Radiocommunications (Significant Event – Australian Formula One Grand Prix) Declaration 2026
The Australian Communications and Media Authority makes the following declaration under subsection 54A(2) of the Radiocommunications Equipment (General) Rules 2021.
Dated: 6 February 2026
[signed]
Allan Major
Executive Manager
Australian Communications and Media Authority
1 Name
This is the Radiocommunications (Significant Event – Australian Formula One Grand Prix) Declaration 2026.
2 Commencement
This instrument commences at the start of the day after the day it is registered.
Note: This instrument is a notifiable instrument and is available, free of charge, from the Federal Register of Legislation at www.legislation.gov.au.
3 Authority
This instrument is made under subsection 54A(2) of the Radiocommunications Equipment (General) Rules 2021.
4 Definitions
In this instrument:
Australian Formula One Grand Prix has the meaning given to “Formula One Event” in the Australian Grands Prix Act 1994 (Vic).
GDA94 means the geodetic datum designated as the “Geocentric Datum of Australia (GDA)”, gazetted in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. GN 35 on 6 September 1995, as existing on that date.
Note: Gazette No. GN 35 is available, free of charge, from the Federal Register of Legislation at www.legislation.gov.au.
5 Declaration of significant event
For the purposes of section 54A of the Radiocommunications Equipment (General) Rules 2021:
(a) the Australian Formula One Grand Prix to be held in 2026 is declared to be a significant event (the significant event); and
(b) the period commencing on 3 March 2026 and ending on 9 March 2026 is the period of the significant event; and
(c) the location of the significant event is a circle that:
(i) is centred on the following GDA94 coordinates: 37.846702°S, 144.971342°E;
(ii) has a 1.6 kilometre radius.
Note 1: The location of the significant event covers the Albert Park Grand Prix circuit in Melbourne, and parts of the surrounding area.
Note 2: The declaration of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix as a significant event has consequences for the operation, possession and supply of certain devices under the Radiocommunications Equipment (General) Rules 2021. See also the Radiocommunications (Low Interference Potential Devices) Class Licence 2025, the Telecommunications (Labelling Notice for Customer Equipment and Customer Cabling) Instrument 2025 and the Telecommunications (Types of Cabling Work) Declaration 2024.
Overview
The Radiocommunications (Significant Event – Australian Formula One Grand Prix) Declaration 2026 was made by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) under subsection 54A(2) of the Radiocommunications Equipment (General) Rules 2021. The purpose of this declaration is to categorise the 2026 Australian Formula One Grand Prix as a significant event, which affects the operation, possession, and supply of certain devices during the event. The event is scheduled from 3 to 9 March 2026 and is centred around the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne, with a specific geographic radius designated for regulatory purposes. This declaration ensures that relevant regulations are enforced to manage radiocommunications effectively during this major sporting event.
Scope and Application
The Radiocommunications (Significant Event – Australian Formula One Grand Prix) Declaration 2026 applies to the event defined as the Australian Formula One Grand Prix, which is specified under the Australian Grands Prix Act 1994 (Vic) as a "Formula One Event". The declaration identifies the event as a significant one for the purposes of the Radiocommunications Equipment (General) Rules 2021, and specifies the timeframe and location of the event, which encompasses the Albert Park Grand Prix circuit in Melbourne along with parts of the surrounding area. This declaration extends the operation, possession, and supply of certain devices under the Radiocommunications Equipment (General) Rules 2021, and interacts with other subordinate instruments such as the Radiocommunications (Low Interference Potential Devices) Class Licence 2025, the Telecommunications (Labelling Notice for Customer Equipment and Customer Cabling) Instrument 2025, and the Telecommunications (Types of Cabling Work) Declaration 2024. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this instrument is confined to the specific location and timeframe of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix in 2026. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds in this declaration.
Key Provisions
The Radiocommunications (Significant Event – Australian Formula One Grand Prix) Declaration 2026 establishes the Australian Formula One Grand Prix to be held in 2026 as a significant event under the Radiocommunications Equipment (General) Rules 2021 (section 5). This declaration identifies the period from 3 March 2026 to 9 March 2026 as the timeframe during which the event will take place (section 5(b)). Furthermore, it specifies the geographical location of the event as a circle centred on the coordinates 37.846702°S, 144.971342°E, with a radius of 1.6 kilometres, covering the Albert Park Grand Prix circuit in Melbourne and its surrounding areas (section 5(c)). This declaration carries specific implications for the operation, possession, and supply of certain devices during the event period, as outlined in other related regulations such as the Radiocommunications (Low Interference Potential Devices) Class Licence 2025, the Telecommunications (Labelling Notice for Customer Equipment and Customer Cabling) Instrument 2025, and the Telecommunications (Types of Cabling Work) Declaration 2024.
The Act imposes specific obligations on parties involved in the operation of radiocommunications equipment during the declared significant event period. These obligations include adhering to the rules and regulations specified in the Radiocommunications Equipment (General) Rules 2021 and other associated instruments. Any entity or individual involved in the operation, possession, or supply of radiocommunications equipment within the designated area must ensure compliance with these regulations to avoid any potential interference or disruptions during the Grand Prix. This encompasses obtaining necessary approvals, following guidelines for equipment use, and maintaining adherence to technical standards to minimise any adverse effects on the event’s operations.
Breaches of the regulations established by the Radiocommunications (Significant Event – Australian Formula One Grand Prix) Declaration 2026 and the associated rules could result in various consequences. Non-compliance with the specified obligations might lead to operational disruptions, potential interference with radiocommunications, and other technical issues during the Grand Prix. The Act does not explicitly state penalties for breaches; however, violations of the Radiocommunications Equipment (General) Rules 2021 could result in civil or criminal penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment, depending on the severity and impact of the breach. Such penalties are determined under the broader framework of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 and related legislation.