SMS Sender ID Registration

What is the SMS Sender ID Register?

The SMS Sender ID Register (the Register) was established under Part 24B of the Telecommunications Act 1997. It is a central database of approved sender IDs used by Australian organisations to identify themselves in text messages. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) maintains the Register.

A sender ID is the name or number that appears as the sender of an SMS. Examples include a business name like ACMEBANK or a dedicated phone number.

Why registration matters

From 1 July 2026, any SMS sent using a sender ID that is not registered in the Register will be labelled as “Unverified” by carriers. Your customers will see “Unverified” instead of your sender ID. Registering your sender ID ensures your messages continue to identify your organisation clearly.

Who needs to register

If you send SMS messages that include a text-based sender ID, you must:

1. Register that sender ID in the Register, and
2. Send those messages through a participating telecommunications provider.

Who can register

The following types of entities can apply to register a sender ID:

• Individuals
• Bodies corporate
• Corporations sole
• Bodies politic
• Government entities
• Partnerships
• Unincorporated associations or bodies of persons
• Trusts
• Superannuation funds

Demonstrating a valid use case

To register a sender ID, your organisation must show that it has a valid use case for that sender ID. You will need to provide this information as part of the application process.

Valid use cases include, but are not limited to:

• Your sole trader name
• Your company name
• Your partnership name
• Your registered trust name
• Your co-operative name
• Your indigenous corporation name
• Your registered organisation name
• Your personal name
• Your registered Australian or international trade mark
• The name of an Australian, state or territory government, or government agency or entity, that you are authorised to use
• The name of a foreign government, government agency or entity that you are authorised to use
• Your product or service name
• An acronym, initialism, or contraction of your entity name

How to apply

You can apply to register your sender ID through any originating telecommunications provider. To register through 5c SMS:

1. Log in to your 5c SMS account (or create one if you don't have one yet).
2. Go to the Sender IDs page in your dashboard.
3. Add your sender ID and fill in the authorised contact details on that page.
4. 5c SMS will submit the registration to ACMA on your behalf.

A list of all originating telecommunications providers is available on the ACMA website.

Entities with an ABN

What you need to provide

When completing the authorised contact details in your dashboard, the person filling in the form must:

• be listed as an authorised contact for your organisation on the Australian Business Register, or be otherwise authorised by your organisation, and
• pass an identity check, and
• agree to the Register’s terms of use.

What happens after you apply

After you submit your details, 5c SMS completes validation and verification of the information provided, including an identity check. We then submit the details to ACMA for registration.

Once submitted, the person who filled in the form will receive instructions from ACMA on how to access the Register. Once ACMA approves your application, your organisation will be able to confirm the registration of your sender ID.

Pricing

There is currently no charge to register a sender ID.

Entities without an ABN

If your organisation does not have an Australian Business Number (ABN), you can only apply to register your sender ID through an originating telecommunications provider that is a certified telecommunications provider, or a partner of such a provider.

5c SMS is an ACMA-certified telecommunications provider. We can process sender ID applications for organisations without an ABN. Use the same process described above. Similar identity and authorisation checks apply.

Please note: entities without an ABN that register a sender ID through a certified provider or partner will not be able to gain direct access to the Register.