Electrical Equipment

Electrical items sold within or to Australia are subject to safety standards and any electrical item listed on eBay Australia (or made available to Australia) must meet applicable regulatory requirements.  To learn  more about Electrical Safety in Australia please visit Standards Australia  or select one of the downloadable guides here in following languages: English | Chinese | Korean | Hindi | Khmer | Indonesian | Vietnamese

Radiocommunications Products

Most communications related equipment will use the electromagnetic spectrum, which is, the total span of radiofrequencies and corresponding wavelengths. Spectrum users range from amateur radio enthusiasts, marine, citizen band and two-way radio users, broadcasters, providers of space communications between satellites and ground stations, as well as mobile and cordless phone users.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) regulates this spectrum through planning and licensing. Users must ensure that their listed items/devices comply with the standards specified by the ACMA. eBay has provided the following information as a guide, however if you would like to learn more about this subject we encourage you to visit the Australian Communications Authority website: www.aca.gov.au

Receivers and Electrical or Electronic devices

Suppliers of electrical and electronic equipment to the Australian market are subject to the ACA's standards arrangements. Devices that are not deliberate transmitters are subject to the Electromagnetic Compatability (EMC) arrangements. eBay strongly recommends that sellers refer to the ACMA's standards information prior to listing.

Scanners: In Australia the sale of scanners is not restricted, however the use of these items may be subject to the Telecommunications Interception Act. Buyers may consider contacting their local Authorities for more information regarding the permissible use of scanners.

Radar Detectors: The Road Transport (Safety & Traffic Management) Act of 1999 (NSW) outlaws the possession or sale of items that assist in the avoidance of approved speeding detection devices. Accordingly radar detectors and items (by way of application or by attachment to a motor vehicle) that will obstruct the recording of a registration plate from camera dependant detection device are not permitted to be listed on eBay.

Transmitters

Suppliers of radiocommunications transmitters to the Australian market are subject to the ACMA's radiocommunications standards arrangements, and many transmitters are also subject to the ACMA's Electromagnetic Radiation arrangements. Users of Radiocommunications devices in Australia must be covered by a licence to operate equipment in Australia.

Citizens Band (CB) Radios: Citizens Band radios are regulated by the Citizen Band Radio Stations Class Licence system and are defined as a two-way, short distance, voice communications service.

The Citizens Band radios must only be operated on designated channels in two distinct frequency bands:

HF - 26.965 MHz to 27.405 MHz (inclusive); and
UHF - 476.425 MHz to 477.400 MHz (inclusive).

Sellers can determine if their equipment complies with the relevant standard by referring to a label that is attached to the back of the radio. If there is no label on the radio, there may be doubt about whether the device complies with the required operating standard, in this situation we encourage you to contact the ACMA for more information and review the Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio Stations) Class Licence.

American FRS / GMRS Radio - The American Family Radio and General Mobile Radio Service equipment operates within a band of frequencies that are licensed for commercial use in Australia. Usage of equipment that falls within the American FRS, GMRS or FRS/GMRS Duel Service Radio operating spectrum is not permitted to be used in Australia without licence and will not be permitted to be listed for viewing on eBay.com.au.

CB Amplifiers: The ACMA does not permit the use of power amplifiers with Citizens Band radios. Therefore eBay Australia will not allow CB Amplifiers or Amplifiers posted within the CB category.

Amateur Radio Equipment: Equipment designed or primarily considered for use in the 10 metre Amateur Radio band will not be allowed on eBay if it is considered at eBay's discretion, that the listing is targeting the 11 metre or CB radio band. Federal legislation provides that the usage of or possession of equipment capable of transmitting on the Amateur Radio band is limited to licenced operators only and sellers should take all care to provide this information in their listings.

Low Interferance Potential Devices: including but not limited to short range walkie-talkies, Audio/Video (AV) Senders, remote controlled toys and wireless cameras.

Such devices are typically used for communications over short distances and can be expected to operate in a radio frequency spectrum also used by other radiocommunication devices including bands designated for industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) applications. For this reason the ACA has placed limits on the permitted bands of operation, please refer to the Low Interference Potential Devices Class Licence.

Please note that the operation of some devices like cordless phones, remote controlled models and wireless computing equipment may be covered by other class licences.

Mobile Telephone Jammers: Under the Radiocommunications Act 1992 the ACA has declared that mobile telephone jammers are prohibited devices, as such it is an offence to operate or supply, or possess for the purpose of supply, such a device. Therefore mobile telephone jammers may not be listed on eBay.

Telecommunications Products

Telecommunications products including fixed and mobile telephones, answering machines, facsimile machines and modems are lawful and may be sold on eBay. However these telecommunication products must comply with the safety and technical standards set by the ACMA, indicated by an "A-Tick" label. To supply to the Australian market, suppliers must be registered with the ACMA. eBay invites sellers to learn more about the ACMA's telecommunications compliance arrangements.

eBay recommends that sellers include their supplier code information in their listing to avoid the disappointment of having their listing ended as a result of enquireis from either buyers or regulators.

Mobile Phone Booster Amplifiers: There are some products that claim to maximise the performance and coverage of mobile telephones. However using non-compliant boosters disrupts network operation and these devices have been banned by the ACMA and may not be listed on eBay. As a general rule any mobile phone booster that derives amplification through the use of an external power source will not be permitted on eBay. Boosters that merely attach to a handset and are not reliant on an external power source will be allowed.

Voice over IP (VoIP) devices: VoIP products are subject to the ACMA's Telecommunications Regulatory arrangements. Listings that do not comply will be ended by eBay.

High Powered Cordless Phones: Some devices are available that do not comply with the Australian regulatory arrangements and operate on frequencies that cannot be used in Australia. eBay recommends that sellers confirm that their device complies with the ACA's standards and compliance arrangements. Non compliant devices will be ended by eBay.

Telecommunications Numbers

Telecommunication numbers in Australia are regarded as a national resource, that means that ownership of these numbers remain with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). As such ‘ownership’ of these numbers is never passed to a carriage service provider, upon allocation, or to a customer upon issue.

While we appreciate the fact that some numbers in the freephone and local rate categories are allocated through an auction system (smartnumbers) and that ‘ownership’ may exist, the sale of telecommunications numbers is not allowed on eBay. This includes any of the following, regardless of what medium the number is being offered in, that is pre-paid, starter packs, contract transference or portability:

• Mobile phone numbers

• Geographic or landline numbers

• Premium numbers

• Freephone numbers

• Local rate numbers

• Smartnumbers

Miscellaneous

Mobile Phone Unlocking Codes: Codes utilised for the unlocking of handsets are not allowed to be listed on eBay.com.au

Members may visit the ACMA’s Web site to review relevant legislation.

eBay urges its sellers and buyers to comply with all governmental laws and regulations. Since the sale of electronic equipment mentioned above has been deemed unlawful by the Australian Communications Authority, sellers may not list them on eBay.