1.3 ACMA Regulatory Role, Accredited Assessors & Recognition Certificates
Key Takeaways
An ACMA-accredited assessor conducts and marks amateur radio examinations and lodges the results with the ACMA.
Both Standard and Advanced Regulations papers have 30 multiple-choice questions, 30 minutes when taken in one session and a 70% pass mark (21 correct).
Accredited-assessor examinations are free. Applying to the ACMA for a recognition certificate is a separate paid step.
A theory or Regulations resit at the same level must be at least three months after the initial exam and use a paper different from any previous attempt.
An ACMA recognition certificate is evidence of qualification. The Amateur Class Licence provides the operating authority, subject to its conditions.
The regulator, the assessor and the operator
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) administers amateur examinations, recognises qualifications, assigns call signs and regulates the use of radiofrequency spectrum. The assessor is the person a candidate deals with to arrange and sit an exam. The ACMA accredits assessors under the Radiocommunications Accreditation (Amateur Radio Examinations) Rules 2023. A general assessor may conduct in-person and remote exams. A specialist assessor can also conduct a special assessment, subject to ACMA approval, for candidates who need reasonable adjustments.
An accredited assessor checks candidate details, uses ACMA examination materials, assesses the candidate and lodges the results and required records with the ACMA. Practical assessment involves judging the candidate's competence under the assessment guidelines. The assessor can consider recognised domestic qualifications and suitable practical experience under those guidelines. The ACMA decides whether to issue a recognition certificate and whether to recognise overseas or other prior learning through its formal process.
Where the Regulations paper fits
Australia has three levels of amateur qualification: Foundation, Standard and Advanced. They correspond to different operating privileges under the Amateur Class Licence. The paper covered by this guide is the Standard/Advanced regulatory component. Check the ACMA syllabus for the qualification you are seeking.
| Component | What it assesses | Pass requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Regulations | The rules governing amateur stations and how to apply them | At least 21 correct out of 30 (70%) |
| Theory | Radio theory at the qualification level | At least 70% |
| Practical | Operating knowledge and skills | Demonstrate the required competence to the assessor |
Each syllabus allows 30 minutes for the Regulations paper when it is taken in one session. For Standard candidates, ACMA specifies Parts 1 and 2 of the syllabus. The Advanced syllabus also lists national and international operating rules, procedures and regulations. Neither syllabus assigns percentage weights to the regulatory topics. The examination information describes materials that candidates may be supplied with. Practise finding the relevant rule in a supplied instrument and use the materials provided by the assessor.
Fees, applications and exemptions
| Step | Who handles it | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Sit the examination | ACMA-accredited assessor | Free, including examination services for a resit |
| Receive the result | Assessor and ACMA | The assessor marks the work and lodges the result with the ACMA |
| Apply for an ACMA recognition certificate | ACMA | The ACMA invites successful candidates to apply. The application carries a separate fee |
| Obtain a call sign for independent operation | ACMA | A separate assignment process, with fees for many types of application |
| Operate a personal station under the class licence | Operator | Comply with the standing class licence, including qualification, identification and technical conditions |
The ACMA Assist portal can be used to apply for a certificate and manage qualifications and call signs. The class licence itself has no individual application or annual renewal fee. Existing operators with a recognised domestic qualification may already satisfy the qualification condition. A person seeking recognition of prior learning can apply to the ACMA through a separate paid process. The outcome can affect which components they need to sit.
Schedule 5 of the class licence governs ACMA recognition certificates. A passed component remains valid while the candidate completes the rest of the examination. Schedule 5 also provides that a passed Standard or Advanced regulatory component, or a successfully completed practical component, need not be repeated in a future examination. In an upgrade scenario, verify the candidate's actual qualification or previous component result before deciding which exemptions apply.
Worked example: a failed theory component
Maya sits the Standard exams for the first time on 10 March. She answers 24 of the 30 Regulations questions correctly, or 80%, and demonstrates practical competence. Her Theory result is 29 out of 50, or 58%. She has passed Regulations and Practical, and she needs to resit Theory.
Under ACMA's resit guidance, 10 June is three calendar months after 10 March. Maya can arrange a theory resit on or after that date. Her assessor must use a paper different from any previous attempt. She may book with a different accredited assessor and tell them when she last sat the exam. Her Regulations and Practical results remain valid while she completes the missing component.
If Maya answers 41 of 50 questions correctly at her resit, her Theory result is 82%. The assessor lodges the result. Maya can then apply to the ACMA for her recognition certificate when invited. For independent on-air operation as a new operator, she needs a qualifying credential and a call sign and must operate within the class licence. Before that, section 11 allows operation under a qualified person's supervision, subject to the applicable conditions.
Official references
What does an ACMA recognition certificate establish for a new Standard operator?
The operator has obtained an apparatus licence for an amateur repeater.
The operator has been assigned a call sign and can use all Advanced bands.
The operator holds a qualification recognised for the purposes of the class licence.
The operator has paid the annual fee to renew a personal class licence.
What fees apply to a candidate sitting the examination with an accredited assessor and then applying to the ACMA for a recognition certificate?
The assessor charges an examination fee and the ACMA application is free.
The assessor examination is free and the ACMA certificate application carries a separate fee.
Both steps are included in an annual class licence renewal fee.
The assessor collects a single fee that covers both steps.
A candidate first sits the Standard exams on 10 March, passes Regulations and Practical and fails Theory. Which theory resit arrangement follows ACMA guidance?
10 April, using a different theory paper and retaining both passes.
10 June, repeating the initial theory paper and retaining both passes.
10 June, using a different theory paper and retaking both passed components.
10 June, using a different theory paper and retaining both passed components.
Which action belongs to an ACMA-accredited assessor?
Marking the examination and lodging the results with the ACMA.
Issuing the recognition certificate to a successful candidate.
Assigning the applicant an available call sign.
Making the ACMA decision on a paid recognition of prior learning application.
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.