SMS Sender ID Register


The Federal Government is introducing a new SMS Sender ID Register to help protect Australians from scam text messages.

The Association wants to ensure members are aware of important details that may affect how you communicate with patients, as there is a very short registration period and you may need to contact your telco and or Clinic Management Provider.

If you use SMS with a custom sender name (for example, your clinic name instead of a mobile number) to send appointment reminders, updates, or promotional messages, you will soon be required to register your Sender ID with the Government. From 15 December 2025, any SMS sent using an unregistered Sender ID will be marked as 'Unverified', and may even be flagged as a 'Likely Scam'.

While there is support of the establishment of an SMS Sender ID Register there is concern that the rushed two-week implementation period will leave thousands of small businesses unprepared, causing legitimate communications to be marked as 'Unverified' and creating confusion for consumers. There is hope there will be a six-month education and registration campaign, alongside an extension of the pilot program, to ensure small businesses can comply without disrupting vital communications.

Many small businesses – including GPs, pharmacies, allied health clinics, and massage therapy, remedial massage therapy and myotherapy practices – rely on SMS to send reminders and important client information. If your Sender ID is not registered in time:

  • Your messages could appear untrustworthy to clients.
  • Clients may mistake legitimate reminders for scams.
  • You risk disruptions during one of the busiest times of the year (the rollout begins just before Christmas, when SMS traffic is at its peak).


The current timeline

  • 30 November 2025 – Registration opens.
  • 15 December 2025 – The Register goes live.
  • This leaves only 10 working days for all small businesses across Australia to register their IDs.


What you should do now

  • Check if your clinic uses an SMS Sender ID (e.g., ‘MyClinic’ instead of a phone number).
  • Speak with your SMS service provider to confirm whether registration will be handled automatically or if you need to act.
  • Stay alert for further updates – we will continue to share information as the register develops.


For more information, including FAQ please visit the Australian Communications and Media Authority: https://www.acma.gov.au/sms-sender-id-register

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