Wireless Telegraphy Regulations (Amendment)

Legislation au C1954L00050 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

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STATUTORY RULES.

1954. No. 50.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY ACT 1905-1950.*

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905-1950.

Dated this  twenty-eighth

day of  April , 1954.

W. J. Slim

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

Postmaster-General.

Amendments of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations.†

Certificates.

1. Regulation 40 of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting sub-regulation (1.) and inserting in its stead the following sub-regulations:—

“(1.) Subject to the next succeeding sub-regulation, the Minister or an authorized officer may issue any of the following certificates, in such form as the Minister determines, to a person who satisfies him, by examination or otherwise, that he possesses the requisite knowledge and qualifications:—

(a) First Class Commercial Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency;

(b) Second Class Commercial Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency;

(c) Third Class Commercial Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency;

(d) First Class Aircraft Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency;

(e) Second Class Aircraft Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency;

(f) Third Class Aircraft Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency;

(g) Broadcast Station Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency;

(h) Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency; and

(i) Amateur Operator’s Limited Certificate of Proficiency.

* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on , 1954

† Statutory Rules 1942, No. 348, as amended by Statutory Rules 1945, No. 185; 1947, No. 129; and 1951, No. 19.

727.—Price 3d. 9/22.2.1954.


(1a.) A certificate referred to in the last preceding sub-regulation, other than a certificate referred to in paragraph (h) or (i) of that sub-regulation, shall not be issued to a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years, and a certificate referred to in paragraph (h) or (i) of that sub-regulation shall not be issued to a person who has not attained the age of sixteen years.”; and

(b) by omitting from sub-regulation (2.) the words “A Certificate of Proficiency of any of the classes specified in the last preceding sub-regulation” and inserting in their stead the words “A certificate referred to in sub-regulation (1.) of this regulation”.

2. Regulation 42 of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is repealed and the following regulation inserted in its stead:—

Fees for examinations and issue of certificates.

“42.—(1.) There shall be charged for the examination of a candidate for a certificate referred to in the following table the fee specified in that table opposite to that certificate:—

 

£

s.

d.

First Class Commercial Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency...................

2

0

0

Second Class Commercial Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency.................

1

10

0

Third Class Commercial Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency...................

1

0

0

First Class Aircraft Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency......................

2

0

0

Second Class Aircraft Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency....................

1

10

0

Third Class Aircraft Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency.....................

1

0

0

Broadcast Station Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency.......................

1

10

0

Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency .............................

1

0

0

Amateur Operator’s Limited Certificate of Proficiency.......................

1

0

0

“(2.) Subject to the next succeeding sub-regulation, a fee shall not be charged for the issue of a certificate referred to in the last preceding sub-regulation.

“(3.) For the issue of a certificate without examination, or the issue of a duplicate certificate, a fee of Ten shillings shall be charged.”.

3. After regulation 50 of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations the following regulation is inserted:—

Examination for Amateur Operator’s Limited Certificate.

50a. The examination for an Amateur Operator’s Limited Certificate of Proficiency shall be such as to show that a successful candidate possesses the knowledge and qualifications specified in this regulation, namely:—

(a) A knowledge of wireless telephony and electrical principles; and

(b) A knowledge of such of the Radio-communication Regulations for the time being in force under the Telecommunication Convention, and of such of these Regulations, as relate to the operation of amateur stations using wireless telephony.”.


4. Regulation 53 of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is repealed and the following regulation inserted in its stead:—

Amateur station licence.

“53.—(1.) Subject to regulation 8 of these Regulations, a licence for an amateur station may be granted—

(a) to a person who has attained the age of sixteen years and is the holder of an Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency, an Amateur Operator’s Limited Certificate of Proficiency or such other certificate of proficiency in wireless telegraphy or wireless telephony as is determined by an authorized officer; or

(b) to a school, college, club, institute or similar organization.

“(2.) A licence for an amateur station issued by virtue of paragraph (b) of the last preceding sub-regulation shall be issued subject to the condition that the licensee shall have in attendance at the station, during transmissions from the station, a person who is the holder of an Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency, an Amateur Operator’s Limited Certificate of Proficiency or such other certificate of proficiency in wireless telegraphy or wireless telephony as is determined by an authorized officer.”.

Repeal of Schedule.

5. The Schedule to the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is repealed.

By Authority: L. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1954 No. 50, made under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905-1950, were enacted to amend existing regulations governing wireless telegraphy in Australia. The regulations aim to streamline and update the certification process for wireless telegraphy operators, including commercial and aircraft operators, broadcast station operators, and amateur radio operators. The policy objective behind these amendments is to ensure that individuals operating wireless telegraphy equipment possess the necessary knowledge and qualifications while also updating the fee structure for examinations and certificates. The Wireless Telegraphy Regulations were issued by the Governor-General in Council, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, to address the need for a more structured and regulated approach to wireless telegraphy operations in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 1954, made under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905-1950, govern the issuance of various certificates of proficiency and licences for amateur stations across the Commonwealth of Australia. These regulations apply to individuals and entities seeking certification for wireless telegraphy and telephony operations. They specify the types of certificates available, including First and Second Class Commercial Operator’s Certificates, Aircraft Operator’s Certificates, Broadcast Station Operator’s Certificates, and both Amateur Operator’s Certificates and Limited Certificates. Age restrictions are imposed, with certificates generally not issued to individuals under eighteen years old, except for the Limited Amateur Operator’s Certificate, which can be granted to those aged sixteen or older. Additionally, fees for examinations and specific conditions for the issue of certificates and licences are outlined. Notably, the regulations also provide for the repeal of previous provisions and the introduction of new rules to streamline the certification process and ensure compliance with current operational standards.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this Statutory Instrument (C1954L00050) are contained within Regulations 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, which pertain to the issuance of certificates of proficiency and licences for amateur wireless operators, and the fees associated with these processes. Regulation 1 outlines the types of certificates of proficiency that can be issued by the Minister or an authorised officer, including First and Second Class Commercial Operator’s Certificates, Aircraft Operator’s Certificates, Broadcast Station Operator’s Certificates, and Amateur Operator’s Certificates, including Limited versions ((1)(a)-(i)). Regulation 2 sets out the fees to be charged for examinations for these certificates ((1)). Regulation 3 specifies the knowledge and qualifications required for the examination for an Amateur Operator’s Limited Certificate of Proficiency ((a)-(b)). Regulation 4 allows the granting of licences for amateur stations to individuals and organisations who meet certain conditions ((1)(a)-(b)). Regulation 5 removes the Schedule from the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations. These Regulations impose specific obligations on individuals and entities seeking to operate amateur wireless stations. For instance, individuals must meet certain age requirements to be eligible for different types of certificates ((1a)). Individuals and organisations seeking an amateur station licence must hold the appropriate certificates of proficiency, or have a qualified operator present during transmissions ((1)(a)-(b)). Additionally, fees are stipulated for examinations and the issuance of certificates, with some exceptions ((1)-(3)). Breach of these Regulations may result in civil or criminal consequences. For example, operating a wireless station without the appropriate licence or certificate could be considered an offence under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905-1950. While the Statutory Instrument itself does not specify penalties, the Act may provide for fines or other sanctions. The exact penalties would depend on the specific provisions of the Act and any other relevant legislation.

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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.