Commonwealth of Australia
AUSTRALIAN COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA AUTHORITY
Notice under subsection 136(2) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992
NOTIFICATION OF PROPOSAL TO REVOKE THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS (RADIONAVIGATON-SATELLITE SERVICE) CLASS LICENCE 2015
Notice is given under subsection 136(2) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 (the Act) that the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) proposes to revoke the Radiocommunications (Radionavigation Satellite-Service) Class Licence 2015 (RNSS Class Licence).
Reasons for revocation
The RNSS Class Licence authorises the use of radionavigation-satellite service (RNSS) receivers (commonly known as Global Positioning System (GPS) devices) in the specified shared frequency bands. It provides a standing authorisation for the operation of RNSS receivers for the purpose of receiving RNSS radiocommunications by any person, provided they comply with the conditions set out in the licence.
The Legislation Act 2003 (LA) provides for the automatic repeal of certain legislative instruments approximately 10 years after they are registered on the Federal Register of Legislation. This process is referred to as sunsetting. To preserve the effect of an instrument, it will need to be remade prior to the sunset date. The purpose of sunsetting is to ensure that legislative instruments are kept up to date and only remain in force as long as they are needed (see section 49 of the LA).
The RNSS Class Licence will sunset on 1 October 2025, unless revoked and remade before that date.
The ACMA is proposing to revoke the RNSS Class Licence and remake it in substantially the same form, so that its ongoing effect is preserved. The ACMA is currently consulting on the proposed new instrument to replace the RNSS Class Licence: https://www.acma.gov.au/consultations/2025-04/remaking-sunsetting-radionavigation-satellite-service-class-licence
This notice informs interested parties that the ACMA intends to revoke the RNSS Class Licence and remake it with minor amendments.
Comments
Under section 136 of the Act, the ACMA is inviting representations about the proposal to revoke the RNSS Class Licence.
The RNSS Class Licence is available on the Federal Register of Legislation at:
https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2015L01510
The proposed new instrument and the associated consultation paper are available on the ACMA’s website at: https://www.acma.gov.au/consultations/2025-04/remaking-sunsetting-radionavigation-satellite-service-class-licence
Interested persons are invited to make representations about the proposed revocation no later than 5 pm [AEST], Friday 9 May 2025. Representations should be in writing and should be addressed to:
The Manager
Space Systems Section
Australian Communications and Media Authority
PO Box 78
Belconnen ACT 2616
or by email to: satellite.coordination@acma.gov.au