The ACMA came into existence because of the Federal Government decision to offer all Australians a greater choice in telecommunications products and services. The previous body AUSTEL role was purley to supervise the introduction of competition however AUSTEL was not a supplier of telecommunications products or services. Consumers were now allow to pick and choose freely ie: choose between Telstra or Optus even though Telstra may own the lines outside their homes.

All competition between carriers and services are governed by the ACCC alone but from July 1997 the (ACMA) Australian Communications & Media Authority is now in charge of regulating the sector in telecommunications and radio communications. Their power comes from the Telecommunications Act 1997.

The ACMA's specific roles include:-

• telecommunications carrier licensing,
• facilitating access to, and use of, the radio frequency spectrum,
• making technical standards for customers equipment and cabling,
• oversighting the registration of cabliers, 

example:- Supervision now requires a cabling providers to provide personal on-site supervision of all unlicensed or unregistered cablers during the complete installation phase of all customer cabling. Where the ACMA staff comes across unlicensed or unregulated cabler performing work he will demand to see the supervisor of the particular job. If that person is not on site at the time of the request to supervise that provider or contractor will be fined up to $13,500 if convicted by the court.

• protecting integrity of networks,
• managing electromagnetic interference,
• managing the National Numbering Plan,
• monitoring health and safety issues, and making standards for electromagnetic radiation,
• encouraging self-regulation through development and industry codes and standards,
• registrating and monitoring compliance with industry codes, or determining and enforcing mandatory standards where necessary,
• adminstration of legislative provisions relating to powers and immunities of carriers in constructing communications facilities,
• protecting consumers and monitoring service quality, and
• representing Australia's communications interest internationally.

This page was last modified on 19 January 2010 and maybe out of date with regards to newer practices at the time of reading this article

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