Telco penalties lift about 40 times under new consumer safeguards law
Under the Telecommunications Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards) Act 2026, the ACMA can step in directly against rule-breaking providers, and maximum fines rise above $10 million. A new registration scheme will also cover carriage service providers.
Telcos that breach industry rules now face maximum penalties about 40 times higher than before, at more than $10 million, after the passage of the Telecommunications Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards) Act 2026. The ceiling can go higher in some circumstances, and a penalty may be tied to the benefit a company gained from the breach or to its turnover.
The Act equips the Australian Communications and Media Authority to move faster and to take enforcement action itself against providers that break the rules. It tightens the enforcement of industry codes, standards and determinations, which cover safeguards for customers in financial hardship and for people affected by domestic, family and sexual violence.
It also creates a Carriage Service Provider registration scheme aimed at making the industry more transparent and accountable. Through that scheme the ACMA gains wider oversight of providers and the ability to keep those with serious compliance failures out of the market.
Minister for Communications Anika Wells said the reforms would help make sure Australians are treated fairly by their telecommunications providers. Wells said, "Strengthening consumer protections means a fairer and better system for everyone," and added that Australians should be able to trust providers to have their interests at heart.