Scammers have long pretended to be banks, toll roads and delivery companies by putting a trusted name at the top of a text message. The SMS Sender ID Register, run by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), closes that gap by checking business names against a list of verified owners.
What changed on 1 July 2026
Every alphanumeric sender ID used to message Australian mobiles now needs to be registered to the organisation that owns it. When a message arrives from a name that is not on the register, carriers can label it Unverified or block it.
Who it affects
- Any business that sends SMS with a name instead of a number, such as SMILEDENTAL or ACMEBANK.
- Businesses sending from mobile or virtual numbers are not affected.
- Organisations with an ABN can apply directly through the ACMA. Others need to register through a participating provider.
How to register in three steps
- List every sender name you use. Check your messaging portal, booking system and any agency that sends on your behalf.
- Apply for each name. Apply with the ACMA using your ABN, or ask Chatti to lodge the registration for you. Allow up to seven days.
- Confirm your messages arrive as expected. Send a test to a few different networks and check the sender name displays correctly.
How Chatti helps
Our Australian team checks the sender IDs on your account, tells you which ones need registering and helps lodge them. If a name is at risk, we can switch those messages to a dedicated number so nothing goes undelivered while you wait.
Frequently asked questions
When did the SMS Sender ID Register start?
The register took effect on 1 July 2026. From that date, messages sent from alphanumeric sender IDs that are not registered can be labelled Unverified or blocked.
Does the register apply to phone numbers?
No. It applies to alphanumeric sender IDs, the business name shown at the top of a message. Messages sent from mobile or virtual numbers are not affected.
Who can register a sender ID?
Organisations with an Australian Business Number can apply directly with the ACMA. Businesses without an ABN need to register through a participating telco or messaging provider.
How long does registration take?
Allow up to seven days for processing, so apply before you need to send.
Sources: the ACMA SMS Sender ID Register and Australian provider guidance published ahead of 1 July 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice.