Bay FM Community Radio broadcasts under licence from the Australian Communications and Media Association (ACMA) which is the sole government body responsible for licensing community radio stations in Australia. Under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, ACMA regulates the sector, plans licence areas, and allocates both permanent and temporary community broadcasting licences.
Bay FM is a member of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA).
The CBAA is the peak body and not-for-profit national representative organization for over 450 community radio stations in Australia. It champions independent media by building station capacity, providing services like legal, technical, and training support, and promoting the social, cultural, and democratic value of community broadcasting.
Bay FM is an incorporated association which is administered by the Department of Fair Trading NSW. NSW Fair Trading acts as the primary regulator for incorporated associations in NSW, administering the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 and the Associations Incorporation Regulation 2022. Its role includes registering associations, ensuring compliance with legal obligations, managing financial reporting, and handling complaints regarding breaches of the Act.
Bay FM’s Rules of the Association can be viewed HERE.
Bay FM’s Diversity and Inclusion Policy can be viewed HERE.
Bay FM is designated as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation overseen by The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) which is the national regulator of charities. The Bay FM Public Fund is a tax deductible fund listed on the Australian Government’s Register of Cultural Organisations maintained under Subdivision 30-B of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible. You can confirm our status on the ACNC website HERE.
To make a donation, click HERE.
Bay FM also interacts with Community Radio Network (CRN) which broadcasts programs throughout Australia. At times Bay FM draws from CRN (eg overnight programming) and also to Bay FM’s credit some of our programs are further broadcast on CRN to other community radio station audiences. The CRN website, managed by the CBAA, offers a 24/7, high-quality content stream, connecting over 100 stations with shows ranging from news and talk to music and entertainment. It allows stations to supplement local programming, fill schedules, and access niche content.
Bay FM has successfully applied for and received several grants from the Community Broadcasting Foundation (CBF). Like all grant bodies, there is a stringent application process and strict terms of acquittal. Many, many hours go into compiling an application and even more hours go into delivering to the terms of the grant and more hours again spent acquitting for all funds received. Bay FM has worked hard for its grants through the CBF and grateful for the on-going support.