Radiocommunications (Radionavigation—Satellite Service) Class Licence 2015

Administered by Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Legislation au F2015L01510 Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

 

Radiocommunications (Radionavigation-Satellite Service) Class Licence 2015

 

made under subsection 132(1) of the

Radiocommunications Act 1992

 

 

Compilation No. 1

Compilation date:    17 June 2021

Includes amendments up to: F2021L00734

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepared by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, Melbourne

 

 


About this compilation

 

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Radiocommunications (Radionavigation-Satellite Service) Class Licence 2015 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 17 June 2021 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law.  Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Federal Register of Legislation (www.legislation.gov.au).  The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes.  For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Federal Register of Legislation for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law.  Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified.  For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Federal Register of Legislation for the compiled law.

Self-repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

1 Name of class licence

  This class licence is the Radiocommunications (Radionavigation-Satellite Service) Class Licence 2015.

3 Interpretation

 (1) In this class licence:

Act means the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

device compliance day for an RNSS receiver means the most recent of the following days:

(a) if the RNSS receiver was manufactured in Australia – the day the RNSS receiver was manufactured;

(b) if the RNSS receiver was manufactured overseas and imported – the day it was imported;

(c) if the RNSS receiver was altered or modified in a material respect – the day it was altered or modified.

radionavigation-satellite service (RNSS) has the meaning given by subsection 3(1) of the spectrum plan.

RNSS radiocommunication means a radiocommunication that is transmitted at a frequency allocated to RNSS under the spectrum plan.

RNSS receiver means a radiocommunications receiver used for receiving RNSS radiocommunications.

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, the range of numbers that identifies a frequency band is taken to include the higher, but not the lower, number.

Example   The 1164 to 1215 MHz frequency band is made up of radio frequencies that exceed 1164 MHz but do not exceed 1215 MHz.

3A References to other instruments

 In this Class Licence, unless the contrary intention appears:

 (a) a reference to any other legislative instrument is a reference to that other legislative instrument as in force from time to time; and

 (b) a reference to any other kind of instrument or writing is a reference to that other instrument or writing as in force or in existence 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 Legislation Act 2003 for the application of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 to legislative instruments.

Note 2: All Commonwealth Acts and legislative instruments are registered on the Federal Register of Legislation.

Note 3: See section 314A of the Act.

4 Class Licence

 (1) This class licence authorises a person to operate a RNSS receiver for the purpose of reception of RNSS radiocommunications, subject to the conditions set out in sections 5 and 6.

 (2) This class licence applies to all RNSS receivers except:

  (a) RNSS receivers located on a space object; and

  (b) RNSS receivers authorised by an apparatus licence to operate for a purpose that is substantially the same as the purpose authorised by this class licence.

Note:  A radiocommunications device to which this class licence applies will not be afforded protection from the interference caused by other radiocommunications services.

5 Standards and equipment rules

(1) A person must not operate an RNSS receiver under this class licence unless the RNSS receiver complies with:

 (a) if the device compliance day for the RNSS receiver occurs before the commencement of Part 1 of Schedule 4 to the Radiocommunications Legislation Amendment (Reform and Modernisation) Act 2020 – any standard applicable to it, as in force on the device compliance day;

 (b) if the device compliance day for the RNSS receiver occurs on or after the day Part 1 of Schedule 4 to the Radiocommunications Legislation Amendment (Reform and Modernisation) Act 2020 commenced – any equipment rules applicable to it, as in force on the device compliance day.

(2) In paragraph (1)(a), standard has the meaning given by section 5 of the Act, as in force immediately before the commencement of Part 1 of Schedule 4 to the Radiocommunications Legislation Amendment (Reform and Modernisation) Act 2020.

Note: Part 1 of Schedule 4 to the Radiocommunications Legislation Amendment (Reform and Modernisation) Act 2020 replaces standards with equipment rules. See also item 42 of that Schedule.

6 Authorised frequencies

This class licence authorises reception of RNSS radiocommunications by RNSS receivers operating in the following frequency ranges only:

(a) 1164 to 1215 MHz;

(b) 1215 to 1240 MHz;

(c) 1240 to 1300 MHz; 

(d) 1559 to 1610 MHz.

 

 

 

 

Endnotes

Endnote 1 – About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

Endnote 2 (Abbreviation key) sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Endnote 3 (Legislation history) provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law.  The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

Endnote 4 (Amendment history) provides information about the amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level and includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law. 

It also includes information about any misdescribed amendment (that is, an amendment that does not accurately describe the amendment to be made).  If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation “(md)” added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.  If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the abbreviation “(md not incorp)” is added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

ad = added or inserted

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

am = amended

   cannot be given effect

amdt = amendment

mod = modified/modification

c = clause(s)

No. = Number(s)

Ch = Chapter(s)

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

def = definition(s)

   /subsubparagraph(s)

Dict = Dictionary

Pt = Part(s)

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

Div = Division(s)

rep = repealed

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have effect

rs = repealed and substituted

F = Federal Register of Legislation

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

gaz = gazette

Sch = Schedule(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

underlining = whole or part not

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given effect

   commenced or to be commenced

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Name

Registration

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Radiocommunications (Radionavigation-Satellite Service) Class Licence 2015

25 September 2015
(see F2021L01510)

26 September 2015

 

Radiocommunications (Class Licence) Amendment Instrument 2021 (No.1)

11 June 2021
(see F2021L00734)

17 June 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

s.2.....................

rep. LA s.48D

s.3(1)...................

am. F2021L00734

s.3A....................

ad. F2021L00734

s.5.....................

rs. F2021L00734

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overview

The Radiocommunications (Radionavigation-Satellite Service) Class Licence 2015 was enacted to provide a streamlined regulatory framework for the use of radionavigation-satellite service (RNSS) receivers in Australia. The Class Licence was introduced under subsection 132(1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to address the need for efficient and effective regulation of RNSS receivers, which are devices used to receive signals from satellite-based navigation systems. The policy objective of this legislation is to ensure that RNSS receivers operate in a manner that is safe, efficient, and does not cause harmful interference to other radiocommunication services. This class licence aims to provide a clear and accessible framework for the operation of RNSS receivers, ensuring that they meet specific standards and comply with relevant equipment rules. The Radiocommunications (Radionavigation-Satellite Service) Class Licence 2015 sets out the conditions for the operation of RNSS receivers, including compliance with applicable standards or equipment rules and the authorised frequency ranges for reception of RNSS radiocommunications. The Class Licence applies to all RNSS receivers, except those located on a space object or authorised by an apparatus licence for a substantially similar purpose. This legislative instrument facilitates the efficient and safe operation of RNSS receivers within Australia, supporting the broader objectives of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 in managing radiocommunications services and spectrum.

Scope and Application

The Radiocommunications (Radionavigation-Satellite Service) Class Licence 2015, compiled on 17 June 2021, is a legislative instrument that governs the operation of radionavigation-satellite service (RNSS) receivers in Australia under the Radiocommunications Act 1992. This class licence applies to any person operating an RNSS receiver for receiving RNSS radiocommunications, except for those receivers located on a space object or those authorised by an apparatus licence for a purpose substantially similar to the one authorised by this class licence. The licence authorises the reception of RNSS radiocommunications within specific frequency ranges: 1164 to 1215 MHz, 1215 to 1240 MHz, 1240 to 1300 MHz, and 1559 to 1610 MHz. The operation of RNSS receivers under this class licence is subject to compliance with applicable standards or equipment rules, depending on the device compliance day. The licence operates nationally, covering the entirety of Australia, and any modifications or amendments to the compiled law are accessible on the Federal Register of Legislation.

Key Provisions

The Radiocommunications (Radionavigation-Satellite Service) Class Licence 2015 provides authorisation for individuals to operate a radionavigation-satellite service (RNSS) receiver for receiving RNSS radiocommunications. This class licence is subject to the conditions outlined in sections 5 and 6 of the legislation. Section 4(1) of the licence authorises a person to operate a RNSS receiver for the reception of RNSS radiocommunications, while section 4(2) specifies that this licence does not apply to RNSS receivers located on a space object or those authorised by an apparatus licence for a purpose substantially similar to the one authorised by this class licence. Under section 5 of the licence, it is mandatory for a person to ensure that any RNSS receiver operated under this class licence complies with either applicable standards or equipment rules. Specifically, if the device compliance day for the RNSS receiver is before the commencement of Part 1 of Schedule 4 to the Radiocommunications Legislation Amendment (Reform and Modernisation) Act 2020, the RNSS receiver must comply with any standard applicable to it, as in force on that device compliance day. Conversely, if the device compliance day is on or after the commencement of this part, the RNSS receiver must comply with any equipment rules applicable to it, as in force on that device compliance day. The licence specifies the authorised frequency ranges for RNSS receivers, which are 1164 to 1215 MHz, 1215 to 1240 MHz, 1240 to 1300 MHz, and 1559 to 1610 MHz. The obligations imposed by the Radiocommunications (Radionavigation-Satellite Service) Class Licence 2015 primarily revolve around ensuring compliance with either applicable standards or equipment rules for RNSS receivers and limiting the authorised frequency ranges for these devices. Operators must adhere to these compliance requirements to lawfully operate a RNSS receiver under the class licence. Failure to comply with the conditions set out in sections 5 and 6 of the Radiocommunications (Radionavigation-Satellite Service) Class Licence 2015 may result in legal consequences. However, the specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach are not explicitly stated in the provided text. It is advisable to consult the Radiocommunications Act 1992 and the Radiocommunications (Interpretation) Determination 2015 for more information on potential penalties and enforcement measures.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Technology Law
Instrument
Legislative Instrument
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Reporting & Disclosure Obligations
Regulatory Standards
Catchwords
RNSS receiver

Interactions

Authorises

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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.