A Queensland-based telemarketer has been fined $120,000 for making 12,507 calls to numbers registered with the Do Not Call Register, in the first court-imposed penalty under anti-telemarketing legislation.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority issued infringement notices, formal warnings and undertakings, but its victory against Gold Coast travel agency FHT Travel was the first civil penalty under the legislation.

The Federal Court in Queensland also issued an injunction preventing the firm's owner, Yvonne Earnshaw, from making any unsolicited phone calls related to travel or hospitality without first notifying the communications watchdog.

Ms Earnshaw faces prison if she breaches the court order, including paying ACMA's costs.

FHT Travel was also in the process of being struck off the Register of Companies, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission website says.

The court made its decision on May 13 but ACMA highlighted the case to encourage people to reregister with the Do Not Call Register, which was set up in 2006, because registrations expire after five years.

lbattersby@theage.com.au