The Do Not Call legal requirements are set out in the following:
Do Not Call Register Act 2006
Do Not Call Register Regulations 2017
Telecommunications (Telemarketing and Research Calls) Industry Standard 2017
Telecommunications (Fax Marketing) Industry Standard 2021
The above laws and standards set out the rules for making telemarketing calls and faxes and set up the Do Not Call Register, a database where individuals and organisations can register, check or remove their Australian telephone, mobile and fax numbers to opt-out of receiving most unsolicited telemarketing calls and faxes. The Australian Media and Communications Authority (ACMA) is the organisation that controls the management of the register and is responsible for policing breaches of the relevant laws and standards.
The register is for consumers, including: (a) the general public—who can register Australian numbers used for private or domestic purposes; (b) businesses—who can register Australian numbers used exclusively for transmitting and receiving faxes.
The register is for businesses undertaking telephone or fax marketing to Australian consumers, including telemarketers and fax marketers making voice calls, transmitting marketing faxes or causing telemarketing calls or marketing faxes to be made with a particular commercial purpose.
Telemarketers and fax marketers have 30 days to recognise the registration of a number and to stop contacting that number. Organisations can check their calling lists against the register to identify registered numbers. Any organisation that either calls or faxes a number listed on the register, or arranges for this to occur, may be breaking the law and face penalties.