So, you’ve decided to get your amateur radio licence.
Brilliant! In Australia, the licensing system is tiered.
This means you can start with a basic level to get on the air quickly, and then upgrade your qualifications as you learn more and want to do more.
Under the ACMA Amateur Class Licence, your operating privileges (which frequency bands you can use, how much power you can transmit, and the type of gear you can operate) are directly tied to your qualification level.
The Foundation Licence: Entry Level
If you are brand new to the hobby, this is where you start. The Foundation syllabus is designed to be completely accessible, teaching you the essential safety, regulations, and basic operating skills you need to get on the air safely.
Power Limit:
10 watts maximum. (Don’t let this fool you—10 watts is more than enough to talk around the world when the conditions are right!).
Frequencies:
Access to the most popular bands, including sections of the 80m, 40m, 15m, and 10m High Frequency (HF) bands for global contacts, plus the 2m and 70cm bands for local VHF/UHF repeater chats.
Equipment:
You are restricted to using commercially manufactured radio equipment. You cannot build your own transmitters from scratch or modify the internal circuitry of commercial transmitting gear (though you can absolutely build your own antennas!).
The Standard Licence: The Next Step
Ready to dive a bit deeper? The Standard syllabus requires a solid understanding of basic electronics, radio theory, and electrical safety. It is perfect for those who want more flexibility and the freedom to start tinkering with hardware.
Power Limit:
Up to 100 watts (on Voice/SSB) or 30 watts on continuous modes like FM or AM.
Frequencies:
All the bands from the Foundation level, plus access to additional bands like 20m (the most popular global DX band), 6m, and several microwave bands.
Equipment:
This is where the true “maker” aspect kicks in. Standard operators are allowed to design, build, and modify their own transmitting equipment from the ground up.
The Advanced Licence: The Top Tier
This is the ultimate qualification. Achieving your Advanced qualification requires a strong grasp of complex electronics, advanced radio theory, mathematics, and regulatory knowledge.
Power Limit:
Up to 400 watts (on Voice/SSB) or 120 watts on continuous modes. This is generally the maximum legal power limit for amateur radio operators in Australia.
Frequencies:
Unrestricted access to every single amateur frequency band allocated in Australia, from the lowest LF frequencies right up to the highest microwave bands.
Equipment:
Full freedom to experiment. You can build, modify, and test any legal transmitting equipment and push the boundaries of amateur radio technology.
WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU CHOOSE
Most newcomers start with the Foundation assessment to get their callsign and get on the air as quickly as possible.
From there, you can take your time learning the ropes on the airwaves while studying to upgrade to Standard or Advanced later.
However, if you already have a background in electronics or communications, there is absolutely nothing stopping you from studying hard and sitting the Advanced exam straight out of the gate!
Wondering which level is right for you?
Australia has a tiered licensing system that includes a licence level that is right for everyone.
