Radiocommunications (27 MHz Handphone Stations) Class Licence 2015

Administered by Department of Communications and the Arts

Legislation au C2015G01461 In force Gazette

Legislation content

Radiocommunications (27 MHz Handphone Stations) Class Licence 2015

The AUSTRALIAN COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA AUTHORITY issues this Class Licence under subsection 132 (1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

 

Dated   4th September 2015

Chris Chapman
[signed]
Member



Richard Bean
[signed]
Member / General Manager

 

Australian Communications and Media Authority

 

 

 

1 Name of Class Licence

  This Class Licence is the Radiocommunications (27 MHz Handphone Stations) Class Licence 2015.

Commencement

  This Class Licence commences on the later of:

(a) the day of its gazettal; or

(b) the day after it is registered.

Note 1 All legislative instruments and compilations are registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments kept under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.  See http://www.comlaw.gov.au.

Note 2 Both of the events specified at paragraphs (a) and (b) must occur before the Class Licence can commence.

3 Definitions

 (1) In this Class Licence:

Act means the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

device compliance day, for a handphone station, means the most recent of the following days:

 (a) if the handphone station was manufactured in Australia — the day the handphone station was manufactured;

 (b) if the handphone station was manufactured overseas and imported — the day it was imported;

 (c) if the handphone station was altered or modified in a material respect — the day it was altered or modified.

handphone station means a station that:

 (a) is designed to be carried personally; and

 (b) uses a carrier frequency specified in an item in Schedule 1.

  industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) applications  has the meaning given by the Australian Radiofrequency Spectrum Plan 2013.

Note   For definitions of other expressions used in this Class Licence, see the Act, and the Radiocommunications (Interpretation) Determination 2015.

(2) In this Class Licence, unless the contrary intention appears, a reference to another legislative instrument is a reference to that other legislative instrument as in force from time to time.

Note 1 For references to Commonwealth Acts, see section 10 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901; and see also subsection 13(1) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 for the application of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 to legislative instruments.

Note 2 All Commonwealth Acts and legislative instruments are available on the ComLaw website at http://www.comlaw.gov.au.

4 Revocation

The Radiocommunications (27 MHz Handphone Stations) Class Licence 2002 [F2005B00237] is revoked.

5 Class licence

  Subject to sections 6, 7 and 8 a person may operate a handphone station that transmits speech to, or audio tones to initiate communication with, another handphone station:

 (a) on a carrier frequency specified in an item in Schedule 1; and

 (b) subject to any restriction specified for that item in Schedule 1.

6 Conditions — general

  A person must not:

 (a) when operating on a carrier frequency specified in item 2 of Schedule 1 — cause interference to a station to which the Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio Stations) Class Licence 2015 applies; or

 (b) operate a handphone station that was manufactured on or after 2 March 1989 on a carrier frequency specified in item 2 of Schedule 1; or

 (c) operate a handphone station unless it is equipped with an antenna that is an integral part of the handphone station; or

 (d) connect or couple to the handphone station:

 (i) a separate antenna; or

 (ii) a combination of an external radiofrequency amplifier and antenna; or

 (e) if a handphone station transmits in a form other than speech — transmit for more than 3 seconds in any period of 60 seconds; or

 (f) make an alteration to a handphone station, or to accessory apparatus used in the operation of the handphone station, that is likely to cause interference to radiocommunications, except:

 (i) in accordance with a direction given under subparagraph 7 (2) (a) (i); or

 (ii) with the consent in writing of an inspector who is reasonably satisfied that the alteration has been made to test the operation of the handphone station; or

 (g) operate a handphone station:

 (i) in a way that would be likely to cause a reasonable person, justifiably in all the circumstances, to be seriously alarmed or seriously affronted; or

 (ii) for the purpose of harassing a person; or

 (h) fail to comply with a direction given under section 7.

7 Directions

 (1) A person must comply with a direction that:

 (a) relates to the operation of a handphone station by the person; and

 (b) is given to the person by a person referred to in subsection (3); and

 (c) is described in subsection (4).

 (2) A person must comply with a direction that:

 (a) relates to interference to radiocommunications that:

 (i) is likely to be caused by the alteration, installation or maintenance of a handphone station, or of accessory apparatus for use with a handphone station, by the person; or

 (ii) is, or is likely to be, caused by the operation of a handphone station by the person; and

 (b) is given to the person in writing by an inspector.

 (3) For paragraph (1) (b), a direction may be given by any of the following persons who is acting in the performance of their duties:

 (a) a member of the Australian Federal Police;

 (b) a member of the police force of a State or Territory;

 (c) an officer of the Defence Force;

 (d) an officer of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority who is employed in the Authority’s Rescue Coordination Centre;

 (e) an officer mentioned in Schedule 2 to the Radiocommunications Regulations 1993.

 (4) A direction given to a person under subsection (1) must be reasonably necessary to:

 (a) secure the safety of an aircraft or a vessel that is in danger; or

 (b) deal with an emergency that involves a serious threat to the environment; or

 (c) deal with an emergency that involves the risk of death of, or injury to, a person; or

 (d) deal with an emergency that involves the risk of substantial damage to, or substantial loss of, property.

8 Standards

  A handphone station must comply with any applicable standard as in force on the relevant device compliance day.             

Note   Section 5 of the Act defines standard to mean a standard made under section 162 of the Act.

Schedule 1 Handphone station operational requirements

(sections 3, 5 and 6)

 

 

Item

Carrier frequency (MHz)

Restriction

1

27.550

27.560

27.580

27.590

27.620

27.660

27.760

Operation of a handphone station must only employ:

 (a) AM with a transmitter power not exceeding 4 watts pZ with a necessary bandwidth not exceeding 6 kHz; or

 (b) SSB modulation using USB with a transmitter power not exceeding 12 watts pX with a necessary bandwidth not exceeding 3 kHz.

A handphone station operating on carrier frequency 27.580 MHz must only be used for bushfire fighting purposes.

2

27.230

27.240

27.250

27.260

27.270

27.280

Operation of a handphone station:

 (a) must only employ AM with a transmitter power not exceeding 700 milliwatts pZ with a necessary bandwidth not exceeding 6 kHz; and

 (b) may be subject to interference from:

 (i) a station to which the Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio Stations) Class Licence 2015 applies; or

 (ii) a transmitter operating in the frequency band designated for industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) applications.

 

 

Overview

The Radiocommunications (27 MHz Handphone Stations) Class Licence 2015, issued by the Australian Communications and Media Authority under subsection 132(1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992, provides a regulatory framework for the operation of 27 MHz handphone stations. This Class Licence was enacted to address the need for clear and concise regulations governing the use of handphone stations, ensuring their operation does not cause interference to other radiocommunications and is safe for public use. The Class Licence revokes the previous Radiocommunications (27 MHz Handphone Stations) Class Licence 2002, updating the regulations to reflect current technological standards and safety requirements. It specifies operational conditions, restrictions, and compliance standards for handphone stations, aiming to maintain the integrity of the radiocommunications spectrum and protect users from potential harm. The Radiocommunications (27 MHz Handphone Stations) Class Licence 2015 sets out specific operational requirements and restrictions for handphone stations, including the use of certain carrier frequencies and modulation methods. It also outlines conditions to prevent interference with other radiocommunications, mandates compliance with applicable standards, and specifies the circumstances under which directions may be issued by authorised personnel to manage emergencies or ensure public safety. The policy objective is to balance the needs of handphone station operators with the broader requirements of maintaining a functional and interference-free radiocommunications environment.

Scope and Application

The Radiocommunications (27 MHz Handphone Stations) Class Licence 2015 issued by the Australian Communications and Media Authority under the Radiocommunications Act 1992, governs the operation of 27 MHz handphone stations across Australia. This Class Licence applies to any person intending to operate a handphone station transmitting speech or audio tones for communication purposes on specified carrier frequencies. The operation of these handphone stations is subject to certain conditions, such as restrictions on interference with other radio services, limitations on device modifications, and compliance with specified operational standards. Notably, the Class Licence revokes the Radiocommunications (27 MHz Handphone Stations) Class Licence 2002, ensuring that all handphone station operations now adhere to the updated regulations. Furthermore, the Class Licence sets out operational standards and conditions to ensure efficient and safe use of the radio spectrum, and it mandates that handphone stations must comply with any applicable standards in force on the relevant device compliance day.

Key Provisions

The Radiocommunications (27 MHz Handphone Stations) Class Licence 2015, issued by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) under the Radiocommunications Act 1992, specifies the conditions under which a person may operate a handphone station. This licence, which came into effect on the later of its gazettal or its registration, replaces the previous Radiocommunications (27 MHz Handphone Stations) Class Licence 2002. A handphone station, as defined in the licence, is a device designed for personal use that operates on specified carrier frequencies. Section 5 of the licence permits the operation of handphone stations that transmit speech or audio tones to other handphone stations, provided they meet the specified conditions, including the use of designated carrier frequencies listed in Schedule 1. The licence imposes several obligations on those operating handphone stations. Firstly, operators must ensure their devices comply with any applicable standards as in force on the device compliance day, which is determined by the date of manufacture, importation, or any material alteration of the device. Additionally, there are specific restrictions on the use of certain frequencies to prevent interference with other stations, such as those covered under the Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio Stations) Class Licence 2015. Operators must also ensure their handphone stations are equipped with an integral antenna and avoid using separate antennas or external amplifiers that could cause interference. Moreover, the licence prohibits the operation of handphone stations in a manner that could cause alarm or harassment to others and mandates compliance with any directions issued by authorised personnel to address safety or emergency situations. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Class Licence can result in legal consequences. The Radiocommunications Act 1992 provides for both civil and criminal penalties for breaches of licence conditions. Civil penalties may include fines, while criminal penalties can result in more severe fines and, in some cases, imprisonment. The specific penalties depend on the nature and severity of the breach, with maximum penalties outlined in the Act. Additionally, non-compliance with directions issued by authorised personnel can also lead to enforcement actions by the ACMA, further highlighting the importance of adhering to the terms of the licence.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.