Wireless Telegraphy Regulations (Amendment)

Legislation au C1975L00064 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Statutory Rules

1975 No. 64

REGULATIONS UNDER THE WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY ACT 1905-1973.*

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL of Australia, acting with the advice of the Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905-1973.

Dated this ninth day of April 1975.

JOHN R. KERR

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

R. BISHOP

Postmaster-General.

Amendments of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations†

Certificates.

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

(a) by inserting in sub-regulation (1), after paragraph (g), the following paragraph:—

“ (ga) Novice Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency;”; and

(b) by omitting from sub-regulation (1a) the words “ paragraph (f) or (g) ” (first occurring) and substituting the words “ paragraph (f), (g) or (ga) ”.

Fees for examination and issue of certificates.

2. Regulation 42 of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is amended by inserting in the table in sub-regulation (1) after the words and figures—

“ Amateur Operator’s Limited Certificate of Proficiency

2.00 ”

the words and figures—

“ Novice Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency

2.00 ”.

Examination for Radiocommunication Operator’s General Certificate of Proficiency.

3. Regulation 42a of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is amended by omitting from paragraph (b) of sub-regulation (1) the words “ including power supply, motors, alternators, generators, inverters, rectifiers and accumulators ” and substituting the words “ including motors, alternators, generators, inverters, rectifiers and accumulators used for power supply ”.

* Notified in the Australian Government Gazette on 22 April 1975.

† Statutory Rules 1942, No. 348, as amended by Statutory Rules 1945, No. 185; 1947, No. 129; 1951, No. 19; 1954, No. 50; 1955, No. 1; 1958, No. 54; 1959, No. 65; 1967, Nos. 110 and 170; 1972, No. 206; and 1974, No. 173; and by Act No. 85 of 1970.


Examination for Senior Coast Station Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency.

4. Regulation 42c of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is amended by omitting from paragraph (b) of sub-regulation (1) the words “ including emergency power supply, motors, alternators, generators, inverters, rectifiers, accumulators and switchboard ” and substituting the words “ including motors, alternators, generators, inverters, rectifiers, accumulators and switchboards used for power supply ”.

Examination for Coast Station Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency.

5. Regulation 42d of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is amended by omitting from paragraph (b) the words “ including emergency power supply, motors, alternators, generators, inverters, rectifiers, accumulators and switchboard ” and substituting the words “ including motors, alternators, generators, inverters, rectifiers, accumulators and switchboards used for power supply ”.

Examination for Amateur Operator’s Certificate.

6. Regulation 50 of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is amended by omitting paragraph (b) and substituting the following paragraph:—

“ (b) A knowledge of such of—

(i) the regulations for the time being in force under the Telecommunication Convention; and

(ii) these Regulations,

as relate to the operation of amateur stations; and ”.

Examination for Amateur Operator’s Limited Certificate.

7. Regulation 50a of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is amended by omitting paragraph (b) and substituting the following paragraph:—

“ (b) A knowledge of such of—

(i) the regulations for the time being in force under the Telecommunication Convention; and

(ii) these Regulations,

as relate to the operation of amateur stations using wireless telephony.”.

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

Examination for Novice Amateur Operator’s Certificate.

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

(a) An elementary knowledge of wireless telegraphy, wireless telephony and electrical principles;

(b) A knowledge of such of—

(i) the regulations for the time being in force under the Telecommunication Convention; and

(ii) these Regulations,

as relate to the operation of amateur stations; and

(c) Ability to send correctly, and to receive correctly by ear, in Morse Code, a message in plain language at a speed of 5 words per minute.”.

9. After regulation 52 of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations the following regulation is inserted in Part IV:—

Definition.

“ 52a. In this Part, other than regulations 53 and 53a, ‘ amateur station ’ means—

(a) an amateur station in respect of which a licence has been granted, and is in force, under regulation 53; or

(b) a novice amateur station in respect of which a licence has been granted, and is in force, under regulation 53a.”.


Amateur station licence.

10. Regulation 53 of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (1) the words “ Subject to regulation 8 of these Regulations, a Licence ” and substituting the words “ A licence ”.

11. After regulation 53 of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations the following regulation is inserted:—

Novice amateur station licence

“ 53a. (1) A licence for a novice amateur station may be granted—

(a) to a person who is the holder of a Novice Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency; or

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

“ (2) A licence for a novice amateur station issued by virtue of paragraph 1 (b) 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—

(a) an Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency; or

(b) a Novice Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency.”.

Installation and maintenance of instruments.

12. Regulation 57 of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is amended by omitting sub-regulations (1), (2) and (2a).

Schedule.

13. The Schedule to the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is amended by inserting after the words and figures—

“ 3

Amateur station ...............................................

12 ”

the words and figures—

“ 3a

Novice amateur station ..........................................

6 ”.

 

Overview

Statutory Rules 1975 No. 64, made under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905-1973, were introduced to address the need for a more structured approach to the certification and licensing of amateur radio operators in Australia. Enacted by the Governor-General, John R. Kerr, on the advice of the Executive Council, these regulations aimed to enhance the regulatory framework for wireless telegraphy by amending the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations. The policy objective was to streamline the certification process and establish clearer guidelines for both amateur and novice amateur radio operators, thereby improving the administration and oversight of amateur radio activities in the country. This legislative instrument sought to update the regulatory landscape to accommodate the evolving nature of amateur radio operations while ensuring compliance with international telecommunication conventions.

Scope and Application

The Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 1975, made under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905-1973, apply to all individuals and entities involved in the operation of amateur radio stations in Australia, including both novice and experienced amateur operators. These regulations govern the issuance of various certificates, such as the Novice Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency, and the associated fees for examinations. They also define the requirements for the installation and maintenance of radio equipment. The regulations apply across the entire Commonwealth of Australia, establishing a uniform framework for amateur radio operations nationwide. Notably, the regulations exclude commercial radio operations, which are governed by different statutes. The scope of the regulations can be extended or modified through subordinate instruments, which may introduce further specifications or conditions for the issuance of licences and certificates.

Key Provisions

The Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 1975, made under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905-1973, introduce several key changes and additions to the existing regulatory framework. These amendments primarily focus on the introduction of a Novice Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency, adjustments to examination requirements for various certificates, and modifications to licensing conditions for amateur stations. Regulation 1 amends Regulation 40 to include the Novice Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency among the types of certificates (Regulation 40(1)(ga)). Regulation 2 adjusts the fees for the issue of certificates, setting the fee for the Novice Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency at $2.00 (Regulation 42(1)). Regulation 3 modifies the examination requirements for the Radiocommunication Operator’s General Certificate of Proficiency to exclude power supply elements from the list of required components (Regulation 42a(1)(b)). The Regulations impose specific obligations on individuals and entities seeking to operate amateur radio stations. For instance, those aspiring to obtain a Novice Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency must demonstrate an elementary knowledge of wireless telegraphy, wireless telephony, and electrical principles, along with a proficiency in Morse Code at a speed of 5 words per minute (Regulation 50b). Additionally, the Regulations mandate that any novice amateur station must have a person holding either an Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency or a Novice Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency present during transmissions (Regulation 53a(2)). Violations of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations can lead to significant consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed within the statutory rules themselves, breaches of the Wireless Telegraphy Act or its regulations could potentially result in fines or imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offence and any relevant provisions in the primary Act. The exact penalties would be determined based on the specific nature of the breach and the applicable legal standards at the time of the offence.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Technology Law
Instrument
Regulation
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Licensing & Registration
Compliance Obligations
Regulatory Standards

Interactions

Authorises

All Versions

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.