ACMA has been engaged in consultation on steps necessary for the Do Not Call Register to be fully operational by 31 May 2007.

The latest discussion paper relates to the cost of access to the Register by telemarketers.

It will generally be unlawful to make telemarketing calls to numbers placed on the Register.  However, the Act allows persons (such as telemarketers) to submit their contact lists to the Register Operator for checking against the Register.  Upon submission of the list and payment of the appropriate fee (if any), the Register Operator must inform the access seeker which of the numbers in their list (if any) are, or are not, on the Register. This process of ‘washing’ contact lists will assist telemarketers to comply with the Act when it commences.