Telecommunications Act 1997 (Cth) - Level 4

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This Act regulates telecommunications in Australia.

It defines are:
1. Carriers who must hold a carrier licence and generally are owners of Network Units that are used to supply services to the public;
2. Carriage Service Providers who supply transmission services to the public over a Network Unit and;
3. Content Service Providers who supply content over telecommunications network to the public. The University fits into this category through the supply of online content to the public via the internet, with obligations under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is the primary regulatory authority for the purposes of this Act. Carriers, engaged by the University, are subject to obligations and must be licensed. Service providers are not licensed but must comply with service provider rules. AARNET Pty Ltd provides network and internet services to the University, and as such has obligations under the Act which include the requirement to hold a carrier licence issued by ACMA to perform this service.