Cheap GPS trackers are everywhere online.
Search marketplaces, social media ads or even some Australian GPS tracking websites and you’ll quickly find ultra-cheap tracking devices being sold for prices that almost seem too good to be true.
What many buyers do not realise is that some imported devices may not meet Australian compliance requirements at all.
In particular, many consumers have never heard of something called RCM certification.
But if a GPS tracker connects to Australian mobile networks, uses radio communications, or emits electromagnetic energy, compliance matters.
What Is RCM Certification?
RCM stands for Regulatory Compliance Mark.
It is the compliance mark used in Australia to indicate that certain electronic products meet applicable Australian regulatory requirements.
For GPS trackers and cellular tracking devices, this can include requirements relating to:
- radiocommunications
- electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
- telecommunications compliance
- electromagnetic energy (EME)
These requirements are regulated under Australian frameworks administered by the ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority).
In simple terms:
If a GPS tracker connects to Australian cellular networks, it should generally comply with Australian regulatory requirements and carry appropriate compliance labelling.
Why This Matters
A GPS tracker is not just another gadget.
Most modern trackers contain:
- cellular modems
- GPS receivers
- switching power supplies
- radio transmitters
- antennas
Poorly designed or non-compliant electronics can potentially create issues involving:
- electrical safety
- electromagnetic interference
- network compliance
- device reliability
- radio performance
This is one reason Australia has compliance requirements for telecommunications and radiocommunications equipment.
The Problem With Cheap Imported GPS Trackers
The rise of direct-import marketplaces has made it incredibly easy for sellers to bring in generic GPS trackers from overseas factories and immediately begin selling them online in Australia.
In many cases:
- the seller did not design the hardware
- the seller did not certify the hardware
- the seller does not operate the tracking platform
- the seller may never have independently verified compliance documentation
Some imported devices may legitimately comply.
Others may simply have stickers, copied documentation or unclear certification status.
Unfortunately, many consumers never think to check.
“CE” Or “FCC” Does Not Automatically Mean Australian Compliant
One of the biggest misconceptions is that overseas compliance automatically means Australian compliance.
It does not.
A device being sold on Alibaba, Amazon or eBay with international markings does not necessarily mean it has been properly assessed for Australian regulatory requirements.
Who Is Responsible?
Under Australian rules, businesses supplying regulated electronic equipment are responsible for ensuring compliance obligations are met.
That responsibility does not disappear simply because the hardware came from another country.
If a company is importing and selling GPS tracking devices into Australia, they should understand:
- applicable compliance requirements
- supplier obligations
- labelling requirements
- supporting compliance documentation
Compliance Responsibility Falls On The Australian Importer
Under Australian regulatory frameworks, the responsible supplier must be an Australian or New Zealand based entity.
That means if a GPS tracker is being imported and sold into Australia, the compliance responsibility generally falls upon the Australian importer or supplier, not the overseas factory that manufactured it.
In practical terms, the Australian business selling the product is responsible for ensuring the device meets applicable Australian compliance requirements.
This can involve:
- laboratory testing
- technical documentation
- supplier registration
- compliance record keeping
- regulatory responsibility
- ongoing obligations as the Australian supplier
For cellular GPS tracking devices, achieving proper compliance can cost many thousands of dollars across testing, certification and regulatory compliance activities.
Importantly, these are not optional requirements.
This is one reason properly compliant GPS tracking products are often more expensive than ultra-cheap imported alternatives sold online.
When a GPS tracker is being sold at an unusually low price, it is reasonable to ask whether the importer has genuinely undertaken the compliance responsibilities required to legally supply the product in Australia.
How To Check If A GPS Tracker Appears Legitimate
Consumers are often not given easy visibility into compliance documentation, but there are still some warning signs worth watching for.
1. Look For The RCM Mark
Legitimate compliant devices commonly display the RCM marking either:
- on the device
- on the packaging
- in supplied documentation
Absence of any compliance marking may be worth questioning.
2. Ask The Seller Directly
Ask questions such as:
- Is this tracker RCM compliant?
- Who is listed as the Australian responsible supplier?
- Has the device been assessed for Australian compliance requirements?
- Can compliance documentation be provided?
A legitimate supplier should be able to answer clearly.
3. Be Careful With Extremely Cheap Devices
Compliance testing, documentation, infrastructure and quality control all cost money.
When a GPS tracker is dramatically cheaper than every established Australian supplier, it is reasonable to ask where corners may have been cut.
Cheap GPS Tracking Often Comes With Other Risks Too
Very cheap imported trackers are also commonly associated with:
- overseas-hosted tracking platforms
- generic white-label apps
- poor firmware support
- unreliable alerting
- limited security visibility
- no local platform ownership
In many cases, the same businesses selling ultra-cheap hardware are also relying entirely on overseas tracking infrastructure.
Our Approach at CoreGPS
At CoreGPS, we believe customers deserve more than simply the cheapest possible tracking device sourced online.
We use quality European-manufactured GPS tracking hardware from Teltonika Telematics, one of the world’s largest telematics manufacturers.
Importantly, Teltonika operates a local Australian office and is responsible for ensuring their devices meet Australian compliance requirements, including RCM certification.
Combined with this, we also operate our own tracking platform and infrastructure here in Australia.
Our servers are hosted in Australian data centres, and we focus on long-term reliability, local support, compliance and proper infrastructure ownership.
We are not trying to be the cheapest GPS tracker on the market.
We are built for customers who care about reliability, accountability, compliance and where their tracking data ultimately goes.