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.

We provide government with the best options and policy advice on issues relating to communications and the arts, including on the delivery of services to regional Australia. Our advice is evidence-based and is informed by research, stakeholder consultation and critical analysis of sectoral developments and market trends.

All policies

Certain types of developments may be exempt from the requirements to install fibre-ready pit and pipe under Part 20A of the Telecommunications Act 1997.
It is important to make sure telecommunications infrastructure is available in real estate new developments.
The Government's approach to consumer safeguards The Australian Government promotes an open, competitive telecommunications market so Australians can have access to innovative and affordable services. The Competition and Consumer Act 2010 supports this aim. The Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Competition and Consumer Safeguards) Act 2010 also protects consumers by:
The ACCC has declared a layer 2-bitstream service. This service is called the local bitstream access service (LBAS). The ACCC declared the LBAS in February 2012, and subsequently made a final access determination for the LBAS declaration.
New legislation will allow emergency service organisations and others to gain access to NBN infrastructure and also allows temporary telecommunications towers to be specified as low-impact facilities.
These Procedures commence on the date signed by the Secretary. These Procedures supersede the previous Procedures of the same title made for the department under subsection 15(3) of the Act. These Procedures do not apply to any matters relating to a suspected breach of the Australian Public Service (APS) Code of Conduct (the Code) where a complaint was received, or notice of a suspected breach was issued, by the department before the date these Procedures were signed by the Secretary.
Before You Dig is Australia’s free referral service for information on the location of underground infrastructure.
The Copyright Act 1968 sets out a government use statutory licence. Under this licence, the Australian Government is allowed to use whatever copyright material it needs, for official purposes
Telecommunications companies have some powers to enter land and install and maintain some types of telecommunications facilities, and some immunities from some state and territory legislation.
Australia’s telecommunications industry operates in an environment of full and open competition.