Electromagnetic Energy (EME)
In Australia, electromagnetic energy (EME) from telecommunications is strictly regulated to protect the health and safety of the public while allowing the community to benefit from modern telecommunications.
The Australian Government understands there are people in the community who have concerns about the safety of EME from telecommunications, particularly with the installation of, and upgrades to, telecommunications infrastructure in local areas.
• Electromagnetic energy (EME) from telecommunications in Australia is researched, regulated and safe.
• EME emissions from telecommunications are strictly regulated to protect the health and safety of the public while allowing the community to benefit from modern telecommunications.
• The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) provides advice to the Australian Government on radiation protection.
• A large number of studies have been carried out to investigate whether EME exposure from mobile phone use poses a potential risk to human health.
• It is the assessment of ARPANSA and other national and international health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO), that there is no substantiated scientific evidence to support claims of any adverse health effects from low-level exposure to RF EME associated with wireless technologies operating below the limits set within the ARPANSA RF Standard.
• In 2021, ARPANSA updated the Standard for Limiting Exposure to Radiofrequency Fields – 100 kHz to 300 GHz (the Standard).
• The Standard is based on the most up-to-date Australian and international peerreviewed research into EME, and is informed by guidelines published by the International Commission on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and endorsed by the WHO.
• The Standard considers the safety of all members of the public, including children and vulnerable people against all known adverse health effects from exposure to EME.
• The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) sets rules for the Australian communications industry to follow. These rules require that levels of EME emitted by radio and telecommunications network equipment and facilities are below the maximum limit set out in the ARPANSA Standard to protect the heath and safety of Australians as they use, live and work near these types of facilities.
• Visit eme.gov.au to find out more about the research, safety and regulation of wireless technologies in Australia, including 5G.
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Useful links for more information:
Telecommunications Deployment (infrastructure.gov.au)
How the powers and immunities framework affects you (infrastructure.gov.au)
For more information or additional assets, please get in touch: eme@communications.gov.au
