About the Consultation 

ACMA initiated this consultation to review and remake the Low Interference Potential Devices (LIPD) Class Licence, which authorises the use of devices such as RFID readers, Bluetooth systems, and other low-interference radiocommunications equipment without an individual licence. The LIPD Class Licence is due to sunset in October 2025, prompting a review of technical settings and spectrum arrangements. 

Proposed changes included expanding frequency allocations, introducing new device classes (e.g. Wireless Multi-Channel Audio Systems), and removing legacy standards references. For technologies like UHF RFID, the review provides a timely opportunity to ensure spectrum policy supports innovation, system performance, and global alignment. 

Why is this important for GS1 members and Australian industry? 
UHF RFID technology is foundational to efficient, real-time visibility in supply chains across retail, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics and more. Continued access to suitable spectrum - at power levels and configurations optimised for real-world applications - is critical to enabling inventory accuracy, product traceability, and adoption of advanced use cases such as sensor tags and real-time location systems (RTLS). This review directly affects GS1 members who rely on global standards to deploy RFID systems at scale. 

Key Documents & Links 

•ACMA Consultation Page- LIPD Class Licence Review

• Consultation Paper – Remaking the LIPD Class Licence (PDF)

GS1 Australia Submission 

GS1 Australia welcomed the review and broadly supported ACMA’s proposed changes, while calling for additional measures to ensure UHF RFID systems remain high-performing, scalable and future-ready. 

✅ Protect and expand access to UHF RFID – GS1 supported maintaining the 4 W EIRP limit in the 920–926 MHz band and recommended exploring broader bandwidth to enable denser reader deployments and improve performance in urban environments. 

✅ Enable advanced RFID applications – New use cases such as sensor-integrated tags and RTLS require stable spectrum, appropriate power levels and reduced interference. GS1 urged ACMA to consider international alignment, referencing the ETSI EN 302 208 standard in Europe that supports higher ERP. 

✅ Collaborate on future technical frameworks – GS1 proposed the formation of a stakeholder working group or technical committee, with broad industry and standards representation, to guide future technical settings and identify opportunities for harmonisation. 

✅ Maintain alignment with open global standards – GS1 emphasised the importance of ISO/IEC 18000-63 (Gen2 protocol) and its role in RFID interoperability across sectors. Removing outdated references is appropriate, but future frameworks should continue supporting open standards critical to global commerce. 

GS1 also noted strong support from Standards Australia IT-034 and confirmed its willingness to coordinate neutral forums for continued industry input. 

📄 Download GS1 Australia’s full submission (PDF)