Last Updated: Friday, 10 July 2026
To keep telecommunications users safe from SMS scams, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has introduced a mandatory SMS Sender ID Register. If your business sends SMS or MMS messages with an alphanumeric sender name (such as your brand name), this change affects you. If you receive SMS or MMS messages, this change affects you too.
What is a Sender ID?
A Sender ID is the name that appears at the top of a text message instead of a mobile number. It's usually a business name or service, and it helps your recipients quickly recognise that the message is from you. The messages sent with a Sender ID are one-way only, meaning your customers won't be able to reply.
Why is this happening
Unfortunately, scammers often impersonate trusted brands such as banks, government agencies, and retailers. The new Register is designed to stop this by ensuring that only verified sender names can be used, helping to restore confidence in SMS as a trusted communication channel.
When you register your business with the ACMA, your brand or business name will continue to appear as the sender on your messages.
What you need to do
From 1 July 2026, any SMS sent using an unregistered Sender ID will show as "Unverified" instead of your brand name. These messages will also be grouped with other unverified senders into a single "Unverified" thread on mobile devices. Importantly, telcos may block these messages, so they may never reach your customers.
Please note that messages sent from numeric sender IDs (such as Virtual Mobile Numbers or Long Number sender IDs) are not affected by this change.
Next steps
We're actively working with the ACMA to support our customers through the registration process. To start, you can view the requirements and complete the application form at https://signnow.com/s/Qkn4jaGC.
If you do not send an alphanumeric sender ID
You will start receiving messages from unregistered Alphanumeric Sender IDs with the name "Unverified".
If you receive a text from an "Unverified" sender, it could be:
- A scam message
- A genuine message from an organisation that has not registered its sender name
Either way, treat "Unverified" messages with extra caution. An "Unverified" message might mean the sender is not legitimate, so it's a good idea to stay alert for potential scams or fraudulent messages.
Stop and think before you act. Only trust the message after you've verified it on the organisation's official website, app, or contact details.
Regulatory information
This notice is provided in accordance with the Telecommunications (SMS Sender ID Register) Industry Standard 2025, as required of participating and originating telecommunications providers under paragraphs 9(1)(a), 9(2)(d), 9(3)(c), and section 10.
Schedule 1 – Information to be provided to customers
(Paragraph 9(1)(a), paragraph 9(2)(d), paragraph 9(3)(c), and section 10)
The following information must be provided to customers by a participating telecommunications provider that is an originating telecommunications provider under paragraphs 9(1)(a), 9(2)(d) and 9(3)(c) and by an originating telecommunications provider under section 10:
(a) Part 24B of the Act provides for the establishment of the SMS Sender ID Register (the Register);
(b) From 1 July 2026, if a sender identification message is sent which includes a sender identification that is not registered in the Register, the sender identification message will be labelled as 'Unverified';
(c) If an entity wishes to send sender identification messages, it must register its sender identification in the Register and ensure that it uses one or more participating telecommunications providers to send the sender identification messages;
(d) The following types of entities can be approved to make applications to register sender identifications in the Register:
(i) an individual;
(ii) a body corporate;
(iii) a corporation sole;
(iv) a body politic;
(v) a government entity (within the meaning of the A New Tax System (Australian Business Number) Act 1999);
(vi) a partnership;
(vii) any other unincorporated association or body of persons;
(viii) a trust;
(ix) a superannuation fund (within the meaning of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993);
(e) For an entity to be able to have its sender identification registered in the Register, the entity must demonstrate that it has a valid use case for the sender identification;
(f) An entity can make an application to register its sender identification in the Register through a participating telecommunications provider that is an originating telecommunications provider. A list of all participating telecommunications providers that are originating telecommunications providers will be made available on the ACMA's website;
Entities with an ABN
(g) An entity with an ABN can make an application to register its sender identification through any participating telecommunications provider that is an originating telecommunications provider, or a partner of a participating telecommunications provider. In order to obtain approval to make such an application:
(i) the person making the request for the entity must be listed as an authorised contact for the entity on the Australian Business Register, or be otherwise authorised by that entity; and
(ii) the person making the request must pass an identification check; and
(iii) the person making the request must agree to the Register's terms of use;
Note: These requirements will be included in a determination made under section 484L of the Act.
(h) Once the provider has made the application for registration of the sender identification on behalf of an entity, the person making the request for the entity will receive instructions from the ACMA about how to access the Register;
(i) Once the ACMA approves the entity, the entity will be able to confirm the registration of the sender identification;
Note: The requirements in paragraphs (h) and (i) will be included in a determination made under section 484L of the Act.
(j) Any cost for registering a sender identification, including any ongoing annual charge;
(k) Once the entity's sender identification is registered, the entity can authorise other participating telecommunications providers to send messages using that sender identification;
(l) An entity with an ABN can also register its sender identification through an originating telecommunications provider that is a certified telecommunications provider;