Australia Do Not Call Register: How It Works
The register is a free list that telemarketers must check before calling. It cuts unwanted sales calls, but it does not cover every caller.
By Siddharth ShankarUpdated October 20, 2026Australia’s Do Not Call Register lets you list home and personal mobile numbers so telemarketers cannot call without consent or an exemption. The ACMA says that once a number has been on the register for 30 days, telemarketers can only call if you have consented or they are exempt. A reduction in calls should be noticeable after about 30 days. The register does not block calls, and scammers ignore it.
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If you live in Australia and are tired of sales calls at dinner time, the Do Not Call Register is the first free step. It helps, but it works best if you understand what it covers.
Which numbers can you register?
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) says you can register home phone numbers, personal mobile numbers and fax numbers. Business-only numbers cannot be added. A phone used for both business and personal purposes qualifies only if personal use is more than 50 percent of its total use.
How the register works
The register does not block calls. Businesses are expected to check their calling lists against it before calling. After your number has been on the register for 30 days, telemarketers can call only if you have given consent or they are exempt. The register’s own consumer page says a reduction in calls should be noticeable after 30 days.
How to register
1Go to the official site
Use the Do Not Call Register website at donotcall.gov.au, not a third-party site that offers to register you.
2Add each number
Register every personal number you want covered, including mobiles and home lines.
3Wait about 30 days
Calls should drop over this period, not instantly.
4Note the date
Write down when you registered, in case you need to complain.
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What the register does not stop
- Exempt callers. The ACMA says some calls are still allowed, and its site lists the types of calls that remain. Check the list for what applies to you.
- Calls you consented to. If you agreed to calls from a company, it can keep calling until you withdraw consent. The ACMA says you can withdraw consent at any time.
- Scams. Criminals do not check the register. A call from an unknown number asking for money or codes should be treated as a scam whether or not you are listed.
If you still get calls
The Do Not Call Register has a page for lodging a complaint, with advice on how to make an effective one. Keep a short record: date, time, number, caller name and what they said. Its contact centre number is 1300 792 958, open Monday to Friday during business hours.
Handling scam calls
Registered or not, never share passwords, one-time codes or bank details on an incoming call. If someone claims to be from your bank, a government agency or a telco, hang up and call the number you already have. See why scam calls can show real numbers and scam loss statistics for the US, UK, Canada and Australia.
Tips for keeping calls down after you register
- Be careful about ticking boxes on forms and competition entries that give consent to marketing calls.
- Ask callers which company they represent and how they got your number, then end the call.
- Withdraw consent in writing from companies you no longer want to hear from.
- Keep a note of the date you registered so you can check the 30-day period.
Tell the household
If several people use the same phone line, make sure they all know the number is registered. A family member who consents to a call, for instance on a competition entry form, may give the caller the permission it needs.
Other countries
Similar registers exist elsewhere. See the US National Do Not Call Registry, Canada’s list and the UK Telephone Preference Service.
Sources
- ACMA: Do Not Call Register (eligible numbers, 50 percent rule, 30 days, register does not block calls, consent can be withdrawn)
- Do Not Call Register: Consumer overview (reduction in calls after 30 days, contact centre number, complaints page)
Frequently asked questions
Who can register on the Australian Do Not Call Register?
Anyone with a home number, personal mobile or fax number. Business-only numbers cannot be added.
How long does it take for calls to stop?
The register says a reduction in calls should be noticeable after 30 days.
Does the register block all telemarketing?
No. It does not block calls. Telemarketers must check it, but exempt callers and companies you consented to can still call.
Does it stop scam calls?
No. Scammers ignore the register. Treat any unexpected request for money or codes as a scam.
Where do I complain about a call?
Use the complaints page on the Do Not Call Register website, and keep a record of the call details.
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- We do not store the email you check
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