Telecommunications (Financial Hardship Industry Standard) Direction 2023 (Cth)

Telecommunications (Financial Hardship Industry Standard) Direction 2023

I, Michelle Rowland, Minister for Communications, make the following direction.

Dated 31 August 2023

Michelle Rowland Minister for Communications

Contents 1 Name 2 Commencement 3 Authority 4 Definitions 5 Direction to the ACMA on financial hardship matters 6 Application of the standard 7 Objectives and content of the standard

1 Name This instrument is the Telecommunications (Financial Hardship Industry Standard) Direction 2023.

2 Commencement This instrument commences the day after this instrument is registered.

3 Authority This instrument is made under subsection 125AA(4) of the Telecommunications Act 1997.

4 Definitions Note: A number of expressions used in this instrument are defined in section 7 of the Act, including the following: (a) ACMA; (b) carriage service; (c) carriage service provider; (d) Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman. In this instrument: Act means the Telecommunications Act 1997.

5 Direction to the ACMA on financial hardship matters (1) I direct the ACMA to determine a standard under subsection 125AA(1) of the Act that deals with: (a) information to be provided by carriage service providers to customers, and made available to customers and potential customers, relating to financial hardship matters; and (b) support to be provided by carriage service providers to customers who are, or may be, experiencing financial hardship. (2) The standard is to be: (a) determined by 15 February 2024; and (b) commence in full at the earliest practical opportunity and no later than 29 March 2024. (3) I direct that the ACMA may vary the standard as it considers necessary from time to time, provided that the standard as varied complies with this instrument.