Australia Enforces AS/CA S042.1:2025 Telecom Rules
Australia has introduced a major telecommunications compliance update. Communications Alliance has issued AS/CA S042.1:2025, including Amendment No. 1/2026, and the new edition is now mandatory for affected customer equipment. As a result, AS/CA S042.1 compliance became a required condition for new Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) certification submissions and new market entries from 30 June 2026.
The standard sets technical and regulatory requirements for customer equipment that connects to a Public Mobile Telecommunications Service (PMTS) or a Satellite Service as an addressable device. The scope includes smartphones, feature phones, cellular tablets, smartwatches, voice-capable IoT gateways, and mains-powered customer premises equipment such as VoIP and VoLTE gateways. However, it does not apply to non-addressable devices such as GPS-only terminals and satellite navigation receivers.
Why AS/CA S042.1 Compliance Matters
Communications Alliance published the ninth edition of the standard on 30 June 2025 and started a 12-month transition period during which AS/CA S042.1:2022 remained acceptable. Later, on 26 June 2026, the organization reissued the standard with Amendment No. 1/2026. The amendment changed the national emergency cell broadcast name from National Messaging System (NMS) to AusAlert.
The transition period expired on 30 June 2026. Consequently, all devices imported into Australia or submitted to ACMA for certification after that date must comply with AS/CA S042.1:2025 + Amendment No. 1/2026.
Scope and Legal Framework
The standard applies to addressable customer equipment designed or intended to connect to PMTS, satellite services, or both. In addition, the 2025 edition forms part of Australia’s telecommunications compliance framework under the ACMA Telecommunications (Mobile Equipment Air Interface) Technical Standard 2022.
The published standard explains that its requirements support the objectives of the Telecommunications Act 1997, including protection of telecommunications networks, protection of health and safety, access to emergency call services, and interoperability with standard telephone services.
Key Technical Changes
The 2025 edition introduces five important technical changes that affect product design, testing, and approval documentation.
Emergency Cell Broadcast and AusAlert
The revised standard adds new emergency cell broadcast requirements for AusAlert. Devices must support targeted emergency warning messages delivered through cell broadcast technology.
IMS Emergency Registration
Manufacturers must also meet new emergency registration requirements for IMS emergency access behavior.
Multi-Carrier Camp-on Testing
Furthermore, the testing rules now include explicit multi-carrier camp-on verification for emergency call access.
Power-Fail Warnings
The standard modernizes power-fail warning requirements and allows the use of QR codes for customer guidance.
Acoustic Safety Testing
In addition, the update expands acoustic safety testing to include stepped pulsed stimuli verification and related output and volume control checks.
Market Access Impact
Compliance with the updated edition is legally required under the Telecommunications (Labelling Notice for Customer Equipment and Customer Cabling) Instrument 2025. Therefore, ACMA may reject new type-approval applications that do not reference or satisfy the current standard.
The regulatory update also states that manufacturers should review firmware support for emergency alert functions, audio override behavior, IMS connection states, and related packaging information.
What Manufacturers Should Do Next
Manufacturers, importers, and compliance teams should take the following actions before submitting new products in Australia:
- update approval files to reference AS/CA S042.1:2025 + A1:2026;
- verify support for AusAlert emergency alerts;
- revise test plans for camp-on and acoustic safety requirements;
- determine whether hardware or firmware changes require a new ACMA application; and
- maintain current compliance records for regulatory review.
Importantly, the update provides no further grandfathering for new market entries. Any cellular device seeking Australian type approval or entering the Australian market for the first time on or after 30 June 2026 must show full compliance with the new edition. Existing approved devices do not need retroactive testing unless a hardware revision triggers a new ACMA application.
Impact Assessment
- Technical Standards? ✅ Yes
- Type Approval & Market Access? ✅ Yes
- Imports, Customs, Trade, or Market Surveillance? ❌ No
- Spectrum Management? ❌ No
