cancelled under subsection 72(1) because of a failure by the body corporate or partnership to pay in full the charge referred to in that subsection; and
                    (b) in the case of a body corporate—at the time when the charge referred to in subsection 72(1) was due and payable, the individual was:
                             (i) a director of the body corporate; or
                            (ii) the secretary of the body corporate; or
                           (iii) a person (by whatever name called and whether or not a director of the body corporate) who was concerned in, or took part in, the management of the body corporate; and
                    (c) in the case of a partnership—at the time when the charge referred to in subsection 72(1) was due and payable, the individual:
                             (i) was an employee of the partnership; and
                            (ii) was concerned in, or took part in, the management of the partnership; and
                    (d) the individual:
                             (i) aided, abetted, counselled or procured the failure of the body corporate or partnership; or
                            (ii) was in any way, by act or omission, directly or indirectly, knowingly concerned in, or party to, the failure of the body corporate or partnership.
When individual is disqualified—failure to pay industry levy
         (4A) For the purposes of subsection (2), an individual is disqualified at a particular time (the test time) if:
                    (a) at any time before the test time, a carrier licence held by a body corporate or partnership was cancelled under subsection 72(2A) because of a failure by the body corporate or partnership to pay in full the industry levy referred to in that subsection; and
                    (b) in the case of a body corporate—at the time when the industry levy referred to in subsection 72(2A) was due and payable, the individual was:
                             (i) a director of the body corporate; or
                            (ii) the secretary of the body corporate; or
                           (iii) a person (by whatever name called and whether or not a director of the body corporate) who was concerned in, or took part in, the management of the body corporate; and
                    (c) in the case of a partnership—at the time when the industry levy referred to in subsection 72(2A) was due and payable, the individual:
                             (i) was an employee of the partnership; and
                            (ii) was concerned in, or took part in, the management of the partnership; and
                    (d) the individual:
          Â