We are seeking views on a proposal to extend existing Universal Service Obligation (USO) rules for Telstra’s handling of voice services requests by three years, with minor updates.
Why we want your input
Your feedback will help inform whether the rules for accessing a standard telephone service should be extended or updated. The rules are due to end on 1 July 2026.How you can voice your opinion
Please read the information below and the draft outlining the proposed changes. You can then share your views by making a written submission via the Have Your Say button. Submissions can be simply your key points, or a more detailed formal submission.What will be the outcome of this consultation?
The submissions will be used to understand public views on extending the existing arrangements for three years, and whether any other changes should be considered.The issue
The USO ensures people across Australia can reasonably access a standard telephone service, no matter where they live or work. Telstra is currently responsible for providing this service when a reasonable request is made.
The Telecommunications Universal Service Obligation (Standard Telephone Service—Requirements and Circumstances) Determination 2023 (Determination) sets out:
- What makes a valid request for a standard telephone service (STS), and
- When Telstra is, and is not, required to provide that service under the USO.
The Determination is due to automatically end on 1 July 2026. The Department is consulting on a draft amendment that would:
- Extend the current end date, and
- Make minor changes to improve information provided to consumers, including about power requirements for services.
If you have questions about this consultation process, please email USB@infrastructure.gov.au.
Relevant documentation
The following draft documents are available:
- Draft Telecommunications Universal Service Obligation (Standard Telephone Service – Requirements and Circumstances) Amendment Determination 2026
- Draft Explanatory Statement - Telecommunications Universal Service Obligation (Standard Telephone Service – Requirements and Circumstances) Amendment Determination 2026
Participate
04 May 2026 09:00 AEST
22 May 2026 17:00 AEST
Open
days
remaining 17 of 18
We invite you to tell us your views on this topic.
Please include:
- contact name
- organisation name, if applicable
- contact details, including telephone number, postal and email addresses
- confirmation whether or not your submission can be made public—published—or kept confidential.
All submissions to be made public need to meet the Digital Service Standard for accessibility. Any submission that does not meet this standard may be modified before being made public.
If your submission is to be made public, please ensure you do not include any personal information that you don't want to be published.
If your submission is confidential, please ensure each page of the submission is marked as confidential.
Please click on the 'Have your say now' button below to upload your submission.
Alternatively please email your completed template submission to USB@infrastructure.gov.au.
Privacy Collection Notice
Extending rules about requests for USO voice services
Your submission, including any personal information supplied, is being collected by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (“the Department”) in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988.
Use
The Department may use your submission to inform Government consideration of issues relating to the extension of existing rules for Telstra’s handling of USO voice service requests.
Disclosure
The Department may publish your submission as explained below. Otherwise your submission will not be disclosed unless authorised or required by law.
Contacting You
The Department may use your contact information to make further contact with you about your submission and the consultation process.
Publication
Unless marked confidential (see below) submissions (including the author’s name) may be published in part or full on the Department’s website or in any public response by the Department. When publishing, the Department will redact any personal contact details of the author.
Confidentiality
Confidential submissions will not be published and will only be disclosed in the following circumstances:
- in response to a request by a Commonwealth Minister;
- where required by a House or a Committee of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia;
- where necessary in the public interest; or
- where authorised or required by law.
Submissions will only be treated as confidential if they are expressly stated to be confidential. Automatically generated confidentiality statements or disclaimers appended to an email do not suffice for this purpose. If you wish you make a confidential submission, you must indicate this by ensuring your submission is clearly marked confidential. Even if a submission is not marked confidential, the Department may choose not to publish it, or any part of it, in the Department’s discretion (for example where it includes personal information or opinions about a third party).
Access
The Department will securely store your personal information and the Department’s privacy policy contains information regarding complaint handling processes and how to access and/or seek correction of personal information held by the Department. Further information is available on our Privacy page.