The Australian Communications Authority (ACA) is responsible for regulating telecommunications and radio communications in Australia.

The ACA is a Commonwealth statutory authority working within the portfolio of the Commonwealth Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.

The primary role of the ACA is to be the regulatory organisation that administers a large range of communications legislation in accordance with government policies.

The Management and Board of Message Stick assume responsibility to ensure that the company is at all times aware of, and compliant with, it's obligations within the complex regulatory environment of the Australian telecommunications industry.

As with all Carriage Service Providers (CSPs), Message Stick is required to comply with Acts and service provider rules relating to such matters as the provision of operator services, directory assistance services, information for the maintenance of integrated public number data base and itemised billing.

In addition to service provider rules, there are other obligations on CSPs. These include the Customer Service Guarantee Standard, provision of access to untimed local calls and to the emergency call service and membership of the Telecommunications Ombudsman (TIO) scheme.

CSPs are not subject to any licensing requirements and as such are not required to obtain a licence from the ACA to in order to supply a carriage service to the public.

Regulatory Organisations and Stakeholders

Australian Communications Authority (ACA) - See above

The Australian Communications Authority (ACA) is responsible for regulating telecommunications and radiocommunications, including promoting industry self-regulation and managing the radiofrequency spectrum. The ACA also has significant consumer protection responsibilities.

Central Office - Canberra
Street Address:
Purple Building, Benjamin Offices
BELCONNEN ACT 2616

Telephone: 02 6219 5555
Fax: 02 6219 5353
Website: www.aca.gov.au

Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA)

The ABA is an independent Commonwealth statutory authority responsible for the regulation of free-to-air radio and television, Pay TV, digital broadcasting and Internet content in Australia.

Telephone: (02) 9334 7700
Free call (Australia only): 1800 226 667
TTY (02) 9334 7777
Facsimile: (02) 9334 7799
Website: www.aba.gov.au

Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF)

ACIF is the industry body responsible for self-regulation in the communications industry. It produces technical standards, service specifications and codes of practice to support industry competition in the new environment.

Telephone: (02) 9954 6266
TTY (02) 9923 1911
Facsimile: (02) 9954 6136
Website: www.acif.org.au

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)

As part of its overall trade practices regulatory role, the ACCC administers telecommunications industry-specific trade practice rules relating to anti-competitive conduct. It deals with competition issues relating to access and interconnection arrangements between carriers and carriage service provides. It also provides some consumer protection services.

Telephone: (02) 6243 1111
Facsimile: (02) 6243 1199
Website: www.accc.org.au

Australian Telecommunications Users Group (ATUG)

ATUG represents industry users of telecommunications services. ATUG is committed to the development of fair and open competition in telecommunications services, as it believes competition serves users' interests best. It does this by promoting choice in services, which leads to better prices and better quality services.

Telephone: (02) 9959 9111
Free call: 1800 226 281
Facsimile: (02) 9925 0880
Website: www.atug.com.au

Consumers Telecommunications Network (CTN)

CTN as a national coalition of consumer and community organisations concerned with Australian telecommunications issues. It is a non-government organisation which advocates on behalf of residential consumers and represents community interests in telecommunications policy development.

Telephone: (02) 9318 2026
Facsimile: (02) 9318 2031
Website: www.ctn.org.au

Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA)

DCITA provides policy advise and support to the Government on a range of communications issues including telecommunications, broadcasting and radiocommunications.

Telephone: (02) 6279 1000
Facsimile: (02) 6279 1901
Website: www.dcita.gov.au

Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO)

The TIO resolves disputes for residential and small business customers of telecommunications carriers, carriage service providers, and Internet service providers. The TIO assists customers who remain dissatisfied after first contacting their telecommunications company directly.

Telephone: 1800 062 058
TTY free call: 1800 675 692
Translating and Interpreting Services: 12 14 50
PO Box 276
Collins Street West
MELBOURNE VIC 8807
Website: www.tio.com.au

Service Providers Industry Association Inc. (SPAN)

SPAN is the national industry association that represents the interests of the service provider industry and organisations in related fields. SPAN also acts as an interface with other industry bodies. SPAN provides an information service to its members, and to the general public.

Telephone: (02) 9955 6100
Facsimile: (02) 9955 2502

Small Enterprise Telecommunications Centre Ltd (SETEL)

SETEL is a national association advancing and representing the interests of Australian small businesses as consumers of telecommunications and electronic commerce.

Telephone: (02) 6251 7848
Facsimile: (02) 6251 7835
Website: www.setel.com.au