The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has released its compliance and enforcement priorities for 2026–27, placing consumer protection at the centre of its regulatory agenda as it targets areas where stronger industry compliance is needed.
Among this year's priorities are disrupting branded SMS scams, ensuring compliance with Triple Zero emergency service obligations, enforcing mobile phone equipment regulations, strengthening safeguards for telecommunications customers affected by domestic, family and sexual violence, and overseeing the implementation of gambling advertising reforms.
ACMA Chair Nerida O'Loughlin said Australians rely on communications services in almost every aspect of daily life and expect providers to deliver both reliable services and meaningful consumer protections.
She said the regulator would continue taking action where businesses fail to meet their obligations, whether by ensuring emergency services remain accessible, preventing scam messages from reaching consumers or protecting vulnerable customers.
Alongside these annual priorities, ACMA confirmed it will continue focusing on three long-term enforcement areas: preventing gambling harm, combating spam and telecommunications scams, and protecting vulnerable telecommunications customers.
The regulator noted that gambling advertising will remain under close scrutiny as new regulatory reforms are introduced, reinforcing its broader efforts to reduce gambling-related harm.
ACMA said the priorities were developed following public consultation and are intended to guide enforcement efforts throughout the coming year. However, it stressed that the annual priorities do not limit its broader regulatory work, with the authority continuing to investigate and take action against serious or systemic non-compliance across all areas within its jurisdiction.
The regulator also released its Outcomes: Compliance Priorities 2025–26 report, outlining the enforcement actions and results achieved under last year's programme.
Each year, the ACMA identifies compliance priorities to focus regulatory resources on areas that present the greatest risk to Australian consumers while continuing its broader enforcement responsibilities
