Overview

In June 2023, a change in legislation in Australia introduced new rules for sending SMS messages using alphanumeric Sender IDs. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) now requires businesses to register their Sender ID for approval before sending SMS messages to Australian recipients.

A Sender ID is what appears on your customer’s phone to show who sent the message. These new regulations aim to protect consumers from fraudulent or misleading messages.


What you need to do

If you send SMS messages to Australia, you must register any Sender ID(s) you plan to use in that region. Before registering, check that your Sender ID meets the compliance guidelines below.

If your current Sender ID is non-compliant, you’ll need to choose a new one before submitting it for approval. Once we receive your request, we’ll confirm within 96 hours if your proposed Sender ID meets the required standards.


Sender ID guidelines for Australia

Your alphanumeric Sender ID must:

  • Be between 4 and 11 characters, including spaces

  • Not contain only numbers (unless it’s a valid long virtual number)

  • Not contain generic terms (e.g. INFO or ALERT)

  • Clearly and uniquely identify the sender – ideally your brand or company name

Information required for registration

When submitting your request, please provide:

  • Your preferred compliant Sender ID(s)

  • A written statement from an authorised representative in your company confirming you have a valid use case

  • One of the following supporting documents:

    • Company Number certificate

    • Business utility bill

Important notes

  • These requirements apply only to SMS messages sent to Australia

  • SMS delivery to other countries is unaffected

  • Email sending is unaffected

If you have any questions or need help preparing your registration, please contact us via the chat icon in the Force24 platform or email support@force24.co.uk.