(1)  The Minister, by notice in the Gazette , may approve premises as –

(a) hospitals for this Act; or

(b) assessment centres for this Act; or

(c) secure mental health units for this Act.

(2)  The approval may be conferred –

(a) for government premises, on the Minister's own motion; and

(b) for non-government premises, on the application, or with the agreement, of the prospective controlling authority.

(3)  However, the Minister is not to confer the approval unless satisfied that the relevant premises are properly built, equipped and staffed to, as the case requires, assess or treat –

(a) for an approval under subsection (1)(a) or (b) , involuntary patients with mental illness; and

(b) for an approval under subsection (1)(c) , forensic patients.

(4)  Also, the Minister is not to confer the approval on non-government premises unless satisfied that the prospective controlling authority is a suitable body or person to be in charge of an approved facility of the relevant kind.

(5)  The approval may be conferred –

(a) conditionally or unconditionally; or

(b) for a fixed or indeterminate period.

(6)  The approval may be in such form as the Minister thinks fit but should at least specify –

(a) which premises are approved; and

(b) the kind of approved facility; and

(c) for non-government premises, the controlling authority; and

(d) when the approval takes effect; and

(e) when, if applicable, the approval expires if not sooner revoked.

(7)  Unless the relevant approval provides otherwise, an approved hospital is taken to also be an approved assessment centre.