INTERPRETATION ACT 1978
INTERPRETATION ACT 1978
TABLE OF PROVISIONS
PART I--PRELIMINARY
1. Short title
2. Repeal and savings
3. Application of this Act
4. Application to statutory instruments
PART II--COMMENCEMENT OF ACTS
5. Date of commencement
6. Proposed laws reserved for Governor-General
6A. Time of commencement
6B. References to commencement
7. Evidence of assent etc.
8. Exercise of powers before commencement
9. Amendment before commencement
PART III--REPEAL AND EXPIRATION OF ACTS
11. Repeal does not revive previous Act
12. Effect of repeal
13. Effect of State laws ceasing to apply
14. Continuance of repealed provisions
15. References to repealed provisions
16. Expiration of Acts
PART IV--WORDS AND REFERENCES IN ACTS
17. Definitions
18. Definitions to be read in context
18A. References relating to an Agency
19. Ministerial references
19A. Definitions of certain domestic relationships
20. Construction of statutory instruments
21. By, under or pursuant to Act
22. Construction of amending Acts
23. Parts of speech and grammatical forms
23A. Defined words in Acts and references in other legislation
24. Gender and number
24A. Range of numbers, words or other things
24AA. References to persons generally
25. Service of documents
26. References to writing
27. Measurement of distance
28. Reckoning of time
29. 24 hour clock
30. Reckoning of age
31. References to the Sovereign
34. References to Administrator
34A. References to Administrator in Council
35. Administrative Arrangements Order
36. Publication and commencement of Administrative Arrangements Order
37. References in agreements
38. References to offices etc.
38A. Reference to Commonwealth ministers etc.
PART IVA--PENALTIES
38B. Penal provisions include bodies corporate
38C. Penalties at foot of sections and subsections
38DC. Body corporate fines under provision authorising subordinate legislation
38F. Penalties for breach of subordinate legislation
38G. Civil penalties
PART V--POWERS, FUNCTIONS AND AUTHORITIES
39. Confirmation of appointments not required
40. Continuing to act during vacancy in office
41. Occasions for exercise of powers etc.
42. How power may be exercised
43. Power to take action or make statutory instrument includes power to revoke, amend etc.
44. Power to appoint includes power to remove
44A. Acting appointment
46. Power to authorise another person to exercise power or perform function
46A. Power of delegation
48. Discretions
48A. Participation in meetings by telephone etc.
48B. Power to correct minor errors
PART VI--MECHANICS OF LEGISLATION
49. Citation
50. References to other legislation
51. Reference to Act includes reference to statutory instruments under Act
52. References to Imperial, Commonwealth and State Acts
53. References in an Act to provisions of that Act
54. Every section a substantive enactment
55. Material that is, and is not, part of an Act
56. Numbering of Acts
57. Numbering of subordinate legislation
57A. Amendment of instruments by Act
57B. Definitions automatically inserted in alphabetical order
PART VII--GENERAL
Division 1--Construction
58. Amending act to be construed with amended Act
59. Act to be construed subject to power
59A. Public places etc. on Aboriginal land
61. Construction of statutory instruments
62. Construction of resolutions of Legislative Assembly
62A. Regard to be had to purpose or object of Act
62B. Use of extrinsic material in interpreting Act
62C. Changes in drafting practice do not affect meaning
62D. Examples
62E. Notes
Division 2--Statutory instruments
63. Procedure for making regulations
63A. Procedure for making rules or by-laws
63B. Commencement of subordinate legislation
63C. Tabling and disallowance requirements
64. Subordinate legislation not to be made in terms of disallowed subordinate legislation
65. Power to make subordinate legislation
65A. Subordinate legislation may prohibit
65B. Subordinate legislation may provide for review or appeal
65C. Subordinate legislation may provide for exemption, waiver or refund of fees
65D. Subordinate legislation may provide for infringement notice offences
65E. Statutory instrument may require making of statutory declaration
65F. Simultaneous actions
66. Prescribing matters by reference to other instruments
Division 3--General
66A. Gazette publication requirements
67. Tabling documents in Legislative Assembly
68. Compliance with forms
69. Civil proceedings
70. Powers of persons authorised to adjudicate
71. Amendment in same session
72. Sunday observance
PART VIIA--INCORPORATION OF AMENDMENTS
72A. Meaning of reprint
72B. Reprint of legislation in force at stated date
72C. Omission of making words in reprint
72D. Inclusion of tables of amendments in reprints
PART VIII--TRANSITIONAL MATTERS
Division 1--Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2006
73. Subordinate legislation
74. Numbering of subordinate legislation
Division 2--Interpretation Legislation Amendment Act 2018
75. Short titles and cross references taken to include year of enactment or making
76. Disapplication of section 50(1) in certain circumstances
Division 3--Interpretation Amendment Act 2021
77. Administrative Arrangements Orders
78. Tabling requirements for subordinate legislation
SCHEDULE
ENDNOTES