# SMS Sender ID Register

> Register your business name as an SMS sender ID so your messages aren't labelled "Unverified", and what the change means when you receive SMS.

- URL: https://kb.voipcloud.online/security/sms-sender-id-register/
- Section: Security and compliance
- Type: policy
- Applies to: Australia
- Last reviewed: 2026-11-09

## Summary

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) runs a mandatory SMS Sender ID Register to protect people from SMS scams. Since 1 July 2026, SMS sent with a sender name (alphanumeric sender ID) that isn't on the register are labelled **Unverified**.

| If you... | What it means for you |
| --- | --- |
| Send SMS or MMS with your business or brand name as the sender | Register your sender ID, or your messages show as **Unverified** and may be blocked. |
| Send SMS from a phone number (such as a virtual mobile number) | No change. Numeric sender IDs aren't affected. |
| Receive SMS | Messages from unregistered sender names arrive as **Unverified**. Treat them with extra care. |


## What a sender ID is

A sender ID is the name shown at the top of a text message instead of a phone number, usually a business or service name. It helps people recognise who the message is from. Messages sent with a sender ID are one-way: recipients can't reply.

Scammers often pretend to be trusted brands such as banks, government agencies and retailers. The register means only verified sender names can be used, which helps people trust SMS again.

## Who it applies to

Any business that sends SMS or MMS with an alphanumeric sender name. Once your business is registered with ACMA, your brand or business name keeps appearing as the sender.

If you use an unregistered sender ID:

- your messages show as **Unverified** instead of your brand name
- they're grouped with other unverified senders in a single **Unverified** thread on mobiles
- carriers may block them, so they may never reach your customers.

## How to request

Your provider is working with ACMA to help customers register.

1. In the portal, go to **Services** › **Phone numbers**.
2. In the page description, follow the link to apply for an alphanumeric sender ID ("To send SMS with your company name as the SMS ID (Alphanumeric Sender ID), please apply here").
3. Check the requirements and complete the application form.

There's no charge to register your sender ID through your provider.


Once approved, you can send SMS from your alphanumeric sender ID in the Webphone, and from the [Notification](https://kb.voipcloud.online/pbx/different/notification/) object in the PBX.

## If you receive an "Unverified" message

An **Unverified** message could be:

- a scam, or
- a genuine message from an organisation that hasn't registered its sender name.

Either way, be extra careful. Stop and think before you act. Only trust the message once you've checked it using the organisation's official website, app or contact details. See [Scam guidance](https://kb.voipcloud.online/security/scam-guidance/).

## Regulatory information

This notice is provided under the Telecommunications (SMS Sender ID Register) Industry Standard 2025, as required of participating and originating telecommunications providers under paragraphs 9(1)(a), 9(2)(d) and 9(3)(c), and section 10.

### Schedule 1: Information to be provided to customers

(Paragraph 9(1)(a), paragraph 9(2)(d), paragraph 9(3)(c) and section 10)

A participating telecommunications provider that is an originating telecommunications provider (under paragraphs 9(1)(a), 9(2)(d) and 9(3)(c)), and an originating telecommunications provider (under section 10), must give customers the following information:

(a) Part 24B of the Act provides for the establishment of the SMS Sender ID Register (the Register).

(b) From 1 July 2026, if a sender identification message is sent which includes a sender identification that is not registered in the Register, the sender identification message will be labelled as 'Unverified'.

(c) If an entity wishes to send sender identification messages, it must register its sender identification in the Register and ensure that it uses one or more participating telecommunications providers to send the sender identification messages.

(d) The following types of entities can be approved to make applications to register sender identifications in the Register:

1. an individual
2. a body corporate
3. a corporation sole
4. a body politic
5. a government entity (within the meaning of the A New Tax System (Australian Business Number) Act 1999)
6. a partnership
7. any other unincorporated association or body of persons
8. a trust
9. a superannuation fund (within the meaning of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993).

(e) For an entity to be able to have its sender identification registered in the Register, the entity must demonstrate that it has a valid use case for the sender identification.

(f) An entity can make an application to register its sender identification in the Register through a participating telecommunications provider that is an originating telecommunications provider. A list of all participating telecommunications providers that are originating telecommunications providers will be made available on the ACMA's website.

**Entities with an ABN**

(g) An entity with an ABN can make an application to register its sender identification through any participating telecommunications provider that is an originating telecommunications provider, or a partner of a participating telecommunications provider. In order to obtain approval to make such an application:

1. the person making the request for the entity must be listed as an authorised contact for the entity on the Australian Business Register, or be otherwise authorised by that entity; and
2. the person making the request must pass an identification check; and
3. the person making the request must agree to the Register's terms of use.

Note: These requirements will be included in a determination made under section 484L of the Act.

(h) Once the provider has made the application for registration of the sender identification on behalf of an entity, the person making the request for the entity will receive instructions from the ACMA about how to access the Register.

(i) Once the ACMA approves the entity, the entity will be able to confirm the registration of the sender identification.

Note: The requirements in paragraphs (h) and (i) will be included in a determination made under section 484L of the Act.

(j) Any cost for registering a sender identification, including any ongoing annual charge. Your provider doesn't charge for registering a sender ID.

(k) Once the entity's sender identification is registered, the entity can authorise other participating telecommunications providers to send messages using that sender identification.

(l) An entity with an ABN can also register its sender identification through an originating telecommunications provider that is a certified telecommunications provider.


## Contacts

[Contact the support team](https://kb.voipcloud.online/support/support-tickets/) for help with your sender ID application.

## Related

- [Scam guidance](https://kb.voipcloud.online/security/scam-guidance/)
- [Virtual mobile numbers](https://kb.voipcloud.online/services/phone-numbers/virtual-mobile-numbers/)