ACMA to review amateur access to 2300–2302 MHz and amend class licence in 2027

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has published its Five-Year Spectrum Outlook 2026–31 and a response to submissions on the draft, setting out several reviews that touch amateur radio. Ham Radio DX reported on 11 November 2026 that the biggest item is a planned look at the 2300–2302 MHz band.

Advanced-qualified amateurs can use the 2 MHz segment now, on a secondary basis, and it supports experiments including Earth–Moon–Earth communications. Commercial telecommunications operators have shown interest in it. Wireless broadband services already occupy the neighbouring 2302–2400 MHz band, which at 98 MHz is slightly narrower than the 100 MHz channels emerging 5G technologies can use. Three stakeholders told the consultation they favoured moving 2300–2302 MHz to spectrum licensing for commercial wireless broadband, the ACMA reported. The regulator plans to investigate the band's future, including whether it could join existing 2.3 GHz spectrum licences, and to hold public consultation in April–June 2027. Ham Radio DX noted that no decision has been made to remove amateur access.

The ACMA is also preparing to consult on amendments to the Radiocommunications (Amateur Stations) Class Licence 2023 and on the rules for amateur examinations. Amateurs have been under class licensing instead of individual apparatus licences since February 2024. The ACMA says the changes are intended to improve clarity, simplify administration and strengthen the integrity of licensing and assessment. The review is expected to take in licence conditions, examination and assessment arrangements, accredited assessor guidelines, callsign policies and qualification frameworks, with consultation set for January–March 2027. The documents do not spell out the specific amendments.

Work on examination syllabi is due to start in the fourth quarter of 2026, beginning with a syllabus on amateur radio regulations, and accredited assessors will be involved in consultation. The callsign work will look at concerns from permanent residents of Australian external territories about VK9 island callsigns, which the ACMA confirmed will be examined in the January–March 2027 consultation.

Other requests were acknowledged without firm commitments. The ACMA says higher-power amateur operation stays on its longer-term agenda, possibly through a separate authorisation mechanism, but it has given no timeframe. Since July 2023, some high-power experimental activities such as EME have been able to be authorised through scientific licences. The ACMA said its update to RALI LM8 is finished and due for release shortly, while further repeater and beacon planning changes would wait for a later update. It made no commitment to review emission bandwidth restrictions in the 51–52 MHz segment of the 6-metre band.

Ham Radio DX said the documents do not announce changes removing access to HF, 2 metre or 70 centimetre bands, or cutting existing operating privileges. It also noted that the listed timeframes cover consultation and development work, not dates when changes take effect.