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Consumer Information

Contact: antispamenquiries@aca.gov.au

Anti Spam


The Federal Parliament has enacted legislation to regulate unsolicited commercial electronic messages, also known as ‘spam’:

  • the Spam Act 2003; and
  • the Spam (Consequential Amendments) Act 2003
  • The Spam Act will prohibit unsolicited commercial electronic messages with an Australian link from 10 April 2004. It will also require all commercial electronic messages to contain accurate sender information and a functional unsubscribe facility.

    The government has prepared official guidelines for business - Spam Act 2003: A practical guide for business (PDF 243 kb).

    A précis for small business and corporate executives - Spam Act 2003: An overview for business (PDF 183 kb).

    The legislation provides for the development of codes of practice for the e-marketing industry and for the internet industry, which will detail and supplement the basic prohibitions.

    Under the spam legislation, the ACA is concerned with unsolicited commercial email (and other electronic messages) whether or not the content is itself legal or illegal. However, much email also carries content which is itself illegal under other laws—for example, it is fraudulent, offensive or carries a computer virus. The ACA will be working closely with other regulators and law enforcement agencies on the problem of spam.

    The ACA has also prepared a list of Frequently Asked Questions.

    On 27 February 2004, the National Office for the Information Economy (NOIE) and the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) co-hosted a forum on the Spam Act.  Presentations made at the Forum are available here.

    General enquiries

    General enquiries about the Act can be made at antispamenquiries@aca.gov.au. You can also call the Manager, Anti Spam Team on (03) 9963 6800.

    Reporting spam

    You can report spam to the ACA at reportingspam@aca.gov.au. Information about the spam in circulation in Australia will assist the ACA and the internet industry in identifying patterns of spamming activities affecting Australia.

    Australian spammers

    The ACA’s immediate focus is on spam of Australian origin. If you believe the spam is Australian in origin you can do the following:

  • If it is an unsolicited commercial electronic message advertising a legitimate Australian business, you may wish to contact the business directly. Most legitimate businesses have an interest in maintaining a good reputation and satisfied customers. If you cannot resolve it satisfactorily with the business, then you can report it to the ACA on Australianspammers@aca.gov.au.

  • Otherwise, report spam to the ACA at Australianspammers@aca.gov.au and, if you know which ISP is being used as the source, to that ISP’s abuse desk. While the prohibitions in the Act have not yet commenced, the ACA is contacting businesses to advise them of their future obligations under the Act. Your advice can help with this process.

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    Updated: 18 Mar 2004