038/06
9 May 06

A National Do Not Call Register

The Australian Government will commit more than $17 million over the next four years to help establish a national, legislated Do Not Call Register to protect consumers from nuisance telemarketing phone calls.

“A Do Not Call Register, open to individuals, will allow people to opt out from receiving unsolicited telemarketing calls other than from specific exempt organisations. Once a telephone number is registered, it will be prohibited for telemarketers to contact that number,” the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan said.

“The Register will apply to all telemarketers operating in Australia , as well as those overseas telemarketers who represent Australian companies. It will also include a range of enforcement options for breaches of the Register, including warnings, fines, formal directions and financial penalties.

“The Register will cost just over $33 million over four years to establish. The Government will contribute $17.2 million over four years with industry contributing $15.9 million over the same period.

Individuals will not be required to pay a fee for registering their telephone numbers. Telemarketers will contribute to the costs of running the scheme through the payment of subscription fees to access the register.

“However, in recognition of the need for some organisations with underlying public interest objectives to make unsolicited calls, a limited range of exemptions will apply, for example, to charity groups and people undertaking social research. Exemptions will also apply to companies with an existing business relationship with an individual, for example with existing accounts or contracts,” Senator Coonan said.

“The legislation, which will be introduced as soon as possible, will also provide for national minimum contact standards for telemarketers. The standards will cover permitted calling hours, minimum information requirements and termination of calls.

“The standards will apply to all telemarketers, including specified public interest bodies exempted from the Do Not Call Register arrangements.”

The register is expected to be up and running in 2007.

Supporting Information

Why is this important?

• The number of unsolicited calls in Australia has grown significantly in recent years, and has led to rising community concerns about the inconvenience and intrusiveness of telemarketing.
• The Do Not Call Register will allow consumers to opt out of receiving unsolicited telemarketing calls, subject to specific exemptions.

Who will benefit?

• Individuals will benefit as they will be able to opt out from receiving unsolicited telemarketing calls.

What funding is the Government committing to the initiative?

• The Government will provide $17. 2 million over four years, with $15.9 million to be cost recovered from industry.

What have we done in the past?

• The Government supports a self-regulatory approach where appropriate for the telemarketing industry. The Australian Direct Marketing Association (ADMA) has previously maintained a Do Not Contact register which applies to its members. However, this has not provided a satisfactory solution for consumers, as it is only binding on ADMA members. Therefore the Government has taken steps to create a national, legislated Do Not Call Register, compliance with which is enforceable.

When will the initiative conclude?

• The initiative is expected to continue, subject to a review which will be conducted three years after the passage of the legislation.