Do Not Call Register Australia: How to Stop Unwanted Calls (2026 Guide)

Tired of dinner-time telemarketing calls interrupting your evening? The Australian Do Not Call Register is a free
government service designed to reduce unwanted sales calls. This comprehensive guide explains how to register,
what calls it blocks (and doesn’t), and how to deal with callers who ignore the register.

For calls that slip through or aren’t covered by the register, our phone number lookup Australia free tool
helps you identify and screen unknown callers.

What Is the Do Not Call Register?

The Do Not Call Register is Australia’s official database of phone numbers that have opted out of receiving
unsolicited telemarketing calls. It’s managed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and is
free to join.

Key facts:

• Established in 2007 under the Do Not Call Register Act 2006
• Over 12 million Australian numbers registered
• Free to register—no charges ever
• Covers landlines, mobile phones, and fax numbers
• Registration lasts indefinitely unless you remove it

How to Register Your Number

Online Registration (Recommended)

1. Visit www.donotcall.gov.au
2. Click “Register a number”
3. Enter your Australian phone number (landline or mobile)
4. Provide your email address for confirmation
5. Complete the verification process

Phone Registration

Call 1300 792 958 from the number you want to register. Follow the automated prompts to complete
registration.

What You’ll Need

• The phone number you want to register
• Email address (for online registration)
• Authority to register the number (if it’s a business line)

How Long Until Registration Takes Effect?

Once registered, telemarketers have 30 days to update their calling lists and stop contacting
you. Don’t expect immediate results—legitimate businesses need time to process the updated register.

What Calls the Register Blocks

The Do Not Call Register specifically targets unsolicited telemarketing calls—calls attempting
to sell goods, services, or solicit donations without your prior consent.

Types of calls that should stop:

• Sales calls for products or services
• Subscription and renewal offers
• Real estate solicitation
• Insurance sales calls
• Telecommunications provider cold calls
• Charity donation requests (unless you’ve donated before)
• Survey calls disguised as market research

What Calls the Register DOESN’T Block

The register has significant exemptions. These calls remain legal even if you’re registered:

Exempt Callers

• Government bodies: ATO, Centrelink, councils (not sales calls)
• Charities: If you’ve previously donated or requested contact
• Educational institutions: Schools, universities you’re affiliated with
• Political parties: Campaign calls and political surveys
• Existing business relationships: Companies you’ve purchased from in the last 3 months
• Market research: Genuine surveys not selling anything

Types of Calls Still Allowed

• Scam calls: Illegal callers ignore all regulations
• Overseas callers: Foreign call centres often operate outside Australian law
• Appointment reminders: From businesses you’ve engaged with
• Delivery notifications: Legitimate business communications
• Emergency services: Critical alerts

For these exempt or illegal calls, use our Australian phone number lookup tool to
identify callers before engaging.

What Happens When Telemarketers Violate the Register?

Businesses that call registered numbers face serious penalties:

• Individuals: Up to $52,200 per breach
• Corporations: Up to $522,000 per breach
• Repeat offenders: Court action and higher penalties

ACMA actively investigates complaints and has issued millions in fines to non-compliant businesses including
major energy retailers, telecommunications companies, and insurance providers.

How to Report Violations

If a telemarketer calls your registered number:

Step 1: Collect Information

• Date and time of the call
• Caller’s phone number (if displayed)
• Name of the company calling
• Product or service being marketed
• Recording if possible (legal in Australia)

Step 2: Verify It’s Not Exempt

Before reporting, ensure the call isn’t from an exempt category. Political calls and existing business
relationships are commonly misreported.

Step 3: Lodge a Complaint

1. Visit donotcall.gov.au/complaints
2. Complete the online complaint form
3. Provide all collected information
4. Submit and note your reference number

Step 4: Follow Up

ACMA may contact you for additional information. Major breaches result in public enforcement action.

Why You Still Get Unwanted Calls

Many Australians are frustrated that registration doesn’t eliminate all unwanted calls. Common reasons include:

1. 30-day processing period: New registrations take time
2. Exempt callers: Charities, surveys, political parties are allowed
3. Existing relationships: Past customers can be called for 3 months
4. Scammers: Criminals ignore all laws
5. Overseas operations: Foreign call centres evade Australian regulation
6. Data sharing: Your number may be on multiple lists from different sources

Additional Strategies to Reduce Unwanted Calls

Use Call Screening Technology

• iPhone: Enable “Silence Unknown Callers” in settings
• Android: Use built-in spam protection
• Telstra: Activate Call Guardian (free)

Register Multiple Numbers

Don’t forget to register all your numbers—home phone, mobile, and business if applicable.

Verify Unknown Callers

Use our phone lookup Australia tool to check
unknown numbers before returning calls or answering.

Be Cautious with Your Number

• Avoid entering phone numbers on unfamiliar websites
• Check privacy policies before providing contact details
• Opt out of marketing when making purchases
• Use a secondary number for online forms

Request Removal from Calling Lists

When answering a telemarketing call, clearly state: “Please remove my number from your calling list and do not
contact me again.” Legitimate companies must comply.

Business Obligations

If you run a business making outbound calls, you must:

• Check the Do Not Call Register before each campaign
• Maintain your own internal do-not-call list
• Remove registered numbers within 30 days of their registration
• Train staff on compliance requirements
• Keep records of your register checks

ACMA offers a subscription service for businesses to download the register and check their calling lists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is registration really free?

Yes, completely free. If anyone asks for payment to register you, it’s a scam. The only legitimate website is
donotcall.gov.au.

Does registration expire?

No, your registration remains active indefinitely unless you request removal or your phone number is disconnected
and reallocated.

Can I register a work number?

You can register business numbers, but designated business/fax numbers have different rules. Consumer numbers on
business lines can be registered.

Will it stop all unwanted calls?

No. Exempt calls (charities, political parties, surveys) continue, and illegal scammers ignore the register
entirely. It reduces but doesn’t eliminate unwanted calls.

What if I’ve been registered but still get marketing calls?

Wait 30 days for processing. After that, collect details and file a complaint. Also check whether the caller
falls into an exempt category.

Take Control of Your Phone

The Do Not Call Register is an effective first step in reducing unwanted calls, but it’s not foolproof. Combine
registration with call screening technology, careful sharing of your number, and caller verification tools for
comprehensive protection.

Getting calls from numbers not covered by the register? Use our free phone number lookup Australia tool to
identify any Australian caller instantly—scammer or legitimate business.