Contents
Part 1—Preliminary 1
1............ Short title [see Note 1]....................................................................... 1
2............ Commencement [see Note 1].............................................................. 1
3............ Objects of this Act............................................................................. 1
4............ Regulatory policy............................................................................... 3
5............ Role of the ACMA............................................................................. 4
6............ Interpretation...................................................................................... 5
7............ Interpretation—meaning of control.................................................. 16
8............ Interpretation—shareholding interests, voting
interests, dividend interests and winding‑up interests 16
8A......... Captioning taken to be part of program........................................... 17
8AA...... Designated community radio broadcasting licence........................... 18
8AB...... Digital program enhancement content taken to be a
radio program.. 18
8AC...... Digital radio start‑up day................................................................. 19
8AD...... Deemed radio broadcasting licence areas.......................................... 21
8B......... Remote Indigenous community........................................................ 22
9............ Act to bind the Crown...................................................................... 22
10.......... Extension of Act to the external Territories..................................... 23
10A....... Application of the Criminal Code.................................................... 23
Part 2—Categories of broadcasting services 24
11.......... Categories of broadcasting services.................................................. 24
11A....... Dual categorisation of international broadcasting
services............... 24
12.......... Method of regulating particular services.......................................... 24
13.......... National broadcasting services.......................................................... 25
14.......... Commercial broadcasting services.................................................... 26
15.......... Community broadcasting services.................................................... 26
16.......... Subscription broadcasting services................................................... 26
17.......... Subscription narrowcasting services................................................. 27
18.......... Open narrowcasting services............................................................ 27
18A....... International broadcasting services................................................... 28
19.......... ACMA may determine additional criteria or clarify
existing criteria 29
20.......... Determinations and clarifications to be
disallowable by the Parliament 29
21.......... Requests to ACMA to decide which category a
broadcasting service falls into 30
22.......... Matters to be considered by ACMA............................................... 31
Part 3—Planning of the broadcasting services bands 33
23.......... Planning criteria................................................................................ 33
24.......... ACMA to determine priorities......................................................... 33
25.......... Preparation of frequency allotment plans........................................ 34
26.......... Preparation of licence area plans...................................................... 35
26A....... Licence area plans—multi‑channelled
commercial television broadcasting services 35
26B....... Licence area plans—multi‑channelled national
television broadcasting services 36
26C....... Licence area plans not required to deal with
certain digital radio broadcasting services 37
26D....... Licence area plans—how digital radio broadcasting
services may be dealt with 37
27.......... Processes to be public...................................................................... 38
29.......... Designation of licence areas.............................................................. 38
30.......... ACMA may determine population figures...................................... 38
31.......... Minister may reserve capacity for national
broadcasters or community broadcasters 39
32.......... Reservations to be disallowable by the Parliament.......................... 39
33.......... Development of technical planning guidelines.................................. 40
34.......... Alternative uses of broadcasting services bands............................... 40
35.......... Notification of decisions under this Part.......................................... 41
Part 4—Commercial television broadcasting licences and
commercial radio broadcasting licences 43
35A....... Reviews about the allocation of new commercial
television broadcasting licences 43
35B....... Allocation of new commercial television
broadcasting licences........ 44
35C....... Digital radio moratorium................................................................... 45
35D....... Exception to the digital radio moratorium—failure
to provide a digital commercial radio broadcasting service 45
36.......... ACMA to determine system for allocating licences......................... 46
36A....... Commercial radio broadcasting licences to provide
analog or digital commercial radio broadcasting services 47
37.......... When licences must not be allocated................................................ 48
38.......... ACMA to advertise for applications for certain
licences................. 49
38A....... Additional commercial television licences in single
markets............. 49
38B....... Additional commercial television licences in 2‑station
markets....... 51
39.......... Additional commercial radio licences in single
markets.................... 57
40.......... Allocation of other licences.............................................................. 60
41.......... When persons are regarded as suitable............................................. 62
41A....... Services authorised by commercial television
broadcasting licences before 1 January 2009 63
41D....... Services authorised by commercial radio
broadcasting licences........ 64
42.......... Conditions of commercial broadcasting licences............................... 66
43.......... ACMA may impose additional conditions...................................... 66
43A....... Material of local significance—regional aggregated
commercial television broadcasting licences 67
43B....... Local presence—regional commercial radio
broadcasting licences.... 68
43C....... Local content—regional commercial radio
broadcasting licences...... 69
43D....... Special licence conditions relating to digital
radio commercial broadcasting services 72
44.......... Matters to which conditions may relate........................................... 74
45.......... Duration of licences.......................................................................... 74
46.......... Applications for renewal.................................................................. 74
47.......... ACMA to renew licences unless it is aware of
special circumstances 75
48.......... Transfer of commercial broadcasting licences................................... 75
49.......... Surrender of commercial broadcasting licences................................. 75
Part 5—Control of commercial broadcasting licences and
datacasting transmitter licences 76
Division 1—Preliminary 76
50A....... This Part does not apply in relation to licences
allocated under subsection 40(1) 76
50.......... Interpretation—knowledge of company.......................................... 76
51.......... Means of dealing with overlapping licence areas.............................. 76
51A....... This Part does not apply to certain channel B
datacasting transmitter licences 76
52.......... Changes in licence area populations not to put
persons in breach of this Part 77
52A....... Newspapers—additional constitutional basis.................................. 77
Division 2—Limitation on control 78
Subdivision A—Commercial broadcasting licences 78
53.......... Limitation on control of commercial television
broadcasting licences 78
54.......... Limitation on control of commercial radio
broadcasting licences..... 78
Subdivision B—Commercial television broadcasting licences and
datacasting transmitter licences 78
54A....... Limitation on control of commercial television
broadcasting licences and datacasting transmitter licences 78
Subdivision C—Commercial radio
broadcasting licences and restricted datacasting licences 79
54B....... Limitation on control of commercial radio
broadcasting licences and restricted datacasting licences during the digital
radio moratorium period................................................................... 79
Division 3—Limitation on directorships 80
Subdivision A—Television and radio 80
55.......... Limitation on numbers of directorships—television........................ 80
56.......... Limitation on numbers of directorships—radio............................... 81
Subdivision B—Television and datacasting 81
56A....... Limitation on directorships—television and
datacasting.................. 81
Division 5—Newspapers associated with licence areas 82
59.......... Newspapers associated with commercial television
or radio broadcasting licence areas 82
Division 5A—Media diversity 84
Subdivision A—Introduction 84
61AA.... Definitions........................................................................................ 84
61AB.... Unacceptable media diversity situation............................................ 86
61AC.... Points................................................................................................ 86
61AD.... Statutory control rules...................................................................... 89
61AE..... Shared content test........................................................................... 89
61AEA.. Unacceptable 3‑way control situation.............................................. 90
61AF..... Overlapping licence areas................................................................. 90
Subdivision B—Prohibition of transactions that result in an
unacceptable media diversity situation coming into existence etc. 90
61AG.... Prohibition of transactions that result in an
unacceptable media diversity situation coming into existence—offence.......................................................................................................... 90
61AH.... Prohibition of transactions that result in an
unacceptable media diversity situation coming into existence—civil penalty.......................................................................................................... 91
61AJ..... Prior approval of transactions that result in an
unacceptable media diversity situation coming into existence etc........................................................................................................... 92
61AK.... Extension of time for compliance with prior approval
notice.......... 93
61AL..... Breach of prior approval notice—offence........................................ 94
61AM... Breach of prior approval notice—civil penalty................................ 95
Subdivision BA—Prohibition of transactions that result in an
unacceptable 3‑way control situation coming into existence etc. 95
61AMA Prohibition of transactions that result in an
unacceptable 3‑way control situation coming into existence—offence.......................................................................................................... 95
61AMB Prohibition of transactions that result in an
unacceptable 3‑way control situation coming into existence—civil penalty.......................................................................................................... 96
61AMC Prior approval of transactions that result in an
unacceptable 3‑way control situation coming into existence etc. 96
61AMD Extension of time for compliance with prior approval
notice.......... 98
61AME. Breach of prior approval notice—offence........................................ 99
61AMF. Breach of prior approval notice—civil penalty................................ 99
Subdivision C—Remedial directions 99
61AN.... Remedial directions—unacceptable media diversity
situation......... 99
61ANA. Remedial directions—unacceptable 3‑way control
situation......... 102
61AP..... Extension of time for compliance with remedial
direction.............. 104
61AQ.... Breach of remedial direction—offence............................................ 105
61AR.... Breach of remedial direction—civil penalty................................... 105
Subdivision D—Enforceable undertakings 106
61AS..... Acceptance of undertakings............................................................ 106
61AT.... Enforcement of undertakings.......................................................... 106
Subdivision E—Register of Controlled Media Groups 107
61AU.... Register of Controlled Media Groups............................................ 107
61AV.... How a media group is to be entered in the Register....................... 107
61AW... Explanatory notes may be included in the Register........................ 108
61AX.... Continuity of media group............................................................. 108
61AY.... Initial registration of media groups................................................. 108
61AZ.... Registration of newly‑formed media group.................................... 109
61AZA. De‑registration of media group that has ceased to
exist................. 112
61AZB.. Registration of change of controller of registered
media group....... 113
61AZC.. Registration of change of composition of media group.................. 113
61AZCA...................... ACMA must deal with notifications
in order of receipt 114
61AZD. Conditional transactions................................................................. 114
61AZE.. Review and confirmation of entries and alterations
etc.................. 116
61AZF.. Reconsideration of decisions.......................................................... 118
61AZG. Corrections of clerical errors or obvious defects............................ 120
61AZH. Regulations..................................................................................... 120
Division 5B—Disclosure of cross‑media relationships 121
61BA.... Definitions...................................................................................... 121
61BB..... Disclosure of cross‑media relationship by
commercial television broadcasting licensee 121
61BC..... Choice of disclosure method—commercial radio
broadcasting licensee.. 123
61BD.... Disclosure of cross‑media relationship by
commercial radio broadcasting licensee—business affairs disclosure method........................................................................................................ 124
61BE..... Disclosure of cross‑media relationship by
commercial radio broadcasting licensee—regular disclosure method 125
61BF..... Disclosure of cross‑media relationship by
publisher of newspaper 126
61BG.... Exception—political communication.............................................. 128
61BH.... Matter or material about the business affairs of a
broadcasting licensee or newspaper publisher 128
Division 5C—Local news and information requirements for
regional commercial radio broadcasting licensees 131
Subdivision A—Introduction 131
61CA.... Definitions...................................................................................... 131
61CB..... Trigger event................................................................................... 133
61CC..... What is local?.................................................................................. 134
Subdivision B—Minimum service standards for local news and
information 134
61CD.... Licensee must meet minimum service standards for
local news and information 134
61CE..... Minimum service standards for local news and
information.......... 135
Subdivision C—Local content plans 137
61CF..... Licensee must submit draft local content plan to the
ACMA....... 137
61CG.... Content of draft or approved local content plan............................ 138
61CH.... Approval of draft local content plan.............................................. 138
61CJ...... Register of approved local content plans....................................... 139
61CK.... Approved local content plan must be varied if minimum
service standards are imposed or increased 139
61CL..... Approved local content plan may be varied by the
licensee.......... 140
61CM... Approval of draft variation............................................................ 140
61CN.... ACMA may review approved local content plan.......................... 141
61CP..... Compliance with approved local content plan............................... 141
61CPA.. Licensee must submit annual compliance report............................ 141
61CQ.... Minister may direct the ACMA about the exercise of
its powers. 142
Subdivision D—Other local content requirements 142
61CR..... Minister may direct the ACMA to conduct an
investigation about other local content requirements 142
61CS..... Minister may direct the ACMA to impose licence
conditions relating to local content 143
61CT..... Regular reviews of local content requirements............................... 143
Division 6—Notification provisions 145
62.......... Requirement to notify control and directorships........................... 145
63.......... Requirement to notify changes in control....................................... 146
64.......... Person who obtains control of a licence or
newspaper must notify the ACMA 148
65.......... Requirement to notify control and directorships
as at 1 February 2007 149
65A....... Strict liability offences.................................................................... 150
65B....... Designated infringement notice provisions..................................... 151
Division 7—Approval of temporary breaches 152
66.......... Offence for breaches without approval.......................................... 152
67.......... Applications for prior approval of temporary
breaches................ 153
68.......... Extension of time for compliance with notice................................ 154
69.......... Breach of notice under section 67 to
constitute an offence............ 155
Division 8—Action by the ACMA 156
70.......... Notices by the ACMA................................................................... 156
71.......... Extension of time for compliance with notice................................ 157
72.......... Breach of notice under section 70 to
constitute an offence............ 158
Division 9—Special provision for small markets 159
73.......... Additional licence under section 38A not to
result in breach of ownership limits 159
73A....... Additional licence allocated under section 38B
not to result in breach of control rules 159
Division 10—Prior opinions by the ACMA 160
74.......... Requests to ACMA to give an opinion on whether a
person is in a position to control a licence, a newspaper or a company......................................................................................... 160
Division 11—Miscellaneous 162
75.......... Register of matters under this Part................................................. 162
76.......... Continuing offences........................................................................ 162
77.......... Part has effect notwithstanding Trade Practices
Act..................... 162
78.......... Part not to invalidate appointments............................................... 163
Part 6—Community broadcasting licences 164
79.......... Interpretation.................................................................................. 164
79A....... Application..................................................................................... 164
80.......... ACMA to advertise for applications for BSB
community broadcasting licences 164
81.......... When licences must not be allocated.............................................. 165
82.......... Other community broadcasting licences......................................... 165
83.......... When persons are regarded as suitable........................................... 165
84.......... Allocation of community broadcasting licences............................. 166
84A....... Designated community radio broadcasting licences to
provide analog or digital services 167
85.......... ACMA not required to allocate community
broadcasting licence to any applicant 168
85A....... Services authorised by designated community radio
broadcasting licences 168
86.......... Conditions of community broadcasting licences............................ 170
87.......... ACMA may impose additional conditions on
community broadcasting licences 170
87A....... Additional conditions on CTV licences.......................................... 171
87B....... Special licence condition relating to digital
community radio broadcasting services 173
88.......... Matters to which conditions may relate......................................... 173
89.......... Duration of community broadcasting licences................................ 174
90.......... Applications for renewal of community
broadcasting licences...... 174
91.......... ACMA may renew community broadcasting licences................... 174
91A....... Transfer of community broadcasting licences................................ 175
92.......... Surrender of community broadcasting licences............................... 176
Part 6A—Temporary community broadcasting licences 177
92A....... Interpretation.................................................................................. 177
92B....... Temporary community broadcasting licences................................ 177
92C....... Applicants for temporary community broadcasting
licences......... 177
92D....... When applicants and licensees are regarded as
suitable.................. 178
92E........ Criteria for deciding whether to allocate a
licence........................... 179
92F........ Licences to accord with alternative planning
procedures............... 180
92G....... Licence area, timing conditions and licence period......................... 180
92H....... Conditions of temporary community broadcasting
licences.......... 180
92J........ ACMA may vary conditions or periods, or impose new
conditions 180
92K....... Duration of temporary community broadcasting
licences.............. 181
92L........ Surrender of temporary community broadcasting
licences............. 182
Part 7—Subscription television broadcasting services 183
Division 1—Allocation of subscription television
broadcasting licences 183
94.......... Transmission system standards..................................................... 183
95.......... When subscription television broadcasting licence
must not be allocated 184
96.......... Allocation of other subscription television
broadcasting licences.. 184
97.......... Requests to Trade Practices Commission...................................... 185
98.......... Suitability for allocation of licence................................................. 185
98D....... Compensation................................................................................. 186
Division 2—Conditions of subscription television
broadcasting licence 188
99.......... Conditions applicable to subscription television
broadcasting licence 188
100........ Matters to which conditions may relate......................................... 188
Division 2A—Eligible drama expenditure 190
Subdivision A—Introduction 190
103A..... Simplified outline............................................................................ 190
103B..... Definitions...................................................................................... 191
103C..... Channel providers........................................................................... 194
103D..... Part‑channel providers.................................................................... 194
103E...... Pass‑through providers................................................................... 195
103F...... Part‑pass‑through providers........................................................... 195
103G..... Supply of channel or package......................................................... 196
103H..... Non‑designated pre‑production
expenditure not to be counted unless principal photography has commenced 196
103J...... Cash‑based accounting—when expenditure is
incurred.................. 196
103JA... When designated script development expenditure is
incurred in relation to an eligible drama program etc. 197
103K..... When expenditure incurred on a new eligible drama
program......... 199
103L...... ACMA may make determinations about what constitutes
program expenditure 199
103M.... Expenditure to be nominated only once in meeting
licence conditions 201
Subdivision B—Channel provider supplies channel 202
103N..... 10% minimum eligible drama expenditure—channel
provider supplies channel 202
103NA.. Carry‑forward eligible drama expenditure...................................... 203
103P...... Shortfall of eligible drama expenditure—channel
provider supplies channel exclusively to licensee 204
103Q..... Shortfall of eligible drama expenditure—channel
provider supplies channel to multiple licensees 206
Subdivision C—Pass‑through provider supplies channel 208
103R..... 10% minimum eligible drama expenditure—pass‑through
provider supplies channel 208
103RA.. Carry‑forward eligible drama expenditure...................................... 210
103S...... Shortfall of eligible drama expenditure—pass‑through
provider supplies channel 211
Subdivision D—Licensee supplies all program material 212
103T..... 10% minimum eligible drama expenditure—licensee
supplies all program material 212
103TA.. Carry‑forward eligible drama expenditure...................................... 213
Subdivision E—Part‑channel provider supplies package of
programs 214
103U..... 10% minimum eligible drama expenditure—part‑channel
provider supplies package of programs 214
103UA.. Carry‑forward eligible drama expenditure...................................... 215
103V..... Shortfall of eligible drama expenditure—part‑channel
provider supplies a package of programs exclusively to licensee........................................................................................................ 216
103W.... Shortfall of eligible drama expenditure—part‑channel
provider supplies a package of programs to multiple licensees........................................................................................................ 218
Subdivision F—Part‑pass‑through provider supplies
package of programs 220
103X..... 10% minimum eligible drama expenditure—part‑pass‑through
provider supplies package of programs 220
103XA.. Carry‑forward eligible drama expenditure...................................... 222
103Y..... Shortfall of eligible drama expenditure—part‑pass‑through
provider supplies package of programs 223
Subdivision G—Licensee supplies part of program material 224
103Z..... 10% minimum eligible drama expenditure—licensee
supplies part of program material 224
103ZAA............................................. Carry‑forward
eligible drama expenditure 226
Subdivision H—Annual returns 227
103ZA.. Licensee to lodge annual return....................................................... 227
103ZB... Channel provider and part‑channel provider to
lodge annual return 227
103ZC... ACMA may inquire into the correctness of an annual
return........ 228
103ZD.. Nominations to be attached to annual returns................................ 228
Subdivision I—Compliance certificates 229
103ZE... ACMA to issue compliance certificate.......................................... 229
103ZF... Compliance certificate to be prima facie evidence.......................... 232
Subdivision J—Miscellaneous 232
103ZG.. Anti‑avoidance—transactions between persons not
at arm’s length 232
103ZH.. Expenditure to be expressed in Australian currency...................... 232
103ZJ.... Review before 31 March 2003....................................................... 233
Division 6—Miscellaneous 234
113........ Transfer of subscription television broadcasting
licence................ 234
114........ Surrender of subscription television broadcasting
licence.............. 234
115........ Minister may protect the free availability of
certain types of programs 234
116........ Certain arrangements not to result in control or
in persons being associates 235
116A..... Use of additional capacity.............................................................. 236
116B..... Application of section 51 of the Trade
Practices Act.................... 236
116C..... Interpretation.................................................................................. 236
Part 8—Subscription broadcasting and narrowcasting class
licences 237
117........ Determination of class licences....................................................... 237
118........ Conditions of class licences............................................................ 237
119........ Matters to which conditions may relate......................................... 237
120........ Variation of class licences............................................................... 238
121........ Class licences and variations to be disallowable
by the Parliament 238
Part 8A—Restrictions on subscription television
broadcasting services in regional areas etc. 239
121A..... Simplified outline............................................................................ 239
121B..... Definitions...................................................................................... 239
121C..... Identical program items.................................................................. 240
121D..... Continuity of program items.......................................................... 240
121E...... ACMA permission is required to provide certain
television services in regional areas 241
Part 8B—International broadcasting licences 242
Division 1—Introduction 242
121F...... Simplified outline............................................................................ 242
121FAA Definitions...................................................................................... 243
Division 2—Allocation of international broadcasting
licences 244
121FA... Application for international broadcasting licence......................... 244
121FB... Corporate status and suitability..................................................... 244
121FC... Unsuitable applicant....................................................................... 246
121FD... Australia’s national interest............................................................ 247
121FE... Allocation of licence....................................................................... 248
Division 3—Obligations of international broadcasting
licensees 249
121FF... Conditions of international broadcasting licences........................... 249
Division 4—Remedies 250
121FG... Prohibition on providing an international
broadcasting service without a licence 250
121FH... Remedial directions—unlicensed international
broadcasting services 250
121FHA Breach of remedial direction—offence............................................ 250
121FHB Breach of remedial direction—civil penalty provision................... 251
121FJ.... Offence for breach of conditions of international
broadcasting licence 251
121FJA. Civil penalty provision relating to breach of
conditions of international broadcasting licences 252
121FJB. Remedial directions—licence conditions........................................ 252
121FJC. Breach of remedial direction—offence............................................ 252
121FJD. Breach of remedial direction—civil penalty provision................... 253
121FK... Cancellation of licence if service does not commence
within 2 years 253
121FL... Formal warning, or cancellation or suspension of
licence, where service is contrary to Australia’s national interest........................................................................................................ 254
Division 4A—Nominated broadcaster declarations 256
121FLA Object of this Division................................................................... 256
121FLB. Applications for nominated broadcaster declarations.................... 256
121FLC. Making a nominated broadcaster declaration.................................. 256
121FLD Effect of nominated broadcaster declaration................................... 258
121FLE. Conditions of nominated broadcaster declarations......................... 259
121FLF. Offence for breach of conditions of nominated
broadcaster declaration 259
121FLG Revocation of nominated broadcaster declaration.......................... 259
121FLH Cancellation of licence if declaration ceases to be in
force and licensee is not an Australian company 261
121FLJ.. Register of nominated broadcaster declarations.............................. 262
Division 5—ACMA to assist the Minister for Foreign
Affairs 264
121FM.. Report about compliance with international
broadcasting guidelines 264
121FN... Records of broadcasts..................................................................... 264
Division 6—Miscellaneous
