The ACMA SMS Sender ID Register is Australia's mandatory list of alphanumeric sender IDs (brand names such as "MyBank") used to send SMS. Since 1 July 2026, messages to Australian mobiles with an unregistered alphanumeric sender ID are shown as "Unverified" instead of the brand name. Brands register through a participating telco or SMS provider, not directly with the ACMA.
Rules last checked: October 2026.
What is the ACMA sender ID register?
The SMS Sender ID Register is a national register of alphanumeric sender IDs run by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). It was created by the Telecommunications Amendment (SMS Sender ID Register) Act 2024 to stop scammers impersonating banks, government agencies and delivery companies. The obligations for telcos are set out in a separate industry standard, the Telecommunications (SMS Sender ID Register) Industry Standard 2025.
Key dates:
- 30 November 2025: applications to register opened.
- 1 July 2026: enforcement started. Unregistered alphanumeric sender IDs are over-stamped with "Unverified".
Australia joins a growing list of countries with sender ID registration, explained in our guide to SMS sender ID registration. Singapore runs a similar scheme, covered in Singapore SSIR.
What are the ACMA sender ID requirements?
The ACMA sender ID requirements apply to every alphanumeric sender ID that reaches an Australian mobile:
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Format | 2 to 11 characters, not numbers only, and not containing "Unverified" |
| Who can register | Entities with an ABN, and organisations without one (including overseas) whose sender ID matches a trademark or an official business register name |
| Where to register | Through each participating telco or message provider you send through |
| Legitimate use | The originating provider checks that you have a legitimate reason to use the name |
| Unregistered IDs | Shown as "Unverified" and grouped with other unregistered senders |
If you send through two providers, register with both. A sender ID registered with one provider does not cover traffic you send through another.
What do telcos and SMS providers have to do?
Since 1 July 2026, any telco or message provider that sends, transits or terminates SMS or MMS with alphanumeric sender IDs must apply to the ACMA to take part in the register. Originating providers must tell their customers about the register, offer registration and check legitimate use. Providers that send or terminate messages must over-stamp unregistered IDs with "Unverified". The ACMA has published compliance checklists for originating and transiting telcos.
For wholesale buyers this changes route selection: a route through a provider that is not a register participant cannot carry your registered brand name properly. Ask every SMS provider for Australia whether it is on the ACMA participant list. See how to choose an A2P SMS provider.
Are numeric sender IDs affected?
No. The register covers alphanumeric sender IDs only. Messages from a mobile number, virtual number or other numeric sender keep showing the number. Numeric senders are a different product with their own trade-offs (replies, cost, trust), compared in SMS sender ID types. Do not switch to numeric senders to avoid registration if your customers expect your brand name: an OTP from an unknown number converts worse, and spam and scam rules still apply.
What happens to unregistered sender IDs?
The message is still delivered, but the brand name is replaced with "Unverified" and the message lands in the same thread as other unregistered senders, including possible scams. For OTPs and banking alerts that is close to a delivery failure, because users are told not to trust such messages. Check your delivery and conversion after the change using SMS DLR status codes and your own funnel data, and follow OTP SMS best practices.
How to register a sender ID for Australia
- List every alphanumeric sender ID you use for Australian traffic, including old ones still set in your systems.
- Confirm each SMS provider you use is an ACMA register participant.
- Submit each sender ID through each provider, with your ABN or, for overseas organisations, proof of a matching trademark or business registration.
- Send test messages to Australian mobiles on Telstra, Optus and TPG Telecom networks and check that the brand name, not "Unverified", is displayed.
Getting an Australia SMS route
VoIPMatcher sources A2P SMS routes from its carriers and manages them for you. See the Australia SMS destination page, then request an Australia SMS route with your sender IDs, traffic type and volume.
Frequently asked questions
Is the SMS Sender ID Register mandatory in Australia?
For brands that send SMS with an alphanumeric sender ID, yes in practice. Since 1 July 2026, messages to Australian mobiles with an unregistered alphanumeric sender ID arrive labelled Unverified instead of showing the brand name. Telcos that carry alphanumeric sender IDs must participate in the register, and must apply the label.
Does the ACMA sender ID register apply to overseas businesses?
Yes. The rules follow where the message is received, so a company abroad that texts Australian mobiles with an alphanumeric sender ID must register it. Organisations without an Australian Business Number can register if the sender ID matches a trademark or a name on an official register in their home country.
Do I need to register a phone number used as SMS sender?
No. The register covers alphanumeric sender IDs, the brand names shown instead of a number. Messages sent from a mobile number, virtual number or other numeric sender are not covered by the register, although they remain subject to anti-scam and spam rules.
How much does it cost to register a sender ID in Australia?
The ACMA does not charge senders directly in the material we checked. You register through a participating telco or message provider, and each provider sets its own terms; some charge a small setup fee, for example for organisations without an ABN. Ask your provider before you submit.
What does Unverified mean on an SMS in Australia?
It means the message used an alphanumeric sender ID that is not on the ACMA SMS Sender ID Register. The network replaces the brand name with Unverified, and the message is grouped with other unregistered senders, including possible scams. Recipients are advised to treat such messages with caution.
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