Modern telecommunications have transformed our lives and perpetual technological advances are likely to continue to influence the way we communicate; a good example is the modern mobile phone which has become an indispensable device for most people. At the same time concerns have been raised about the radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic energy (EME) that is being emitted from wireless telecommunications sources and whether they cause any health effects. Exposure to man-made EME is not new and people have been living with artificial sources of RF EME in one form or another since Marconi sent the first wireless telegraphs in the 1890s.

There is currently no established evidence that exposure to RFEME at levels below the safety limits of the Australian RF Standard causes any health effects. However there are gaps in the knowledge that require further research. This report uses information from the latest reviews on RF and health to outline research needs in this area. Researchers applying for funding can use the information in this report when planning the research to be undertaken in Australia. The report makes the following recommendations on research needs: