OMBUDSMAN ACT 1976 - NOTES

No. 181, 1976

Compilation No. 58

Compilation date: 21 September 2023

Includes amendments up to: Act No. 73, 2023

Registered: 10 October 2023

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Ombudsman Act 1976 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 21 September 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If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.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

Part I--Preliminary

1 Short title

2 Commencement

3 Interpretation

3A Prescribed authorities: Commonwealth-controlled companies

3B Certain legislation relating to Australian Capital Territory not to be enactment

3BA Commonwealth service providers

3C Application of Act

3D Application of the Criminal Code

Part II--Establishment, functions, powers and duties of the Ombudsman

Division 1--Establishment and functions

4 Establishment of offices of Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman

4A The Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman

5 Functions of Ombudsman

5A Public interest disclosure functions of Ombudsman

5B Transfer of complaints from the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security

6 Discretion not to investigate certain complaints

6A Transfer of complaints about ACC

6B Transfer of complaints about National Anti-Corruption Commissioner

6C Transfer of complaints to Information Commissioner

6D Tax administration matters and transfer of complaints to Inspector-General of Taxation

6E Transfer of complaints to the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman

6F Transfer of complaints to the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security

6G Transfer of information to the National Anti-Corruption Commissioner or the Inspector

7 Complaints

7A Preliminary inquiries

8 Investigations

8A Investigations by Commonwealth and State Ombudsmen

8B Investigations by other authorities of ACC actions

8C Investigations by other authorities of National Anti-Corruption Commission actions

8D Investigations by Ombudsman and Australian Federal Police

9 Power to obtain information and documents

10 Unreasonable delay in exercising power

10A Ombudsman may refer questions to the AAT

11 Ombudsman may recommend that the principal officer refer questions to the AAT

11A Powers of Federal Court of Australia

12 Complainant and Department etc. to be informed

13 Power to examine witnesses

14 Power to enter premises

Division 2--Reports

15 Reports by Ombudsman

16 Reports where appropriate action not taken on Ombudsman's report

17 Special reports to Parliament

18 Ombudsman may have further discussion with principal officer

19 Reports to Parliament

Part IIA--Establishment, functions, powers and duties of the Defence Force Ombudsman

19B Establishment of office of Defence Force Ombudsman

19C Functions of Defence Force Ombudsman

19D Discretion to investigate complaints as Commonwealth Ombudsman or as Defence Force Ombudsman

19E Discretion with respect to certain complaints

19F Application of provisions of Act to Defence Force Ombudsman

19FA Reports of the Defence Force Ombudsman

Part IIB--Establishment, functions, powers and duties of the Postal Industry Ombudsman

Division 1--Preliminary

19G Definitions

19H Action taken by contractors

19J Continued application of this Act to deregistered PPOs

19K Part IIB not to affect operation of other provisions of this Act

Division 2--Establishment and functions of the Postal Industry Ombudsman

19L Establishment of office of Postal Industry Ombudsman

19M Functions of Postal Industry Ombudsman

19N Discretion to investigate complaints as Commonwealth Ombudsman or as Postal Industry Ombudsman

19P Discretion to refer complaint to another statutory office-holder

19Q Discretion not to investigate certain complaints

Division 3--Powers and duties of the Postal Industry Ombudsman

19R Application of other provisions of this Act to the Postal Industry Ombudsman

19S Powers of the Postal Industry Ombudsman under section 9

19T Duty to accord procedural fairness

19U Disclosure of identifying information

19V Postal Industry Ombudsman may report to Australia Post or registered PPO

19W Minister to table certain reports in Parliament

19X Reports of the Postal Industry Ombudsman

19Y Postal Industry Ombudsman may notify employer of misconduct

19Z Limitation on liability where information or documents provided in good faith or when required to do so

Division 4--Register of PPOs

19ZA Registration of PPOs

19ZB Information to be included in Register

19ZC Deregistration of PPOs

19ZD Register may be maintained by electronic means

Division 5--Fees for investigations

19ZE Fees for investigations

Part IIC--Establishment, functions, powers and duties of the Overseas Students Ombudsman

Division 1--Preliminary

19ZF Definitions

19ZG Continued application of Part to former registered providers

19ZH Part not to affect operation of other provisions of this Act

Division 2--Establishment and functions of the Overseas Students Ombudsman

19ZI Establishment of office of Overseas Students Ombudsman

19ZJ Functions of Overseas Students Ombudsman

19ZK Transfer of complaints

19ZL Discretion not to investigate certain complaints

Division 3--Powers and duties of the Overseas Students Ombudsman

19ZM Application of other provisions of this Act to the Overseas Students Ombudsman

19ZN Powers of the Overseas Students Ombudsman under section 9

19ZO Duty to accord procedural fairness

19ZP Disclosure of identifying information

19ZQ Overseas Students Ombudsman may report to private registered provider

19ZR Minister to table certain reports in Parliament

19ZS Reports of the Overseas Students Ombudsman

19ZT Overseas Students Ombudsman may notify of misconduct

19ZU Limitation on liability where information or documents provided in good faith or when required to do so

Part IID--Private Health Insurance Ombudsman

Division 1--Preliminary

20 Principal object of this Part

20A Definitions for this Part

20B Private Health Insurance Ombudsman Rules

Division 2--Establishment and functions of the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman

20C Establishment of office of Private Health Insurance Ombudsman

20D Functions of Private Health Insurance Ombudsman

Division 3--Complaints

Subdivision A--Relevant complaints

20E Who may make a complaint

20F Persons against whom complaints may be made

20G Grounds for complaint

Subdivision B--Dealing with complaints

20H Initial receipt of complaint

20J Ways of dealing with complaints

20K Referral to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

20L Referral to other bodies

20M Deciding not to deal with a complaint

Subdivision C--Referral to subjects of complaints

20N Referral to the subject of the complaint

Subdivision D--Investigation of complaints

20P Investigation of complaint

Subdivision E--Recommendations and reports

20Q Recommendations as a result of referral or investigation

20R Report to Health Minister on outcome of investigation under Subdivision D

Subdivision F--Miscellaneous

20S Complainant to be kept informed

Division 3A--Inspection and audit

Subdivision A--Inspection and audit

20SA Powers to conduct inspections and audits

Subdivision B--Recommendations and reports

20SB Recommendation and reporting powers as a result of inspection or audit

Division 4--Investigations

Subdivision A--Investigations

20T Initiating investigations

20TA Powers to inspect documents etc.

Subdivision B--Recommendations and reports

20U Recommendations as a result of investigation

20V Report to Health Minister on outcome of investigations under this Division

20W Consultation with Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

Division 5--Mediation

20X Conducting mediation

20Y Participation in mediation may be compulsory

20Z Medical practitioners may appoint representatives

20ZA Conduct of compulsory mediation

20ZB Admissibility of things said in mediation

20ZC Appointment of mediators

Division 6--Information-gathering

20ZD Information-gathering--requests for PHI records and information

20ZE Information-gathering--notices requiring PHI records and information

20ZF Information-gathering--compliance with requests and notices

Division 7--Provisions relating to the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman

20ZG Reports of the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman

Division 8--Miscellaneous

20ZH Victimisation

20ZHA Announcement before entry

20ZHB Responsibility to provide facilities and assistance

20ZI Giving information about the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman

20ZIA Identity cards

20ZJ Private Health Insurance Ombudsman Rules

20ZK Application of certain provisions of the Act

Part IIE--VET Student Loans Ombudsman

Division 1--Establishment and functions

20ZL Establishment of office of VET Student Loans Ombudsman

20ZM Functions of VET Student Loans Ombudsman

20ZN Performance of functions

Division 2--Investigations and complaints

20ZO Investigations

20ZP Complaints

20ZQ Referral of complaints to other bodies

20ZR Deciding not to investigate complaints

Division 3--Other powers of the VET Student Loans Ombudsman

20ZS Application of Act to VET Student Loans Ombudsman

20ZT Duty to accord procedural fairness

Division 4--Reporting by the VET Student Loans Ombudsman

20ZU Disclosure of identifying information

20ZV Reports to VET student loan scheme providers

20ZW Minister to table reports about VET student loan scheme providers in Parliament

20ZX Annual and other reports by the VET Student Loans Ombudsman

20ZY VET Student Loans Ombudsman may notify of misconduct

20ZZ Limitation on liability where information or documents provided in good faith or when required to do so

Division 5--Other provisions relating to the VET Student Loans Ombudsman

20ZZA Part does not limit application of other provisions

20ZZB Alternative constitutional basis

Part III--Conditions of service, and staff, of the Ombudsman

Division 1--Ombudsman

21A Interpretation

21 Appointment of Ombudsman

22 Tenure of office

23 Deputy Ombudsman

24 Salary and allowances

25 Leave of absence

26 Resignation

27 Retirement

28 Suspension and removal of Ombudsman

28A Removal taken to be retirement on ground of invalidity

28B Retirement on ground of invalidity under the Superannuation Acts

29 Acting appointments

Division 2--Staff

31 Staff

Part IV--Miscellaneous

33 Ombudsman not to be sued

34 Delegation

35 Officers to observe confidentiality

35AA Disclosure of information and documents to National Anti-Corruption Commissioner or Inspector

35AB Disclosure of information and documents to Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security

35A Disclosure of information by Ombudsman

35B Disclosure of ACC information

35C Disclosure of NACC information

36 Offences

37 Protection from civil actions

38 Regulations

Endnotes

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

Endnote 3--Legislation history

Endnote 4--Amendment history

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

ad = added or inserted	o = order(s)
am = amended	Ord = Ordinance
amdt = amendment	orig = original
c = clause(s)	par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)
C[x] = Compilation No. x	/sub-subparagraph(s)
Ch = Chapter(s)	pres = present
def = definition(s)	prev = previous
Dict = Dictionary	(prev ... ) = previously
disallowed = disallowed by Parliament	Pt = Part(s)
Div = Division(s)	r = regulation(s)/rule(s)
ed = editorial change	reloc = relocated
exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have	renum = renumbered
effect	rep = repealed
F = Federal Register of Legislation	rs = repealed and substituted
gaz = gazette	s = section(s)/subsection(s)
LA = Legislation Act 2003	Sch = Schedule(s)
LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003	Sdiv = Subdivision(s)
(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given	SLI = Select Legislative Instrument
effect	SR = Statutory Rules
(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment	Sub-Ch = Sub-Chapter(s)
cannot be given effect	SubPt = Subpart(s)
mod = modified/modification	underlining = whole or part not
No. = Number(s)	commenced or to be commenced

Endnote 3--Legislation history

Act	Number and year	Assent	Commencement	Application, saving and transitional provisions
Ombudsman Act 1976	181, 1976	13 Dec 1976	1 July 1977 (see Gazette 1977, No. S115)
Ombudsman Amendment Act 1978	63, 1978	22 June 1978	1 July 1978	s. 11
Ombudsman Amendment Act 1979	107, 1979	25 Oct 1979	2 June 1979	--
Australian Federal Police (Consequential Amendments) Act 1979	155, 1979	28 Nov 1979	19 Oct 1979 (see s. 2 and Gazette 1979, No. S206)	--
Statute Law Revision Act 1981	61, 1981	12 June 1981	Sch 1: 12 June 1981 (s 2(1))	--
Ombudsman Amendment Act 1983	61, 1983	12 Oct 1983	ss. 3, 4(2), 6, 20, 21 and 30: 5 Dec 1983 (see Gazette 1983, No. S305) Remainder: Royal Assent	s. 30
Public Service Reform Act 1984	63, 1984	25 June 1984	s 151(9) and Sch 4: 1 July 1984 (s 2(4) and gaz 1984, No S245)	s 151(9)
as amended by
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2) 1985	193, 1985	16 Dec 1985	s 16: 16 Dec 1985 (s 2(1)) Sch 1: 1 July 1984 (s 2(11))	s 16
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 1) 1985	65, 1985	5 June 1985	Sch 1: 3 July 1985 (s 2(1))	--
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2) 1986	168, 1986	18 Dec 1986	s 5(1) and Sch 1: 18 Dec 1986 (s 2(1))	s 5(1)
A.C.T. Self-Government (Consequential Provisions) Act 1988	109, 1988	6 Dec 1988	Sch 5: 11 May 1989 (s 2(3) and gaz 1989, No S164)	--
Privacy Act 1988	119, 1988	14 Dec 1988	1 Jan 1989 (see Gazette 1988, No. 399)	--
Telecommunications and Postal Services (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1989	63, 1989	19 June 1989	ss. 1 and 2: Royal Assent Part 5 (ss. 17, 18): 30 June 1989 (see s. 2(3) and Gazette 1989, No. S216) Remainder: 1 July 1989 (see Gazette 1989, No. S230)	--
Telecommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1991	99, 1991	27 June 1991	Part 1 (ss. 1, 2): Royal Assent s. 24 and Part 5 (s. 26): 1 Feb 1992 (see s. 2(3) and Gazette 1992, No. S32) Remainder: 1 July 1991	--
Industrial Relations Legislation Amendment Act 1991	122, 1991	27 June 1991	ss. 4(1), 10(b) and 15-20: 1 Dec 1988 ss. 28(b)-(e), 30 and 31: 10 Dec 1991 (see Gazette 1991, No. S332) Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Prime Minister and Cabinet Legislation Amendment Act 1991	199, 1991	18 Dec 1991	18 Dec 1991	--
Superannuation Legislation (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 1992	94, 1992	30 June 1992	s. 3: 1 July 1990 Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Qantas Sale Act 1992	196, 1992	21 Dec 1992	Sch (Part 1): 10 Mar 1993 (see Gazette 1993, No. GN17) Sch (Part 5): 30 Aug 1995 (see Gazette 1995, No. S324)	s 2(6)
as amended by
Qantas Sale Amendment Act 1993	60, 1993	3 Nov 1993	10 Mar 1993 (s 2)	--
Qantas Sale Amendment Act 1994	168, 1994	16 Dec 1994	Schedule (item 17): 16 Dec 1994 (s 2(1))	--
Prime Minister and Cabinet (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1994	33, 1994	15 Mar 1994	s 18-27: 15 Mar 1994 (2(1))	s 27(2)
Employment Services (Consequential Amendments) Act 1994	177, 1994	19 Dec 1994	ss. 1, 2(1), (3) and 3-8: 19 Dec 1994 (see s. 2(1)) ss. 2(2) and 32-39: Royal Assent Remainder: 1 Jan 1995 (see s. 2(3) and Gazette 1994, No. S472)	s. 13
Taxation Laws Amendment Act (No. 1) 1995	120, 1995	25 Oct 1995	Schedule 1 (item 58): 23 Nov 1994 (see s. 2(2)) Schedule 2 (items 8-13): 1 July 1994 Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Statute Law Revision Act 1996	43, 1996	25 Oct 1996	Sch 2 (item 78): 3 July 1985 (s 2(2)) Sch 4 (item 117) and Sch 5 (items 109-111): 25 Oct 1996 (s 2(1))	--
Defence Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 1997	1, 1997	19 Feb 1997	Sch 2 (items 47, 86, 112): 19 Feb 1997 (s 2(1))	--
Telecommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1997	59, 1997	3 May 1997	Sch 1 (items 40-42): 1 July 1997 (s 2(2)(d))	--
Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999	146, 1999	11 Nov 1999	Sch 1 (items 711-717): 5 Dec 1999 (s 2(1)(2))	--
Federal Magistrates (Consequential Amendments) Act 1999	194, 1999	23 Dec 1999	Sch 21: 23 Dec 1999 (s 2(1))	--
Criminal Code Amendment (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences) Act 2000	137, 2000	24 Nov 2000	Sch 2 (items 308, 309, 418, 419): 24 May 2001 (s 2(3))	Sch 2 (items 418, 419)
Prime Minister and Cabinet Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001	49, 2001	21 June 2001	19 July 2001	s. 4
National Crime Authority Legislation Amendment Act 2001	135, 2001	1 Oct 2001	Schedules 1-7 and 9-12: 12 Oct 2001 (see Gazette 2001, No. S428) Schedule 8: 13 Oct 2001 (see Gazette 2001, No. S428) Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Abolition of Compulsory Age Retirement (Statutory Officeholders) Act 2001	159, 2001	1 Oct 2001	29 Oct 2001	Sch. 1 (item 97)
Statute Law Revision Act 2002	63, 2002	3 July 2002	Sch 1 (item 24): 25 Oct 1996 (s 2(1) item 19)	--
Australian Crime Commission Establishment Act 2002	125, 2002	10 Dec 2002	Schedule 2 (items 84-98, 226): 1 Jan 2003	Sch. 2 (item 226)
Australian Communications and Media Authority (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2005	45, 2005	1 Apr 2005	Sch 3 (items 3, 4): 6 Oct 2006 (s 2(1) item 5) Sch 3 (items 5-8) and Sch 4: 1 July 2005 (s 2(1) items 6-8) Sch 3 (items 9-11): 6 Oct 2006 (s 2(1) item 9)	Sch 4
as amended by
Statute Law Revision Act 2007	8, 2007	15 Mar 2007	Sch 2 (items 2-4): 1 Apr 2005 (s 2(1) item 29)	--
Migration and Ombudsman Legislation Amendment Act 2005	141, 2005	12 Dec 2005	Sch 2 (items 2-25): 12 Dec 2005 (s 2(1) item 3) Sch 2 (items 28-31): 6 Oct 2006 (s 2(1) item 6)	--
Postal Industry Ombudsman Act 2006	25, 2006	6 Apr 2006	Sch 1 (items 1-14, 20(1), 21): 6 Oct 2006 (s 2(1) item 2) Sch 2 (items 1, 2): 26 July 2001 (s 2(1) items 3, 4) Sch 2 (item 3): 5 Dec 1999 (s 2(1) item 5) Sch 2 (item 4): 11 May 1989 (s 2(1) item 6) Sch 2 (item 5): 12 Oct 2001 (s 2(1) item 7)	Sch 1 (items 20(1), 21)
Law Enforcement (AFP Professional Standards and Related Measures) Act 2006	84, 2006	30 June 2006	Schedule 3 (items 46-64): 30 Dec 2006 (see s. 2(1))	--
Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner (Consequential Amendments) Act 2006	86, 2006	30 June 2006	Schedule 1 (items 41-47): 30 Dec 2006 (see s. 2(1))	--
Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Trustee Board and Other Measures) (Consequential Amendments) Act 2008	26, 2008	23 June 2008	Schedule 1 (items 98-101): Royal Assent	--
Statute Law Revision Act 2010	8, 2010	1 Mar 2010	Sch 5 (item 137(a)): 1 Mar 2010 (s 2(1) item 38)	--
Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Act 2010	51, 2010	31 May 2010	Sch 4 (items 59-64, 66, 67) and Sch 7: 1 Nov 2010 (s 2(1) item 7)	Sch 4 (items 66, 67) and Sch 7
Territories Law Reform Act 2010	139, 2010	10 Dec 2010	Sch 1 (items 241, 242): 10 June 2011 (s 2(1) item 9)	--
Statute Law Revision Act 2011	5, 2011	22 Mar 2011	Sch 1 (items 70-86): 22 March 2011 (s 2(1) item 2) Sch 6 (item 130): 19 Apr 2011 (s 2(1) item 17)	--
Education Services for Overseas Students Legislation Amendment Act 2011	11, 2011	8 Apr 2011	Sch 2 (items 1-4, 8, 9): 9 Apr 2011 (s 2(1) item 2)	Sch 2 (items 8, 9)
Acts Interpretation Amendment Act 2011	46, 2011	27 June 2011	Sch 2 (items 894-900) and Sch 3 (items 10, 11): 27 Dec 2011 (s 2(1) items 7, 12)	Sch 3 (items 10, 11)
Superannuation Legislation (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2011	58, 2011	28 June 2011	Sch 1 (items 123, 124): 1 July 2011 (s 2(1) item 2)	--
Education Services for Overseas Students Legislation Amendment (Tuition Protection Service and Other Measures) Act 2012	9, 2012	20 Mar 2012	Sch 5 (items 6, 7, 8(2)): 1 July 2012 (s 2(1) item 15)	Sch 5 (item 8(2))
Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act 2012	197, 2012	12 Dec 2012	Sch 5 (item 68) and Sch 6 (items 15-19): 12 Mar 2014 (s 2(1) items 3, 19) Sch 6 (item 1): 12 Dec 2012 (s 2(1) item 16)	Sch 6 (items 1, 15-19)
Public Service Amendment Act 2013	2, 2013	14 Feb 2013	Sch 3 (items 5, 6): 1 July 2013 (s 2(1) item 2)	--
Courts and Tribunals Legislation Amendment (Administration) Act 2013	7, 2013	12 Mar 2013	Sch 2 (items 24-28): 1 July 2013 (s 2(1) item 3)	Sch 2 (items 25-28)
Federal Circuit Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments) Act 2013	13, 2013	14 Mar 2013	Schedule 1 (item 460): 12 Apr 2013 (see s. 2(1))	--
Public Interest Disclosure (Consequential Amendments) Act 2013	134, 2013	15 July 2013	Sch 1 (items 6-17): 15 Jan 2014 (see s 2(1))	--
Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2014	62, 2014	30 June 2014	Sch 6 (item 64), Sch 11 (items 16-25) and Sch 14: 1 July 2014 (s 2(1) items 6, 14)	Sch 14
as amended by
Public Governance and Resources Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2015	36, 2015	13 Apr 2015	Sch 2 (item 7) and Sch 7: 14 Apr 2015 (s 2)	Sch 7
as amended by
Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015	126, 2015	10 Sept 2015	Sch 1 (item 486): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)	--
Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015	126, 2015	10 Sept 2015	Sch 1 (item 495): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)	--
Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2014 Measures No. 7) Act 2015	21, 2015	19 Mar 2015	Sch 2 (items 33-35, 44-46): 1 May 2015 (s 2(1) item 3)	Sch 2 (items 44-46)
Private Health Insurance Amendment Act 2015	57, 2015	26 May 2015	Sch 1 (items 1-13, 25-31): 1 July 2015 (s 2(1) item 2) Sch 2 (items 2, 3): 26 May 2015 (s 2(1) item 3)	Sch 1 (items 25-31) and Sch 2 (items 2, 3)
Norfolk Island Legislation Amendment Act 2015	59, 2015	26 May 2015	Sch 2 (items 280-292): 1 July 2016 (s 2(1) item 5) Sch 2 (items 356-396): 18 June 2015 (s 2(1) item 6)	Sch 2 (items 356-396)
as amended by
Territories Legislation Amendment Act 2016	33, 2016	23 Mar 2016	Sch 2: 24 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)	--
Private Health Insurance (Prudential Supervision) (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2015	87, 2015	26 June 2015	Sch 1 (item 178): 1 July 2015 (s 2(1) item 3) Sch 2: 27 June 2015 (s 2(1) item 9)	Sch 2
Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2015	124, 2015	10 Sept 2015	Sch 1: 10 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2) Remainder: 10 Sept 2015 (s 2(1) items 1, 3)	Sch 2
Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015	126, 2015	10 Sept 2015	Sch 1 (item 462): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)	--
Courts Administration Legislation Amendment Act 2016	24, 2016	18 Mar 2016	Sch 5 (items 25-27): 1 July 2016 (s 2(1) item 7) Sch 5 (item 32): 1 Jan 2018 (s 2(1) item 8) Sch 6: 18 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 9)	Sch 6
Statute Update Act 2016	61, 2016	23 Sept 2016	Sch 1 (items 349, 350): 21 Oct 2016 (s 2(1) item 1)	--
Education and Other Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2017	31, 2017	12 Apr 2017	Sch 1 (items 1-6): 1 July 2017 (s 2(1) item 2)	--
Home Affairs and Integrity Agencies Legislation Amendment Act 2018	31, 2018	9 May 2018	Sch 2 (items 135-139, 284): 11 May 2018 (s 2(1) items 3, 7)	Sch 2 (item 284)
National Security Legislation Amendment (Espionage and Foreign Interference) Act 2018	67, 2018	29 June 2018	Sch 2 (item 26): 29 Dec 2018 (s 2(1) item 3)	--
Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Act 2018	101, 2018	21 Sept 2018	Sch 3 and 4: 22 Sept 2018 (s 2(1) items 3, 4)	Sch 3 (items 8, 9) and Sch 4
Higher Education Support Amendment (VET FEE-HELP Student Protection) Act 2018	160, 2018	10 Dec 2018	Sch 1 (items 7-9): 1 Jan 2019 (s 2(1) item 2) Sch 2 (item 8): 1 Jan 2020 (s 2(1) item 3)	Sch 1 (item 9)
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2021	13, 2021	1 Mar 2021	Sch 2 (items 646-658): 1 Sept 2021 (s 2(1) item 5)	--
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (International Production Orders) Act 2021	78, 2021	23 July 2021	Sch 1 (items 13A, 13B): 24 July 2021 (s 2(1) item 2)	--
Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Act 2021	98, 2021	3 Sept 2021	Sch 2 (items 84-91): 4 Sept 2021 (s 2(1) item 3)	--
National Anti-Corruption Commission (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2022	89, 2022	12 Dec 2022	Sch 1 (items 125-151): 1 July 2023 (s 2(1) item 2)	--
National Security Legislation Amendment (Comprehensive Review and Other Measures No. 2) Act 2023	53, 2023	11 Aug 2023	Sch 1 (items 18, 19): 12 Aug 2023 (s 2(1) item 1)	--
Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Modernisation) Act 2023	73, 2023	20 Sept 2023	Sch 1 (item 194) and Sch 3 (item 2): 21 Sept 2023 (s 2(1) items 2, 5)	Sch 3 (item 2)

Endnote 4--Amendment history

Provision affected	How affected
Title....................	rs No 61, 1983
	am No 25, 2006; No 11, 2011; No 57, 2015; No 31, 2017
Part I
s 3.....................	am No 63, 1978; No 107, 1979; No 155, 1979; No 61, 1983; No 63, 1984 (as am by No 193, 1985); No 168, 1986; No 109, 1988; No 199, 1991; No 196, 1992; No 33, 1994; No 177, 1994; No 43, 1996; No 1, 1997; No 146, 1999; No 194, 1999; No 135, 2001; No 63, 2002; No 125, 2002; No 45, 2005; No 141, 2005; No 25, 2006; No 84, 2006; No 5, 2011; No 58, 2011; No 7, 2013; No 13, 2013; No 134, 2013; No 21, 2015; No 57, 2015; No 59, 2015; No 24, 2016; No 31, 2017; No 13, 2021; No 98, 2021; No 89, 2022; No 53, 2023
s 3AB Renumbered s 3A...........	ad No 33, 1994 No 49, 2001
s 3AA Renumbered s 3B...........	ad No 109, 1988 No 49, 2001
s 3BA...................	ad No 141, 2005
s 3A Renumbered s 3C...........	ad No 61, 1983 No 49, 2001
s 3D....................	ad No 49, 2001
Part II
Division 1
s 4.....................	am No 61, 1983; No 199, 1991; No 33, 1994; No 120, 1995; No 141, 2005; No 84, 2006; No 139, 2010; No 21, 2015; No 59, 2015
s 4A....................	ad No 62, 2014
	am No 57, 2015; No 31, 2017
s 5.....................	am No 63, 1978; No 155, 1979; No 61, 1983; No 199, 1991; No 33, 1994; No 177, 1994; No 146, 1999; No 135, 2001; No 125, 2002; No 84, 2006; No 86, 2006; No 5, 2011; No 59, 2015; No 13, 2021; No 89, 2022; No 53, 2023
s 5A....................	ad No 134, 2013
s 5B....................	ad No 98, 2021
	am No 73, 2023
s 6.....................	am No 61, 1983; No 168, 1986; No 119, 1988; No 63, 1989; No 99, 1991; No 199, 1991; No 33, 1994; No 177, 1994; No 59, 1997; No 146, 1999; No 45, 2005; No 25, 2006; No 84, 2006; No 86, 2006; No 51, 2010; No 5, 2011; No 2, 2013; No 134, 2013; No 89, 2022
s 6A....................	ad No 135, 2001
	am No 125, 2002; No 98, 2021
s 6B....................	ad No 86, 2006
	am No 89, 2022
s 6C....................	ad No 51, 2010
s 6D....................	ad No 21, 2015
s 6E....................	ad No 124, 2015
s 6F....................	ad No 98, 2021
s 6G....................	ad No 89, 2022
s 7.....................	rs No 61, 1983
	am No 199, 1991
s 7A....................	ad No 61, 1983
	am No 168, 1986; No 199, 1991; No 141, 2005; No 197, 2012
s 8.....................	am No 61, 1983; No 199, 1991; No 33, 1994; No 43, 1996; No 141, 2005; No 84, 2006; No 197, 2012; No 134, 2013
s 8A....................	ad No 61, 1983
	am No 199, 1991; No 84, 2006
s 8B....................	ad No 135, 2001
	am No 125, 2002
s 8C....................	ad No 86, 2006
	am No 89, 2022
s 8D....................	ad No 84, 2006
s 9.....................	am No 63, 1978; No 61, 1983; No 168, 1986; No 109, 1988; No 199, 1991; No 137, 2000; No 135, 2001; No 125, 2002; No 141, 2005; No 86, 2006; No 89, 2022
s 10....................	am No 61, 1983; No 199, 1991
s 10A...................	ad No 199, 1991
s 11....................	am No 61, 1983
	rs No 199, 1991
s 11A...................	ad No 61, 1983
	am No 199, 1991; No 141, 2005
s 12....................	rs No 61, 1983
	am No 199, 1991
s 13....................	am No 199, 1991; No 33, 1994
s 14....................	am No 168, 1986; No 199, 1991; No 141, 2005; No 31, 2018; No 67, 2018
Division 2
s 15....................	am No 61, 1983; No 199, 1991
s 16....................	am No 199, 1991; No 33, 1994; No 31, 2018; No 13, 2021
s 17....................	am No 199, 1991; No 33, 1994
s 18....................	rs No 63, 1978
	rep No 61, 1983
	ad No 199, 1991
s 19....................	am No 63, 1978; No 107, 1979; No 61, 1983; No 168, 1986; No 109, 1988; No 199, 1991; No 141, 2005; No 51, 2010
	rs No 62, 2014
Part IIA
Part IIA..................	ad No 61, 1983
s 19A...................	ad No 61, 1983
	rep No 168, 1986
s 19B...................	ad No 61, 1983
s 19C...................	ad No 61, 1983
	am No 199, 1991; No 141, 2005; No 59, 2015
s 19D...................	ad No 61, 1983
	am No 199, 1991
s 19E...................	ad No 61, 1983
	am No 168, 1986; No 199, 1991
s 19F...................	ad No 61, 1983
	am No 25, 2006; No 62, 2014
s 19FA..................	ad No 62, 2014
Part IIB
Part IIB..................	ad No 25, 2006
Division 1
s 19G...................	ad No 25, 2006
s 19H...................	ad No 25, 2006
s 19J....................	ad No 25, 2006
s 19K...................	ad No 25, 2006
Division 2
s 19L...................	ad No 25, 2006
s 19M...................	ad No 25, 2006
	am No 141, 2005
s 19N...................	ad No 25, 2006
s 19P...................	ad No 25, 2006
s 19Q...................	ad No 25, 2006
Division 3
s 19R...................	ad No 25, 2006
	am No 141, 2005; No 51, 2010; No 5, 2011; No 62, 2014
s 19S...................	ad No 25, 2006
s 19T...................	ad No 25, 2006
s 19U...................	ad No 25, 2006
s 19V...................	ad No 25, 2006
s 19W...................	ad No 25, 2006
s 19X...................	ad No 25, 2006
	rs No 62, 2014
s 19Y...................	ad No 25, 2006
s 19Z...................	ad No 25, 2006
Division 4
s 19ZA..................	ad No 25, 2006
s 19ZB..................	ad No 25, 2006
s 19ZC..................	ad No 25, 2006
s 19ZD..................	ad No 25, 2006
	am No 8, 2010
Division 5
s 19ZE..................	ad No 25, 2006
	am No 45, 2005; No 126, 2015
Part IIC
Part IIC..................	ad No 11, 2011
Division 1
s 19ZF..................	ad No 11, 2011
s 19ZG..................	ad No 11, 2011
s 19ZH..................	ad No 11, 2011
Division 2
s 19ZI...................	ad No 11, 2011
s 19ZJ...................	ad No 11, 2011
	am No 9, 2012
s 19ZK..................	ad No 11, 2011
	am No 9, 2012
s 19ZL..................	ad No 11, 2011
Division 3
s 19ZM..................	ad No 11, 2011
	am No 62, 2014
s 19ZN..................	ad No 11, 2011
s 19ZO..................	ad No 11, 2011
s 19ZP..................	ad No 11, 2011
s 19ZQ..................	ad No 11, 2011
s 19ZR..................	ad No 11, 2011
s 19ZS..................	ad No 11, 2011
	rs No 62, 2014
s 19ZT..................	ad No 11, 2011
s 19ZU..................	ad No 11, 2011
Part IID
Part IID..................	ad No 57, 2015
Division 1
s 20....................	ad No 57, 2015
s 20A...................	ad No 57, 2015
s 20B...................	ad No 57, 2015
Division 2
s 20C...................	ad No 57, 2015
s 20D...................	ad No 57, 2015
Division 3
Subdivision A
s 20E...................	ad No 57, 2015
s 20F...................	ad No 57, 2015
s 20G...................	ad No 57, 2015
Subdivision B
s 20H...................	ad No 57, 2015
s 20J....................	ad No 57, 2015
s 20K...................	ad No 57, 2015
s 20L...................	ad No 57, 2015
s 20M...................	ad No 57, 2015
Subdivision C
s 20N...................	ad No 57, 2015
Subdivision D
s 20P...................	ad No 57, 2015
Subdivision E
s 20Q...................	ad No 57, 2015
s 20R...................	ad No 57, 2015
Subdivision F
s 20S...................	ad No 57, 2015
Division 3A
Division 3A...............	ad No 101, 2018
Subdivision A
s 20SA..................	ad No 101, 2018
Subdivision B
s 20SB..................	ad No 101, 2018
Division 4
Subdivision A
s 20T...................	ad No 57, 2015
s 20TA..................	ad No 101, 2018
Subdivision B
s 20U...................	ad No 57, 2015
s 20V...................	ad No 57, 2015
s 20W...................	ad No 57, 2015
Division 5
s 20X...................	ad No 57, 2015
s 20Y...................	ad No 57, 2015
s 20Z...................	ad No 57, 2015
s 20ZA..................	ad No 57, 2015
s 20ZB..................	ad No 57, 2015
s 20ZC..................	ad No 57, 2015
Division 6
s 20ZD..................	ad No 57, 2015
s 20ZE..................	ad No 57, 2015
s 20ZF..................	ad No 57, 2015
Division 7
s 20ZG..................	ad No 57, 2015
	am No 101, 2018
Division 8
s 20ZH..................	ad No 57, 2015
s 20ZHA.................	ad No 101, 2018
s 20ZHB.................	ad No 101, 2018
s 20ZI...................	ad No 57, 2015
s 20ZIA..................	ad No 101, 2018
s 20ZJ...................	ad No 57, 2015
s 20ZK..................	ad No 57, 2015
	am No 89, 2022
	ed C57
Part IIE
Part IIE..................	ad No 31, 2017
Division 1
s 20ZL..................	ad No 31, 2017
s 20ZM..................	ad No 31, 2017
	am No 160, 2018
s 20ZN..................	ad No 31, 2017
Division 2
s 20ZO..................	ad No 31, 2017
s 20ZP..................	ad No 31, 2017
s 20ZQ..................	ad No 31, 2017
s 20ZR..................	ad No 31, 2017
Division 3
s 20ZS..................	ad No 31, 2017
	am No 89, 2022
	ed C57
s 20ZT..................	ad No 31, 2017
Division 4
s 20ZU..................	ad No 31, 2017
s 20ZV..................	ad No 31, 2017
s 20ZW..................	ad No 31, 2017
s 20ZX..................	ad No 31, 2017
	am No 160, 2018
s 20ZY..................	ad No 31, 2017
s 20ZZ..................	ad No 31, 2017
Division 5
s 20ZZA.................	ad No 31, 2017
s 20ZZB.................	ad No 31, 2017
Part III
Division 1
s 20....................	renum No 57, 2015
s 20ZL (prev s 20)...........	renum No 31, 2017
s 21A (prev s 20ZL)
s 22....................	am No 199, 1991; No 43, 1996; No 159, 2001
s 23....................	am No 63, 1978; No 61, 1983; No 109, 1988
s 24....................	am No 168, 1986; No 43, 1996
s 25....................	rs No 122, 1991
	am No 146, 1999
s 26....................	am No 199, 1991
s 28....................	am No 61, 1981; No 61, 1983; Nos 122 and 199, 1991
s 28A...................	ad No 94, 1992
	am No 26, 2008
s 28B...................	ad No 94, 1992
	am No 26, 2008; No 58, 2011
s 29....................	rs No 61, 1983
	am No 168, 1986; No 199, 1991; No 33, 1994; No 141, 2005; No 46, 2011
s 30....................	am No 199, 1991
	rep No 94, 1992
Division 2
s 31....................	am No 63, 1984; No 146, 1999
s 32....................	rep No 65, 1985
Division 3 heading..........	rep No 43, 1996
Part IV
s 33....................	am No 61, 1983; No 199, 1991; No 84, 2006
s 34....................	am No 63, 1978
	rs No 61, 1983
	am No 199, 1991; No 25, 2006; No 84, 2006; No 11, 2011; No 62, 2014; No 57, 2015; No 31, 2017; No 101, 2018
s 35....................	am No 63, 1978; No 61, 1983; No 119, 1988; No 63, 1989; No 199, 1991; No 135, 2001; No 141, 2005; No 84, 2006; No 86, 2006; No 51, 2010; No 134, 2013; No 57, 2015; No 87, 2015; No 61, 2016; No 78, 2021; No 98, 2021
s 35AA..................	ad No 86, 2006
	am No 89, 2022
s 35AB..................	ad 98, 2021
s 35A...................	ad No 61, 1983
	am No 177, 1994; No 135, 2001; No 141, 2005; No 86, 2006; No 5, 2011
s 35B...................	ad No 135, 2001
	am No 125, 2002; No 25, 2006; No 62, 2014; No 31, 2018; No 98, 2021
s 35C...................	ad No 86, 2006
	am No 57, 2015; No 98, 2021; No 89, 2022
s 36....................	am No 61, 1983; No 199, 1991; No 137, 2000; No 49, 2001; No 57, 2015; No 61, 2016
s 37....................	am No 61, 1983
Part V...................	ad Statutory Rules 1978 No 104
	rep No 168, 1986
ss 39-42.................	ad Statutory Rules 1978 No 104
	rep No 168, 1986

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