Communications & mediaAgencyExists today
Australian Communications and Media Authority
ACMA
1 July 2005 – present
Converged regulator of broadcasting, telecommunications, radiocommunications, spam and interactive gambling, which also provides the staff and support for the eSafety Commissioner.
How it came into existence
Established on 1 July 2005 under the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005, merging the Australian Broadcasting Authority and the Australian Communications Authority.
- Broadcasting regulation
- Online content regulation
- Telecommunications regulation
- Radiofrequency spectrum management
Legislation: Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005
Changes during its life
- 1 July 2015Online content complaints and the Cybersmart education program passed to the new Children's eSafety Commissioner, which ACMA staffs and supports.
- Internet safety education
- Online content complaints scheme
- Cybersmart online safety education
Main functions
- Broadcasting licensing and content regulation
- Telecommunications consumer protection and industry regulation
- Radiofrequency spectrum management
- Numbering, spam and telemarketing regulation
- Interactive gambling regulation
- Staff and support for the eSafety Commissioner
Where it sits
In the portfolio of Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts.
- Type of body
- Non-corporate Commonwealth entity
- Portfolio
- Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts
- Accountable authority
- Chair – Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005 section 6(2)(b)
- ABN
- 55 386 169 386
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Primary sources
- List of Commonwealth entities and companies under the PGPA Act, 1 July 2026 (Department of Finance) (as Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA))
- Australian Government Organisations Register (Department of Finance, data.gov.au) (listed from 11 December 2014 to the latest release (30 June 2026))