Telecommunications Cabling Provider Amendment Rules 2009 (No. 1)

Administered by Department of Communications and the Arts

Legislation au F2009L03729 Rules Not in force Legislative Instrument

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Explanatory Statement

Issued by the Australian Communications and Media Authority

Telecommunications Cabling Provider Amendment Rules 2009 (No.1)

Telecommunications Act 1997

Purpose

The Telecommunications Cabling Provider Amendment Rules 2009 (No.1) (the Amendment Rules) were made on 29th September 2009 by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (the ACMA). The Amendment Rules amend the Telecommunications Cabling Provider Rules 2000 (the Rules) in the following ways:

all references to the Australian Communications Authority (the ACA) have been replaced by a reference to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (the ACMA);
the definition of ‘Wiring Rules’ has been amended to refer to the current version of the Australian Standard – Installation Requirements for Customer Cabling (Wiring Rules)AS/ACIF S009:2006; and
a facility has been introduced to enable use of an expired cabling registration (that expired no greater than 12 months before the date of application for renewal of registration) as evidence of competency under certain conditions.

Legislative Provisions

Under subsection 421(1) of the Telecommunications Act 1997 (the Act), the ACMA may, by written instrument, make rules (cabling provider rules) that are expressed to apply to specified persons and relate to the performance and/or supervision of cabling work. A person subject to the cabling provider rules must comply with the rules. An instrument made under subsection 421(1) is a legislative instrument for the purposes of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

The existing Rules were made by the ACA and commenced on 3 October 2000.

Background

The Telecommunications Cabling Provider Rules 2000 were made under section 421 of the Act and are one of a set of regulatory tools which govern customer cabling in order to protect the health or safety of persons, or the integrity of the telecommunications network.

Public Consultation

Section 422 of the Act provides that the ACMA must, so far as is practicable, try to ensure that interested persons have had an adequate opportunity to make representations about the proposed rules. The ACMA released the draft amending instrument calling for public consultation on 12 February 2009. The ACMA issued a media release and consulted directly with key industry stakeholders. The consultation period was open for a period of 60 days. Seven submissions were received by the ACMA from industry representatives, including from all five cabling registrars who are currently accredited by the ACMA to provide registration services. All submissions expressed support for all of the amendments included in this instrument.

Regulation Impact

The ACMA consulted with the Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) regarding the amending instrument. The OPBR confirmed that these amendments would have a low impact on business, and would appear to impose no or low compliance costs. The OPBR confirmed that a formal regulatory impact statement would not be required.

Notes on the instrument

Section 1 – Name of Rules

Section 1 provides for the citation of the Amendment Rules as the Telecommunications Cabling Provider Amendment Rules 2009 (No. 1)

Section 2 – Commencement

Section 2 provides that the Amendment Rules commence on the day after they are registered.

Section 3 – Amendment of Telecommunications Cabling Provider Rules 2000

Section 3 amends the existing Rules known as the Telecommunications Cabling Provider Rules 2000.

Schedule 1 Amendments

Item [1] substitutes the definition of ‘Wiring Rules’ in section 1.3 of the existing Rules to refer to the most recent version of the Australian Standard – Installation Requirements for Customer Cabling (Wiring Rules)AS/ACIF S009:2006 (the Standard) as being the “wiring rules’ for the purposes of the instrument. (This is the second edition of this Australian Standard, dated 2006). The Standard defines general technical requirements for the installation or maintenance of customer cabling and customer equipment that is connected, or intended to be connected, to a telecommunications network. In particular, the standard addresses installation and maintenance matters relating to health, safety and network integrity.

Item [2] substitutes subsection 3.1(4) in the existing Rules, inserting new provisions which introduce a new facility allowing cabling providers to use an expired cabling registration (that expired no greater than 12 months before the date of application for renewal of registration) as evidence of competency under certain conditions.

Item [3] amends subsection 4.2(2) in the existing Rules by omitting references to clauses in the now superseded Wiring Rules to correctly refer to clauses in the current version of the Wiring Rules.

Item [4] substitutes the ACMA for the ACA in the heading for Part 5 of the existing Rules

Item [5] substitutes the ACMA for the ACA in the sub-heading for Part 5.1 of the existing Rules.

Item [6] makes further amendments to the following sections in the existing Rules to substitute references to “the ACA” with “the ACMA”:

section 1.3;
section 1.4;
subsection 3.1(1);
subsection 3.1(6);
subsection 3.1(7);
Paragraph 3.3(2)(a);
Subparagraph 4.5(6)(b)(i);
Subparagraph 4.5(6)(b)(ii);
Paragraph 5.1(a); and
Paragraph 5.1(b).

Overview

The Telecommunications Cabling Provider Amendment Rules 2009 (No.1) were enacted to update the Telecommunications Cabling Provider Rules 2000, addressing the transition from the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and incorporating the latest industry standards. The rules were introduced by the ACMA to ensure that the regulatory framework governing customer cabling remains current and effective. This update was necessary to reflect the evolution of the telecommunications industry and to maintain the integrity of the telecommunications network, as well as the health and safety of individuals involved in cabling work. The policy objective is to provide a clear and contemporary regulatory environment that supports industry professionalism and compliance. Public consultation was undertaken, and all submissions supported the amendments, indicating a broad industry consensus on the need for these changes.

Scope and Application

The Telecommunications Cabling Provider Amendment Rules 2009 (No.1) are amendments to the existing Telecommunications Cabling Provider Rules 2000, which are regulatory tools under the Telecommunications Act 1997 that govern customer cabling in Australia. These amendments apply to specified persons involved in the performance and supervision of cabling work, and are intended to protect the health or safety of persons and the integrity of the telecommunications network. The Amendment Rules replace all references to the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) throughout the Rules, reflecting the current regulatory body responsible for telecommunications in Australia. Furthermore, the definition of ‘Wiring Rules’ has been updated to refer to the latest Australian Standard for Installation Requirements for Customer Cabling (Wiring Rules) AS/ACIF S009:2006, ensuring that the Rules reflect the most current technical requirements for cabling work. Additionally, the Amendment Rules introduce a facility for cabling providers to use an expired cabling registration, which expired no more than 12 months before the application for renewal, as evidence of competency under certain conditions. These rules have a national reach, applying across all jurisdictions in Australia, and do not include specific exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond what is already outlined in the existing Rules. The Amendment Rules are made under subsection 421(1) of the Telecommunications Act 1997, and their commencement follows their registration.

Key Provisions

The Telecommunications Cabling Provider Amendment Rules 2009 (No.1) (the Amendment Rules) introduced several key changes to the existing Telecommunications Cabling Provider Rules 2000 (the Rules). Section 1 of the Amendment Rules provides for their citation, while Section 2 states that the Amendment Rules commence on the day after they are registered. Section 3 amends the existing Rules, as detailed in Schedule 1. Item [1] of Schedule 1 updates the definition of 'Wiring Rules' to refer to the current version of the Australian Standard – Installation Requirements for Customer Cabling (Wiring Rules) AS/ACIF S009:2006. This standard outlines the technical requirements for the installation and maintenance of customer cabling and equipment connected to telecommunications networks, focusing on health, safety, and network integrity. The Amendment Rules impose specific obligations on the parties they govern. Section 3.1(4) introduces a new facility allowing cabling providers to use an expired cabling registration (that expired no greater than 12 months before the date of application for renewal of registration) as evidence of competency, provided certain conditions are met. Additionally, Section 3.1(6) and Section 3.1(7) detail the process for registering and renewing registrations, while Section 4.2(2) ensures references to clauses in the Wiring Rules are correctly aligned with the current version of the standard. The Amendment Rules also require that references to the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) in the existing Rules be substituted with references to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). There are no explicit offences, penalties, or consequences for breach stated in the Amendment Rules themselves. However, non-compliance with the Telecommunications Cabling Provider Rules 2000 could potentially result in enforcement actions by the ACMA, as governed by the Telecommunications Act 1997. The Act provides for penalties for breaches, which can include fines and other sanctions, depending on the nature and severity of the breach. The maximum penalties are determined by the specific provisions of the Telecommunications Act 1997 and may vary based on the circumstances of the non-compliance.

Area of Law: Regulatory Standards
Instrument: Regulation
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Reporting & Disclosure Obligations; Regulatory Standards
Catchwords: Wiring Rules

Interactions

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.

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