Do you send SMS to clients from your business/organisation name? From 1st July 2026, new rules mean texts sent with an organisation’s name at the top of a message (known as a branded sender ID) will need to have the sender ID registered.
To avoid disruption, you must register your sender ID before 1 July 2026.
What is a Sender ID?
A sender ID appears at the top of branded text messages. It can tell people who the message is from, for example: ‘ATO’ or ‘AusPost’.
Text messages using telephone numbers are not directly impacted by the new rules.
Why has ACMA introduced this?
The objective is straightforward: reduce scam SMS messages and strengthen trust between customers and the businesses that send them. Registering a branded sender ID helps verify brand ownership and supports a safer SMS ecosystem.
Who needs to register?
Australian and international businesses and organisations can register sender IDs. There are steps you must follow to prove you are a legitimate business or organisation. These steps help to stop scammers from using the register.
You can register sender IDs if you are:
- an individual
- a body corporate
- a corporation sole
- a body politic
- a government entity
- a partnership
- any other unincorporated association or body of person
- a trust
- a superannuation fund
Is Sender ID registration mandatory?
Yes. If you are a business using an alphanumeric sender ID and sending it to Australian customers as of the 1st of July 2026, your organisation must register that branded sender ID with the ACMA-registered sender ID registrar.
What happens if you don’t register?
From 1 July 2026:
- you will not be permitted to carry SMS or MMS using branded sender IDs
- messages sent by non-participating Australian telcos and message providers (those with an ABN) will be blocked
- unregistered sender IDs will be replaced with the word ‘Unverified’ and grouped together in a single message thread on recipients’ phones.
Is registration FREE?
Yes.
OFFICIAL ACMA RESOURCES
ACMA SMS Sender ID Register https://www.acma.gov.au/sms-sender-id-register
ACMA User Guides & Fact Sheets https://www.acma.gov.au/sms-sender-id-register-user-guides-and-fact-sheets
Register a Sender ID (ABN Holders) https://www.acma.gov.au/register-sender-id-if-you-have-abn
Sending SMS Using Your Business or Organisation Name https://www.acma.gov.au/sending-text-messages-your-business-or-organisation-name
ITBasecamp acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the country in this area and pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging. The South Coast of New South Wales where we live is Yuin country but indigenous people here come from a number of different groups including Brinja-Yuin, Budawang, Jerrinja, Murramarang, Walbunja, Wandandian and Wodi Wodi. We recognise their continuing connection and contribution to this land.