On 4 March 2026, Australia’s Cyber Security (Smart Device Security Standards) Rules 2025 will come into mandatory effect. Enacted under the Cyber Security Act 2024, this new regulation clearly defines security standards, liable entities and penalty mechanisms for all connected smart devices, becoming the core market access threshold for enterprises entering Australia. As a representative of voice-interactive smart devices, smart speakers face inherent privacy leakage risks and their high-frequency connectivity makes them a key regulated category under the new rules. This guide details the core compliance points, regulatory requirements and testing directions for smart speakers to adapt to Australia’s cybersecurity mandate, helping manufacturers align with the rules accurately, pass compliance testing smoothly and seize first-mover advantages in the Australian market.

I. Smart Speakers: A Key Regulated Category Under Australia’s New Cybersecurity Rules

As the flagship of voice-interactive smart devices, smart speakers enable multiple functions such as music playback, smart home control, information query and alarm setting via voice commands. Their convenience has made them a common household device in Australia. However, their microphones remain in a standby state to receive voice commands at any time—a feature that creates potential risks of privacy leakage (unlawful collection and theft of voice data). For this reason, smart speakers are included in the regulatory scope of Australia’s 2026 cybersecurity mandate and designated as a key regulated category. For smart speaker manufacturers planning to enter the Australian market, accurately meeting the new rules and completing compliance testing is a prerequisite for smooth market entry.

II. Core Compliance Requirements for Smart Speakers Under Australia’s Cybersecurity Mandate

Aligned with Australia’s 2026 cybersecurity rules, the core compliance requirements for smart speakers focus on four key areas, each with clear statutory basis and no fabricated content, as detailed below:

(1) Password Security Compliance: Prevent Unauthorized Access

User accounts for smart speakers (used for mobile APP login, smart home device binding, etc.) must meet the new rules’ password security requirements:

• No universal default passwords are allowed; users must set custom high-strength passwords during registration, with a minimum length of 10 characters including uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special symbols.
• Devices must have a built-in password strength check function to reject weak password settings.
• Additionally, multi-factor authentication (MFA) must be mandatory for remote control and account login functions to reduce the risk of account theft, preventing hackers from unauthorized device access and user information theft.

(2) Voice Data Collection Compliance: Protect User Privacy

The new rules mandate that explicit user authorization is required for smart speaker voice data collection. Manufacturers must, upon the first device activation, clearly inform users of:

• The scope of voice data collection (e.g., wake words, voice commands, background sounds);
• Purposes (e.g., speech recognition, function implementation);
• Storage period and deletion methods.

Users must be able to turn off voice collection functions or delete collected voice data at any time. Meanwhile, voice data must be encrypted throughout transmission and storage (e.g., AES-256) to prevent theft and tampering. Expired voice data must be automatically deleted and shall not be retained without permission.

(3) Accessible Vulnerability Feedback Channels & Timely Response

Manufacturers are required to establish user-friendly vulnerability feedback channels for smart speakers. Users can report security issues at any time via multiple channels—including device voice commands, mobile APP and official website—such as abnormal voice wake-up, misoperation, voice data leakage and unauthorized control, without providing personal information.

• Manufacturers must implement a 24/7 response mechanism, send a confirmation receipt within 48 hours of receiving a vulnerability report, and regularly update users on the progress of vulnerability resolution.
• If a vulnerability may endanger user privacy and security, manufacturers must immediately report it to Australian regulatory authorities, notify users via device push notifications and official website announcements, and provide temporary protective measures.

(4) Defined Security Update Support Cycle: Ensure Long-Term Device Security

The new rules require manufacturers to publicly disclose the smart speaker’s security update support cycle:

• For products on sale, the support cycle must cover at least the product’s sales cycle plus 1 year;
• For discontinued products, manufacturers must provide at least 1 year of security patch push services to fix known vulnerabilities, with a focus on vulnerabilities related to voice collection and network communication.

Security patches must be transmitted via encrypted channels to prevent tampering during updates. Devices must support an automatic update detection function to remind users of timely upgrades, avoiding security risks caused by missed updates.

III. Guangdong Energy Storage Testing: Full-Process Compliance Testing Services for Smart Speakers in Australia

Targeting Australia’s compliance testing for smart speakers, Guangdong Energy Storage Testing Technology Co., Ltd. focuses on the four core requirements above and provides a full range of one-stop compliance services including:

• Voice data encryption testing
• Password security strength testing
• Effectiveness testing of vulnerability feedback channels
• Security update cycle verification
• Rectification guidance

Our services accurately align with the new regulatory requirements, helping enterprises quickly identify non-compliance issues and complete rectifications. We also assist enterprises in compiling regulatory-compliant declaration documents, ensuring products are fully adapted to Australia’s cybersecurity mandate. This enables efficient market entry, breaks trade barriers and enhances the core competitiveness of your smart speaker products in the Australian market.

IV. Conclusion

The implementation of Australia’s 2026 cybersecurity mandate raises the bar for smart speaker compliance. The four core requirements—password security, voice data protection, vulnerability feedback and security updates—directly determine whether products can successfully enter the Australian market. With professional testing capabilities and rich compliance experience, Guangdong Energy Storage Testing Technology Co., Ltd. provides smart speaker manufacturers with one-stop full-process compliance solutions, covering compliance assessment, testing and rectification, and declaration document compilation. We help enterprises reduce compliance costs, achieve safe product export and compliant market entry in Australia.