Australia's SMS Sender ID Register
New rules to protect Australians from SMS scams. Here’s what Ortto customers need to know.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has changed how branded SMS (i.e. SMS with a business name that appears at the top of a text message) can be sent in Australia, as part of the Australian Government’s broader Fighting Scams initiative. If you’re an Ortto customer who sends branded SMS, this affects you — and we want to make sure you’re ready.
Here’s what’s changing
ACMA has introduced a new SMS Sender ID Register. If you want to continue using alphanumeric sender IDs to send messages to Australian mobile numbers, you must make sure they’re on the register and only sent using participating telecommunications providers (like Ortto).
What happens if you’re not registered?
From 1 July, any unregistered sender ID will be labelled “Unverified” on the recipient’s device, and may be grouped with potential scam messages.
What we’ve done
On 6 May 2026, we emailed all eligible customers about the changes and what they mean.
For customers using Ortto’s native SMS product (built on Twilio infrastructure), we’ve been submitting sender ID registrations to ACMA on your behalf, but you’ll need to authorise and verify your details to complete your registration.
What you need to do
If you’re on Ortto’s native SMS and haven’t yet completed your registration, please reach out to our support team via in-app chat or at help@ortto.com as soon as possible before the deadline of 1 July 2026. You’ll need your Australian Business Number and details of an authorised contact.
If you’re using a third-party provider (Twilio, TallBob, or Kudosity), please follow up with them directly to confirm your sender ID is registered.
See Mandatory Information (below) for more details about the SMS Sender ID Register or visit at acma.gov.au. For anything specific to your Ortto account, reach out to our support team via in-app chat or at help@ortto.com.
Mandatory Information
In accordance with the Telecommunications (SMS Sender ID Register) Industry Standard 2025, the following information must be provided to customers by a participating telecommunications provider that is an originating telecommunications provider under paragraphs 9(1)(a), 9(2)(d) and 9(3)(c) and by an originating telecommunications provider under section 10:
(a) Part 24B of the Act provides for the establishment of the SMS Sender ID Register (the Register);
(b) From 1 July 2026, if a sender identification message is sent which includes a sender identification that is not registered in the Register, the sender identification message will be labelled as ‘Unverified’;
(c) If an entity wishes to send sender identification messages, it must register its sender identification in the Register and ensure that it uses one or more participating telecommunications providers to send the sender identification messages;
(d) The following types of entities can be approved to make applications to register sender identifications in the Register:
(i) an individual;
(ii) a body corporate;
(iii) a corporation sole;
(iv) a body politic;
(v) a government entity (within the meaning of the A New Tax System (Australian Business Number) Act 1999);
(vi) a partnership;
(vii) any other unincorporated association or body of persons;
(viii) a trust;
(ix) a superannuation fund (within the meaning of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993);
(e) For an entity to be able to have its sender identification registered in the Register, the entity must demonstrate that it has a valid use case for the sender identification;
(f) An entity can make an application to register its sender identification in the Register through a participating telecommunications provider that is an originating telecommunications provider. A list of all participating telecommunications providers that are originating telecommunications providers will be made available on the ACMA’s website;
Entities with an ABN
(g) An entity with an ABN can make an application to register its sender identification through any participating telecommunications provider that is an originating telecommunications provider, or a partner of a participating telecommunications provider. In order to obtain approval to make such an application:
(i) the person making the request for the entity must be listed as an authorised contact for the entity on the Australian Business Register, or be otherwise authorised by that entity; and
(ii) the person making the request must pass an identification check; and
(iii) the person making the request must agree to the Register’s terms of use;
Note: These requirements will be included in a determination made under section 484L of the Act.
(h) Once the provider has made the application for registration of the sender identification on behalf of an entity, the person making the request for the entity will receive instructions from the ACMA about how to access the Register;
(i) Once the entity is approved by the ACMA, the entity will be able to confirm the registration of the sender identification;
Note: The requirements in paragraphs (h) and (i) will be included in a determination made under section 484L of the Act.
(j) Any cost for registering a sender identification, including any ongoing annual charge;
(k) Once the entity’s sender identification is registered, the entity can authorise other participating telecommunications providers to send messages using that sender identification;
(l) An entity with an ABN can also register its sender identification through an originating telecommunications provider that is a certified telecommunications provider;
Entities without an ABN
(m) An entity without an ABN can only make an application to register its sender identification through an originating telecommunications provider that is a certified telecommunications provider or a partner of a certified telecommunications provider. That provider or partner will conduct similar checks to those outlined in paragraph (g);
(n) An entity without an ABN that makes an application to register its sender identification through a provider or partner of the kind referred to in paragraph (m) will not be able to gain access to the Register.