From 1 July 2026, a new Australian anti-scam initiative will come into effect through the introduction of the SMS Sender ID Register, administered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

The SMS Sender ID Register has been established to help reduce SMS impersonation scams by verifying organisations that use branded SMS sender IDs. A sender ID is the name that appears instead of a mobile number when an SMS message is received (for example, “DataAction” or another business name).

What is changing?

From 1 July 2026, SMS messages sent using an unregistered sender ID may be labelled “Unverified” by telecommunications providers. This will help consumers identify messages that have not been verified through the Register.

Who needs to register?

Any organisation wishing to send SMS messages using a branded sender ID should ensure that their sender ID is registered in the SMS Sender ID Register.

Entities that can apply to register a sender ID include:

• Individuals
• Companies and corporations
• Government entities
• Partnerships
• Trusts
• Associations and other eligible organisations

Registration requirements

To register a sender ID, an organisation must demonstrate a legitimate connection to the sender ID being registered. This may include evidence such as:

• Australian Business Number (ABN) records
• Registered business names
• Trademarks
• Registered domain names

The registration process is designed to ensure that sender IDs are only used by authorised organisations.

Applying for registration

Organisations with an ABN can apply to register a sender ID through any participating originating telecommunications provider. Organisations without an ABN must apply through a certified telecommunications provider or an authorised partner of a certified telecommunications provider.

For organisations with an ABN, applicants will be required to complete identity verification and confirm their authority to act on behalf of the organisation.

Once approved, organisations may authorise multiple participating telecommunications providers to send messages using their registered sender ID.

Why this matters

The SMS Sender ID Register forms part of the Australian Government’s broader efforts to combat scams and reduce SMS impersonation. By verifying sender identities, the Register helps improve trust in business messaging and makes it more difficult for scammers to impersonate legitimate organisations.

Learn more

Further information about the SMS Sender ID Register is available from the ACMA website: Telecommunications (SMS Sender ID Register) Industry Standard 2025 – Federal Register of Legislation