The Albanese Government is taking the next important steps to protect Australians from scams.
Today, we are opening public consultation on a draft designation for banks, telecommunications providers, and some digital platforms (social media, search engine and instant messaging services) as the first sectors to be regulated by mid‑2026 under the Scams Prevention Framework.
This consultation will confirm the draft designations cover the right services those businesses provide.
We are also asking for feedback on how the proposed external dispute resolution arrangements will work with consultation open on a draft authorisation of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority as the single external body to deal with complaints not resolved at the industry level.
People and business can also help shape policy ideas for sector codes and rules before formal consultation in 2026 with the release of a position paper. We want to ensure the framework is effective, responsive and robust.
Mandatory industry codes of conduct will be introduced that set out specific obligations that lift the bar for each sector. Each sector will have its own code because each has unique vulnerabilities that scammers seek to exploit.
Scams are a threat to individuals, a drain on our economy, a barrier to innovation, and a test of our national resilience. They evolve quickly and are an increasingly sophisticated threat, and protections need to keep pace.
We legislated the Scams Prevention Framework Act in February this year to establish strong penalties and a coordinated, whole‑of‑economy defence against scam activity.
It is important that we get the scope of the designation instrument, authorisation, sector codes and rules right.
The SPF is just part of our national anti‑scam agenda. The Albanese Government is committed to building a trusted digital economy that protects consumers, empowers businesses, and drives productivity and growth.
So far, we have established the National Anti‑Scam Centre, taken down thousands of websites with scam content, and taken steps to stop brand impersonation in text messages and invoices.
These measures and private sector efforts have resulted in a decrease in annual scams losses in recent years, but more needs to be done.
Once operational, the Scams Prevention Framework will strengthen consumer protections while encouraging fairness and clarity for business sectors.
Future opportunities to comment on the sector codes and rules will occur throughout 2026.
The current consultation is available on the Treasury website. Submissions will remain open until 5 January 2026.
