INTERPRETATION ACT 1987

New South Wales Consolidated Acts

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INTERPRETATION ACT 1987 - NOTES

- As at 1 July 2008 - Act 15 of 1987

Does not include amendments by:

Interpretation Amendment Act 2006 No 43, Sch 1 [3] [4] and [6]-[8] (not commenced)
Miscellaneous Acts (Local Court) Amendment Act 2007 No 94 (not commenced)

Reprint history:

Reprint No 129 March 1989
Reprint No 211 March 1991
Reprint No 38 March 1993
Reprint No 47 March 1995
Reprint No 517 November 1998
Reprint No 69 January 2001
Reprint No 71 February 2005
Reprint No 81 May 2007

Historical notes

The following abbreviations are used in the Historical notes:

Am	amended	LW	legislation website	Sch	Schedule
Cl	clause	No	number	Schs	Schedules
Cll	clauses	p	page	Sec	section
Div	Division	pp	pages	Secs	sections
Divs	Divisions	Reg	Regulation	Subdiv	Subdivision
GG	Government Gazette	Regs	Regulations	Subdivs	Subdivisions
Ins	inserted	Rep	repealed	Subst	substituted

Table of amending instruments

Interpretation Act 1987 No 15. Assented to 13.4.1987. Date of commencement, secs 1 and 2 excepted, 1.9.1987, sec 2 (2) and GG No 136 of 28.8.1987, p 4809; date of commencement of sec 23, 18.9.1987, sec 2 (3) and GG No 147 of 18.9.1987, p 5321; date of commencement of sec 81 and Sch 1, 1.9.1987, sec 2 (4) (a) and GG No 136 of 28.8.1987, p 4809. This Act has been amended by Sch 1 to this Act and as follows:

1987	No 152	Interpretation (Amendment) Act 1987. Assented to 5.11.1987. Date of commencement, assent, sec 2.
1990	No 11	Miscellaneous Acts (Mental Health) Repeal and Amendment Act 1990. Assented to 1.6.1990. Date of commencement, 3.9.1990, sec 2 and GG No 82 of 29.6.1990, p 5400.
	No 48	Police and Superannuation Legislation (Amendment) Act 1990. Assented to 26.6.1990. Date of commencement, 1.7.1990, sec 2 and GG No 82 of 29.6.1990, p 5409.
	No 83	Corporations (New South Wales) Act 1990. Assented to 7.12.1990. Date of commencement, 1.1.1991, sec 2 and GG No 180 of 24.12.1990, p 11457.
	No 108	Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No 2) 1990. Assented to 13.12.1990. Date of commencement of the provision of Sch 2 relating to the Interpretation Act 1987, assent, sec 2.
1991	No 53	Hunter Water Board (Corporatisation) Act 1991. Assented to 11.12.1991. Date of commencement of Sch 1, 1.1.1992, sec 2 and GG No 180 of 20.12.1991, p 10554.
	No 94	Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No 2) 1991. Assented to 17.12.1991. Date of commencement of the provisions of Sch 1 relating to the Interpretation Act 1987, assent, Sch 1.
1992	No 21	Interpretation (Australia Acts) Amendment Act 1992. Assented to 14.5.1992. Date of commencement, immediately after the commencement of the Australia Acts (3.3.1986, 5 am GMT), sec 2.
	No 46	Financial Institutions (New South Wales) Act 1992. Assented to 30.6.1992. Date of commencement, 30.6.1992, sec 2 and GG No 80 of 30.6.1992, p 4481.
	No 57	Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No 2) 1992. Assented to 8.10.1992. Date of commencement of the provisions of Sch 1 relating to the Interpretation Act 1987, assent, Sch 1.
	No 94	Medical Practice Act 1992. Assented to 2.12.1992. Date of commencement of sec 197, 1.7.1993, sec 2 and GG No 65 of 25.6.1993, p 3073.
1993	No 48	Subordinate Legislation (Amendment) Act 1993. Assented to 15.6.1993. Date of commencement, 1.7.1993, sec 2.
1995	No 7	Consumer Credit (New South Wales) Act 1995. Assented to 8.6.1995. Date of commencement, 1.11.1996, sec 2 and GG No 99 of 30.8.1996, p 4980.
	No 16	Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1995. Assented to 15.6.1995. Date of commencement of the provisions of Sch 1 relating to the Interpretation Act 1987, assent, Sch 1.
	No 27	Evidence (Consequential and Other Provisions) Act 1995. Assented to 19.6.1995. Date of commencement, 1.9.1995, sec 2 and GG No 102 of 25.8.1995, p 4355.
	No 99	Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No 2) 1995. Assented to 21.12.1995. Date of commencement of the provisions of Sch 1 relating to the Interpretation Act 1987, assent, sec 2 (2).
1996	No 17	Industrial Relations Act 1996. Assented to 13.6.1996. Date of commencement of the provision of Sch 5 relating to the Interpretation Act 1987, 2.9.1996, sec 2 and GG No 99 of 30.8.1996, p 4983.
	No 24	Financial Institutions (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1996. Assented to 21.6.1996. Date of commencement, 12.7.1996, sec 2 and GG No 84 of 12.7.1996, p 3984.
	No 121	Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No 2) 1996. Assented to 3.12.1996. Date of commencement of Sch 1.7, assent, sec 2 (2).
1997	No 11	Friendly Societies (New South Wales) Act 1997. Assented to 21.5.1997. Date of commencement, 1.10.1997, sec 2 and GG No 104 of 26.9.1997, p 8179.
	No 20	National Electricity (New South Wales) Act 1997. Assented to 23.6.1997. Date of commencement of Sch 1.7, 13.12.1998, sec 2 and GG No 171 of 11.12.1998, p 9462.
	No 55	Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997. Assented to 2.7.1997. Date of commencement of Sch 1.11 [1] and [2], 1.9.1997, Sch 1.11 and GG No 88 of 8.8.1997, p 6090; date of commencement of Sch 1.11 [3], assent, sec 2 (2).
	No 77	Administrative Decisions Legislation Amendment Act 1997. Assented to 10.7.1997. Date of commencement of Sch 6.2, 6.10.1998, sec 2 and GG No 143 of 2.10.1998, p 7889.
1998	No 41	Gas Pipelines Access (New South Wales) Act 1998. Assented to 26.6.1998. Date of commencement of Sch 1.4, 14.8.1998, sec 2 and GG No 120 of 14.8.1998, p 6026.
1999	No 1	Financial Sector Reform (New South Wales) Act 1999. Assented to 31.5.1999. Date of commencement of Sch 2.2 [1] [3] and [4], 1.7.1999, sec 2 (1) and GG No 72 of 25.6.1999, p 4074 and Commonwealth Gazette No S 283 of 29.6.1999; date of commencement of Sch 2.2 [2], 24.11.2000, sec 2 (1) and GG No 152 of 24.11.2000, p 11892.
	No 31	Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1999. Assented to 7.7.1999. Date of commencement of Schs 1.20 and 2.19, assent, sec 2 (2).
	No 85	Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No 2) 1999. Assented to 3.12.1999. Date of commencement of Sch 1.16 [1] [2], 1.7.1999, Sch 1.16; date of commencement of Sch 1.16 [3], assent, sec 2 (2); date of commencement of Sch 4, assent, sec 2 (1).
	No 94	Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sentencing) Act 1999. Assented to 8.12.1999. Date of commencement of Sch 4.33, 3.4.2000, sec 2 (1) and GG No 42 of 31.3.2000, p 2487; date of commencement of Sch 4.122, 1.1.2000, sec 2 (1) and GG No 144 of 24.12.1999, p 12184.
2001	No 15	Chiropractors Act 2001. Assented to 30.4.2001. Date of commencement of Sch 6, 1.8.2002, sec 2 and GG No 124 of 31.7.2002, p 5696.
	No 16	Osteopaths Act 2001. Assented to 30.4.2001. Date of commencement of Sch 6, 1.8.2002, sec 2 and GG No 124 of 31.7.2002, p 5697.
	No 34	Corporations (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001. Assented to 28.6.2001. Date of commencement of Sch 4.26, 15.7.2001, sec 2 (1) and Commonwealth Gazette No S 285 of 13.7.2001.
	No 64	Dental Practice Act 2001. Assented to 11.10.2001. Date of commencement, 15.8.2004, sec 2 and GG No 134 of 13.8.2004, p 6449.
	No 67	Physiotherapists Act 2001. Assented to 11.10.2001. Date of commencement of Sch 6.4, 1.12.2002, sec 2 and GG No 237 of 29.11.2002, p 10062.
	No 69	Psychologists Act 2001. Assented to 11.10.2001. Date of commencement, 6.12.2002, sec 2 and GG No 246 of 6.12.2002, p 10364.
	No 121	Justices Legislation Repeal and Amendment Act 2001. Assented to 19.12.2001. Date of commencement of Sch 2, 7.7.2003, sec 2 and GG No 104 of 27.6.2003, p 5978.
2002	No 30	Optometrists Act 2002. Assented to 21.6.2002. Date of commencement of Sch 6.3, 16.6.2004, sec 2 and GG No 97 of 16.6.2004, p 3723.
	No 43	Public Sector Employment and Management Act 2002. Assented to 3.7.2002. Date of commencement of Sch 7.4, 9.9.2002, sec 2 and GG No 142 of 6.9.2002, p 7888.
	No 51	Police Service Amendment (NSW Police) Act 2002. Assented to 4.7.2002. Date of commencement of Sch 2.3, 12.7.2002, sec 2 (1) and GG No 116 of 12.7.2002, p 5226.
	No 99	Courts Legislation Miscellaneous Amendments Act 2002. Assented to 29.11.2002. Date of commencement of Sch 4.3, 20.12.2002, sec 2 (1) and GG No 263 of 20.12.2002, p 10739.
2003	No 69	Podiatrists Act 2003. Assented to 20.11.2003. Date of commencement of Sch 6.3, 9.12.2005, sec 2 (1) and GG No 154 of 9.12.2005, p 10028.
2004	No 114	Teaching Services Amendment Act 2004. Assented to 21.12.2004. Date of commencement, 17.1.2005, sec 2 and GG No 7 of 14.1.2005, p 97.
2005	No 43	Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Infrastructure and Other Planning Reform) Act 2005. Assented to 16.6.2005. Date of commencement of Sch 7.7, 1.8.2005, sec 2 and GG No 96 of 29.7.2005, p 4031.
	No 46	Legal Profession Amendment Act 2005. Assented to 23.6.2005. Date of commencement, 1.10.2005, sec 2 and GG No 105 of 19.8.2005, p 4571.
	No 98	Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No 2) 2005. Assented to 24.11.2005. Date of commencement of Sch 3, assent, sec 2 (2).
2006	No 2	Public Sector Employment Legislation Amendment Act 2006. Assented to 13.3.2006. Date of commencement, 17.3.2006, sec 2 and GG No 35 of 17.3.2006, p 1378.
	No 43	Interpretation Amendment Act 2006. Assented to 8.6.2006. Date of commencement of Sch 1 [1] [2] [5] [11] and [12], assent, sec 2 (1); date of commencement of Sch 1 [9] and [10], 12.6.2008, sec 2 (2) and GG No 67 of 12.6.2008, p 4769; date of commencement of Sch 1 [3] [4] and [6]-[8]: not in force.
	No 58	Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006. Assented to 20.6.2006. Date of commencement of Sch 2.25, assent, sec 2 (2).
	No 59	Pharmacy Practice Act 2006. Assented to 7.9.2006. Date of commencement of Sch 7.8, 25.2.2008, sec 2 (1) and GG No 21 of 22.2.2008, p 1038.
	No 94	Police Amendment (Miscellaneous) Act 2006. Assented to 22.11.2006. Date of commencement of Sch 3.18, 1.2.2007, sec 2 and GG No 22 of 1.2.2007, p 575.
2007	No 8	Mental Health Act 2007. Assented to 15.6.2007. Date of commencement, 16.11.2007, sec 2 and GG No 169 of 16.11.2007, p 8465.
	No 27	Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2007. Assented to 4.7.2007. Date of commencement of Sch 1.23, 1.7.2008, Sch 1.23 and Commonwealth FRLI F2008L02273.
2008	No 31	National Gas (New South Wales) Act 2008. Assented to 19.6.2008. Date of commencement, 1.7.2008, sec 2 and GG No 76 of 27.6.2008, p 5868 and South Australian Government Gazette 26.6.2008, p 2553.
	No 62	Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008. Assented to 1.7.2008. Date of commencement of Sch 2.30, assent, sec 2 (2).

Table of amendments

Sec 3	Am 1995 No 16, Sch 1; 2005 No 43, Sch 7.7 [1].
Sec 5	Am 2005 No 43, Sch 7.7 [2].
Sec 13A	Ins 2006 No 43, Sch 1 [1].
Sec 15	Am 1991 No 94, Sch 1.
Sec 16	Am 1987 No 15, Sch 1.
Sec 21	Am 1990 No 11, Sch 2; 1990 No 48, Sch 1; 1990 No 83, Sch 1; 1990 No 108, Sch 2; 1991 No 53, Sch 1; 1992 No 46, Sch 1; 1992 No 94, sec 197; 1995 No 7, Sch 1; 1995 No 16, Sch 1; 1995 No 27, Sch 1; 1995 No 99, Sch 1; 1996 No 17, Sch 5; 1996 No 24, Sch 1; 1997 No 11, Sch 1.10; 1997 No 20, Sch 1.7 [1]; 1997 No 77, Sch 6.2; 1998 No 41, Sch 1.4 [1]; 1999 No 1, Sch 2.2 [1]-[3]; 1999 No 85, Sch 1.16 [1]; 1999 No 94, Sch 4.33 [1], 4.122; 2001 No 15, Sch 6.3; 2001 No 16, Sch 6.3; 2001 No 34, Sch 4.26 [1]; 2001 No 64, Sch 6.3; 2001 No 67, Sch 6.4; 2001 No 69, Sch 6.2; 2001 No 121, Sch 2.129 [1] [2]; 2002 No 30, Sch 6.3; 2002 No 43, Sch 7.4 [1]; 2002 No 51, Sch 2.3; 2003 No 69, Sch 6.3; 2004 No 114, Sch 2.11; 2005 No 43, Sch 7.7 [3]; 2005 No 46, Sch 11.4; 2005 No 98, Sch 3.34; 2006 No 2, Sch 5.7 [1]; 2006 No 43, Sch 1 [2]; 2006 No 59, Sch 7.8; 2006 No 94, Sch 3.18; 2007 No 8, Sch 7.5; 2008 No 31, Sch 1.3 [1].
Sec 21A	Ins 2002 No 43, Sch 7.4 [2].
Sec 21B	Ins 2006 No 2, Sch 5.7 [2].
Sec 23	Am 1995 No 16, Sch 1; 2006 No 43, Sch 1 [5].
Sec 30	Am 1995 No 99, Sch 1.
Sec 30A	Ins 1995 No 16, Sch 1.
Sec 30B	Ins 1996 No 121, Sch 1.7.
Sec 34	Am 1992 No 57, Sch 1.
Sec 34A	Ins 1992 No 21, sec 3.
Sec 35	Am 1995 No 16, Sch 1; 2006 No 58, Sch 2.25.
Sec 39	Am 1995 No 16, Sch 1.
Sec 40	Am 1993 No 48, Sch 2.
Sec 44	Rep 1995 No 27, Sch 1. Ins 2006 No 43, Sch 1 [9].
Sec 45	Am 2005 No 43, Sch 7.7 [4]; 2006 No 43, Sch 1 [10].
Sec 45A	Ins 1995 No 16, Sch 1.
Part 6A (secs 45B-45E)	Ins 2006 No 43, Sch 1 [11].
Sec 51	Rep 1995 No 27, Sch 1.
Sec 53A	Ins 1987 No 152, sec 3.
Part 9	Rep 1999 No 94, Sch 4.33 [2].
Secs 54, 55	Rep 1999 No 94, Sch 4.33 [2].
Sec 56	Am 1997 No 55, Sch 1.11 [1]. Rep 1999 No 94, Sch 4.33 [2].
Sec 56, note	Ins 1997 No 55, Sch 1.11 [2]. Rep 1999 No 94, Sch 4.33 [2].
Sec 57	Rep 1999 No 94, Sch 4.33 [2].
Sec 58	Am 2007 No 27, Sch 1.23.
Sec 66	Am 1995 No 16, Sch 1.
Sec 67	Am 1995 No 16, Sch 1.
Sec 68	Am 1990 No 83, Sch 1; 1992 No 46, Sch 1; 1997 No 20, Sch 1.7 [2]; 1997 No 55, Sch 1.11 [3]; 1998 No 41, Sch 1.4 [2]; 1999 No 1, Sch 2.2 [4]; 1999 No 31, Sch 2.19 [1] [2]; 2001 No 34, Sch 4.26 [2]; 2008 No 31, Sch 1.3 [2]; 2008 No 62, Sch 2.30.
Sec 69A	Ins 1999 No 31, Sch 1.20 [1].
Sec 69B	Ins 1999 No 85, Sch 1.16 [2].
Sec 70	Am 1995 No 16, Sch 1.
Sec 76	Am 1995 No 27, Sch 1.
Sec 80	Am 1999 No 31, Sch 1.20 [2]; 2002 No 99, Sch 4.3 [1]-[4].
Sec 80A	Ins 1999 No 85, Sch 1.16 [3].
Sec 81	Rep 1999 No 85, Sch 4.
Sch 1	Rep 1999 No 85, Sch 4.
Sch 3	Am 2006 No 43, Sch 1 [12].