The Australian Communications and Media Authority has commenced the development of a national standard for the telemarketing industry with the release of a discussion paper.

The standard will form an important part of the Do
Not Call Register Scheme which will regulate unsolicited telemarketing calls.

This standard is intended to establish minimum standards for all telemarketers, such as the hours in the day when telemarketers are allowed to make calls, as well as the kind of information they are obliged to divulge about themselves and the organisation they represent.

ACMA is inviting comments from consumers and industry about the development of the industry standard by close of business, Friday 8 September 2006.