Is two-way SMS supported in Australia?

Yes, two-way SMS is supported in Australia.

What is the message length limit for SMS in Australia?

For inbound and outbound messages, the limit is 160 characters for GSM 3.38 encoding and 70 characters for Unicode encoding.

Are there any restrictions on sender IDs in Australia?

Yes, as of April 25, 2023, all Alphanumeric Sender IDs must be pre-registered. Dynamic Alphanumeric Sender IDs are no longer allowed.

What is two-way SMS messaging in Australia?

Two-way SMS messaging in Australia allows recipients to reply to SMS messages, enhancing user engagement and interaction, especially useful for customer service and appointment confirmations.

What are the character limits for SMS messages in Australia?

SMS messages in Australia have a character limit of 160 characters for GSM 3.38 encoding and 70 characters for Unicode encoding. Exceeding these limits will split the message into segments.

Can I send SMS messages to landline numbers in Australia?

No, SMS messages cannot be sent to landline numbers in Australia. Attempts to do so will result in a 400 error response from the Sent REST API, with no logging or charges applied.

What is the SPAM Act (2003) in Australia?

The SPAM Act (2003) in Australia regulates commercial electronic messages, requiring consent, sender identification, and an unsubscribe option for recipients.

What are some prohibited content types for SMS messages in Australia?

Prohibited content types for SMS messages in Australia include gambling, firearms, and cannabis-related content.

How can I ensure compliance with the SPAM Act when sending SMS in Australia?

Ensure compliance with the SPAM Act by obtaining recipient consent, clearly identifying the sender, and providing a cost-free unsubscribe option in all messages.

What is MMS and is it supported in Australia?

Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) allows the sending of pictures and videos and is supported in Australia, enhancing communication with rich media content.

Why is it important to pre-register Alphanumeric Sender IDs in Australia?

Pre-registering Alphanumeric Sender IDs is important because unregistered IDs may be blocked as of April 25, 2023. Pre-registration is necessary to ensure message delivery.

What are best practices for sending SMS campaigns in Australia?

Best practices include obtaining opt-in consent, respecting time zones, supporting HELP/STOP messages, and checking do-not-call registries.

How does message concatenation work in Australia?

Message concatenation in Australia reassembles split message segments on the recipient's device, allowing longer messages to be read as a single message.

What should I do if my SMS message gets blocked in Australia?

If your SMS message is blocked, check for compliance with local laws, ensure your content is not prohibited, and verify that your Sender ID is pre-registered.

How can I provide a cost-free unsubscribe option in SMS messages?

You can provide a cost-free unsubscribe option by including a simple reply option like "Reply STOP to unsubscribe" in your messages.

What does it mean to obtain recipient consent for SMS messages?

Obtaining recipient consent means securing explicit permission from the recipient before sending them marketing or non-essential SMS messages.

When is the best time to send SMS messages in Australia?

The best time to send SMS messages is during the recipient's daytime hours, unless the message is urgent, to ensure it is received and read promptly.

What should I do if a recipient texts "HELP" or "STOP" in response to my SMS?

If a recipient texts "HELP," provide assistance or information. If they text "STOP," remove them from your messaging list to respect their preferences.

What are the technical limitations of SMS messaging in Australia?

Technical limitations include character limits based on encoding and the inability to send SMS to landline numbers.

Why is it important to check do-not-call registries before sending SMS?

Checking do-not-call registries is important to ensure compliance with privacy laws and to avoid contacting users who have opted out of receiving messages.

What should be included in the sender identification of an SMS message?

Sender identification should include the sender's name and contact details to ensure recipients know who the message is from.

How can I enhance my SMS campaigns with two-way messaging?

Enhance SMS campaigns by using two-way messaging to allow recipients to reply, increasing engagement and interaction for customer service and confirmations.

What happens if I exceed the character limit in an SMS message?

If you exceed the character limit, the message will be split into segments, which are then reassembled on the recipient's device through message concatenation.

Australia SMS Guidelines: Two-Way Messaging, Compliance, and Best Practices

Planning to send SMS messages in Australia? It's crucial to understand local regulations, technical limitations, and best practices to ensure compliance and effective message delivery. This guide covers essential aspects of SMS messaging in Australia, including two-way SMS support, message length restrictions, and compliance with the SPAM Act (2003).

Two-Way SMS Support in Australia

Australia supports two-way SMS messaging, allowing recipients to reply to your messages. This feature enhances user engagement, especially for customer service and appointment confirmations. Leverage two-way messaging in your SMS campaigns to boost interaction.

Message Length and Concatenation

SMS messages in Australia adhere to standard character limits based on encoding:

GSM 3.38 encoding: 160 characters per message.
Unicode encoding: 70 characters per message.

Exceeding these limits splits the message into segments. Sent supports message concatenation, reassembling segments on the recipient's device. Note that message splitting and rejoining can vary by sender ID type and character encoding.

MMS Support

Australia also supports Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), enabling the sending of pictures and videos, thus enhancing communication with rich media content.

Sending SMS to Landline Numbers

SMS messages cannot be sent to landline numbers in Australia. Attempting this results in a 400 error response from the Sent REST API, with no logging or charges applied.

Compliance Considerations

Compliance with local laws is crucial when sending SMS messages in Australia. The SPAM Act (2003) regulates commercial electronic messages, requiring:

Consent: Obtain recipient permission before sending messages.
Identification: Clearly identify the sender in all messages, including contact details.
Unsubscribe Option: Provide a cost-free way for recipients to opt out.

As of April 25, 2023, all Alphanumeric Sender IDs must be pre-registered. Unregistered IDs may be blocked. Pre-register your sender ID through Sent's portal.

Prohibited Content

Australia enforces strict content regulations for SMS messages. Prohibited content includes:

Gambling
Firearms
Cannabis-related content

Ensure compliance with these restrictions to avoid penalties or message blocking.

Best Practices for SMS Campaigns in Australia

To optimize your SMS campaigns in Australia, follow these best practices:

Get Opt-In Consent: Secure explicit consent from recipients before sending marketing or non-essential messages.
Respect Time Zones: Send messages during the recipient's daytime hours, unless urgent.
Support HELP/STOP Messages: Allow recipients to text "HELP" or "STOP" to manage preferences, supporting local languages.
Check Do-Not-Call Registries: Avoid contacting users listed on do-not-call or do-not-disturb registries.

By adhering to these guidelines, your SMS campaigns in Australia will be compliant, effective, and well-received.

Conclusion

Sending SMS messages in Australia demands attention to local regulations, technical limitations, and best practices. Understanding two-way SMS support, message length restrictions, and compliance with the SPAM Act enables successful and compliant SMS campaigns. Always consult legal counsel to ensure full compliance with Australian laws.