How to register an SMS sender ID in SMSFlow

TL;DR: To register an SMS sender ID in SMSFlow, open Account settings, complete the pre-filled Sender ID request form, and let SMSFlow lodge the ACMA application for you. ACMA typically approves or rejects within 24 hours, and messages sent with a sender ID are one-way (recipients cannot reply).

Register a sender ID in 5 steps

1. Sign in and finish account checks
   Use a verified SMSFlow account for an Australian business. You need a valid ABN, email verification, and the usual signup checks (including 2FA) before you can send. New accounts get 50 free credits.

2. Open Account settings
   Go to Maintenance → Account → General. This is where you manage business details, default sender, dedicated numbers, and Request Sender ID.

3. Start the Sender ID request
   Choose the option to request a new sender ID. SMSFlow shows a simple form that is pre-filled with account information so you are not re-entering basics from scratch.

4. Enter a valid sender ID and submit
   Pick the name you want recipients to see (your brand or trading name). Check format before you lodge:

   • Length: 2 to 11 characters
   • Characters: standard ASCII letters, numbers, and supported symbols
   • At least one non-digit (numbers-only IDs are not allowed)
   • No spaces and no underscores
   • Case does not create a different ID (upper and lower are treated the same)
     Submit the form. SMSFlow lodges the application with ACMA on your behalf.

5. Wait for ACMA’s decision, then send
   ACMA usually approves or rejects within 24 hours. Once approved, set the sender ID as your default sender if you want, then send from the platform or API as normal. Billing is credit-based (some messages use more than one credit). See pricing for current credit packs.

More detail below if you need it.

What happens after you submit

SMSFlow does not invent a separate private register. The request is for registration with the ACMA SMS Sender ID Register. You fill one form in the product; SMSFlow lodges it for you.

Approval is not automatic. ACMA can approve or reject. If a request is rejected, review the name against the format rules, check that it clearly matches your business identity, and submit again with a cleaner option if needed.

You still need normal account verification before any send. A registered sender ID does not skip ABN, email, or related checks.

Important limits before you rely on a sender ID

Recipients cannot reply. When you send with a sender ID, the message shows your chosen name, but customers have no path to answer that message. If you need two-way SMS, use a dedicated number instead. Replies to numbers you have messaged appear in Inbox; you still reply via Send SMS, not from Inbox itself.

One-way use cases fit best. Order updates, launch notices, reminders, and branded promos work well when recognition matters more than conversation. Support threads and “text us back” flows do not.

Sending stays Australian-business focused. SMSFlow is built for Australian businesses sending to Australian numbers. Keep consent, clear identification, and opt-out practice in place. Account settings cover unsubscribe keywords and opt-out message text; unsubscribes also show in reporting.

Choosing the name

Use a name customers already know. Prefer the brand they see on your site, invoices, or packaging. Avoid lookalike names, random strings, or anything that could read as another business.

If you are unsure about format, lock the string against the checklist in step 4 before you lodge. That saves a reject-and-retry cycle. For a fuller checklist, see SMS sender ID requirements.

FAQ

How long does it take to register an SMS sender ID?

SMSFlow lodges the application for you after you submit the form. ACMA typically approves or rejects within 24 hours.

Where do I request a sender ID in SMSFlow?

In Maintenance → Account → General, use Request Sender ID. The form is pre-filled with account details where possible.

Can customers reply to messages sent with a sender ID?

No. Recipients cannot reply when you use a sender ID. Choose a dedicated number if you need replies in Inbox and two-way follow-up via Send SMS.

Do I still need ABN and other verification?

Yes. SMSFlow is for Australian businesses. ABN validation, email verification, 2FA at signup, and related checks still apply before you can send.

Does a sender ID change how credits work?

No. Sending still uses the credit model. Some messages cost more than one credit. New signups receive 50 free credits. Check pricing for packs.

What if ACMA rejects my request?

Review length, characters, spacing, and whether the name clearly represents your business. Fix the string and submit a new request through the same Account settings flow.

SMSFlow in brief

SMSFlow is an Australian web platform (and API) for sending SMS to Australian numbers. You can manage contacts and groups, schedule sends, view Inbox for inbound messages to numbers you have used, run sent and unsubscribe reports, and request a sender ID or dedicated number from Account settings. Campaigns are available in beta. There is no desktop or mobile app.

Next step

If your brand needs a recognised name on one-way SMS, request the sender ID from Account settings and wait for ACMA’s response. If you need replies, start with a dedicated number instead.

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