ACMA SMS Sender ID Register: what you need to know
Any business sending SMS under a branded Alpha sender name must now register it. Since 1 July 2026, messages from unregistered Sender IDs are labelled "Unverified" for every recipient in Australia.
touchSMS is ACMA certified. We're on the ACMA's list of approved telcos and message providers under our company name, Edgility, so we can register your Sender IDs for you. Verify on acma.gov.au
What is the ACMA SMS Sender ID Register?
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) introduced a national SMS Sender ID Register as part of Australia's Fighting Scams initiative. It stops scammers impersonating well-known brands, such as banks, government agencies and retailers, by making sure only verified, authorised businesses can send messages under a registered sender name. It covers every message sent with an Alpha Sender ID, whether it is a marketing campaign, an appointment reminder or a one-time code.
A Sender ID is the Alpha label that appears at the top of an SMS in place of a phone number: for example "ATO", "myGov" or your own brand name. The register means that label can be trusted.
Consumer protection
Unregistered Sender IDs are flagged as "Unverified" and grouped into a separate message thread on recipients' phones: a clear signal the message may be a scam.
Brand trust
Registered businesses keep their brand recognition. Your customers see your actual sender name, not a generic warning label.
Mandatory compliance
The register is a legal requirement under the Telecommunications (SMS Sender ID Register) Industry Standard 2025, backed by the Telecommunications Act.
Australia only
The rules apply only to SMS and MMS sent to Australian mobile numbers using Alpha Sender IDs. Long code (numeric) senders are unaffected.
Unregistered Sender IDs now show as "Unverified"
The register took effect on 1 July 2026. Every SMS sent from an unregistered Alpha Sender ID since then reaches your customers as "Unverified". Registration takes minutes, so there is no reason to wait.
Who needs to register?
The register applies to any individual, company, trust, partnership or government entity that uses an Alpha Sender ID to send SMS or MMS to Australian mobile numbers.
Not affected: businesses sending from long code (numeric) phone numbers, or messaging recipients outside Australia, do not need to register.
- Businesses with an ABN can register Sender IDs through a participating telco or message provider, or directly with the ACMA.
- Organisations without an ABN must work through a certified telco or approved provider (such as touchSMS) to register Sender IDs on their behalf.
- Government agencies and non-profits must comply when sending branded SMS to Australian numbers, regardless of structure.
- International businesses without an Australian presence must work through a certified Australian telco or authorised partner.
What happens if you don't register?
Messages sent from an unregistered Sender ID no longer display your brand name. Recipients see the word "Unverified" instead: a built-in warning that the message could be a scam.
All "Unverified" messages are grouped into a separate inbox on the customer's device, apart from your legitimate message history. The impact on customer trust, open rates and conversions can be significant. Without registration, your brand becomes invisible, replaced by a scam warning.
What your customers see instead of your brand name
How to register your Sender ID
Registering through touchSMS is quick and straightforward. Here's how it works.
Review your Sender IDs
Log in to touchSMS and go to Settings > Sender IDs. Review your current Alpha Sender IDs, or add a new one ready for verification.
Business and ID verification
Submit your ABN and personal proof of ID. touchSMS is an ACMA certified telco, so we pass these details to the ACMA on your behalf.
Confirmation
Once the ACMA verifies your Sender ID, you are done. Your messages keep displaying your Alpha Sender ID as usual: nothing changes for your recipients.
touchSMS Sender ID Registry: manage everything in one place
Log in, go to Settings > Sender IDs, and manage your Alpha Sender ID registrations directly. No back-and-forth, no waiting.
Virtual numbers vs Alpha Sender IDs
One of the most common questions we get. The ACMA requirement only applies to Alpha Sender IDs: if you send from a virtual number, you are not affected.
Virtual number
A purchased Australian mobile or long code number. Messages come from a real phone number, recipients can reply, and the number is unique to your account.
No ACMA registration required
Alpha Sender ID
A custom text label, usually your brand name, shown instead of a number. Recipients cannot reply, and the name is not unique by default.
ACMA registration required
Frequently asked questions
Does this affect my long code (numeric) phone number?
No. The ACMA Sender ID Register only covers Alpha Sender IDs, the branded names that appear in place of a phone number. If you send from a standard mobile or virtual number, these rules do not apply to you.
What if I send SMS to countries outside Australia?
The register only covers SMS and MMS sent to Australian mobile numbers. Messages to recipients in other countries are not affected.
Is there a cost to register a Sender ID?
The ACMA has indicated there may be fees in future for using the SMS Sender ID Register. Contact the touchSMS team for the latest on any costs through our provider registration pathway.
Can an international business register?
Yes. International organisations that send SMS to Australian numbers can take part, but must do so through a certified Australian telco or authorised partner. touchSMS can help with this process.
What counts as a valid Sender ID?
Your Sender ID must be clearly associated with your organisation, such as your business name, a registered trademark or your domain name. IDs must use standard ASCII characters and cannot start or end with a space or underscore. IDs that could mislead recipients or impersonate another brand are rejected.
Is touchSMS an approved provider?
Yes. touchSMS is ACMA certified and listed on the ACMA's register of approved telcos and message providers under our company name, Edgility, so we can register Sender IDs on behalf of our customers. You can check the listing on acma.gov.au.
My messages already show as "Unverified". What should I do?
Register your Sender ID now. Log in to touchSMS, go to Settings > Sender IDs and submit your details. Once the ACMA verifies it, your brand name displays again. In the meantime you can send from a virtual number, which needs no registration.
Register today and protect your brand name
Keep your name on every SMS you send. Get in touch with the touchSMS team and we'll guide you through the process.