ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ACT 1999 - NOTES

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ACT 1999 - NOTES

No. 91, 1999

Compilation No. 62

Compilation date: 15 December 2023

Includes amendments: Act No. 122, 2023

Registered: 21 December 2023

This compilation is in 2 volumes

Volume 1: sections 1-266

Volume 2: sections 266B-528

 Schedule

 Endnotes

Each volume has its own contents

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 15 December 2023 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.

Self-repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

Contents

Chapter 1--Preliminary

Part 1--Preliminary

1 Short title

2 Commencement

3 Objects of Act

3A Principles of ecologically sustainable development

4 Act to bind Crown

5 Application of Act

6 Extended application of Act to match extended management of fisheries under the Fisheries Management Act 1991

7 Application of the Criminal Code

8 Native title rights not affected

9 Relationship with other Acts

10 Relationship with State law

Chapter 2--Protecting the environment

Part 2--Simplified outline of this Chapter

11 Simplified outline of this Chapter

Part 3--Requirements for environmental approvals

Division 1--Requirements relating to matters of national environmental significance

Subdivision A--World Heritage

12 Requirement for approval of activities with a significant impact on a declared World Heritage property

13 What is a declared World Heritage property?

14 Declaring a property to be a declared World Heritage property

15 Amending or revoking a declaration of a declared World Heritage property

15A Offences relating to declared World Heritage properties

Subdivision AA--National Heritage

15B Requirement for approval of activities with a significant impact on a National Heritage place

15C Offences relating to National Heritage places

Subdivision B--Wetlands of international importance

16 Requirement for approval of activities with a significant impact on a declared Ramsar wetland

17 What is a declared Ramsar wetland?

17A Making and revoking declarations of wetlands

17B Offences relating to declared Ramsar wetlands

Subdivision C--Listed threatened species and communities

18 Actions with significant impact on listed threatened species or endangered community prohibited without approval

18A Offences relating to threatened species etc.

19 Certain actions relating to listed threatened species and listed threatened ecological communities not prohibited

Subdivision D--Listed migratory species

20 Requirement for approval of activities with a significant impact on a listed migratory species

20A Offences relating to listed migratory species

20B Certain actions relating to listed migratory species not prohibited

Subdivision E--Protection of the environment from nuclear actions

21 Requirement for approval of nuclear actions

22 What is a nuclear action?

22A Offences relating to nuclear actions

Subdivision F--Marine environment

23 Requirement for approval of activities involving the marine environment

24 What is a Commonwealth marine area?

24A Offences relating to marine areas

Subdivision FA--Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

24B Requirement for approval of activities in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

24C Offences relating to Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

Subdivision FB--Protection of water resources from unconventional gas development and large coal mining development

24D Requirement for approval of developments with a significant impact on water resources

24E Offences relating to water resources

Subdivision G--Additional matters of national environmental significance

25 Requirement for approval of prescribed actions

Subdivision H--Actions that are taken to be covered by this Division

25A Actions that are taken to be covered by this Division

Subdivision HA--Limitation on liability for actions of third parties

25AA Limitation on liability for actions of third parties

Subdivision I--Evidentiary certificates

25B Evidentiary certificates

25C Certificate to be given to person

25D Evidentiary effect of certificate

25E Variation of certificate

25F Revocation of certificate

Division 2--Protection of the environment from proposals involving the Commonwealth

Subdivision A--Protection of environment from actions involving Commonwealth land

26 Requirement for approval of activities involving Commonwealth land

27 What is Commonwealth land?

27A Offences relating to Commonwealth land

Subdivision AA--Protection of Commonwealth Heritage places outside the Australian jurisdiction

27B Requirement for approval of actions with significant impact on Commonwealth Heritage places overseas

27C Offences relating to Commonwealth Heritage places overseas

Subdivision B--Protection of the environment from Commonwealth actions

28 Requirement for approval of activities of Commonwealth agencies significantly affecting the environment

Subdivision C--Actions that are taken to be covered by this Division

28AA Actions that are taken to be covered by this Division

Subdivision D--Limitation on liability for actions of third parties

28AB Limitation on liability for actions of third parties

Part 4--Cases in which environmental approvals are not needed

Division 1--Actions covered by bilateral agreements

29 Actions declared by agreement not to need approval

30 Extended operation in State and Northern Territory waters

31 Extended operation in non-self-governing Territories

Division 2--Actions covered by Ministerial declarations and accredited management arrangements or accredited authorisation processes

Subdivision A--Effect of declarations

32 Actions declared by Minister not to need approval

Subdivision B--Making declarations

33 Making declaration that actions do not need approval under Part 9

34 What is matter protected by a provision of Part  3?

Subdivision C--Prerequisites for making declarations

34A Minister may only make declaration if prescribed criteria are met

34B Declarations relating to declared World Heritage properties

34BA Declarations relating to National Heritage places

34C Declarations relating to declared Ramsar wetlands

34D Declarations relating to listed threatened species and ecological communities

34E Declarations relating to migratory species

34F Declarations relating to Commonwealth Heritage places

Subdivision D--Other rules about declarations

35 Revoking declarations

36 Other rules about declarations

36A Minor amendments of accredited management arrangement or accredited authorisation process

Division 3--Actions covered by Ministerial declarations and bioregional plans

Subdivision A--Effect of declarations

37 Actions declared by Minister not to need approval

Subdivision B--Making declarations

37A Making declarations that actions do not need approval under Part 9

Subdivision C--Prerequisites for making declarations

37B General considerations

37C Minister may make declaration only if prescribed criteria are met

37D Declarations relating to declared World Heritage properties

37E Declarations relating to National Heritage places

37F Declarations relating to declared Ramsar wetlands

37G Declarations relating to listed threatened species and ecological communities

37H Declarations relating to listed migratory species

37J No declarations relating to nuclear actions

Subdivision D--Other rules about declarations

37K Revoking declarations

37L Other rules about declarations

Division 3A--Actions covered by conservation agreements

37M Actions declared by conservation agreement not to need approval

Division 4--Forestry operations in certain regions

Subdivision A--Regions covered by regional forest agreements

38 Part 3 not to apply to certain RFA forestry operations

Subdivision B--Regions subject to a process of negotiating a regional forest agreement

39 Object of this Subdivision

40 Forestry operations in regions not yet covered by regional forest agreements

41 What is an RFA region?

Subdivision C--Limits on application

42 This Division does not apply to some forestry operations

Division 5--Actions in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

43 Actions taken in accordance with zoning plan

Division 6--Actions with prior authorisation

43A Actions with prior authorisation

43B Actions which are lawful continuations of use of land etc.

Chapter 3--Bilateral agreements

Part 5--Bilateral agreements

Division 1--Object of Part

44 Object of this Part

Division 2--Making bilateral agreements

Subdivision A--Power to make bilateral agreements

45 Minister may make agreement

46 Agreement may declare actions do not need approval under Part 9

47 Agreement may declare classes of actions do not need assessment

48 Other provisions of bilateral agreements

48A Mandatory provisions

49 Certain limits on scope of bilateral agreements

Subdivision B--Prerequisites for making bilateral agreements

49A Consultation on draft agreement

50 Minister may only enter into agreement if prescribed criteria are met

51 Agreements relating to declared World Heritage properties

51A Agreements relating to National Heritage places

52 Agreements relating to declared Ramsar wetlands

53 Agreements relating to listed threatened species and ecological communities

54 Agreements relating to migratory species

55 Agreements relating to nuclear actions

56 Agreements relating to prescribed actions

Subdivision C--Minor amendments of bilateral agreements

56A Ministerial determination of minor amendments to bilateral agreements

Division 3--Suspending and ending the effect of bilateral agreements

Subdivision A--Suspension and cancellation of effect

57 Representations about suspension or cancellation

58 Consultation before cancellation or suspension

59 Suspension or cancellation

60 Emergency suspension of effect of bilateral agreement

61 Cancellation during suspension

62 Revocation of notice of suspension or cancellation

63 Cancellation or suspension at request of other party

64 Cancellation or suspension of bilateral agreement does not affect certain actions

Subdivision B--Expiry of bilateral agreements

65 Expiry and review of bilateral agreements

65A Expiry of bilateral agreement does not affect certain actions

Chapter 4--Environmental assessments and approvals

Part 6--Simplified outline of this Chapter

66 Simplified outline of this Chapter

Part 7--Deciding whether approval of actions is needed

Division 1--Referral of proposals to take action

67 What is a controlled action?

67A Prohibition on taking controlled action without approval

68 Referral by person proposing to take action

68A Actions proposed to be taken under a contract etc.

69 State or Territory may refer proposal to Minister

70 Minister may request referral of proposal

71 Commonwealth agency may refer proposal to Minister

72 Form and content of referrals

73 Informing person proposing to take action of referral

73A Informing Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority of proposal affecting Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

74 Inviting provision of information on referred proposal

74A Minister may request referral of a larger action

74AA Offence of taking action before decision made in relation to referral etc.

Division 1A--Decision that action is clearly unacceptable

74B Application of this Division

74C Informing person proposing to take action that action is clearly unacceptable

74D Procedure if Minister is requested to reconsider referral

Division 2--Ministerial decision whether action needs approval

75 Does the proposed action need approval?

76 Minister may request more information for making decisions

77 Notice and reasons for decision

77A Action to be taken in a particular manner

Division 3--Reconsideration of decisions

78 Reconsideration of decision

78A Request for reconsideration of decision by person other than State or Territory Minister

78B Minister must inform interested persons of request and invite comments

78C Minister must reconsider decision and give notice of outcome

79 Reconsideration of decision on request by a State or Territory

Part 8--Assessing impacts of controlled actions

Division 1--Simplified outline of this Part

80 Simplified outline of this Part

Division 2--Application of this Part

81 Application

82 What are the relevant impacts of an action?

83 This Part does not apply if action covered by bilateral agreement

84 This Part does not apply if action covered by declaration

Division 3--Decision on assessment approach

Subdivision A--Simplified outline of this Division

85 Simplified outline of this Division

Subdivision B--Deciding on approach for assessment

87 Minister must decide on approach for assessment

88 Timing of decision on assessment approach

89 Minister may request more information for making decision

90 Directing an inquiry after starting an assessment

91 Notice of decision on assessment approach

Division 3A--Assessment on referral information

92 Application of this Division

93 Recommendation report

Division 4--Assessment on preliminary documentation

94 Application of this Division

95 Direction to publish referral information and invitation to comment--no further information required

95A Direction to publish referral information and invitation to comment--further information required

95B Procedure after end of period for comment

95C Recommendation report

Division 5--Public environment reports

96 Application

96A Minister must give designated proponent written guidelines for preparation of draft public environment report

96B Standard guidelines

97 Tailored guidelines

98 Designated proponent must invite comment on draft public environment report

99 Finalising public environment report

100 Recommendation report

Division 6--Environmental impact statements

101 Application

101A Minister must give designated proponent written guidelines for preparation of draft environmental impact statement

101B Standard guidelines

102 Tailored guidelines

103 Designated proponent must invite comment on draft environmental impact statement

104 Finalising environmental impact statement

105 Recommendation report

Division 7--Inquiries

Subdivision A--Preliminary

106 Simplified outline

Subdivision B--Establishment of inquiries

107 Appointing commissioners and setting terms of reference

108 Publicising inquiry

Subdivision C--Conduct of inquiries

109 Procedure of inquiries

110 Inquiry to be public

111 Calling witnesses

112 Dealing with witnesses

113 Dealing with documents given to commission

114 Inspections of land, buildings and places

115 Entering premises by consent

116 Entering premises under warrant

117 Warrants by telephone or other electronic means

118 Identity cards

119 Contempt

120 Protection of commissioners and witnesses

Subdivision D--Inquiry reports

121 Timing of report

122 Publication of report

Subdivision E--Commissioners' terms and conditions

123 Basis of appointment

124 Remuneration

125 Leave of absence

126 Resignation

127 Termination of appointment

128 Disclosure of interests

129 Other terms and conditions

Part 9--Approval of actions

Division 1--Decisions on approval and conditions

Subdivision A--General

130 Timing of decision on approval

131 Inviting comments from other Ministers before decision

131AA Inviting comments before decision from person proposing to take action and designated proponent

131AB Minister must obtain advice from Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Unconventional Gas Development and Large Coal Mining Development

131A Inviting public comment before decision

132 Requesting further information for approval decision

132A Requesting notice from appropriate State or Territory Minister about certain actions

132B Election to have an action management plan approved after approval of the taking of an action granted

133 Grant of approval

134 Conditions of approval

134A Inviting public comment before approving action management plan

135 Certain approvals and conditions must not give preference

135A Publication of recommendation reports

Subdivision B--Considerations for approvals and conditions

136 General considerations

137 Requirements for decisions about World Heritage

137A Requirements for decisions about National Heritage places

138 Requirements for decisions about Ramsar wetlands

139 Requirements for decisions about threatened species and endangered communities

140 Requirements for decisions about migratory species

140A No approval for certain nuclear installations

Division 2--Requirement to comply with conditions

142 Compliance with conditions on approval

142A Offence of breaching conditions on approval

142B Strict liability offence for breach of approval condition

Division 3--Variation of conditions and suspension and revocation of approvals

143 Variation of conditions attached to approval

143A Variation of action management plan

144 Suspension of approval

145 Revocation of approval

145A Reinstating suspended or revoked approval

Division 4--Transfer of approvals

145B Transfer with Minister's consent

Division 5--Extension of period of effect of approval

145C Application to Minister to extend period of effect of approval

145D Minister must decide whether or not to extend approval period

145E Minister may request further information for making decision

Part 10--Strategic assessments

Division 1--Strategic assessments generally

Subdivision A--Assessment of actions to be taken in accordance with policy, plan or program

146 Minister may agree on strategic assessment

Subdivision B--Approval of taking of actions in accordance with endorsed policy, plan or program

146A Definition

146B Minister may approve taking of actions in accordance with endorsed policy, plan or program

146C Inviting comments from other Ministers before deciding whether or not to approve taking of actions in accordance with endorsed policy, plan or program

146D Effect of approval of taking of actions in accordance with endorsed policy, plan or program

Subdivision C--Considerations for approving taking of actions in accordance with endorsed policy, plan or program

146E Minister must comply with this Subdivision

146F General considerations

146G Approvals relating to declared World Heritage properties

146H Approvals relating to National Heritage places

146J Approvals relating to declared Ramsar wetlands

146K Approvals relating to listed threatened species and ecological communities

146L Approvals relating to listed migratory species

146M No approvals relating to nuclear actions

Division 2--Assessment of Commonwealth-managed fisheries

147 Simplified outline of this Division

148 Assessment before management plan is determined

149 Assessment before determination that no plan required

150 Assessment of all fisheries without plans must be started within 5 years

151 Assessment of all Torres Strait fisheries to be started within 5 years

152 Further assessment if impacts greater than previously assessed

153 Minister must make declaration if he or she endorses plan or policy

154 This Division does not limit Division 1

Part 11--Miscellaneous rules about assessments and approvals

Division 1--Rules about timing

155 This Chapter ceases to apply to lapsed proposals

156 General rules about time limits

Division 1A--Variation of proposals to take actions

156A Request to vary proposal to take an action

156B Minister must decide whether or not to accept a varied proposal

156C Minister may request further information in relation to a varied proposal

156D Effect of Minister's decision to accept or not accept a varied proposal

156E Notice of decision

Division 1B--Change of person proposing to take action

156F Change of person proposing to take action

Division 2--Actions in area offshore from a State or the Northern Territory

157 Actions treated as though they were in a State or the Northern Territory

Division 3--Exemptions

158 Exemptions from Part 3 and this Chapter

Division 3A--Approval process decisions not affected by listing events that happen after section 75 decision made

158A Approval process decisions not affected by listing events that happen after section 75 decision made

Division 4--Application of Chapter to actions that are not controlled actions

Subdivision A--Minister's advice on authorising actions

159 Simplified outline of this Subdivision

160 Requirement to take account of Minister's advice

161 Seeking the Minister's advice

161A Minister may decide that advice is not required

161B Certain provisions of other Acts not to apply if Minister decides that advice is not required

162 Assessment of the action

163 Providing advice

164 Reporting on response to advice

Subdivision C--Assessment under agreement with State or Territory

166 This Subdivision applies if Ministers agree it should

167 Making an agreement

168 Content of an agreement

169 Application of a Division of Part 8

170 Application of Subdivision A of Division 1 of Part  10

Division 5--Publication of information relating to assessments

170A Publication of information relating to assessments

170B Information critical to protecting matters of national environmental significance not to be disclosed

170BA Designated proponent may request Minister to permit commercial-in-confidence information not to be disclosed

Division 6--Withdrawal of referrals

170C Withdrawal of referral of proposal to take an action

Division 7--Miscellaneous

170CA Fees

Chapter 5--Conservation of biodiversity and heritage

Part 11A--Interpretation

170D References to business days are references to Canberra business days

Part 12--Identifying and monitoring biodiversity and making bioregional plans

Division 1--Identifying and monitoring biodiversity

171 Identifying and monitoring biodiversity

172 Inventories of listed threatened species etc. on Commonwealth land

173 Surveys of cetaceans, listed threatened species etc. in Commonwealth marine areas

174 Inventories and surveys to be updated

Division 2--Bioregional plans

176 Bioregional plans

177 Obligations under this Act unaffected by lack of bioregional plans

Part 13--Species and communities

Division 1--Listed threatened species and ecological communities

Subdivision A--Listing

178 Listing of threatened species

179 Categories of threatened species

180 Native species of marine fish

181 Listing of threatened ecological communities

182 Critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable communities

183 Listing of key threatening processes

184 Minister may amend lists

186 Amending list of threatened native species

187 Amending list of ecological communities

188 Amending list of key threatening processes

189 Minister must consider advice from Scientific Committee

189A Certain information may be kept confidential

189B Disclosure of Scientific Committee's assessments and advice

190 Scientific Committee may provide advice about species or communities becoming threatened

192 Rediscovery of threatened species that were extinct

193 Species posing a serious threat to human health

194 Lists must be publicly available

Subdivision AA--The nomination and listing process

194A Simplified outline

194B Definitions

194C Meaning of assessment period

194D Minister may determine conservation themes for an assessment period

194E Minister to invite nominations for each assessment period

194F Minister to give nominations to Scientific Committee

194G Scientific Committee to prepare proposed priority assessment list

194H Matters to be included in proposed priority assessment list

194J Statement to be given to Minister with proposed priority assessment list

194K The finalised priority assessment list

194L Publication of finalised priority assessment list

194M Scientific Committee to invite comments on items in finalised priority assessment list

194N Scientific Committee to assess items on finalised priority assessment list and give assessments to Minister

194P Time by which assessments to be provided to Minister

194Q Decision about inclusion of an item in the Subdivision A List

194R Scientific Committee may obtain advice

194S Co-ordination with Australian Heritage Council--Committee undertaking assessment

194T Co-ordination with Australian Heritage Council--Committee given assessment to Minister

Subdivision B--Permit system

195 Subdivision does not apply to cetaceans

196 Killing or injuring member of listed threatened species or community

196A Strict liability for killing or injuring member of listed threatened species or community

196B Taking etc. member of listed threatened species or community

196C Strict liability for taking etc. member of listed threatened species or community

196D Trading etc. member of listed threatened species or community taken in Commonwealth area

196E Strict liability for trading etc. member of listed threatened species or community taken in Commonwealth area

196F Aggravated offence--member of listed threatened species that is a dugong or turtle

197 Certain actions are not offences

198 Operation of sections 18 and 18A not affected

199 Failing to notify taking of listed threatened species or listed ecological community

200 Application for permits

201 Minister may issue permits

202 Conditions of permits

203 Contravening conditions of a permit

204 Authorities under permits

205 Transfer of permits

206 Suspension or cancellation of permits

206A Review of decisions about permits

207 Fees

Subdivision BA--Protecting critical habitat

207A Register of critical habitat

207B Offence of knowingly damaging critical habitat

207C Sale or lease of Commonwealth land containing critical habitat

Subdivision C--Miscellaneous

208A Minister may accredit plans, regimes or policies

208 Regulations

Division 2--Migratory species

Subdivision A--Listing

209 Listed migratory species

Subdivision B--Permit system

210 Subdivision does not apply to members of listed threatened species or cetaceans

211 Killing or injuring member of listed migratory species

211A Strict liability for killing or injuring member of listed migratory species

211B Taking etc. member of listed migratory species

211C Strict liability for taking etc. member of listed migratory species

211D Trading etc. member of listed migratory species taken in Commonwealth area

211E Strict liability for trading etc. member of listed migratory species taken in Commonwealth area

211F Aggravated offence--member of listed migratory species that is a dugong or turtle

212 Certain actions are not offences

213 Operation of sections 20 and 20A not affected

214 Failing to notify taking etc. of listed migratory species

215 Application for permits

216 Minister may issue permits

217 Conditions of permits

218 Contravening conditions of a permit

219 Authorities under permits

220 Transfer of permits

221 Suspension or cancellation of permits

221A Review of decisions about permits

222 Fees

Subdivision C--Miscellaneous

222A Minister may accredit plans, regimes or policies

223 Regulations

Division 3--Whales and other cetaceans

Subdivision A--Application of Division

224 Application of Division

Subdivision B--Australian Whale Sanctuary and important cetacean habitat areas

225 Australian Whale Sanctuary

226 Prescribed waters

227 Coastal waters

228 Minister may make declaration for coastal waters

228A Important cetacean habitat areas

Subdivision C--Offences

229 Killing or injuring a cetacean

229A Strict liability for killing or injuring a cetacean

229B Intentionally taking etc. a cetacean

229C Strict liability for taking etc. a cetacean

229D Treating cetaceans

230 Possession of cetaceans

231 Certain actions are not offences

232 Action to be taken on killing etc. cetaceans

Subdivision E--Miscellaneous offences

236 Offences relating to foreign whaling vessels

Subdivision F--Permit system

237 Application for permits

238 Minister may issue permits

239 Conditions of permits

240 Contravening conditions of a permit

241 Authorities under permits

242 Transfer of permits

243 Suspension or cancellation of permits

243A Review of decisions about permits

244 Fees

Subdivision G--Miscellaneous

245 Minister may accredit plans, regimes or policies

246 Vesting of whales in Commonwealth

247 Regulations

Division 4--Listed marine species

Subdivision A--Listing

248 Listed marine species

249 Minister may amend list

250 Adding marine species to the list

251 Minister must consider advice from Scientific Committee

252 Minister to make lists available to the public

Subdivision B--Permit system

253 Subdivision does not apply to members of certain species and cetaceans

254 Killing or injuring member of listed marine species

254A Strict liability for killing or injuring member of listed marine species

254B Taking etc. member of listed marine species

254C Strict liability for taking etc. member of listed marine species

254D Trading etc. member of listed marine species taken in Commonwealth area

254E Strict liability for trading etc. member of listed marine species taken in Commonwealth area

254F Aggravated offence--member of listed marine species that is a dugong or turtle

255 Certain actions are not offences

256 Failing to notify taking etc. of listed marine wildlife

257 Application for permits

258 Minister may issue permits

259 Conditions of permits

260 Contravening conditions of a permit

261 Authorities under permits

262 Transfer of permits

263 Suspension or cancellation of permits

263A Review of decisions about permits

264 Fees

Subdivision C--Miscellaneous

265 Minister may accredit plans, regimes or policies

266 Regulations

Endnotes

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

Endnote 3--Legislation history

Endnote 4--Amendment history

Abbreviation key--Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history--Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section  15V of the Legislation Act 2003.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and "(md not incorp)" is added to the amendment history.

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

Endnote 3--Legislation history

Endnote 4--Amendment history