The two pillars of Australian spectrum licensing
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) manages how radiofrequency spectrum is allocated and shared.
Most devices operate under one of two licensing frameworks: Apparatus licences or Class licences.
Apparatus licensing tailored and controlled
Apparatus licences are individual authorisations issued for specific transmitters, frequencies, and locations.
They’re used for critical and managed services such as public safety, mining, defence, and broadcasting.
- Defined frequency, location, and power limits
- Coordinated to avoid interference
- Renewable and transferable
Apparatus licences offer precision and protection ideal where reliability and control matter.
Class licensing shared and standardised
Class licences (like the LIPD Class Licence) allow many users to operate low power devices without individual approval, provided they comply with standard conditions.
Common examples:
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, IoT sensors
- Short range telemetry and keyless entry systems
Class licensing supports innovation and accessibility, but requires strict adherence to technical limits (power, bandwidth, duty cycle).
Why it matters
For RF engineers, understanding licensing types influences:
- How frequencies are chosen
- Whether interference coordination is required
- What documentation and submissions are needed
At noIM₃, our tools distinguish between these licensing categories, ensuring that frequency plans are built and validated according to the correct ACMA framework.
