The Albanese Government has initiated a review into Triple Zero regulations to ensure the laws are fit-for-purpose and deliver a reliable and resilient system for Australians.

Led by the Triple Zero Custodian, the review will examine all legislation and regulations relating to Triple Zero.

In line with its Terms of Reference, the review will draw on the lessons from the Optus 2023 and 2025 outages, the 3G switchover along with device-specific issues to identify areas in need of further legislative or regulatory reform.

The Triple Zero Custodian will deliver a final report to the Government by March 2027 with recommendations for a modernised and adaptable framework for the Triple Zero system that meets public expectations, is reliable and provides industry with clear requirements.

During the review, the Triple Zero Custodian will continue its work to ensure important changes to the system can be undertaken as soon as possible.

This work delivers on Recommendation 18 of the Bean Review into the 2023 Optus Outage and builds on the significant reforms already undertaken by the Albanese Government to strengthen Triple Zero.

This includes:

• Increasing the maximum penalties faced by telcos for failing to follow the Triple Zero rules to $30 million.
• Establishing new requirements on providers to ensure Triple Zero calls fall back to other networks.
• The work underway now between the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and the telecommunication sector to deliver public outage registers and standardised mobile coverage maps by mid-year.

To further strengthen the Triple Zero system, recruitment has begun to appoint a full-time member to the Australian Communications and Media Authority dedicated to public safety to help oversee the effective operation of Triple Zero.

Alongside the Triple Zero Custodian, this new, dedicated position within ACMA will improve proactive monitoring, oversight and coordination across the Triple Zero system.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, Anika Wells:

“Australians expect to connect when they need it most which is why the Triple Zero system must be reliable, resilient, and fit for purpose – now and into the future.

Recent outages and devices issues have highlighted gaps in the laws and regulations that underpin the Triple Zero system – and we’re working to address these.

“Beyond that, we’re also looking towards a future model for Triple Zero that better reflects public expectations for the service and the way we communicate and use technologies now.

“About 85 per cent of Triple Zero calls are now made from mobile devices – yet much of the regulatory framework for the service was designed for a fixed-line world. 

“This review will help inform this future model – one that puts people first and delivers for Australians today, and continues to do so into the future.”