EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
TELECOMMUNICATIONS (CARRIER LICENCE CHARGES)
(ESTIMATED TOTAL OF GRANTS) DETERMINATION 2026
Issued by authority of the Minister for Communications
Authority
The Determination is made under paragraph 15(1)(d) of the Telecommunications (Carrier Licence Charges) Act 1997 (the Act).
Commencement
The Determination commences at the start of the day after it is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation, in accordance with paragraph 12(1)(a) of the Legislation Act 2003.
Note: the Federal Register of Legislation may be accessed at www.legislation.gov.au
Purpose and operation
The Determination has been made for the purposes of paragraph 15(1)(d) of the Act.
Subsection 15(2) of the Act provides that an instrument under subsection 15(1) is a legislative instrument.
Details
Section 15 of the Act sets out the method for calculating the maximum annual charges that the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) may impose on carrier licences held by telecommunications carriers in force at the beginning of the financial year. Paragraphs 15(1)(a) to (d) set out the amounts to be used in the calculation. Paragraph 15(1)(d) refers to the amount determined, in a written instrument made by the Minister, to be the estimated total amount of grants likely to be made during the financial year under section 593 of the Telecommunications Act 1997 (the Tel Act).
The Determination provides that $3,278,000 is the estimated total amount of grants likely to be made during the 2025-26 financial year under section 593 of the Tel Act. This estimate reflects the expected level of grant expenditure based on departmental forecasts.
For the 2025-26 financial year, the determinations referenced in paragraphs 15(1)(a), (c) and (ca) of the Act will be made by the ACMA and the determination referenced in paragraph 15(1)(b) will be made by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
Background
Section 593 of the Tel Act provides that the Minister may, on behalf of the Commonwealth, make a grant of financial assistance to:
- a consumer body for purposes in connection with the representation of interests of consumers in relation to telecommunications issues (subsection 593(1)); and/or
- a person or body for purposes in connection with research into the social, economic, environmental or technological implications of developments relating to telecommunications (subsection 593(2)).
Since 2009-10, several grants of financial assistance under section 593 of the Tel Act have been provided to the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN). ACCAN is the peak body representing consumers of telecommunication services. ACCAN is currently provided grant funding, as part of a multi-year funding agreement, that expires on 30 June 2027.
The grant enables ACCAN to conduct activities necessary for an effective peak communications consumer advocate, including representation, research, consumer education and participation in self-regulatory activities. The grant also allows ACCAN to operate a competitive Independent Grants Program for individuals and organisations to undertake research or representation projects in the interest of telecommunications consumers.
Consultation
Consultation on the Determination was considered unnecessary because the instrument is of a minor or machinery nature and does not substantially alter existing arrangements.
The Office of Impact Analysis (OIA) was consulted about the making of determinations under paragraph 15(1)(d) of the Act. The OIA considered that a carve out would be appropriate for determinations made under paragraph 15(1)(d) of the Act, as these determinations are machinery in nature. This carve out is a standing agreement between the OIA and the Department to remove the need for a Preliminary Assessment. The reference number for this carve out is 43366.
Other details
A statement of compatibility with human rights for the purposes of Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011 is set out in Attachment 1.
Attachment 1
Statement of compatibility with human rights
Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the
Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011
TELECOMMUNICATIONS (CARRIER LICENCE CHARGES)
(ESTIMATED TOTAL OF GRANTS) DETERMINATION 2026
The Determination is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.
The Determination is made by the Minister for Communications under paragraph 15(1)(d) of the Telecommunications (Carrier Licence Charges) Act 1997 (the Act).
Section 15 of the Act sets out the method for calculating the maximum annual charges that the Australian Communications and Media Authority may impose on carrier licences held by telecommunications carriers in force at the beginning of a financial year. Paragraphs 15(1)(a) to (d) set out the amounts to be used in the calculation. Paragraph 15(1)(d) refers to the amount determined, in a written instrument made by the Minister, to be the estimated total amount of grants likely to be made during the financial year under section 593 of the Telecommunications Act 1997 (the Tel Act).
The Determination sets out the estimated total amount of grants that are likely to be made during the 2025-2026 financial year under section 593 of the Tel Act.
Section 593 of the Tel Act provides that the Minister may, on behalf of the Commonwealth, make grants of financial assistance to persons or bodies (for purposes in connection with research into the social, economic, environmental or technological implications of developments relating to telecommunications), and to consumer bodies (for purposes in connection with the representation of consumer interests in relation to telecommunications issues).
The Determination does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms.
Accordingly, the Determination is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011, as it does not raise any human rights issues.