Sending SMS messages to Australia - Sender ID Registration Requirements

In June 2023, a change in legislation in Australia introduced new rules for sending SMS messages with an alphanumeric Sender ID. 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. The new regulations aim to protect consumers from fraudulent or misleading messages. This article explains what you need to do to register your Sender ID with Force24.

What do I 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 in the next section.

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

What are the Sender ID guidelines for Australia?

Your alphanumeric Sender ID must:

• Be between 4 and 11 characters long, including spaces.
• Not contain only numbers (unless it is a valid long virtual number).
• Not contain generic terms, for example INFO or ALERT.
• Clearly and uniquely identify the sender, ideally using your brand or company name.

What information do I need to provide?

When you submit your request, please include:

• Your preferred compliant Sender ID(s).
• A written statement from an authorised representative of your company confirming that you have a valid use case.
• One of the following supporting documents:
  • A Company Number certificate
  • A business utility bill