Australian Telecommunications Authority
AUSTEL
1 July 1989 – 1 July 1997
Independent telecommunications regulator responsible for technical standards, equipment and cabling approvals, carrier licence conditions, competition safeguards and consumer protection.
How it came into existence
Established on 1 July 1989 under the Telecommunications Act 1989, taking over technical regulation and standards-setting from Telecom Australia and regulatory work from the Department of Transport and Communications.
- Technical standards and equipment approvals
- Telecommunications regulation
Legislation: Telecommunications Act 1989; Telecommunications Act 1991
Changes during its life
- 1991The Telecommunications Act 1991 replaced the 1989 Act and gave AUSTEL a wider role in regulating competition between carriers.
How it ended
Merged with the Spectrum Management Agency on 1 July 1997 to form the Australian Communications Authority, as full competition began under the Telecommunications Act 1997.
- Telecommunications regulation
- Telecommunications competition and access regulation
Main functions
- Technical standards and equipment approvals
- Carrier licence conditions and compliance
- Competition safeguards
- Consumer protection
- Numbering
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Department of Communications and the Arts.
Lineage
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