ACMA seeks views on remaking broadcasting class licences – The Australian Communications and Media Authority has opened consultation on a plan to remake the Broadcasting Services (Class Licences) Determination 2017 before it expires on 1 April 2027. The regulator proposes no substantive changes to the existing rules and has invited submissions by 5pm AEDT on Monday 19 October 2026.
For broadcasters and operators, the proposal is about continuity rather than a new licensing regime. The current determination is due to sunset under the legislative framework. ACMA says it is working effectively and efficiently and wants a replacement in place before that date.
Which broadcasting services are covered?
The determination sets class licences for subscription radio broadcasting, subscription radio narrowcasting, subscription television narrowcasting, open narrowcasting radio and open narrowcasting television. These arrangements allow qualifying services to operate without applying for an individual broadcasting service licence or paying a class-licence fee.
Narrowcasting covers services with a more limited audience or purpose than general broadcasting. ACMA’s public guidance gives examples of special-interest services, broadcasts in a business or stadium, and services offered for a limited time or special event. Open narrowcasting is available to anyone with appropriate reception equipment; subscription narrowcasting is supplied to people who pay or subscribe.
Class licences are therefore relevant to parts of Australia’s radio and television landscape that sit outside standard commercial broadcast licensing. The regulator says they support standardised and efficient use of technology while maintaining common operating rules.
What is ACMA proposing?
ACMA’s consultation page says the 2017 instrument will sunset on 1 April 2027. It proposes to remake the determination before then and has published both a consultation paper and a draft Broadcasting Services (Class Licences) Determination 2027. Its stated position is that the existing instrument remains necessary.
The regulator has not proposed additional conditions on any of the five class licences. That means this is a proposal for a replacement instrument, not an announcement that licence conditions have already changed. Submissions may still inform the final decision.
Under ACMA’s public guidance, providers using a class licence must meet the determination’s rules and relevant requirements of the Radiocommunications Act 1992. They must also have the capacity to deliver the service. The consultation focuses on whether the class-licence determination should continue in substantially its current form.
How to respond
ACMA opened the consultation on 21 September 2026. Interested parties can use the upload-submission function on the public consultation page, or send a submission by post using details in the consultation paper. The deadline is 5pm AEDT on Monday 19 October 2026, Sydney local time.
The consultation page also explains that submissions may be published under ACMA’s submissions policy. Those making a response should check the consultation documents and publication conditions before sending sensitive information.
For more TV Central ACMA news, head here. The official ACMA consultation page has the draft instrument, consultation paper and submission details.
