The Australian Communications & Media Authority (ACMA) will change the Class License which covers the use of UHF CB radio. It is illegal to operate a UHF CB radio on any frequency not allocated under the current 40 channel Class License.
Following is the Official New Channel Allocation list, This is currently for reference use only and will not come into affect until the Class License changes
Licenses for Repeater Channels 44 & 45 will not be licensed for an additional 6 to 12 months to allow extra time for owners of Channel 5 Emergency repeaters to upgrade equipment to meet the new standards
Channels 1 to 8 and 41 to 48 - Repeater Channels Press the DUPLEX button on your radio to used any available repeaters
Channel 5 & 35 - Emergency use only - Monitored by Volunteers, No general conversations are to take place on this channel
Channels 22 & 23 - Data transmissions only (Excluding Packet)
Channels 31 to 38 and 71 to 78 - Repeater inputs - Do not use these channels for simplex transmissions as you will interfere with conversations on channels 1 to 8 and 41 to 48
The Australian Government has legislated that channels 5 & 35 on the UHF CB Band are reserved for emergency use only
As at January 2007 the maximum penalties for the misuse of the legally allocated CB emergency channels are:
•For general misuse - if an individual 2 years imprisonment, otherwise $165,000 (a $220 on-the-spot fine can be issued in minor cases); or
•For interference to an Emergency call - if an individual 5 years imprisonment, otherwise $550,000