TL;DR

From 1 July 2026, only registered SMS sender IDs (e.g., “myGov”, “AusPost”) will be allowed in branded text messages in Australia. Businesses must register these IDs with telcos to avoid being marked as ‘Unverified’, which will alert users to potential scams.

• Why? To protect Australians from SMS impersonation scams.

• How? Telcos and message providers must apply to the SMS Sender ID Register from 15 Oct 2025.

• Who? Any org using sender IDs – including banks, health providers, retailers, utilities, and not-for-profits.

• Impact? Unregistered sender IDs will appear in a separate ‘Unverified’ inbox.

ACMA Introduces SMS Sender ID Register to Combat Scam Texts

If you’ve ever received a dodgy-looking text claiming to be from “myGov” or “AusPost,” you’re not alone. SMS impersonation scams are one of the fastest-growing threats in Australia — and they’re costing Australians millions. In response, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has announced a new security measure: the SMS Sender ID Register.

Why This Is Happening

Scammers are increasingly mimicking trusted brands in text messages to trick Australians into handing over personal information or clicking malicious links. These impersonation scams are not only deceptive — they’re expensive.

According to the ACCC, Australians lost $2.74 billion to scams in 2023 (source). In just the first half of 2025, $174.8 million in losses were reported to Scamwatch alone (source). A significant portion of these losses are linked to phishing scams, many delivered via SMS, which cost Australians $19.5 million in that same six-month period (source).

These scams also erode trust in legitimate communication from businesses and government agencies.

What’s Changing

From 1 July 2026, all branded SMS messages in Australia using a sender ID (like “myGov,” “ANZ,” or “EnergyAus”) must be registered in ACMA’s SMS Sender ID Register. Here’s what the rollout looks like:

  • 15 Oct 2025: Telcos and electronic message service providers (EMSPs) must apply to ACMA to join the register.
  • 30 Nov 2025 – 30 Jun 2026: Businesses and organisations must register their sender IDs via a participating telco or EMSP.
  • From 1 Jul 2026: Only messages from registered sender IDs will appear normally on devices. Unregistered sender IDs will be flagged as “Unverified.”

This means your business messages could end up in a separate inbox — or worse, ignored — if you’re not compliant.

Why This Matters

This register will make it significantly harder for scammers to impersonate brands via SMS — restoring trust in a communication channel that millions of Australians rely on.

For businesses, it means safeguarding your brand reputation, ensuring message deliverability, and complying with new regulatory standards.

For consumers, it’s a step toward fewer scam texts and more confidence in the messages you receive. But the risk of phishing isn’t going away entirely — scammers will still try new tactics. One way to protect yourself is to use a password manager, which helps detect fake login pages and stops you from reusing passwords across different accounts.

To learn more and get ready, visit acma.gov.au/sms-sender-id-register.