TL;DR: Australia's Do Not Call Register is free and run by the ACMA. Register your home, personal mobile or fax number at donotcall.gov.au or on 1300 792 958. Since 2015 registrations are permanent. Telemarketers can only call a number registered for 30 days or more if they have your consent or are exempt. Charities, political parties, researchers and education providers can still call, and scammers ignore the register entirely.
How to register
- Online at donotcall.gov.au. It takes a few minutes.
- By phone on 1300 792 958.
Eligible numbers are Australian landlines and mobiles used for private or domestic purposes, plus fax numbers. The ACMA's register page says business-only numbers can't be added, but a number used for both qualifies if personal use is more than half.
Registrations no longer expire. The register's April 2015 announcement said the more than 10 million numbers then on it “will never need re-registering.”
What the register actually does
It doesn't block calls. It gives telemarketers a list they must check and wash their calling lists against. Once your number has been registered for 30 days, they can only call you if you've given consent or they are exempt. You can withdraw consent from a company at any time.
Who can still call
According to Consumer Protection WA, exempt groups include:
- Charities
- Political parties
- Research companies
- Educational institutions
Why scam calls don't stop
Criminals impersonating banks, telcos, the ATO or Services Australia don't check the register. Many fake the caller ID so the call looks local. Hang up and call back on a number you look up yourself. The ACMA and Scamwatch have also warned about criminals moving your number to a new SIM; our write-up of the mobile number fraud alert explains what to watch for.
If you've lost money or ID documents, follow our steps on reporting identity theft in Australia. For older parents who answer every call, see how to protect elderly parents from phone scams.
Other countries' lists
The US, Canada and UK run similar schemes: see the US Do Not Call Registry, Canada's DNCL and the UK TPS.
Scammers start with your number. A free email exposure check shows whether your email is in known breaches, and the full Scan My Shadow scan adds your phone number.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I join the Do Not Call Register in Australia?
Register free at donotcall.gov.au or call 1300 792 958. You can add home, personal mobile and fax numbers.
Does Do Not Call registration expire in Australia?
No. Since April 2015 registrations are permanent and never need re-registering.
How long before telemarketers stop calling?
Telemarketers can only call a number that has been registered for 30 days if they have your consent or are exempt.
Who can still call me if I’m on the register?
Exempt organisations include charities, political parties, research companies and educational institutions.
Does the register stop scam calls?
No. It only works on telemarketers who follow the law. Scammers ignore it, so hang up and verify on a number you look up yourself.
Sources
- ACMA: Do Not Call Register
- Do Not Call Register: Numbers now permanent (April 2015)
- Consumer Protection WA: Do Not Call Register