The Federal election was called on 28 March 2025. As this website is hosted by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, the site will only be updated with material in line with the Caretaker Conventions. Please note that the content of this site relates to the Australian Government’s existing policy.

New directions for spectrum announced

The Government has released its response to the Spectrum Review, designed to make Australia's spectrum framework simpler, more flexible and efficient.

The Government has agreed to implement the recommendations of the Review and released a timeline of activities for revising the framework, including transition arrangements.

The Government will implement the three main recommendations of the review:

  1. Replace the current legislative arrangements with new legislation that removes prescriptive process and streamlines licensing, for a simpler and more flexible framework.
  2. Better integrate the management of public sector and broadcasting spectrum to improve the consistency and integrity of the framework.
  3. Review spectrum pricing to ensure consistent and transparent arrangements to support the efficient use of spectrum and secondary markets.

The Government expects the new framework to commence from mid-2017.