Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated ActsAct No. 28 of 1994 as amended
This compilation was prepared on 26 November 2008
taking into account amendments up to Act No. 117 of 2008
The text of any of those amendments not in force
on that date is appended in the Notes section
The operation of amendments that have been incorporated may
be
affected by application provisions that are set out in the Notes section
Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and
Publishing,
Attorney‑General's Department, Canberra
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READER'S GUIDE |
Purpose of the Reader's Guide
The purpose of this Guide is to make it easier for you to read the Act. It gives you information about the scope, coverage and organisation of the Act and it alerts you to some of the basic concepts used in the Act. It also tells you about some of the features of the Act so that you can read the Act more efficiently.
Scope of the Act
The Act deals with 2 related matters:
* setting up a licensing system for mining and exploration in particular offshore areas; and
* applying State laws to those offshore areas so far as those laws concern mining and exploration activities.
The provisions dealing with the first matter take up most of the Act. The second matter is dealt with in Part 5.1.
Basic concepts
The Act uses a number of basic concepts and some of these concepts are sophisticated and difficult. If you are reading the Act for the first time, you should go to Division 2 of Part 1.2 first and familiarise yourself with these basic concepts before going on to read the other provisions of the Act.
The main basic concepts are:
* a Commonwealth‑State offshore area (an offshore area if you are already familiar with the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006);
* blocks and the different kinds of blocks (standard, reserved and tender blocks);
* minerals;
* exploration;
* mining.
The bodies with decision‑making powers
The administration of the Act is generally shared between the Commonwealth Government and the State Governments. This means that the various decision‑making powers under the Act are given to different bodies. Part 1.3 explains who these bodies are. The State body is called the Designated Authority. The body that represents the Commonwealth and State Governments acting together is called the Joint Authority.
It is important to familiarise yourself with this terminology and to keep the distinction between the different authorities in mind when you read the provisions of the Act.
An important feature of the licensing system is that the Joint Authority always acts through the corresponding Designated Authority. The Joint Authority's decisions are carried out by the Designated Authority. Applicants and licence holders always deal with the Designated Authority and do not deal directly with the Joint Authority, although the Joint Authority is the ultimate decision‑maker.
The Act also deals with exploration and mining in the offshore areas off external territories. Although special provision is sometimes made for the external territories, the general approach is to give the Commonwealth Minister the powers of both Designated Authority and Joint Authority (see subsections 29(3) and 32(3)).
The licensing scheme
Different activities require different authorisations. The Act provides for 5 kinds of authorisation:
* retention licences;
* mining licences;
* works licences;
The Act deals with these authorisations in this order. The provisions dealing with each authorisation begin with a statement of the activities authorised by that particular authorisation and go on to deal with:
* applications;
* grant;
* duration;
* renewal;
* obligations of the holder;
* expiry.
You can use the table of provisions to home in on the authorisation and the topic you are interested in. Where necessary, the Act will cross refer you to related provisions that you might otherwise overlook or not find easy to locate. These cross references will be found in the Notes at the end of sections and subsections.
Registration and dealings
Chapter 3 deals with the related topics of registration and dealings in licences.
Administration
Chapter 4 deals with the administration of the licensing system including:
* information gathering powers;
* the giving of directions;
* the lodgment and use of securities;
* restoration and rehabilitation action.
Summary of Contents
Chapter 1--Introduction
Part 1.1--Legislative formalities and background
Part 1.2--Interpretation
Division 1--General
Division 2--Basic concepts
Part 1.3--Designated Authorities and Joint Authorities
Part 1.4--Application of this Act
Chapter 2--Regulation of offshore exploration and mining
Part 2.1--General
Part 2.2--Exploration licences
Division 1--General
Division 2--Application for and grant of exploration licence over standard blocks
Division 3--Application for and grant of exploration licence over tender blocks
Division 4--Duration of exploration licence
Division 5--Voluntary surrender of part of exploration licence area
Division 6--Application for and grant of renewal of exploration licence
Division 7--Obligations associated with exploration licence
Division 8--Expiry of exploration licence
Part 2.3--Retention licences
Division 1--General
Division 2--Application for and grant of retention licence
Division 3--Duration of retention licence
Division 4--Voluntary surrender of part of retention licence area
Division 5--Application for and grant of renewal of retention licence
Division 6--Obligations associated with retention licence
Division 7--Expiry of retention licence
Part 2.4--Mining licences
Division 1--General
Division 2--Application for and grant of mining licence over standard blocks
Division 3--Application for and grant of mining licence over tender blocks
Division 4--Duration of mining licence
Division 5--Voluntary surrender of part of mining licence area
Division 6--Application for and grant of renewal of mining licence
Division 7--Obligations associated with mining licence
Division 8--Expiry of mining licence
Part 2.5--Works licences
Division 1--General
Division 2--Application for and grant of works licence
Division 3--Duration of works licence
Division 4--Application for and grant of renewal of works licence
Division 5--Obligations associated with works licence
Division 6--Expiry of works licence
Part 2.6--Special purpose consents
Chapter 3--Registration and dealings
Part 3.1--Registration
Division 1--Preliminary
Division 2--Matters to be entered in register
Subdivision A--Licences
Subdivision B--Caveats
Division 3--Miscellaneous
Part 3.2--Dealings in registered licences
Division 1--Dealings in licences to be in writing and registered
Division 2--Approval of transfer of licences
Chapter 4--Administration
Part 4.1--Information management
Part 4.2--Monitoring and enforcement
Division 1--Inspections
Division 2--Directions
Division 3--Securities
Division 4--Restoration of environment
Division 5--Safety zones
Division 6--Offences
Part 4.3--Review of decisions made about the offshore areas of external territories
Part 4.4--Procedures of Joint Authorities and Designated Authorities
Part 4.5--Inspectors
Part 4.6--Finance
Chapter 5--Miscellaneous
Part 5.1--Application of laws
Part 5.2--Miscellaneous
SCHEDULES
Schedule 1--Savings and transitional provisions
Contents
Chapter 1--Introduction 1
Part 1.1--Legislative formalities and background 1
1............ Short title [see Note 1] ....................................................................... 1
2............ Commencement [see Note 1] .............................................................. 1
3............ Commonwealth‑State agreement (the Offshore Constitutional Settlement) 1
Part 1.2--Interpretation 4
Division 1--General 4
4............ Interpretation ...................................................................................... 4
5............ Treatment of the Northern Territory ............................................... 10
6............ Shares in a licence ............................................................................. 10
7............ Transfer of a licence .......................................................................... 10
8............ Successor licences ............................................................................. 11
9............ Notes, diagrams etc. form part of section etc. .................................. 12
10.......... Position on the Earth's surface ......................................................... 12
11.......... Effect of maximum penalty at foot of section or subsection ............ 14
11A....... Application of the Criminal Code .................................................... 14
12.......... Power to vary and revoke instruments ............................................. 14
Division 2--Basic concepts 15
13.......... Commonwealth‑State offshore areas ................................................ 15
14.......... External territory offshore areas ....................................................... 16
15.......... Effect of change to, or reassessment of the location of, baseline ...... 17
16.......... Coastal waters of a State .................................................................. 18
17.......... Blocks ............................................................................................... 19
18.......... Reserved block .................................................................................. 20
19.......... Standard block .................................................................................. 21
20.......... Tender block ..................................................................................... 21
21.......... Discrete area ..................................................................................... 21
22.......... Mineral ............................................................................................. 21
23.......... Exploration ....................................................................................... 21
24.......... Recovery ........................................................................................... 22
25.......... Licence holder ................................................................................... 22
26.......... Associates ......................................................................................... 22
27.......... Confidential information ................................................................... 23
28.......... Confidential sample .......................................................................... 24
Part 1.3--Designated Authorities and Joint Authorities 25
29.......... Designated Authorities ..................................................................... 25
30.......... Functions and powers of Designated Authorities ............................ 25
31.......... Judicial notice of signature of Designated Authority ....................... 25
32.......... Joint Authorities ............................................................................... 26
33.......... Functions and powers of Joint Authorities ...................................... 27
34.......... Service of documents on a Joint Authority ...................................... 27
Part 1.4--Application of this Act 28
35.......... Act does not apply to exploration for or recovery of petroleum ..... 28
36.......... Act extends to certain external territories ......................................... 28
37.......... Act applies to all individuals and corporations ................................ 28
Chapter 2--Regulation of offshore exploration and mining 30
Part 2.1--General 30
38.......... General prohibition on exploring and mining in offshore areas without appropriate authorisation under this Act .......................................................................................................... 30
39.......... Licences and consents available under this Act ................................ 30
40.......... Steps involved in the grant of a fully effective licence ..................... 31
41.......... Approval of form and manner of applications etc. .......................... 32
42.......... Rights to minerals recovered ............................................................. 32
43.......... Effect of grant of licence or special purpose consent on native title 33
44.......... Licence etc. does not authorise unnecessary interference with other activities in the licence area 33
Part 2.2--Exploration licences 35
Division 1--General 35
45.......... Exploration licences .......................................................................... 35
46.......... Activities authorised by an exploration licence ................................ 35
47.......... Joint Authority may cancel or not renew exploration licence without compensation 36
48.......... Licence rights may be suspended ..................................................... 36
49.......... Compensation for acquisition of property due to suspension of rights 36
Division 2--Application for and grant of exploration licence over standard blocks 38
50.......... Application for exploration licence over standard block .................. 38
51.......... Which blocks are excluded? .............................................................. 38
52.......... Designated Authority may determine that excluded block is available 39
53.......... Designated Authority may allow application for more than one discrete area 40
54.......... How to apply ................................................................................... 40
55.......... Effect of inclusion of unavailable block in application ..................... 41
56.......... Payment of fee .................................................................................. 42
57.......... Application must be advertised ........................................................ 42
58.......... How multiple applications are dealt with ........................................ 43
59.......... Discussions about blocks applied for ............................................... 43
60.......... Advertising revised application ........................................................ 44
61.......... Request for further information ........................................................ 45
62.......... Commonwealth‑State offshore area--Designated Authority must refer application to Joint Authority if certain requirements met .............................................................................. 46
63.......... Commonwealth‑State offshore area--Joint Authority may provisionally grant exploration licence 46
64.......... External territory offshore area--how application for exploration licence dealt with 47
65.......... Matters to be specified in the licence ............................................... 47
66.......... Applicant must be notified ............................................................... 47
67.......... Amendment of conditions ................................................................ 48
68.......... Amendment of security requirements .............................................. 48
69.......... Extension of primary payment period ............................................. 49
70.......... Acceptance of grant of exploration licence for standard block ......... 49
71.......... Conditions applicable to licence on grant ......................................... 50
72.......... Lapse of provisional grant of exploration licence ............................. 50
Division 3--Application for and grant of exploration licence over tender block 51
73.......... Matters to be determined before applications for exploration licence over tender blocks invited 51
74.......... Joint Authority may invite applications for exploration licence over tender blocks 51
75.......... Tender block licence notice--exploration licence ............................. 51
76.......... Application for exploration licence over tender blocks .................... 52
77.......... How to apply ................................................................................... 52
78.......... Payment of fee .................................................................................. 53
79.......... Request for further information ........................................................ 53
80.......... Commonwealth‑State offshore area--Designated Authority must refer application to Joint Authority if certain requirements met .............................................................................. 53
81.......... Commonwealth‑State offshore area--Joint Authority may provisionally grant tender block exploration licence 54
82.......... External territory offshore area--how applications dealt with ........ 54
83.......... Successful applicant must be notified .............................................. 55
84.......... Acceptance of grant of exploration licence over tender blocks ......... 56
85.......... Conditions applicable to licence on grant ......................................... 56
86.......... Lapse of provisional grant of exploration licence ............................. 56
87.......... Provisional grant to next applicant if grant lapses ............................ 56
Division 4--Duration of exploration licence 57
88.......... Initial term of exploration licence ..................................................... 57
89.......... Term of renewal of exploration licence ............................................. 57
90.......... Effect of suspension of rights on term of exploration licence .......... 57
91.......... Effect of application for renewal on term of exploration licence ...... 58
92.......... Effect of application for retention licence or mining licence on term of exploration licence 58
93.......... Effect of application for extension on term of licence ...................... 59
94.......... Extension of licence--activities disrupted ........................................ 59
95.......... Grant of licence extension--activities disrupted .............................. 60
96.......... Extension of licence--other circumstances ....................................... 61
97.......... Grant of licence extension--other circumstances ............................. 61
98.......... Notification of decision .................................................................... 61
Division 5--Voluntary surrender of part of exploration licence area 63
99.......... Voluntary surrender of blocks if discrete area remains ..................... 63
100........ Voluntary surrender of blocks if up to 3 discrete areas remain ........ 63
Division 6--Application for and grant of renewal of exploration licence 65
101........ Application for renewal of exploration licence ................................. 65
102........ When must an application to renew be made? ................................. 65
103........ How to apply for renewal ................................................................ 65
104........ Mandatory reduction of licence area on renewal of exploration licence 66
105........ Request for further information ........................................................ 67
106........ Payment of fee .................................................................................. 67
107........ Commonwealth‑State offshore area--Designated Authority must refer renewal application to Joint Authority if certain requirements met ................................................................... 67
108........ Commonwealth‑State offshore area--provisional renewal of an exploration licence 68
109........ External territory offshore area--how application for renewal dealt with 68
110........ Applicant must be notified ............................................................... 69
111........ Amendment of conditions ................................................................ 70
112........ Amendment of security requirements .............................................. 70
113........ Extension of primary payment period ............................................. 71
114........ Acceptance of renewal of exploration licence ................................... 71
115........ Conditions applicable to licence on renewal ..................................... 72
116........ Lapse of provisional renewal of exploration licence ......................... 72
Division 7--Obligations associated with exploration licence 73
117........ General .............................................................................................. 73
118........ Conditions of exploration licence ..................................................... 73
119........ No conditions requiring payment of money ..................................... 74
120........ Variation of conditions ..................................................................... 75
121........ Exemption from or suspension of conditions ................................... 75
122........ Automatic suspension of conditions if licence rights are suspended 77
123........ Work practices .................................................................................. 77
124........ Licence holder must keep specified records etc. ............................... 77
125........ Licence holder must assist inspectors .............................................. 78
Division 8--Expiry of exploration licence 79
126........ General .............................................................................................. 79
127........ Voluntary surrender of exploration licence ....................................... 79
128........ Automatic expiry of exploration licence when retention licence takes effect 79
129........ Automatic expiry of exploration licence when mining licence takes effect 80
130........ Cancellation of exploration licence ................................................... 80
131........ Obligations of former exploration licence holders and former associates 81
Part 2.3--Retention licences 83
Division 1--General 83
132........ Retention licences ............................................................................. 83
133........ Activities authorised by a retention licence ...................................... 83
134........ Joint Authority may cancel or not renew retention licence without compensation 84
135........ Licence rights may be suspended ..................................................... 84
136........ Compensation for acquisition of property due to suspension of rights 85
Division 2--Application for and grant of retention licence 86
137........ Application for retention licence ...................................................... 86
138........ How to apply ................................................................................... 86
139........ Payment of fee .................................................................................. 87
140........ Application must be advertised ........................................................ 87
141........ Request for further information ........................................................ 88
142........ Commonwealth‑State offshore area--Designated Authority must refer application to Joint Authority if certain requirements met .............................................................................. 89
143........ Commonwealth‑State offshore area--Joint Authority may provisionally grant retention licence 89
144........ External territory offshore area--how application for retention licence dealt with 89
145........ Grounds for granting retention licence .............................................. 90
146........ Matters to be specified in the licence ............................................... 91
147........ Applicant must be notified ............................................................... 91
148........ Amendment of conditions ................................................................ 91
149........ Amendment of security requirements .............................................. 92
150........ Extension of primary payment period ............................................. 92
151........ Acceptance of grant of retention licence ........................................... 93
152........ Conditions applicable to licence on grant ......................................... 93
153........ Lapse of provisional grant of retention licence ................................. 94
Division 3--Duration of retention licence 95
154........ Initial term of retention licence ......................................................... 95
155........ Term of renewal of licence ................................................................ 95
156........ Effect of application for renewal on term of retention licence ......... 96
157........ Effect of application for mining licence on term of retention licence 96
Division 4--Voluntary surrender of part of retention licence area 97
158........ Voluntary surrender of blocks if discrete area remains ..................... 97
Division 5--Application for and grant of renewal of retention licence 98
159........ Application for renewal of retention licence .................................... 98
160........ When must an application to renew be made? ................................. 98
161........ How to apply for renewal ................................................................ 98
162........ Request for further information ........................................................ 99
163........ Payment of fee .................................................................................. 99
164........ Commonwealth‑State offshore area--Designated Authority must refer renewal application to Joint Authority if certain requirements met ................................................................. 100
165........ Commonwealth‑State offshore area--provisional renewal of retention licence 100
166........ External territory offshore area--how application for renewal dealt with 100
167........ Matters to be taken into account in deciding whether to renew retention licence 101
168........ Refusal of application for renewal .................................................. 101
169........ Applicant must be notified ............................................................. 102
170........ Amendment of conditions .............................................................. 102
171........ Amendment of security requirements ............................................ 103
172........ Extension of primary payment period ........................................... 103
173........ Acceptance of renewal of retention licence .................................... 104
174........ Conditions applicable to licence on renewal ................................... 104
175........ Lapse of provisional renewal of retention licence .......................... 105
Division 6--Obligations associated with retention licence 106
176........ General ............................................................................................ 106
177........ Conditions of retention licence ....................................................... 106
178........ No conditions requiring payment of money ................................... 107
179........ Variation of conditions ................................................................... 108
180........ Exemption from or suspension of conditions ................................. 108
181........ Automatic suspension of conditions if licence rights are suspended 109
182........ Significant changes in circumstances to be reported to Designated Authority 110
183........ Work practices ................................................................................ 110
184........ Licence holder must keep specified records etc. ............................. 110
185........ Licence holder must assist inspectors ............................................ 111
Division 7--Expiry of retention licence 112
186........ General ............................................................................................ 112
187........ Voluntary surrender of retention licence ........................................ 112
188........ Automatic expiry of retention licence when mining licence takes effect 112
189........ Cancellation of retention licence--breach of condition etc. ............ 112
190........ Cancellation of retention licence--mining activities viable ............. 113
191........ Obligations of former retention licence holders and former associates 114
Part 2.4--Mining licences 116
Division 1--General 116
192........ Mining licences ............................................................................... 116
193........ Activities authorised by a mining licence ....................................... 116
194........ Joint Authority may cancel or not renew mining licence without compensation 117
195........ Licence rights may be suspended ................................................... 117
196........ Compensation for acquisition of property due to suspension of rights 117
Division 2--Application for and grant of mining licence over standard blocks 119
197........ Application for mining licence over vacant standard block ............ 119
198........ Holder of exploration licence or retention licence may apply for mining licence 119
199........ How to apply ................................................................................. 119
200........ Effect of inclusion of unavailable block in application ................... 120
201........ Payment of fee ................................................................................ 121
202........ Application must be advertised ...................................................... 121
203........ How multiple applications are dealt with ...................................... 122
204........ Request for further information ...................................................... 122
205........ Commonwealth‑State offshore area--Designated Authority must refer application to Joint Authority if certain requirements met ............................................................................ 123
206........ Commonwealth‑State offshore area--Joint Authority may provisionally grant mining licence 123
207........ External territory offshore area--how application for mining licence dealt with 123
208........ Refusal of application for mining licence made under section 198 . 124
209........ Matters to be specified in the licence ............................................. 124
210........ Applicant must be notified ............................................................. 125
211........ Amendment of conditions .............................................................. 125
212........ Amendment of security requirements ............................................ 126
213........ Extension of primary payment period ........................................... 126
214........ Acceptance of grant of mining licence for standard block .............. 126
215........ Conditions applicable to licence on grant ....................................... 127
216........ Lapse of provisional grant of mining licence .................................. 127
Division 3--Application for and grant of mining licence over tender block 128
217........ Matters to be determined before applications for mining licence over tender blocks invited 128
218........ Joint Authority may invite applications for mining licence over tender blocks 128
219........ Tender block licence notice--mining licence .................................. 128
220........ Application for mining licence over tender blocks ......................... 129
221........ How to apply ................................................................................. 129
222........ Payment of fee ................................................................................ 130
223........ Request for further information ...................................................... 130
224........ Commonwealth‑State offshore area--Designated Authority must refer application to Joint Authority if certain requirements met ............................................................................ 131
225........ Commonwealth‑State offshore area--Joint Authority may provisionally grant tender block mining licence 131
226........ External territory offshore area--how applications dealt with ...... 131
227........ Successful applicant must be notified ............................................ 132
228........ Acceptance of grant of mining licence over tender blocks .............. 133
229........ Conditions applicable to licence on grant ....................................... 133
230........ Lapse of provisional grant of mining licence .................................. 133
231........ Provisional grant to next applicant if grant lapses .......................... 133
Division 4--Duration of mining licence 135
232........ Initial term of mining licence ........................................................... 135
233........ Term of renewal of licence .............................................................. 135
234........ Effect of application for renewal on term of mining licence ........... 136
Division 5--Voluntary surrender of part of mining licence area 137
235........ Voluntary surrender of blocks if discrete area remains ................... 137
Division 6--Application for and grant of renewal of mining licence 138
236........ Application for renewal of mining licence ...................................... 138
237........ When must an application to renew be made? ............................... 138
238........ How to apply for renewal .............................................................. 138
239........ Request for further information ...................................................... 139
240........ Payment of fee ................................................................................ 139
241........ Commonwealth‑State offshore area--Designated Authority must refer renewal application to Joint Authority if certain requirements met ................................................................. 139
242........ Commonwealth‑State offshore area--provisional renewal of mining licence 140
243........ External territory offshore area--how application for renewal dealt with 140
244........ Matters to be taken into account in deciding whether to renew mining licence 141
245........ Refusal of application for renewal .................................................. 141
246........ Applicant must be notified ............................................................. 141
247........ Amendment of conditions .............................................................. 142
248........ Amendment of security requirements ............................................ 142
249........ Extension of primary payment period ........................................... 143
250........ Acceptance of renewal of mining licence ........................................ 143
251........ Conditions applicable to licence on renewal ................................... 144
252........ Lapse of provisional renewal of mining licence .............................. 144
Division 7--Obligations associated with mining licence 145
253........ General ............................................................................................ 145
254........ Conditions of mining licence ........................................................... 145
255........ No conditions requiring payment of money ................................... 146
256........ Variation of conditions ................................................................... 146
257........ Exemption from or suspension of conditions ................................. 147
258........ Automatic suspension of conditions if licence rights are suspended 148
259........ Work practices ................................................................................ 148
260........ Licence holder must comply with Royalty Act ............................. 149
261........ Licence holder must keep specified records ................................... 149
262........ Licence holder must assist inspectors ............................................ 150
Division 8--Expiry of mining licence 151
263........ General ............................................................................................ 151
264........ Voluntary surrender of mining licence ............................................ 151
265........ Cancellation of mining licence ......................................................... 151
266........ Obligations of former mining licence holders and former associates 152
Part 2.5--Works licences 154
Division 1--General 154
267........ Works licences ................................................................................ 154
268........ Activities authorised by a works licence ........................................ 154
269........ Joint Authority may cancel or not renew works licence without compensation 154
Division 2--Application for and grant of works licence 156
270........ Application for works licence ........................................................ 156
271........ How to apply ................................................................................. 156
272........ Payment of fee ................................................................................ 156
273........ Applicant to notify licence holders affected by the application .... 156
274........ Application must be advertised ...................................................... 157
275........ Commonwealth‑State offshore area--Designated Authority must refer application to Joint Authority if certain requirements met ............................................................................ 158
276........ Commonwealth‑State offshore area--Joint Authority may provisionally grant works licence 158
277........ External territory offshore area--how application for works licence dealt with 159
278........ Matters to be specified in the licence ............................................. 159
279........ Applicant must be notified ............................................................. 159
280........ Amendment of conditions .............................................................. 160
281........ Amendment of security requirements ............................................ 160
282........ Extension of primary payment period ........................................... 161
283........ Acceptance of grant of works licence ............................................. 161
284........ Conditions applicable to works licence on grant ............................ 162
285........ Lapse of provisional grant of works licence ................................... 162
Division 3--Duration of works licence 163
286........ Initial term of works licence ........................................................... 163
287........ Term of renewal of works licence ................................................... 163
288........ Effect of application for renewal on term of works licence ............ 164
Division 4--Application for and grant of renewal of works licence 165
289........ Application for renewal of works licence ....................................... 165
290........ When must an application to renew be made? ............................... 165
291........ How to apply for renewal .............................................................. 165
292........ Payment of fee ................................................................................ 166
293........ Commonwealth‑State offshore area--Designated Authority must refer renewal application to Joint Authority if certain requirements met ................................................................. 166
294........ Commonwealth‑State offshore area--provisional renewal of works licence 166
295........ External territory offshore area--how application for renewal dealt with 167
296........ Applicant must be notified ............................................................. 167
297........ Amendment of conditions .............................................................. 168
298........ Amendment of security requirements ............................................ 168
299........ Extension of primary payment period ........................................... 169
300........ Acceptance of renewal of works licence ......................................... 169
301........ Conditions applicable to works licence on renewal ........................ 170
302........ Lapse of provisional renewal of works licence ............................... 170
Division 5--Obligations associated with works licence 171
303........ General ............................................................................................ 171
304........ Conditions of works licence ........................................................... 171
305........ No conditions requiring payment of money ................................... 172
306........ Variation of conditions ................................................................... 172
307........ Exemption from or suspension of conditions ................................. 173
308........ Work practices ................................................................................ 174
309........ Licence holder must keep specified records etc. ............................. 174
310........ Licence holder must assist inspectors ............................................ 175
Division 6--Expiry of works licence 176
311........ General ............................................................................................ 176
312........ Voluntary surrender of works licence ............................................. 176
313........ Cancellation of works licence ......................................................... 176
314........ Obligations of former works licence holders and former associates 177
Part 2.6--Special purpose consents 179
315........ Special purpose consents ............................................................... 179
316........ Activities authorised by a special purpose consent ....................... 179
317........ Application for a consent ............................................................... 180
318........ How to apply ................................................................................. 180
319........ Payment of fee ................................................................................ 180
320........ Applicant must obtain agreement of exploration, retention and mining licence holders affected by the application ........................................................................................................ 180
321........ Applicant to notify works licence holders affected by the application 181
322........ Commonwealth‑State offshore area--Designated Authority must refer application to Joint Authority if certain requirements met ............................................................................ 181
323........ Commonwealth‑State offshore area--Joint Authority may grant special purpose consent 182
324........ External territory offshore area--how application for special purpose consent dealt with 182
325........ Matters to be specified in the consent ........................................... 182
326........ Duration of consent ........................................................................ 183
327........ Conditions of consent ..................................................................... 183
Chapter 3--Registration and dealings 184
Part 3.1--Registration 184
Division 1--Preliminary 184
328........ Registers to be kept ........................................................................ 184
329........ Associated document files to be kept ............................................. 184
330........ Form of register and document file ................................................. 185
331........ Correction of errors in the register .................................................. 185
332........ Inspection of register and documents ............................................. 186
Division 2--Matters to be entered in register 187
Subdivision A--Licences 187
333........ Licences .......................................................................................... 187
334........ Renewal of licences ......................................................................... 188
335........ Extension of exploration licences .................................................... 188
336........ Expiry of licences ........................................................................... 188
337........ Variations etc. to licences ............................................................... 189
338........ Transfer of licences ......................................................................... 190
339........ Other dealings in licences ................................................................ 191
340........ Devolution of licences .................................................................... 192
Subdivision B--Caveats 193
341........ Effect of a caveat ............................................................................ 193
342........ Lodgment of caveats ....................................................................... 194
343........ Form of caveat ................................................................................ 194
344........ Payment of fee ................................................................................ 194
345........ Caveat to be registered .................................................................... 194
346........ Withdrawal of caveat ...................................................................... 195
347........ Form of withdrawal ........................................................................ 195
348........ Duration of caveat .......................................................................... 195
349........ Notice to caveat holder ................................................................... 196
350........ Caveat holder may consent to approval or registration .................. 197
351........ Orders that can be made by a court in relation to caveats .............. 198
Division 3--Miscellaneous 199
352........ Fees for registration ........................................................................ 199
353........ Protection from legal actions .......................................................... 199
354........ Appeals .......................................................................................... 200
355........ Appeals against determinations under section 352 ........................ 200
356........ Supreme Court ................................................................................ 201
357........ Evidentiary value of register ........................................................... 201
358........ Certified copy of document on associated document file ............... 201
359........ Certification of registration action .................................................. 201
Part 3.2--Dealings in registered licences 203
Division 1--Dealings in licences to be in writing and registered 203
360........ Dealings in licences to be in writing ................................................ 203
361........ Dealings in interests in licences not effective until registered ......... 203
Division 2--Approval of transfer of licences 204
362........ Transfers require approval by Joint Authority .............................. 204
363........ Application for approval of transfer .............................................. 204
364........ Designated Authority may ask for further information ................. 205
365........ Joint Authority's response to application for approval ................ 205
366........ Protection from legal actions .......................................................... 206
Chapter 4--Administration 207
Part 4.1--Information management 207
367........ Designated Authority may ask person for information ................. 207
368........ Power to ask person to appear ....................................................... 207
369........ Power to examine on oath or affirmation ........................................ 208
370........ Designated Authority may ask for documents ............................... 208
371........ Designated Authority may ask for samples ................................... 209
372........ Obligation to comply with request under section 367, 368, 370 or 371 210
373........ Immunity from use of information etc. given in response to request under section 367, 368, 370 or 371 210
374........ Restrictions on release of confidential material .............................. 211
375........ Circumstances in which confidential material may be released ...... 212
376........ Certain reports to be made available ............................................... 213
Part 4.2--Monitoring and enforcement 214
Division 1--Inspections 214
377........ Compliance inspections .................................................................. 214
378........ Powers exercisable in course of inspection ..................................... 214
379........ Inspection of licence‑related premises etc. without warrant .......... 216
380........ Inspection of other premises etc. with occupier's consent ............ 216
381........ Inspection of other premises etc. with warrant .............................. 217
382........ Procedure for obtaining warrant ..................................................... 217
383........ Warrant authorises reasonable assistance and force ....................... 217
384........ Occupier to cooperate with inspector ............................................ 218
Division 2--Directions 219
385........ Directions by Designated Authority must be obeyed .................... 219
386........ Scope of compliance directions ...................................................... 219
387........ Designated Authority may give directions ..................................... 220
388........ Direction may incorporate material in another document .............. 220
389........ Direction may impose absolute prohibition ................................... 221
390........ Compliance direction may extend to associates ............................. 221
391........ Holder to give notice of direction to associates .............................. 221
392........ Power to give directions after licence etc. ends .............................. 222
393........ Effect of a compliance direction on other instruments ................... 222
394........ Designated Authority may specify time for compliance ............... 222
395........ Designated Authority may take action if holder fails to comply ... 223
396........ Costs incurred by Designated Authority in taking action under section 395 223
397........ Defences to actions to recover debts .............................................. 224
Division 3--Securities 225
398........ Securities ......................................................................................... 225
399........ Determination of requirement to lodge security ............................. 225
400........ Application of security .................................................................. 226
Division 4--Restoration of environment 227
401........ Removal of property from offshore area ........................................ 227
402........ Rehabilitation of damaged areas ...................................................... 227
Division 5--Safety zones 229
403........ Declaration of safety zone around a structure or equipment ......... 229
404........ Effect of declaration of safety zone ................................................ 229
Division 6--Offences 231
405........ General regime for criminal offences ............................................... 231
Part 4.3--Review of decisions made about the offshore areas of external territories 233
406........ Definitions ...................................................................................... 233
407........ Review of delegated decisions ........................................................ 234
Part 4.4--Procedures of Joint Authorities and Designated Authorities 236
408........ Procedure of Joint Authority ......................................................... 236
409........ Decision‑making ............................................................................. 236
410........ Opinion or state of mind of Joint Authority .................................. 236
411........ Records of proceedings of Joint Authority .................................... 237
412........ Signing of documents ...................................................................... 237
413........ Communications with Joint Authority .......................................... 237
414........ Ministerial colleague acting on behalf of responsible Commonwealth Minister 237
415........ Acting responsible Commonwealth Minister ................................. 237
416........ Circumstances in which confidential material released ................... 238
417........ Execution and issue of documents on behalf of Joint Authority .... 239
418........ Service of notices on behalf of Joint Authority .............................. 239
419........ Delegation by Designated Authority .............................................. 240
420........ Application of this Part to external territories ............................... 240
Part 4.5--Inspectors 241
421........ Appointment of inspectors ............................................................ 241
422........ Identity cards .................................................................................. 241
423........ Return of identity card ................................................................... 241
Part 4.6--Finance 242
424........ Fees received on behalf of the Commonwealth .............................. 242
425........ Payments by the Commonwealth to the States--Royalty Act payments 242
426........ Payments by the Commonwealth to the States--other payments 242
427........ Appropriation ................................................................................ 243
Chapter 5--Miscellaneous 244
Part 5.1--Application of laws 244
428........ State's or external territory's offshore laws apply to mineral exploration and recovery in offshore area 244
429........ Criminal laws not applied ............................................................... 245
430........ Laws inconsistent with Commonwealth laws not applied ............. 245
431........ Tax laws not applied ...................................................................... 245
432........ Applied laws not to confer Commonwealth judicial power ........... 245
433........ Applied laws not to contravene constitutional restrictions on conferring powers on courts 245
434........ Applied laws not to appropriate Territory Consolidated Revenue Fund 245
435........ Jurisdiction of State courts ............................................................. 245
436........ Jurisdiction of Territory courts ...................................................... 246
437........ Validation of certain actions ........................................................... 246
Part 5.2--Miscellaneous 247
438........ Service of documents on licence holders etc. .................................. 247
439........ Vesting jurisdiction in State courts ................................................. 247
440........ Regulations ..................................................................................... 248
Schedule 1--Savings and transitional provisions 250
Part 1--General 250
1............ Correspondence of permits etc. under 1981 Act and licences under this Act 250
2............ Correspondence of provisions ........................................................ 250
3............ References in documents to provisions of the 1981 Act ................ 251
Part 2--Savings and transitional provisions applicable on the transition from the Minerals (Submerged Lands) Act 1981 to this Act 252
4............ Instruments in force under the 1981 Act on the commencement of this Act 252
5............ Regulations under the 1981 Act ..................................................... 252
6............ Saving of application for permit etc. under the 1981 Act .............. 253
7............ Saving of exploration permits ......................................................... 253
8............ Saving of instruments under the 1981 Act ..................................... 254
Notes 257
An Act relating to exploration for, and the recovery of, minerals (other than petroleum) in certain offshore areas, and for related purposes
Notes to
the
Offshore Minerals Act 1994 Note 1 The Offshore Minerals Act 1994 as shown in this
compilation comprises Act No. 28, 1994 amended as indicated in the Tables
below. For all relevant information pertaining to application, saving
or transitional provisions see Table A. Table of Acts
|
Act |
Number |
Date |
Date of commencement |
Application, saving or transitional provisions |
|
28, 1994 |
25 Feb 1994 |
25 Feb 1994 |
|
|
|
Primary Industries and Energy Legislation Amendment Act 1994 |
94, 1994 |
29 June 1994 |
Schedule 1 (in part) (a) |
-- |
|
Primary Industries and Energy Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 1996 |
18, 1996 |
28 June 1996 |
Schedule 1: 25 Feb 1994 (b) |
-- |
|
Crimes at Sea Act 2000 |
13, 2000 |
31 Mar 2000 |
Ss. 1 and 2: Royal Assent |
Sch. 2 (item 11) |
|
Criminal Code Amendment (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences) Act 2000 |
137, 2000 |
24 Nov 2000 |
Ss. 1-3 and Schedule 1 (items 1, 4, 6, 7, 9-11,
32): Royal Assent |
Sch. 2 (items 418, 419) |
|
Industry, Science and Resources Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001 |
140, 2001 |
1 Oct 2001 |
2 Oct 2001 |
S. 4 |
|
Offshore Petroleum (Repeals and Consequential Amendments) Act 2006 |
17, 2006 |
29 Mar 2006 |
Schedule 2 (items 55-71): 1 July 2008 ( see s. 2(1) and F2008L02273) |
-- |
|
Offshore Petroleum Amendment (Greenhouse Gas Storage) Act 2008 |
117, 2008 |
21 Nov 2008 |
Schedule 3 (items 24-31): 22 Nov 2008 |
-- |
(a) The Offshore Minerals Act 1994 was amended by the Primary Industries and Energy Legislation Amendment Act 1994 subsection 2(7) of which provides as follows:
(7) The amendment of the Offshore Minerals Act 1994 made by the Schedule is taken to have commenced on 25 February 1994.
(b) The Offshore Minerals Act 1994 was amended by the Primary Industries and Energy Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 1996, subsection 2(2) of which provides as follows:
(2) Schedule 1 is taken to have commenced on 25 February 1994.
Table of Amendments
|
ad. = added or inserted am. = amended rep. = repealed rs. = repealed and substituted |
|
|
Provision affected |
How affected |
|
Reader's Guide................... |
am. No. 17, 2006; No. 117, 2008 |
|
Chapter 1 |
|
|
Part 1.1 |
|
|
S. 3...................................... |
am. No. 17, 2006; No. 117, 2008 |
|
Note to s. 3(1)..................... |
am. No. 117, 2008 |
|
Note 4 to s. 3(2).................. |
am. No. 117, 2008 |
|
Part 1.2 |
|
|
Division 1 |
|
|
S. 11.................................... |
am. No. 140, 2001 |
|
S. 11A................................. |
ad. No. 140, 2001 |
|
Division 2 |
|
|
S. 13.................................... |
am. No. 17, 2006; No. 117, 2008 |
|
Note to s. 13(1)................... |
am. No. 17, 2006; No. 117, 2008 |
|
S. 14.................................... |
am. No. 17, 2006; No. 117, 2008 |
|
Note 1 to s. 14(1)................ |
am. No. 17, 2006; No. 117, 2008 |
|
Note 2 to s. 14(1)................ |
am. No. 17, 2006; No. 117, 2008 |
|
Note to s. 14(2)................... |
rs. No. 17, 2006 |
|
|
am. No. 117, 2008 |
|
Heading to s. 15.................. |
am. No. 18, 1996 |
|
S. 15.................................... |
am. No. 18, 1996 |
|
S. 16.................................... |
am. No. 17, 2006; No. 117, 2008 |
|
Part 1.4 |
|
|
Note 2 to s. 35..................... |
am. No. 17, 2006; No. 117, 2008 |
|
Chapter 2 |
|
|
Part 2.1 |
|
|
S. 44.................................... |
am. No. 140, 2001 |
|
Chapter 3 |
|
|
Part 3.1 |
|
|
Division 1 |
|
|
Note 2 to s. 328(1).............. |
rs. No. 137, 2000 |
|
Part 3.2 |
|
|
Division 2 |
|
|
S. 364.................................. |
am. No. 140, 2001 |
|
Chapter 4 |
|
|
Part 4.1 |
|
|
S. 372.................................. |
am. No. 140, 2001 |
|
Part 4.2 |
|
|
Division 5 |
|
|
S. 404.................................. |
am. No. 140, 2001 |
|
Note to s. 404(4)................. |
ad. No. 140, 2001 |
|
Division 6 |
|
|
S. 405.................................. |
am. No. 137, 2000 |
|
Note 2 to s. 405(2).............. |
rs. No. 137, 2000 |
|
Note 4 to s. 405(2).............. |
rs. No. 137, 2000 |
|
Note 5 to s. 405(2).............. |
am. No. 137, 2000 |
|
Note 7 to s. 405(2).............. |
ad. No. 137, 2000 |
|
Part 4.5 |
|
|
S. 423.................................. |
rs. No. 140, 2001 |
|
Chapter 5 |
|
|
Part 5.1 |
|
|
S. 429.................................. |
am. No. 13, 2000 |
|
Schedule 1 |
|
|
Schedule 1.......................... |
am. No. 94, 1994 |
|
Schedule 2.......................... |
rep. No. 17, 2006 |
Table A
Application, saving or transitional provisions
Crimes At Sea Act 2000 (No. 13, 2000)
Schedule 2
11 Application of amendments
(1) The amendments made by this Schedule apply to acts and omissions that take place after this Schedule commences.
(2) Although this Schedule repeals the Crimes at Sea Act 1979, that Act continues to apply, in relation to acts and omissions that took place before this Schedule commences, as if the repeal had not happened.
(3) For the purposes of this item, if an act or omission is alleged to have taken place between two dates, one before and one on or after the day on which this Schedule commences, the act or omission is alleged to have taken place before this Schedule commences.
Criminal Code Amendment (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences) Act 2000 (No. 137, 2000)
Schedule 2
418 Transitional--pre‑commencement offences
(1) Despite the amendment or repeal of a provision by this Schedule, that provision continues to apply, after the commencement of this item, in relation to:
(a) an offence committed before the commencement of this item; or
(b) proceedings for an offence alleged to have been committed before the commencement of this item; or
(c) any matter connected with, or arising out of, such proceedings;
as if the amendment or repeal had not been made.
(2) Subitem (1) does not limit the operation of section 8 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.
419 Transitional--pre‑commencement notices
If:
(a) a provision in force immediately before the commencement of this item required that a notice set out the effect of one or more other provisions; and
(b) any or all of those other provisions are repealed by this Schedule; and
(c) the first‑mentioned provision is amended by this Schedule;
the amendment of the first‑mentioned provision by this Schedule does not affect the validity of such a notice that was given before the commencement of this item.
Industry, Science and Resources Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001 (No. 140, 2001)
(1) Each amendment made by this Act applies to acts and omissions that take place after the amendment commences.
(2) For the purposes of this section, if an act or omission is alleged to have taken place between 2 dates, one before and one on or after the day on which a particular amendment commences, the act or omission is alleged to have taken place before the amendment commences.