An amateur apparatus licence is issued to authorise a station that:

is operated for the purposes of self-training in radiocommunications, intercommunication using radiocommunications and technical investigation into radiocommunications by persons who do so solely with a personal aim, and who have no pecuniary interest in the outcome of the operations of the station;

is operated on amateur frequencies or amateur frequency bands; and

may participate in the amateur-satellite service.

The amateur service is designed primarily to facilitate hobby radiocommunications and for technical experimentation and operates on specified frequency bands. Amateur radio operators communicate using transmission modes including, but not limited to, Morse code, telephony and data.

Anyone can listen to the amateur bands using a receiver, but to transmit, operator qualifications and a licence issued by the ACMA are required.

The amateur apparatus licence type is defined in the Radiocommunications (Interpretation) Determination 2000.

Use of an amateur station

                The licensee:

               (a)    must use an amateur station solely for the purpose of:

                         (i)    self training in radiocommunications; or

                        (ii)    intercommunications; or

                       (iii)    technical investigations into radiocommunications; or

                       (iv)    transmitting news and information services related to the operation of amateur stations, as a means of facilitating intercommunication; and

               (b)    must not use an amateur station for financial gain; and

               (c)    must not transmit:

                         (i)    a message that is, or includes, an advertisement; or

                        (ii)    any form of entertainment.

The amateur licensing options are detailed in Table 1. For more detailed technical information refer to the Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Amateur Licence) Determination No. 1 of 1997 (Amateur LCD). 

Table 1 - Amateur licensing options

        (1)   The licensee must not operate an amateur station to transmit a signal to another amateur station, through an amateur repeater station, if the licensee is not authorised under the licence to transmit on the repeater output of the amateur repeater station.

        (2)   The licensee must not operate an amateur station to transmit a signal to another amateur station, through an amateur repeater station linked to a second amateur repeater station, if the licensee is not authorised under the licence to use the repeater output of the second repeater station.

        (3)   The licensee must not operate an amateur station to transmit a signal to a second amateur station through a third amateur station if the licensee is not authorised under the licence to transmit on the third amateur station’s transmit frequency.

Note   A licensee may transmit a signal over a repeater link, whether or not the licensee is authorised to transmit on the repeater link frequencies.

The operation of radiocommunications equipment authorised by an amateur apparatus licence is subject to:

• conditions specified in the Act, including an obligation to comply with the Act;
• a condition that any radiocommunications device operated under the licence must comply with all standards applicable to it;
• conditions specified in any determination made by the ACMA under paragraph 107(1)(f) of the Act;
• conditions specified in the licence; and
• any further conditions imposed by the ACMA under section 111 of the Act.

Generally, conditions are applied to licences to enable users to communicate effectively with a minimum of interference. All conditions relating to a licence must be complied with.

The ACMA may determine, by written instrument, conditions relating to apparatus licences. These conditions are known as Licence Conditions Determinations (LCDs).The Radiocommunications Licence Condition (Apparatus Licence) Determination 2003 contains licence conditions that are common to all apparatus licences.

The conditions applicable to amateur licences are contained in the Amateur LCD. These conditions include the type of communications permitted, with whom the operator is permitted to communicate, callsign usage and relevant transmission parameters.

An advisory note is automatically attached to licences where an LCD is in force. The advisory note references the applicable LCD.

The licence conditions imposed through the relevant LCD may change from time to time. Licensees should ensure that they have informed themselves of the current conditions imposed by the ACMA.

Amateur stations cannot, generally, be authorised, under an amateur licence, to operate outside of the provisions of the LCD applicable to the licence. However, by application of special conditions on an amateur licence, a licensee may be authorised to use a higher power for earth-moon-earth communications than that provided for in the LCD.

Operation outside the amateur LCD

Other than those circumstances discussed under Licence Conditions Determinations, operation outside of that provided for in the Amateur LCD (for example, operating on frequencies other than those provided for in the LCD) will, generally, be licensed under the Scientific licence type.) The licence fee applicable will be a calculated fee, based on spectrum location, geographical location, amount of spectrum occupied and coverage area.

Special conditions

Any conditions which apply to an individual licence but are not included in the LCD, will be printed on the licence under the heading 'Special Conditions'.

In relation to amateur Repeater and Beacon licences, an accredited person may ask the ACMA to impose one or more special conditions on the licences according to the circumstances in which the frequency assignments for the licence are made.

The licensee:

               (a)    must use an amateur station solely for the purpose of:

                         (i)    self training in radiocommunications; or

                        (ii)    intercommunications; or

                       (iii)    technical investigations into radiocommunications; or

                       (iv)    transmitting news and information services related to the operation of amateur stations, as a means of facilitating intercommunication; and

               (b)    must not use an amateur station for financial gain; and

               (c)    must not transmit:

                         (i)    a message that is, or includes, an advertisement; or

                        (ii)    any form of entertainment.

        (1)   The licensee must not solicit a message that is to be transmitted on behalf of a third party unless the message relates to a disaster.

        (2)   The licensee must not transmit a message on behalf of a third party:

               (a)    enabling any person to obtain a financial gain or other reward, directly or indirectly; or

               (b)    relating to the commercial or financial affairs of any person.

        (3)   The licensee must not transmit messages to an amateur station in a foreign country if ACMA has published a notice in the Gazette to the effect that the government of that country has given notice that it objects to the transmission and reception of messages between amateur stations in that country and amateur stations outside that country.

Note   Subject to subsections 5 (1) and (2), a licensee may transmit messages, on behalf of a third party, to any amateur station, including an amateur station in a foreign country. Other countries may permit the transmission or reception of messages on behalf of third parties only in the case of emergencies or disaster relief. Licensees should respect any restrictions applied to amateur stations in foreign countries in relation to the transmission or reception of messages on behalf of a third party.

        (1)   The licensee must not solicit a message that is to be transmitted on behalf of a third party unless the message relates to a disaster.

        (2)   The licensee must not transmit a message on behalf of a third party:

               (a)    enabling any person to obtain a financial gain or other reward, directly or indirectly; or

               (b)    relating to the commercial or financial affairs of any person.

        (3)   The licensee must not transmit messages to an amateur station in a foreign country if ACMA has published a notice in the Gazette to the effect that the government of that country has given notice that it objects to the transmission and reception of messages between amateur stations in that country and amateur stations outside that country.

Note   Subject to subsections 5 (1) and (2), a licensee may transmit messages, on behalf of a third party, to any amateur station, including an amateur station in a foreign country. Other countries may permit the transmission or reception of messages on behalf of third parties only in the case of emergencies or disaster relief. Licensees should respect any restrictions applied to amateur stations in foreign countries in relation to the transmission or reception of messages on behalf of a third party.

Distress signals

Use of the distress signal indicates that a ship, aircraft or person is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance. The radiotelegraphy distress signal consists of the group (SOS), transmitted as a single character. The radiotelephony distress signal consists of the word 'MAYDAY'.

Distress call and message

The distress call consists of:

1. the distress signal sent three times;
2. the words 'THIS IS' or 'DE'; and
3. the callsign or other identification of the station in distress, sent three times.

The distress message consists of:

1. the distress signal SOS (radiotelegraphy) or MAYDAY (radiotelephony);
2. the name, or other identification, of the station in distress;
3. particulars of its position;
4. the nature of the distress and the kind of assistance required; and
5. any other information which might be of assistance.

For a list of written characters and corresponding Morse code signals refer to the Morse Code Signals document.

A distress call or message has absolute priority over all other transmissions and may be heard on any frequency. Consequently, operators in the amateur service should be prepared to accept such traffic at all times.

When a distress call is heard, you must:

1. immediately cease all transmissions;
2. continue to listen on the frequency; and
3. record full details of the distress message (the information should be recorded in writing and, if possible, by tape recorder).

If a distress message is received, defer acknowledgement for a short interval to see if the message has been received by a station better placed to render assistance. If the distress message is not acknowledged within a reasonable time, the amateur operator is obliged to assist.

Notifying appropriate authority

After acknowledging or attempting to acknowledge receipt of the distress message, you should immediately forward details of the distress situation to:

1. for land based distress situations - the nearest police station;
2. for air or sea based distress situations - AusSAR Rescue Co-ordination Centre, Canberra, ACT. The telephone number for Aviation Rescue services is 1800 815 257 and Maritime Rescue services is 1800 641 792. These lines are open 24 hours; or
3. any other appropriate authority.

You should resume listening and keep the respective authority informed of any developments. Any assistance practicable should be given until cessation of distress traffic is announced (by means of the operating signals 'QUM' in radiotelegraphy or 'SEELONCE FEENEE' in radiotelephony), or until you are advised that assistance is no longer required.

For a list of written characters and corresponding Morse code signals refer to the Morse Code Signals document.

In cases where the use of the distress signal is not fully justified, the 'URGENCY' signal may be used. In Morse radiotelegraphy, the urgency signal consists of three repetitions of the group 'XXX' , sent with the letters of each group and the successive groups clearly separated from each other. It shall be transmitted before the call.In radiotelephony, the urgency signal consists of the group of words 'PAN PAN' , each word of the group pronounced as the French word 'panne'. The urgency signal shall be repeated three times before the call.

The urgency signal has priority over all other transmissions except distress. All stations hearing an urgency signal should:

1. ensure that they do not cause interference to the transmission of the message that follows; and
2. be prepared to assist if required.

For a list of written characters and corresponding Morse Code signals refer to the Morse Code Signals document.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) considered the international use of radiocommunications in the event of natural disasters at the World Administrative Radio Conference (WARC) in Geneva during 1979. Administrations were invited to provide for the needs of international disaster and emergency communications within their national regulations.

In the event of natural disasters, normal communications systems may be overloaded, damaged, or completely disrupted, and the rapid establishment of communication to facilitate world-wide relief actions is essential. As the amateur bands are not bound by international plans or notification procedures, they are well adapted for short-term use in emergency situations. The amateur service, with its widespread distribution and demonstrated capacity to assist with the use of certain amateur frequencies, is vital in meeting this need until normal communications are restored.

The 1997 WRC adopted Resolution 644 that acknowledges the increasing complexity and diversity of telecommunications resources available that may be used for disaster mitigation and relief operations. The communications devices that may be used for these purposes include the use of amateur radio, mobile and portable satellite terminals and other appropriate and available communications resources.

The frequency bands allocated to the amateur service specified in the ITU Radio Regulations (3.5 MHz, 7.0 MHz, 10.1 MHz, 14.0 MHz, 18.068 MHz, 21.0 MHz, 24.89 MHz and 144 MHz) may be used by administrations to meet the needs of international disaster communications. Amateur involvement is limited to the duration of the emergency and to the specific geographical area of the emergency, as defined by the responsible authority of the affected country. Disaster communications will take place within the disaster area, and between the disaster area and the permanent headquarters of the organisation providing relief.

Any communications shall be carried out only with the consent of the administration of the country in which the disaster has occurred. Relief communications provided from outside the country in which disaster has occurred shall not replace existing national or international amateur emergency networks. Close co-operation is desirable between amateur stations and the stations of other radio services which may find it necessary to use amateur frequencies in disaster communications. International relief communications shall avoid, as far as practicable, interference to the amateur service networks.

(1A) The licensee of an amateur station (other than an amateur beacon station or amateur repeater station) may, on the following days, substitute the prefix letters VK in the call sign printed on the licensee’s amateur licence with the prefix letters AX:

               (a)    26 January;

               (b)    25 April;

               (c)    17 May.

Example

If the call sign specified in the licensee’s licence is VK1ZZZ, the licensee may use the call sign AX1ZZZ on the days mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c) above.

Note   26 January is Australia Day, 25 April is Anzac Day and 17 May is World Telecommunication Day.

        (1)   Subject to subsection (2A), if the licensee makes a single transmission from an amateur station (other than an amateur beacon station or amateur repeater station), the licensee must transmit the call sign of any station being called, or communicated with, followed by the call sign of the licensee’s amateur station:

               (a)    at the beginning and end of the transmission; and

               (b)    for a transmission that lasts more than 10 minutes — at least once during each period of 10 minutes in the transmission; and

               (c)    by voice (using the English language), by visual image or by an internationally recognised code.

        (2)   Subject to subsection (2A), if the licensee makes a series of transmissions from an amateur station (other than an amateur beacon station or amateur repeater station) to a station with which communications have been established:

               (a)    the licensee must transmit the call sign of the station being called, or communicated with, followed by the call sign of the licensee’s amateur station:

                         (i)    at the beginning and at the end of the series of transmissions; and

                        (ii)    by voice (using the English language), by visual image or by an internationally recognised code; and

               (b)    for a transmission that lasts more than 10 minutes — the licensee must transmit the call sign of the station being called or communicated with, followed by the call sign of the licensee’s station:

                         (i)    at least once during each period of 10 minutes in the course of the series; and

                        (ii)    by voice (using the English language), by visual image or by an internationally recognised code.

      (2A)   If a network of amateur operators is participating in emergency services operations or related training exercises, for transmissions relating to those operations or exercises, the licensee must ensure that arrangements are in place for at least 1 station in the network to transmit the call signs of the stations participating in the network:

               (a)    at the beginning and end of a transmission or series of transmissions; and

               (b)    for a transmission or series of transmissions that lasts for more than 30 minutes — at least once during each period of 30 minutes; and

               (c)    by voice (using the English language), by visual image or by an internationally recognised code.

        (3)   Subject to subsection (3A), the licensee must not cause a carrier wave to be emitted from an amateur station unless:

               (a)    the wave is subjected to intelligible modulation; or

               (b)    the wave is emitted during a brief test or an adjustment.

The usual prefix for Australian amateur call signs is VK. The numeral that separates the prefix from the suffix indicates the state/territory in which the operator is licensed.

Since 1 November 2009 callsigns in the VK9 region have been treated the same as all other call areas, and individual islands are no longer designated by a special letter.

Operator class call signs[edit]

With the exception of repeaters and beacons, the ACMA removed the relationship between the first letter of a call and the type of licence as of July 29, 2020. Should someone move state they no longer need to change their call for one with their new states number in, they can retain their existing callsign. 

Prior to this change, the following structure was in place:

• Advanced Licences – indicated by the following structure: VK# xx, VK# Axx, VK# Bxx, VK# Cxx, VK# Dxx, VK# Exx, VK# Fxx, VK# Gxx, VK# Ixx, VK# Jxx, VK# Kxx, VK# Oxx, VK# Sxx, VK# Txx, VK# Uxx, VK# Wxx, VK# Xxx, VK# Yxx, VK# Zxx, VK# RAN, VK2RAS, VK# WIA–WIZ (WIA), VK# GGA–GGZ (Guides Aust), VK# SAA–SDZ (Scouts Assoc.), VK7OTC, VK# IYA–IYZ (International years)
• Standard Licences – VK# Hxx, VK# Lxx, VK# Mxx, VK# Nxx, VK# Pxx, VK# Vxx
• Foundation Licences – (four-letter suffixes beginning with 'F') VK# Fxxx
• Repeater call signs – VK# Rxx
• Beacon call signs – VK# RSx, VK# RTx

(3A) The licensee must not operate an amateur station to transmit signals that are encoded for the purpose of obscuring the meaning of the signals, except for:

               (a)    signals exchanged between an amateur station and a space station in the amateur satellite service for the purpose of controlling the operation of the space station; and

               (b)    signals exchanged between an amateur station and an unattended amateur station for the purpose of controlling the operation of the unattended amateur station; and

               (c)    intercommunications when participating in emergency services operations or related training exercises.

The Amateur LCD authorises the transmission of news and information related to the operation of amateur stations. Such transmissions must be used as a means of facilitating intercommunication. Such transmissions must not be, or include, an advertisement, and must not include any form of entertainment.

Name of Determination

This Determination is the Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Amateur Licence) Determination No. 1 of 1997.

 Scope

            (1)       This Determination sets out conditions to which an amateur licence is subject in the following manner:

            (a)       every amateur licence is subject to the conditions in Part 2;

            (b)       every amateur licence (amateur advanced station) is also subject to the conditions in Part 3;

            (c)       every amateur licence (amateur standard station) is also subject to the conditions in Part 5;

            (d)       every amateur licence (amateur foundation station) is also subject to the conditions in Part 6;

            (e)       every amateur licence (amateur beacon station) is also subject to the conditions in Part 8;

            (f)        every amateur licence (amateur repeater station) is also subject to the conditions in Part 9.

            (2)       Subject to subsection (3), if a condition in this Determination is inconsistent with a condition specified in the licence, the condition specified in the licence applies.

            (3)       Subsection (2) does not apply to the condition set out in subsection 8 (1A).

The licensee must operate an amateur advanced station only on a frequency that:

               (a)    is in a frequency band mentioned in an item in Part 1 of Schedule 2; and

               (b)    is not in an excluded frequency range specified in an item in Part 2 of Schedule 2 for the area of operation.

Emissions from an amateur advanced station

                The licensee must not operate an amateur advanced station in a frequency band mentioned in an item in Schedule 2 unless:

               (a)    it is operated using an emission mode mentioned in the item; and

               (b)    the transmission remains entirely within a frequency band mentioned in the item.

Operating an amateur advanced station in the frequency band 50 MHz to 52 MHz

        (1)   Subsections (2) and (3) apply if the licensee operates an amateur advanced station in the frequency band 50.000 MHz to 52.000 MHz.

        (2)   The licensee must not operate the station if it causes interference to the reception of the transmissions of television channel 0.

        (3)   If the licensee operates the station in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland or the Australian Capital Territory, the licensee must operate the station:

               (a)    in the frequency band 50.000 MHz to 50.300 MHz only, using:

                         (i)    emission mode 200HA1A and a maximum transmitter power of 100 watts pY; or

                        (ii)    emission mode 1K12F1D and a maximum transmitter power of 30 watts pY; or

                       (iii)    emission mode 4K00J3E and a maximum transmitter power of 100 watts pX; and

               (b)    at a place that is:

                         (i)    at least 120 kilometres from a television channel 0 main station; and

                        (ii)    at least 60 kilometres from a television channel 0 translator station; and

                       (iii)    at least 60 kilometres from a television translator station that has inputs on television channel 0.

Note   For details of VHF television channel 0 stations, see Schedule 7.

Operating an amateur advanced station in the frequency bands 3.425 GHz to 3.4425 GHz and 3.475 GHz to 3.4925 GHz

If the licensee operates an amateur advanced station in the frequency band 3.425 GHz to 3.4425 GHz or 3.475 GHz to 3.4925 GHz, the licensee must not operate the station in a designated area described in Schedule 5.

Operating an amateur advanced station in the frequency bands 3.4425 GHz to 3.475 GHz and 3.5425 GHz to 3.575 GHz

If the licensee operates an amateur advanced station in the frequency band 3.4425 GHz to 3.475 GHz or 3.5425 GHz to 3.575 GHz, the licensee must not operate the station in a designated area described in Schedule 6.

Transmitter output power

        (1)   Subject to section 15, the licensee must not operate an amateur advanced station, using a transmitter output power of more than 400 watts pX, if the emission mode of the station includes:

               (a)    C3F; or

               (b)    J3E; or

               (c)    R3E.

        (2)   Subject to section 15, the licensee must not operate an amateur advanced station, with an emission mode not mentioned in subsection (1), using a transmitter output power of more than 120 watts pY.

Note   The licensee of an amateur advanced station who operates an amateur station to automatically retransmit radio signals from another amateur station is not required to authorise the person operating the other amateur station to operate the licensee’s station for the purpose of the retransmission.

Excluded frequency ranges

Note 1   Operating restrictions imposed under sections 15 and 16 are not affected by the operation of this Schedule.

Note 2   The operation of an amateur advanced station in this band is subject to the limitation mentioned in section 15A.

Note 3   The operation of an amateur advanced station in this band is subject to the limitation mentioned in section 15B.

Emission classifications provide an internationally recognised standard by which to specify, accurately and concisely, the significant characteristics of a transmission. The Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Amateur Licence) Determination No. 1 of 1997 (Amateur LCD) refers to a number of emission classifications.

Examples of commonly used amateur transmissions and the corresponding emission classifications are listed in Table 1.

Table 1 - Commonly used emission characteristics

where:

AM = amplitude modulated
SSB = amplitude modulated and uses a single-sideband, suppressed carrier
FM = angle modulated and uses frequency modulation and
PM = angle modulated and uses phase modulation.

The amateur licence structure is graduated with increasing access to emission modes and frequency bands according to the qualifications of the operator. For further details see the Amateur LCD and Emission characteristics of radio transmissions.

        (1)   The licensee must not operate an amateur station if the emissions of the station include spurious emissions that are not attenuated below the power of the wanted emission supplied to the antenna transmission line by               (a)    for frequencies less than 30 MHz — the lesser of:

(i)    43 + 10 log (PEP) dB; and

(ii)    50 dB; or

(b)    for frequencies above 30 MHz — the lesser of

(i)    43 + 10 log (P) dB; and

(ii)    70 dB.

(2)   In subsection (1):

P means mean power in watts supplied to the antenna transmission line.

PEP means peak envelope power in watts supplied to the antenna transmission line.

        (1)   Subject to section 15, the licensee must not operate an amateur advanced station, using a transmitter output power of more than 400 watts pX, if the emission mode of the station includes:

               (a)    C3F; or

               (b)    J3E; or

               (c)    R3E.

        (2)   Subject to section 15, the licensee must not operate an amateur advanced station, with an emission mode not mentioned in subsection (1), using a transmitter output power of more than 120 watts pY.

Note   The licensee of an amateur advanced station who operates an amateur station to automatically retransmit radio signals from another amateur station is not required to authorise the person operating the other amateur station to operate the licensee’s station for the purpose of the retransmission.

To enable experimentation involving earth-moon-earth communications, holders of Advanced amateur licences may apply to the ACMA to use a transmitter power higher than that permitted under the Amateur LCD Requirements

Applicants should be aware of the following requirements:

• The applicant must be the holder of an Advanced amateur licence.
• The ACMA's form R077 (Additional Station Information) may by used to provide supplementary information.
• High power operation will only be approved for experimentation involving the reflection of signals from a celestial body.
• Operation must be in amateur bands above 50 MHz.
• The applicant must satisfy the ACMA that the proposed signal levels from the station comply with the radiofrequency emission limits stipulated in the ARPANSA standard (see footnote).
• The ACMA may inspect the station at any reasonable time.
• The maximum period of approval will be 12 months or the duration of the current amateur licence, which ever is the lesser.
• Extensions of the approval for up to 12 months may be granted if the applicant certifies that the station has not changed in any way since the last approval for high power operation was granted.
• The means of approval will be by the inclusion of special conditions on the amateur's licence.
• The applicant will be responsible for all costs including licence variation fees and station inspection fees.
• The amateur must notify the ACMA of any station changes which may affect conformity with the ARPANSA standard.
• Applicants should be aware of the provisions of the Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Apparatus Licence) Determination 2003.

Footnote: ARPANSA standard means the Radiation Protection Standard for Maximum Exposure Levels to Radiofrequency Fields - 3 kHz to 300 GHz published by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency and assigned the number ISBN 0-0642-79400-6.

The ARPANSA standard may be obtained from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency website http://www.arpansa.gov.au/.

It has been long-standing operational policy that amateurs moving interstate must get a new call sign. However, it is no longer a requirement to get a new call sign when you move interstate, although you can get one if you wish. 

Under the LCD, if you’re going to operate an amateur station at a different location for a continuous period longer than 4 months (or 7 days for a repeater or beacon), you should ask the ACMA to consider varying the licence to change the location. 

A feature of domestic environments is the widespread use of radiocommunications equipment such as television, radio and regulated non-broadcasting transmitters, including those used for the Citizen Band (CB) and amateur services. Interference to domestic television and radio receivers often arises from the operation of nearby CB and amateur transmitters. The interference from CB and amateur transmitters generally occurs from faults in a transmitter, or because the radio and television receiving equipment is unable to reject unwanted CB or amateur transmissions, even though those transmissions are on different frequency bands from those used by radio and television stations.

Equipment standards and licensing conditions ensure that CB and amateur transmitters meet stringent quality requirements; however, radio and television receivers vary in quality and many do not have a high level of immunity from interference. The Radiocommunications Act 1992 (the Act) defines interference in relation to radiocommunications as:

'interference to, or with, radiocommunications that is attributable, whether wholly or partly and whether directly or indirectly, to an emission of electromagnetic energy'.

Devices are defined as a radiocommunications transmitter, any other transmitter, a radiocommunications receiver or any other thing, any use or function of which is capable of being interfered with by radio emission.

While an amateur may authorise a third party to operate his or her station, there are limitations on:to whom a third party authorisation may be given; and

• how a station may be operated under a third party authorisation.

An amateur licensee may only third party authorise a person with the same qualification, or a higher qualification, or an overseas equivalent. For example, a licensed Advanced amateur operator may only issue a third party authorisation to another amateur operator to operate the station if the other amateur is qualified to operate an Advanced amateur station. This means that the third party must have an Australian qualification to that level, or hold an overseas qualification that is considered to be equivalent to that level.

A person authorised to operate an amateur station must only operate the station under circumstances applicable to that station. For example, while a licensed Standard amateur may issue a third party authorisation to a person who is qualified to operate as an Advanced amateur, that third party may only operate the station to Standard amateur conditions.

Providing that a qualified operator is actually operating (adjusting the controls, etc.) the amateur station, other persons, whether qualified or not, are permitted to communicate through the amateur equipment. Third party authorisations are not required for this purpose.