Occupational Licensing National Law Act 2010
i
Occupational Licensing National Law Act 2010
No. 66 of 2010
TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Section Page
PART 1—PRELIMINARY 1
1 Purpose 1
2 Commencement 1
3 Definitions 2
PART 2—ADOPTION OF NATIONAL LAW 3
4 Adoption of Occupational Licensing National Law 3
5 Exclusion of legislation of this jurisdiction 3
6 Relevant tribunal or court 4
7 Parliamentary scrutiny of national regulations 4
PART 3—MISCELLANEOUS 5
8 Regulations dealing with transitional matters 5
__________________
Schedule Occupational Licensing National Law 6
Part 1 Preliminary 6
1 Short title 6
2 Commencement 6
3 Objectives 6
4 Definitions 7
5 Interpretation generally 12
6 Single national entity 12
7 Extraterritorial operation of Law 13
8 Law binds the State 14
Part 2 Licensing 14
Division 1 Licensed occupations and scope of work 14
9 Offence for individual to carry out prescribed work unless
licensed or exempt 14
10 Offence for body corporate or partnership to enter into contract
for prescribed work unless licensed or exempt 15
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11 Offence to advertise or offer to do prescribed work unless
licensed or exempt 16
12 Offence to hold out unlicensed person as being licensed 18
13 Injunction stopping person from engaging in conduct in
contravention of Law or national regulations 19
14 Licensee must not lend or otherwise allow use of licence by
another person 20
Division 2 Application for licence 21
15 Who may apply for a licence 21
16 Application for licence 22
17 Licensing Authority may require further information or
document 23
Division 3 Eligibility for licence 23
18 Eligibility for licence 23
19 Personal probity 24
20 Financial probity 26
21 Excluded person 26
Division 4 Decision about application for licence 29
22 Decision about application 29
23 Notice of decision to be given to applicant 29
24 Failure to decide application 30
Division 5 Licences 30
25 Form of licence 30
26 Period of licence 30
27 Conditions 30
28 Change in details or circumstances 30
29 Return of licence 31
30 Licence not transferrable 32
Division 6 Renewal, restoration, variation and surrender of
licences 32
Subdivision 1 Renewal of licences 32
31 Application for renewal of licence 32
32 Licensing Authority may require further information or
document 32
33 Eligibility for renewal of licence 33
34 Licence continues in force until application decided 33
Subdivision 2 Restoration of licences 33
35 Application for restoration of licence 33
36 Licensing Authority may require further information or
document 34
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37 Eligibility for restoration of licence 35
38 Licence continues in force until application decided 35
39 Period of restored licence 35
Subdivision 3 Variation of licences on application of
licensees 35
40 Application for variation of licence 35
41 Eligibility for variation of licence 36
Subdivision 4 Variation of licences on initiative of
Licensing Authority 36
42 Varying licence on Licensing Authority's initiative 36
Subdivision 5 Surrender of licences 38
43 Surrender of licence 38
Subdivision 6 Revocation of licences 38
44 Revocation of licence 38
Subdivision 7 Replacement of licence 39
45 Replacement of licence 39
Part 3 Disciplinary proceedings and action 39
Division 1 Preliminary 39
46 Part applicable to former licensees 39
47 Meaning of disciplinary action 40
Division 2 Grounds for disciplinary action 41
48 Grounds for disciplinary action 41
Division 3 Immediate suspension 42
49 Grounds for immediate suspension 42
50 Immediate suspension of licence 43
Division 4 Show cause process 44
51 Application of Division 44
52 Show cause notice 45
53 Representations about show cause notice 45
54 Decision about whether to take disciplinary action 46
55 Ending show cause process without further action 46
56 Taking disciplinary action after show cause notice 46
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Division 5 Disciplinary proceedings before tribunal or court 47
57 Application of Division 47
58 Application to relevant tribunal or court 48
59 Decision by relevant tribunal or court 48
60 Licensing Authority to give effect to decision of relevant
tribunal or court 48
Part 4 Monitoring and enforcement 49
Division 1 Power to obtain information 49
61 Powers of authorised officers 49
62 Offence for failing to produce information or attend before
authorised officer 49
63 Power to require licensee to produce documents 50
64 Inspection of documents 51
Division 2 Power to enter places 51
65 Entering places 51
66 Application for warrant 53
67 Issue of warrant 53
68 Application by electronic communication 54
69 Procedure before entry under warrant 56
70 Powers after entering places 57
71 Offences for failing to comply with requirement under
section 70 58
Division 3 Power to stop and search vehicles 59
72 Division applies only to certain licensed occupations 59
73 Power to stop and search vehicles 59
Division 4 Power to seize evidence 61
74 Seizing evidence at place entered with consent or warrant 61
75 Seizing evidence from other places 61
76 Securing evidence 62
77 Tampering with seized things 63
78 Receipt for seized things 63
79 Forfeiture of seized thing 64
80 Dealing with forfeited things 64
81 Return of seized things 65
82 Access to seized things 65
Division 5 General 65
83 Compensation 65
84 False or misleading information 66
85 False or misleading documents 66
86 Obstructing authorised officers 67
87 Impersonation of authorised officers 67
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Section Page
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Part 5 Reviews and Appeals 68
Division 1 Preliminary 68
88 Definitions 68
Division 2 Reviews 69
89 Applying for internal review 69
90 Internal review 69
91 Review decision 70
92 Notice of review decision 70
Division 3 Appeals 71
93 Appellable decisions 71
94 Proceedings and decision 72
Part 6 Ministerial Council 72
95 Functions of Ministerial Council 72
96 Directions 73
Part 7 National Occupational Licensing Authority 73
Division 1 Establishment, functions and powers 73
97 Establishment of Licensing Authority 73
98 General powers of Licensing Authority 73
99 Functions of Licensing Authority 74
100 Consultation 76
101 Directions 76
102 Delegation 76
Division 2 Governing Board of Licensing Authority 77
Subdivision 1 Establishment and functions 77
103 National Occupational Licensing Board 77
104 Functions of Licensing Board 78
Subdivision 2 Members 78
105 Terms of office of members 78
106 Remuneration 78
107 Vacancy in office of member 79
108 Vacancies to be advertised 80
109 Extension of term of office during vacancy in membership 80
110 Members to act in public interest 80
111 Disclosure of conflict of interest 81
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Subdivision 3 Meetings 82
112 General procedure 82
113 Quorum 82
114 Chief executive officer may attend meetings 82
115 Presiding member 82
116 Voting 83
117 First meeting 83
118 Defects in appointment of members 83
Division 3 Chief executive officer 83
119 Chief executive officer 83
120 Functions of chief executive officer 84
Division 4 Staff 84
121 Staff 84
122 Staff seconded to Licensing Authority 84
Division 5 Authorised officers 84
123 Powers of authorised officers 84
124 Functions of authorised officer 85
125 Appointment of authorised officers 85
126 Appointment conditions and limits on powers 86
127 Identity card 86
128 Production and display of identity card 86
129 When authorised officer ceases to hold office 87
130 Resignation 87
131 Return of identity card 87
Division 6 Occupational Licence Advisory Committees 88
132 Establishment of Advisory Committee 88
133 Function of Advisory Committee 88
134 Membership and procedures of Advisory Committee 88
Part 8 Information and privacy 90
Division 1 Privacy 90
135 Application of Commonwealth Privacy Act 90
Division 2 Disclosure of information and confidentiality 91
136 Definition 91
137 Application of Commonwealth FOI Act 91
138 Duty of confidentiality 92
139 Disclosure to jurisdictional regulators and other
Commonwealth, State and Territory entities 93
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Division 3 Registers and other records 93
140 National Registers and records 93
141 Application of Commonwealth Archives Act 94
Part 9 Miscellaneous 94
Division 1 Finance 94
142 National Occupational Licensing Authority Fund 94
143 Payments into Authority Fund 95
144 Payments out of Authority Fund 96
145 Investment by Licensing Authority 96
146 Financial management duties of Licensing Authority 96
Division 2 Reporting and planning arrangements 97
147 Annual report 97
148 Strategic and operational plans 99
Division 3 Provisions relating to persons exercising functions
under Law 99
149 General duties of persons exercising functions under this Law 99
150 Application of Commonwealth Ombudsman Act 100
151 Protection from personal liability for persons exercising
functions 101
Division 4 Legal proceedings 102
152 Limitation on time for starting proceedings 102
153 Evidentiary certificates 102
Division 5 Miscellaneous 103
154 Approved forms 103
155 Extrinsic materials 104
156 References to laws includes references to instruments made
under laws 104
157 Service of documents 104
158 Service by post 105
159 Review of Law 106
Division 6 Regulations 106
160 National regulations 106
161 Regulations about licensing, registration and accreditation of
persons carrying out licensed occupations 110
162 Inclusion of new occupations in national regulations 111
163 Publication of national regulations 112
164 Parliamentary scrutiny of national regulations 112
165 Effect of disallowance of national regulation 113
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Schedule 1 Miscellaneous provisions relating to interpretation 114
Part 1 Preliminary 114
1 Displacement of Schedule by contrary intention 114
Part 2 General 114
2 Law to be construed not to exceed legislative power of
Legislature 114
3 Every section to be a substantive enactment 115
4 Material that is, and is not, part of this Law 115
5 References to particular Acts and to enactments 115
6 References taken to be included in Act or Law citation etc 116
7 Interpretation best achieving Law's purpose 117
8 Use of extrinsic material in interpretation 117
9 Effect of change of drafting practice 119
10 Use of examples 119
11 Compliance with forms 119
Part 3 Terms and references 120
12 Definitions 120
13 Provisions relating to defined terms and gender and number 126
14 Meaning of "may" and "must" etc 127
15 Words and expressions used in statutory instruments 127
16 Effect of express references to bodies corporate and
individuals 127
17 Production of records kept in computers etc 128
18 References to this jurisdiction to be implied 129
19 References to officers and holders of offices 129
20 Reference to certain provisions of Law 129
21 Reference to provisions of this Law or an Act is inclusive 130
Part 4 Functions and powers 131
22 Performance of statutory functions 131
23 Power to make instrument or decision includes power to
amend or repeal 131
24 Matters for which statutory instruments may make provision 132
25 Presumption of validity and power to make 134
26 Appointments may be made by name or office 134
27 Acting appointments 135
28 Powers of appointment imply certain incidental powers 136
29 Delegation of functions 137
30 Exercise of powers between enactment and commencement 140
Part 5 Distance, time and age 143
31 Matters relating to distance, time and age 143
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Part 6 Effect of repeal, amendment or expiration 144
32 Time of Law ceasing to have effect 144
33 Repealed Law provisions not revived 144
34 Saving of operation of repealed Law provisions 144
35 Continuance of repealed provisions 145
36 Law and amending Acts to be read as one 145
Part 7 Instruments under Law 145
37 Schedule applies to statutory instruments 145
Part 8 Application to coastal sea 146
38 Application 146
═══════════════
ENDNOTES 147
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1
Occupational Licensing National Law
Act 2010 †
No. 66 of 2010
[Assented to 28 September 2010]
The Parliament of Victoria enacts:
PART 1—PRELIMINARY
1 Purpose
The purpose of this Act is to create a National
Law to regulate the licensing of certain
occupations.
2 Commencement
(1) This Act comes into operation on a day or days to
be proclaimed.
Victoria
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(2) Different provisions of the National Law set out in
the Schedule may be proclaimed to come into
operation on different days.
3 Definitions
(1) For the purposes of this Act, the local application
provisions of this Act are the provisions of this
Act other than the Occupational Licensing
National Law set out in the Schedule.
(2) In the local application provisions of this Act—
Occupational Licensing National Law (Victoria)
means the provisions applying in this
jurisdiction because of section 4.
(3) Terms used in the local application provisions of
this Act and also in the Occupational Licensing
National Law set out in this Act have the same
meanings as they have in that Law.
__________________
s. 3
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Occupational Licensing National Law Act 2010
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PART 2—ADOPTION OF NATIONAL LAW
4 Adoption of Occupational Licensing National Law
The Occupational Licensing National Law set out
in the Schedule—
(a) applies as a law of this jurisdiction; and
(b) as so applying may be referred to as the
Occupational Licensing National Law
(Victoria); and
(c) as so applying, is part of this Act.
5 Exclusion of legislation of this jurisdiction
The following Acts of this jurisdiction do not
apply to the Occupational Licensing National Law
(Victoria) or to the instruments made under that
Law—
(a) the Audit Act 1994;
(b) the Financial Management Act 1994;
(c) the Freedom of Information Act 1982,
other than to the extent that functions are
being exercised under the Law by a State
entity;
(d) the Information Privacy Act 2000, other
than to the extent that functions are being
exercised under the Law by a State entity
and do not relate to the national registers
kept under the Law;
(e) the Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984;
(f) the Ombudsman Act 1973, other than to the
extent that functions are being exercised
under the Law by a State entity;
(g) the Public Administration Act 2004;
s. 4
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(h) the Public Records Act 1973, other than to
the extent that functions are being exercised
under the Law by a State entity;
(j) the Subordinate Legislation Act 1994.
6 Relevant tribunal or court
For the purposes of the definition of relevant
tribunal or court in section 4 of the Occupational
Licensing National Law (Victoria)—
(a) the Supreme Court, the County Court, the
Magistrates' Court and VCAT are each
declared to be a relevant tribunal or court
for this jurisdiction for the purposes of
section 13 of that Law; and
(b) VCAT is declared to be the relevant tribunal
or court for this jurisdiction for the purposes
of sections 58, 59, 60, 93 and 94 of that Law.
7 Parliamentary scrutiny of national regulations
(1) This section applies despite section 5(j).
(2) Section 21 (except subsections (1)(j) and (2)(b))
of the Subordinate Legislation Act 1994 applies
to a regulation made under the Occupational
Licensing National Law (Victoria) as if it were a
statutory rule.
(3) For the purposes of section 164(2) of the
Occupational Licensing National Law (Victoria)
and subject to section 164(3), (4) and (5) of that
Law, section 23 of the Subordinate Legislation
Act 1994 is the law of this jurisdiction relevant to
the disallowance of a regulation and applies as if a
regulation made under the Occupational Licensing
National Law (Victoria) were a statutory rule.
__________________
s. 6
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Part 3—Miscellaneous
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PART 3—MISCELLANEOUS
8 Regulations dealing with transitional matters
(1) The Governor in Council may make regulations
containing provisions of a transitional nature,
including matters of an application or savings
nature, arising as a result of the enactment of this
Act, including any repeals and amendments made
as a result of the enactment of this Act.
(2) Regulations made under this section may—
(a) have a retrospective effect to a day on or
from a date not earlier than the day on which
this Act receives the Royal Assent; and
(b) be of limited or general application; and
(c) leave any matter or thing to be decided by a
specified person or class of person.
(3) Regulations under this section have effect despite
anything to the contrary in any Act (other than this
Act or the Charter of Human Rights and
Responsibilities) or in any subordinate instrument.
(4) For the avoidance of doubt, the Subordinate
Legislation Act 1994 applies to any regulations
made under this section.
(5) This section is repealed on 1 July 2014.
__________________
s. 8
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Part 1 Preliminary
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Schedule Occupational Licensing
National Law
Part 1 Preliminary
1 Short title
This Law may be cited as the Occupational
Licensing National Law.
2 Commencement
This Law commences in a participating
jurisdiction as provided by the Act of that
jurisdiction that applies this Law as a law of that
jurisdiction.
3 Objectives
The objectives of the national licensing system are
as follows—
(a) to ensure that licences issued by the
Licensing Authority allow licensees to
operate in all participating jurisdictions;
(b) to ensure that licensing arrangements are
effective and proportionate to ensure
consumer protection and worker and public
health and safety while ensuring economic
efficiency and equity of access;
(c) to facilitate a consistent skill and knowledge
base for licensed occupations;
(d) to ensure effective coordination exists
between the Licensing Authority and
jurisdictional regulators;
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(e) to promote national consistency in—
(i) licensing structures and policy across
comparable occupations; and
(ii) regulation affecting the requirements
relating to the conduct of licensees; and
(iii) the approach to disciplinary
arrangements for licensees;
(f) to provide flexibility to deal with issues
specific to particular jurisdictions or
occupations;
(g) to provide the public with access to
information about licensees.
4 Definitions
In this Law—
Advisory Committee means an Occupational
Licence Advisory Committee established under
section 132.
approved form means a form that, under
section 154, has been approved by the Licensing
Authority and notified on its website.
authorised officer means an authorised officer
appointed under section 125 by the Licensing
Authority.
Authority Fund means the National Occupational
Licensing Authority Fund established by
section 142.
chief executive officer means the chief executive
officer of the Licensing Authority appointed under
section 119.
COAG means the Council of Australian
Governments.
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COAG agreement means the Intergovernmental
Agreement for a National Licensing System for
Specified Occupations signed by COAG on
30 April 2009.
criminal history, of a person, includes the
following—
(a) convictions of the person for an offence, in a
participating jurisdiction or elsewhere, and
whether before or after the commencement
of this Law;
(b) pleas of guilty or findings of guilt by a court
of the person for an offence, in a
participating jurisdiction or elsewhere, and
whether before or after the commencement
of this Law and whether or not a conviction
is recorded for the offence;
(c) charges made against the person for an
offence, in a participating jurisdiction or
elsewhere, and whether before or after the
commencement of this Law;
(d) the person's history in relation to traffic
offences, in a participating jurisdiction or
elsewhere, and whether before or after the
commencement of this Law.
disciplinary action see section 47.
disciplinary body means—
(a) the Licensing Authority; or
(b) a tribunal or court of a participating
jurisdiction; or
(c) another person or body declared by or under
an Act of a participating jurisdiction to be a
disciplinary body for the purposes of this
Law.
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entity includes a person and an unincorporated
body.
First Minister's Department means the
department of government of a participating
jurisdiction that is administered by the Premier or
Chief Minister of that jurisdiction.
former licensee means a person who was, but is
no longer, a licensee.
immediate suspension ground means a ground
referred to in section 49 for the immediate
suspension of a licence.
jurisdictional regulator means an entity that is
prescribed by the national regulations as being a
jurisdictional regulator for a licensed occupation.
jurisdictional regulator members see section
103(3)(b).
licence means a licence, registration or
accreditation granted under this Law authorising a
person to carry out a licensed occupation.
licensed occupation means any of the following
occupations—
(a) airconditioning and refrigeration;
(b) electrical;
(c) plumbing and gasfitting;
(d) property-related occupations;
(e) any other occupation prescribed by the
national regulations as being a licensed
occupation.
Note. When an occupation is prescribed by the national
regulations as being a licensed occupation it is
envisaged each jurisdiction will need to return to
Parliament to make consequential amendments to
existing legislation regulating the occupation.
This would enable this Law (as set out in the Schedule
Sch.
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to the Occupational Licensing National Law Act 2010
of Victoria) to be amended to include the occupation
in this definition and, to the extent it is practicable,
describe the scope of work that may be carried out
under a licence for that occupation.
Licensing Authority means the National
Occupational Licensing Authority established by
section 97.
Licensing Board means the National
Occupational Licensing Board established by
section 103.
Ministerial Council means the Ministerial
Council nominated by COAG and published on
the COAG website as being the Ministerial
Council for the purposes of this Law.
national licensing system means the system
established under this Law for the national
licensing of persons working in licensed
occupations.
national regulations means the regulations made
under section 160.
nominee means an individual nominated by an
applicant for a licence or a licensee as being the
nominee for the licence.
participating jurisdiction means a State or
Territory in which—
(a) this Law applies as a Law of the State or
Territory; or
(b) a law that substantially corresponds to the
provisions of this Law has been enacted.
participation day, in relation to a participating
jurisdiction, means the day on which the
jurisdiction becomes a participating jurisdiction.
place includes land or premises but does not
include a vehicle.
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premises includes a caravan being used as
residential premises.
prescribed work means work that under the
national regulations is within the scope of work
that may only be carried out under the authority of
a licence.
Note. When an occupation is prescribed by the national
regulations as being a licensed occupation (see
paragraph (e) of the definition of licensed
occupation) it is envisaged each jurisdiction will need
to return to Parliament to make consequential
amendments to existing legislation regulating the
occupation. This would enable this Law (as set out in
the Schedule to the Occupational Licensing National
Law Act 2010 of Victoria) to be amended to include
the occupation in the definition of licensed
occupation and, to the extent it is practicable,
describe the prescribed work in relation to the
occupation.
primary jurisdiction means—
(a) for an applicant for a licence or a licensee
who is an individual (other than an
individual acting in the individual's capacity
as a member of a partnership), the
jurisdiction in which the individual's
principal place of residence is located; or
(b) for an applicant for a licence or a licensee
that is a body corporate or an individual
acting in the individual's capacity as a
member of a partnership, the jurisdiction in
which the body corporate's or partnership's
principal place of business is located.
relevant place means a place at which prescribed
work has been, is being or is about to be, carried
out.
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relevant tribunal or court, for a participating
jurisdiction, means a tribunal or court that has
been declared by a law of that jurisdiction to be
the relevant tribunal or court for that jurisdiction
for the purposes of this Law.
State or Territory entity means—
(a) an entity, or the chief executive of an entity
or department of government, of a
participating jurisdiction to whom the
Licensing Authority has delegated any of its
functions; or
(b) an entity to which a function delegated by
the Licensing Authority has been
subdelegated.
vehicle includes—
(a) a group of vehicles, known as a combination,
that consists of a motor vehicle connected to
1 or more vehicles; and
(b) a caravan being towed by a motor vehicle;
and
(c) a train, tram or vessel; and
(d) a crane or earthmoving machinery; and
(e) any other type of transport, machine or
equipment prescribed by the national
regulations.
5 Interpretation generally
Schedule 1 applies in relation to this Law.
6 Single national entity
(1) It is the intention of the Parliament of this
jurisdiction that this Law as applied by an Act of
this jurisdiction, together with this Law as applied
by Acts of the other participating jurisdictions, has
the effect that an entity established by this Law is
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one single national entity, with functions
conferred by this Law as so applied.
(2) An entity established by this Law has power to do
acts in or in relation to this jurisdiction in the
exercise of a function expressed to be conferred
on it by this Law as applied by Acts of each
participating jurisdiction.
(3) An entity established by this Law may exercise its
functions in relation to—
(a) one participating jurisdiction; or
(b) 2 or more or all participating jurisdictions
collectively.
(4) In this section, a reference to this Law as applied
by an Act of a jurisdiction includes a reference to
a law that substantially corresponds to this Law
enacted in a jurisdiction.
7 Extraterritorial operation of Law
It is the intention of the Parliament of this
jurisdiction that the operation of this Law is to, as
far as possible, include operation in relation to the
following—
(a) things situated in or outside the territorial
limits of this jurisdiction;
(b) acts, transactions and matters done, entered
into or occurring in or outside the territorial
limits of this jurisdiction;
(c) things, acts, transactions and matters
(wherever situated, done, entered into or
occurring) that would, apart from this Law,
be governed or otherwise affected by the law
of another jurisdiction.
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8 Law binds the State
(1) This Law binds the State.
(2) In this section—
State means the Crown in right of this jurisdiction,
and includes—
(a) the Government of this jurisdiction; and
(b) a Minister of the Crown in right of this
jurisdiction; and
(c) a statutory corporation, or other entity,
representing the Crown in right of this
jurisdiction.
Part 2 Licensing
Division 1 Licensed occupations and scope
of work
9 Offence for individual to carry out prescribed work
unless licensed or exempt
(1) An individual must not carry out, or enter into a
contract to carry out, prescribed work unless the
individual—
(a) holds a licence to carry out the prescribed
work; or
(b) is exempt under the national regulations
from the requirement to hold a licence to
carry out the prescribed work; or
(c) is exempted by the Licensing Authority, in
accordance with the national regulations,
from the requirement to hold a licence to
carry out the prescribed work.
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Occupational Licensing National Law Act 2010
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Penalty—
(a) for an offence involving a specified licensed
occupation—
(i) for a first or second offence—$50,000;
or
(ii) for a third or subsequent offence—
$50,000 or 12 months imprisonment or
both; or
(b) for any other offence—$50,000.
(2) In this section—
specified licensed occupation means a licensed
occupation that the national regulations have
declared to be a specified licensed occupation for
the purposes of this section.
10 Offence for body corporate or partnership to enter
into contract for prescribed work unless licensed or
exempt
(1) A body corporate or a partnership must not enter
into a contract to carry out prescribed work unless
the body corporate or the partnership—
(a) holds a licence authorising the body
corporate or partnership to carry on a
business that involves carrying out the
prescribed work; or
(b) is exempt under the national regulations
from the requirement to hold a licence
authorising the body corporate or partnership
to carry on a business that involves carrying
out the prescribed work; or
(c) is exempted by the Licensing Authority, in
accordance with the national regulations,
from the requirement to hold a licence
authorising the body corporate or partnership
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to carry on a business that involves carrying
out the prescribed work.
Penalty—$250,000.
(2) A body corporate or a partnership that enters into
a contract to carry out prescribed work must not
engage an individual to carry out the prescribed
work unless the individual—
(a) holds a licence to carry out the prescribed
work; or
(b) is exempt under the national regulations
from the requirement to hold a licence to
carry out the prescribed work; or
(c) is exempted by the Licensing Authority, in
accordance with the national regulations,
from the requirement to hold a licence to
carry out the prescribed work.
Penalty—$250,000.
(3) A reference in this section to a partnership means
the individuals who are members of the
partnership.
11 Offence to advertise or offer to do prescribed work
unless licensed or exempt
(1) A person must not advertise that the person is able
to carry out, or offer to carry out, prescribed work
unless the person—
(a) holds a licence to carry out the prescribed
work; or
(b) is exempt under the national regulations
from the requirement to hold a licence to
carry out the prescribed work; or
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(c) is exempted by the Licensing Authority, in
accordance with the national regulations,
from the requirement to hold a licence to
carry out the prescribed work.
Penalty—
(a) for an individual for an offence involving a
specified licensed occupation—
(i) for a first or second offence—$50,000;
or
(ii) for a third or subsequent offence—
$50,000 or 12 months imprisonment or
both; or
(b) for an individual for any other offence—
$50,000; or
(c) for a body corporate—$250,000.
(2) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence
against subsection (1)(a) if the defendant proves
that—
(a) at the time the advertisement was placed the
person (the relevant person) the subject of
the advertisement was licensed to carry out
the prescribed work referred to in the
advertisement; and
(b) the defendant took all reasonable action to
prevent the advertisement, or to stop it from
continuing, once the relevant person ceased
being licensed to carry out the work.
(3) A person does not commit an offence against
subsection (1) merely because the person, as part
of the person's business, prints or publishes an
advertisement for another person.
(4) A reference in this section to carrying out
prescribed work includes carrying on a business
that involves carrying out prescribed work.
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(5) In this section—
advertise includes tout or solicit.
specified licensed occupation means a licensed
occupation that the national regulations have
declared to be a specified licensed occupation for
the purposes of this section.
12 Offence to hold out unlicensed person as being
licensed
(1) A person must not hold out that the person is
licensed—
(a) to carry out a licensed occupation unless the
person holds a licence for the licensed
occupation; or
(b) to carry out prescribed work unless the
person holds a licence to carry out the
prescribed work.
Penalty—
(a) for an individual for an offence involving a
specified licensed occupation—
(i) for a first or second offence—$50,000;
or
(ii) for a third or subsequent offence—
$50,000 or 12 months imprisonment or
both; or
(b) for an individual for any other offence—
$50,000; or
(c) for a body corporate—$250,000.
(2) A person must not hold out that another person
(the second person) is licensed—
(a) to carry out a licensed occupation unless the
second person holds a licence for the
licensed occupation; or
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(b) to carry out prescribed work unless the
second person holds a licence to carry out
the prescribed work.
Penalty—
(a) for an individual for an offence involving a
specified licensed occupation—
(i) for a first or second offence—$50,000;
or
(ii) for a third or subsequent offence—
$50,000 or 12 months imprisonment or
both; or
(b) for an individual for any other offence—
$50,000; or
(c) for a body corporate—$250,000.
(3) A reference in this section to carrying out
prescribed work includes carrying on a business
that involves carrying out prescribed work.
(4) In this section—
specified licensed occupation means a licensed
occupation that the national regulations have
declared to be a specified licensed occupation for
the purposes of this section.
13 Injunction stopping person from engaging in
conduct in contravention of Law or national
regulations
(1) If a person has engaged in, is engaging in or is
proposing to engage in conduct in a participating
jurisdiction that constituted, constitutes or would
constitute a contravention of this Law or the
national regulations, the Licensing Authority may
apply to the relevant tribunal or court for that
participating jurisdiction for an injunction in
relation to the conduct.
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(2) If the relevant tribunal or court is satisfied the
person has engaged in, is engaging in or is
proposing to engage in conduct that constituted,
constitutes or would constitute a contravention of
this Law or the national regulations, the relevant
tribunal or court may grant an injunction
restraining the person from engaging in the
conduct.
(3) The relevant tribunal or court may grant the
injunction on the terms the tribunal or court
considers appropriate.
(4) Without limiting subsection (3), the injunction
may state that it applies not only in the
participating jurisdiction in which it is made but in
other participating jurisdictions.
Note. See section 7 which provides for the extraterritorial
operation of this Law.
(5) The relevant tribunal or court may grant an
interim injunction until the application is finally
decided.
14 Licensee must not lend or otherwise allow use of
licence by another person
(1) A licensee must not—
(a) lend the licensee's licence to another person;
or
(b) otherwise allow another person to use the
licensee's licence or licence number.
Penalty—
(a) for an individual for an offence involving a
specified licensed occupation—
(i) for a first or second offence—$50,000;
or
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(ii) for a third or subsequent offence—
$50,000 or 12 months imprisonment or
both; or
(b) for an individual for any other offence—
$50,000; or
(c) for a body corporate—$250,000.
(2) In this section—
specified licensed occupation means a licensed
occupation that the national regulations have
declared to be a specified licensed occupation for
the purposes of this section.
Division 2 Application for licence
15 Who may apply for a licence
(1) An application for a licence for a licensed
occupation may be made by a person who is a
member of a prescribed class of persons for the
occupation.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the national
regulations may provide that applications for
licences for a licensed occupation may be made
by any of the following—
(a) individuals;
(b) individuals acting in their capacity as
members of a partnership;
(c) bodies corporate.
(3) An application for a licence cannot be made by a
trust.
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16 Application for licence
(1) An application for a licence must be—
(a) made to the Licensing Authority; and
(b) in the approved form; and
(c) accompanied by the prescribed fee payable
to the prescribed person; and
(d) accompanied by any other documents,
identified in the approved form, the
Licensing Authority reasonably requires.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1)(b), a form
approved by the Licensing Authority for the
purposes of that paragraph must require an
applicant—
(a) to provide a declaration about the applicant's
primary jurisdiction; and
(b) if the applicant is a body corporate, to
nominate an adult as the nominee for the
proposed licence.
(3) An individual may be nominated as the nominee
for the proposed licence only if the individual—
(a) holds a licence personally for the licensed
occupation; and
(b) is a director or employee of the body
corporate as provided by the national
regulations.
(4) The national regulations may prescribe further
requirements in relation to the nominees for
licences.
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17 Licensing Authority may require further
information or document
(1) Before deciding an application for a licence, the
Licensing Authority may, by written notice given
to the applicant, require the applicant to give the
Authority, within a reasonable time stated in the
notice, further information or a document the
Authority reasonably requires to decide the
application.
(2) The Licensing Authority may require the
information or document to be verified by a
statutory declaration.
(3) The applicant is taken to have withdrawn the
application if the applicant does not comply with
the written notice.
Division 3 Eligibility for licence
18 Eligibility for licence
(1) A person is eligible for a licence for a licensed
occupation if—
(a) the person or, if the person is a body
corporate, the person's nominee, has the
prescribed qualifications, skills, knowledge
and experience for the licence; and
(b) the person and, if the person is a body
corporate, the person's nominee, satisfy the
prescribed personal probity requirements for
the licence; and
(c) the person satisfies the prescribed financial
probity requirements for the licence; and
(d) the person and, if the person is a body
corporate, the person's nominee, are not
excluded persons for the licence; and
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(e) the person or, if the person is a body
corporate, the person's nominee, satisfies any
other requirements prescribed by the national
regulations for the licence.
Note. Section 24 of Schedule 1 provides that a regulation may—
(a) apply generally to all persons, matters or things or be
limited in its application to particular persons, matters
or things or classes of persons, matters or things; or
(b) apply generally or be limited in its application; or
(c) apply differently according to different specified
factors.
Accordingly, the national regulations may prescribe
different eligibility requirements for different licensed
occupations or different types of licences for the same
licensed occupation.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), if an individual
in the individual's capacity as a member of a
partnership would not be eligible for a licence for
a licensed occupation but the individuals who are
members of the partnership would jointly be
eligible for the licence, the individuals are, in their
capacity as members of the partnership, taken to
be eligible for the licence.
19 Personal probity
(1) For the purposes of section 18(1)(b), the national
regulations may provide for—
(a) the personal probity requirements a person
must satisfy to be eligible for a licence; and
(b) the personal probity requirements a person
must satisfy to be eligible to be a nominee
for a licensee that is a body corporate.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the national
regulations may provide for requirements in
relation to the following for persons who are
applicants for licences, licensees, nominees or
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relevant persons for a body corporate that is an
applicant or licensee—
(a) matters relating to the criminal history of the
persons, to the extent there is a connection
between the criminal history of the persons
and the inherent requirements of the
occupation for which the persons are
applicants, licensees, nominees or relevant
persons;
Note. Matters relating to the criminal history of persons will
be subject to legislation of participating jurisdictions
that prohibits, or does not require, the disclosure of
spent convictions.
(b) matters relating to the conduct of persons in
carrying out business including, for example,
matters relating to duties as a director of a
corporation or the imposition of civil
penalties or orders in relation to carrying out
business;
(c) security clearances to be held by the persons,
to the extent that it is an inherent
requirement of the occupation for which the
persons are applicants, licensees, nominees
or relevant persons.
(3) In this section—
relevant person, for a body corporate, means a
person who—
(a) will have authority or influence in the
conduct of the business of the body
corporate; and
(b) is prescribed by the national regulations as
being a relevant person for the body
corporate.
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20 Financial probity
(1) For the purposes of section 18(1)(c), the national
regulations may provide for the financial probity
requirements a person must satisfy to be eligible
for a licence.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the national
regulations may provide—
(a) for the financial requirements a person must
satisfy to be eligible for a licence; or
(b) a person who is an applicant or a licensee is
not eligible for a licence if—
(i) the person is bankrupt, insolvent,
compounds with creditors, enters into a
compromise or scheme of arrangement
with creditors or otherwise applies to
take the benefit of any law for the relief
of bankrupt or insolvent debtors; or
(ii) the person fails to pay a penalty, fine or
other amount ordered by a court or
tribunal to be paid or required to be
paid under this Law.
21 Excluded person
(1) For the purposes of section 18(1)(d), a person is
an excluded person for a licence for a licensed
occupation if—
(a) the person is prohibited by an order of a
disciplinary body from carrying out work
that is within the scope of the licence; or
(b) the person's licence under this Law to carry
out the licensed occupation has been
cancelled by a disciplinary body and any
period ordered by the disciplinary body
during which the person is disqualified from
applying for a new licence has not ended; or
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(c) the person's licence under a corresponding
prior Act to carry out the licensed occupation
was cancelled as a result of disciplinary
action taken by a corresponding disciplinary
body and—
(i) any period ordered by the disciplinary
body during which the person is
disqualified from applying for a new
licence has not ended; or
(ii) if the disciplinary body did not
disqualify the person from applying for
a new licence, a period of 2 years from
the day the cancellation occurred has
not ended; or
(d) the person's application for a licence for the
licensed occupation under this Law or a
corresponding prior Act within the previous
2 years has been refused on the basis that the
person provided information or a document
in relation to the application that was false or
misleading; or
(e) a business partner or other close associate of
the person is a person whose licence under
this Law to carry out the licensed occupation
has been cancelled by a disciplinary body
and any period ordered by the disciplinary
body during which the person is disqualified
from applying for a new licence has not
ended; or
(f) a business partner or other close associate of
the person is a person whose licence under a
corresponding prior Act to carry out the
licensed occupation was cancelled by a
court, tribunal or other entity and—
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(i) any period ordered by the court,
tribunal or other entity during which the
person is disqualified from applying for
a new licence has not ended; or
(ii) if the court, tribunal or other entity did
not disqualify the person from applying
for a new licence, a period of 2 years
from the day the cancellation occurred
has not ended; or
(g) the person is an excluded person under the
national regulations; or
(h) the person has, within the previous 5 years,
been convicted of an offence under section 9,
10, 11 or 12 or a provision of a
corresponding prior Act that corresponds to
section 9, 10, 11 or 12.
(2) In this section—
close associate, of a person, means a person who
exercises a significant influence over the person or
the operation or management of the person's
business.
corresponding disciplinary body means an entity
that has been declared by a law of a participating
jurisdiction to be a corresponding disciplinary
body for the purposes of this section.
corresponding prior Act means a law of
participating jurisdiction that—
(a) was in force before the day on which the
jurisdiction became a participating
jurisdiction; and
(b) has been declared by a law of that
jurisdiction to be a corresponding prior Act
for the purposes of this section.
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licence, in relation to a corresponding prior Act,
means a licence, registration, approval, certificate
or other form of authorisation required under the
corresponding prior Act to carry out a licensed
occupation.
Division 4 Decision about application for
licence
22 Decision about application
After considering an application for a licence, the
Licensing Authority must decide to—
(a) grant the licence to the applicant if the
applicant is eligible for the licence; or
(b) refuse to grant the licence to the applicant if
the applicant is not eligible for the licence.
23 Notice of decision to be given to applicant
(1) Within 28 days after making the decision to grant
or refuse to grant a licence to the applicant, the
Licensing Authority must—
(a) give the applicant written notice of its
decision; and
(b) if the decision was to grant the licence, give
the applicant a licence.
(2) If the Licensing Authority decides not to grant the
licence, the notice must state—
(a) the reasons for the decision; and
(b) that the applicant may apply for a review of
the decision; and
(c) how an application for review may be made
and the period within which the application
must be made.
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24 Failure to decide application
If the Licensing Authority fails to decide an
application for a licence within 120 days after its
receipt, or the longer period agreed between the
Authority and the applicant, the failure by the
Authority to make a decision is taken to be a
decision to refuse to grant a licence to the
applicant.
Division 5 Licences
25 Form of licence
A licence is to be in the approved form.
26 Period of licence
A licence may be granted for the period, not more
than 5 years, prescribed by the national
regulations.
27 Conditions
A licence is subject to the following conditions—
(a) any conditions prescribed by the national
regulations for a licence of that category;
(b) any conditions imposed on the licence by a
disciplinary body.
28 Change in details or circumstances
A licensee must, as soon as practicable but not
later than 14 days after any of the following
changes occurs, give the Licensing Authority
written notice of the change and any evidence
providing proof of the change required by the
Authority, unless the licensee has a reasonable
excuse—
(a) if the licensee is an individual, a change in
the licensee's principal place of residence;
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(b) if the licensee is a body corporate or an
individual acting in the individual's capacity
as a member of a partnership, a change in the
body corporate's or partnership's principal
place of business;
(c) a change in the licensee's criminal history
prescribed by the national regulations;
(d) any other change prescribed by the national
regulations.
Penalty—
(a) for an individual—$10,000, or
(b) for a body corporate—$50,000.
29 Return of licence
(1) If a person is given written notice by the
Licensing Authority that the person's licence has
been suspended, cancelled or revoked and the
licence is for a specified licensed occupation, the
person must return the person's licence to the
Authority within 7 days after receiving the notice,
unless the person has a reasonable excuse.
Penalty—
(a) for an individual—$5,000;
(b) for a body corporate—$25,000.
(2) The Licensing Authority must, immediately after
the suspension of a licensee's licence ends, return
the licence to the licensee.
(3) In this section—
specified licensed occupation means a licensed
occupation that the national regulations have
declared to be a specified licensed occupation for
the purposes of this section.
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30 Licence not transferrable
(1) A licence may not be transferred.
(2) A licence is not personal property for the purposes
of the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 of
the Commonwealth.
Division 6 Renewal, restoration, variation
and surrender of licences
Subdivision 1 Renewal of licences
31 Application for renewal of licence
(1) A licensee may, before the licensee's licence
expires, apply to renew the licence.
(2) An application for the renewal of a licence must—
(a) be made to the Licensing Authority; and
(b) be in the approved form; and
(c) be accompanied by the prescribed fee
payable to the prescribed person; and
(d) be accompanied by any other documents,
identified in the approved form, the
Licensing Authority reasonably requires; and
(e) comply with any other requirement
prescribed by the national regulations,
including any requirement about when the
application must be made.
32 Licensing Authority may require further
information or document
(1) Before deciding an application for renewal of a
licence, the Licensing Authority may, by written
notice given to the applicant, require the applicant
to give the Authority, within a reasonable time
stated in the notice, further information or a
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document the Authority reasonably requires to
decide the application.
(2) The Licensing Authority may require the
information or document to be verified by a
statutory declaration.
(3) The applicant is taken to have withdrawn the
application if the applicant does not comply with
the written notice.
33 Eligibility for renewal of licence
Divisions 3 and 4 apply to the renewal of a
licence, with any changes prescribed by the
national regulations, as if the application for the
renewal of the licence were an application for the
grant of a licence.
34 Licence continues in force until application decided
If a person applies under section 31 to renew the
person's licence, the licence is taken to continue in
force from the day it would, apart from this
section, have ended until—
(a) if the Licensing Authority decides to renew
the licence, the day the new licence is given
to the person; or
(b) if the Licensing Authority decides to refuse
to renew the licence, the day the person is
given notice of the decision.
Subdivision 2 Restoration of licences
35 Application for restoration of licence
(1) If a person's licence has expired and the licence is
for a specified licensed occupation, the person
may apply for the restoration of the licence within
3 months after the expiry.
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(2) However, an application for the restoration of
licence may not be made—
(a) during any period in which the licence is
suspended; or
(b) if the licence has been cancelled.
(3) An application for the restoration of a licence
must—
(a) be made to the Licensing Authority; and
(b) be in the approved form; and
(c) be accompanied by the prescribed fee
payable to the prescribed person; and
(d) be accompanied by any other documents,
identified in the approved form, the
Licensing Authority reasonably requires; and
(e) comply with any other requirement
prescribed by the national regulations.
(4) In this section—
specified licensed occupation means a licensed
occupation that the national regulations have
declared to be a specified licensed occupation for
the purposes of this section.
36 Licensing Authority may require further
information or document
(1) Before deciding an application for restoration of a
licence, the Licensing Authority may, by written
notice given to the applicant, require the applicant
to give the Authority, within a reasonable time
stated in the notice, further information or a
document the Authority reasonably requires to
decide the application.
(2) The Licensing Authority may require the
information or document to be verified by a
statutory declaration.
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(3) The applicant is taken to have withdrawn the
application if the applicant does not comply with
the written notice.
37 Eligibility for restoration of licence
Divisions 3 and 4 apply to the restoration of a
licence, with any changes prescribed by the
national regulations, as if the application for the
restoration of the licence were an application for
the grant of a licence.
38 Licence continues in force until application decided
If a person applies under section 35 to restore an
expired licence, the licence is taken to have
continued in force from the day it would, apart
from this section, have ended until—
(a) if the Licensing Authority decides to restore
the licence, the day the new licence is given
to the person; or
(b) if the Licensing Authority decides to refuse
to restore the licence, the day the person is
given notice of the decision.
39 Period of restored licence
If the Licensing Authority decides to restore a
person's licence, the licence is taken to have
commenced immediately after the person's
previous licence expired.
Subdivision 3 Variation of licences on
application of licensees
40 Application for variation of licence
(1) A licensee may apply to vary the licensee's
licence.
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(2) An application for the variation of a licence
must—
(a) be made to the Licensing Authority; and
(b) be in the approved form; and
(c) be accompanied by the prescribed fee
payable to the prescribed person; and
(d) be accompanied by any other documents,
identified in the approved form, the
Licensing Authority reasonably requires; and
(e) comply with any other requirement
prescribed by the national regulations.
41 Eligibility for variation of licence
Divisions 3 and 4 apply to the variation of a
licence, with any changes prescribed by the
national regulations, as if the application for the
variation of the licence were an application for the
grant of a licence.
Subdivision 4 Variation of licences on
initiative of Licensing
Authority
42 Varying licence on Licensing Authority's initiative
(1) This section applies if the Licensing Authority
reasonably believes it is necessary to vary a
licensee's licence.
(2) The Licensing Authority must give the licensee a
written notice stating—
(a) that the Authority proposes to vary the
licence; and
(b) how the Authority proposes to vary the
licence; and
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(c) the reason for the proposed variation; and
(d) that the licensee may, within 28 days after
receipt of the notice, make a written
submission to the Authority about the
proposed variation.
(3) The licensee may make a written submission
about the proposed variation as stated in the
notice.
(4) The Licensing Authority must consider a
submission made under subsection (3) and decide
whether or not to vary the licence.
(5) The Licensing Authority's decision must be
made—
(a) within 28 days after receiving the licensee's
submission; or
(b) if the licensee does not make a submission,
within 28 days after the last day on which the
licensee may make a submission.
(6) As soon as practicable after making its decision,
the Licensing Authority must give written notice
of the decision to the licensee.
(7) If the Licensing Authority decides to vary the
licence, the notice must state—
(a) the decision made by the Authority; and
(b) that the licensee may apply for a review of
the decision; and
(c) how an application for a review must be
made and the period within which the
application must be made.
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Subdivision 5 Surrender of licences
43 Surrender of licence
(1) A licensee may surrender the licensee's licence.
(2) In surrendering a licence, the licensee must
comply with any requirements prescribed by the
national regulations.
Subdivision 6 Revocation of licences
44 Revocation of licence
(1) The Licensing Authority may decide to revoke a
person's licence if the Authority reasonably
believes the licence was issued in error.
(2) The Licensing Authority may decide to revoke a
licence under this section only if the decision is
made not more than 28 days after the Authority
becomes aware of the ground that forms the basis
for believing the licence was issued in error.
(3) If the Licensing Authority decides to revoke a
licence, it must give a notice to the licensee
stating—
(a) the decision made by the Authority; and
(b) that the person may apply for a review of the
decision; and
(c) how an application for a review must be
made and the period within which the
application must be made.
(4) The decision takes effect on—
(a) the day the notice is given to the person; or
(b) the later day stated in the notice.
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Subdivision 7 Replacement of licence
45 Replacement of licence
(1) A licensee may apply to the Licensing Authority
for the replacement of the licensee's licence if it
has been lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged.
(2) The application must be—
(a) in the approved form; and
(b) accompanied by the prescribed fee payable
to the prescribed person.
(3) The Licensing Authority must issue a replacement
licence to the licensee.
Part 3 Disciplinary proceedings and action
Division 1 Preliminary
46 Part applicable to former licensees
(1) Disciplinary proceedings may be taken under this
Part in relation to a former licensee's behaviour
while a licensee as if the former licensee were still
a licensee.
(2) However, disciplinary proceedings may be taken
against a former licensee only in relation to
behaviour that occurred not more than 6 years
before the day the disciplinary proceedings start.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (1), this Part (other
than Division 3) applies, with any necessary
changes, as if a reference to a licensee included a
former licensee.
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47 Meaning of disciplinary action
(1) Disciplinary action, in relation to a licensee,
means one or more of the following—
(a) reprimand the licensee;
(b) direct the licensee to do or not to do
something;
(c) require the licensee to give the Licensing
Authority an undertaking;
(d) impose a condition on the licensee's licence;
(e) impose demerit points on the licensee as
provided for in the national regulations;
(f) require the licensee to pay to the Licensing
Authority a penalty of not more than the
prescribed amount;
(g) suspend the licensee's licence for a stated
period;
(h) cancel the licensee's licence and disqualify
the person from applying for a specified
licence for a period of not more than 5 years;
(i) cancel the licensee's licence and disqualify
the person from applying for a specified
licence for life.
(2) Disciplinary action, in relation to a former
licensee, means—
(a) direct the former licensee to do or not to do
something;
(b) require the former licensee to pay to the
Licensing Authority a penalty of not more
than the prescribed amount;
(c) disqualify the former licensee from applying
for a specified licence for a period of not
more than 5 years;
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(d) disqualify the former licensee from applying
for a specified licence for life.
(3) The disciplinary action referred to in subsection
(1) or (2) is listed in a hierarchy from the least
serious action that may be taken to the most
serious action.
Division 2 Grounds for disciplinary action
48 Grounds for disciplinary action
(1) Each of the following is a ground for which
disciplinary action may be taken against a
licensee—
(a) the licensee has contravened this Law or the
national regulations;
(b) the licensee has contravened—
(i) a prescribed Act or regulation of the
Commonwealth or a State or Territory;
or
(ii) a prescribed provision of an Act or
regulation of the Commonwealth or a
State or Territory;
(c) the licensee is no longer eligible for a licence
or the particular licence held by the licensee;
(d) the licensee has not completed the prescribed
skills maintenance requirements or
prescribed training requirements;
(e) the licensee has not paid a fee or other
amount required to be paid under—
(i) this Law; or
(ii) a prescribed Act of the Commonwealth
or a State or Territory;
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(f) the licensee has not complied with an order
made by a disciplinary body in relation to the
licensee's licensed occupation;
(g) the licensee has not complied with a
direction given by a disciplinary body to do
or not to do something;
(h) the licensee has not complied with a
direction given by the Licensing Authority to
the licensee under section 101;
(i) the licensee's licence was obtained on the
basis of information or a document that was
false or misleading;
(j) the licensee has contravened a condition of
the licensee's licence or an undertaking given
by the licensee to the Licensing Authority;
(k) the licensee has failed to maintain insurance
the licensee is required by the national
regulations to maintain;
(l) an immediate suspension ground exists in
relation to the licensee.
(2) However, disciplinary action may not be taken
against a licensee on a ground referred to in
subsection (1) if the ground is prescribed under
the national regulations as being a ground for
which the licensee's licence is automatically
suspended or cancelled.
Division 3 Immediate suspension
49 Grounds for immediate suspension
(1) A ground for the immediate suspension of a
licensee's licence exists if—
(a) the licensee is bankrupt or insolvent; or
(b) the licensee has contravened a relevant law;
or
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(c) the licensee has misappropriated funds held
on trust by the licensee; or
(d) the licensee has been charged with or
convicted of an offence that, under the
national regulations, would make the person
ineligible to hold a licence.
(2) Subsection (1)(a) applies only in relation to a
licensee who is a member of a prescribed class of
licensees.
(3) In this section—
bankrupt or insolvent, in relation to a licensee,
means the licensee—
(a) has become bankrupt or insolvent; or
(b) has applied to take the benefit of any law for
the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors; or
(c) has compounded with creditors or made an
assignment of remuneration for the benefit of
creditors; or
(d) has entered into a compromise or scheme of
management with creditors.
convicted, of an offence, includes a plea of guilty
or a finding of guilty and includes whether or not
a conviction is recorded.
relevant law means an Act, regulation, code of
practice or standard that is prescribed by the
national regulations.
50 Immediate suspension of licence
(1) The Licensing Authority may, by written notice
given to a licensee, immediately suspend the
licensee's licence if the Authority reasonably
believes—
(a) an immediate suspension ground exists in
relation to the licensee; and
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(b) it is necessary in the public interest to
immediately suspend the licensee's licence.
(2) The written notice must state the following—
(a) the decision;
(b) the reasons for the decision;
(c) the period of the suspension;
(d) that the licensee may apply to the Licensing
Authority for a review of the decision within
14 days;
(e) the way the licensee may apply for the
review of the decision.
(3) The suspension—
(a) takes effect when the notice is given to the
licensee; and
(b) continues until the earlier of the following
days—
(i) the day the suspension is revoked by
the Licensing Authority;
(ii) the day the suspension is revoked on
appeal under Division 3 of Part 5.
Division 4 Show cause process
51 Application of Division
The Licensing Authority may start disciplinary
proceedings against a licensee under this Division
only if an Act of the participating jurisdiction in
which the conduct that provides the grounds for
the disciplinary proceedings occurred has declared
that this Division applies to licensees carrying out
the licensed occupation for which the licensee is
licensed.
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52 Show cause notice
(1) If the Licensing Authority reasonably believes a
ground for taking disciplinary action against a
licensee exists, the Authority must give the
licensee a notice under this section (a show cause
notice).
(2) The show cause notice must state the following—
(a) that the Licensing Authority proposes to take
disciplinary action (the proposed action);
(b) the licence in relation to which the proposed
action is to be taken;
(c) the ground for the proposed action;
(d) an outline of the facts and circumstances
forming the basis for the ground;
(e) an invitation to the licensee to show within a
stated period (the show cause period) why
the proposed action should not be taken.
(3) The show cause period must be a period ending at
least 14 days after the show cause notice is given
to the licensee.
53 Representations about show cause notice
(1) The licensee may—
(a) make written representations about the show
cause notice to the Licensing Authority
within the show cause period; or
(b) make oral representations about the show
cause notice to the Licensing Authority at the
time within the show cause period, and at the
place, agreed by the Licensing Authority and
the licensee.
(2) The Licensing Authority must keep a record of
oral representations made to it under
subsection (1)(b).
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54 Decision about whether to take disciplinary action
Within 28 days after the show cause period ends,
the Licensing Authority must decide whether a
ground exists to take disciplinary action against
the licensee.
55 Ending show cause process without further action
If the Licensing Authority no longer believes a
ground exists to take disciplinary action against
the licensee, the Authority—
(a) must not take further action about the show
cause notice; and
(b) must, as soon as practicable after making its
decision, give notice to the licensee that no
further action will be taken about the show
cause notice.
56 Taking disciplinary action after show cause notice
(1) If the Licensing Authority still believes a ground
exists to take discplinary action against the
licensee, the Authority may—
(a) take the proposed action; or
(b) take one or more disciplinary actions that, in
accordance with the hierarchy specified in
section 47, are less serious than the proposed
action.
(2) In making its decision about what disciplinary
action should be taken, the Licensing Authority
must have regard to the following—
(a) the licensee's licensing history;
(b) whether the ground for the disciplinary
action is that the licensee has contravened—
(i) this Law or the national regulations; or
(ii) another Act or regulation;
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(c) if the ground for disciplinary action is a
contravention referred to in paragraph (b),
the severity of the contravention and the
period for which the contravention
continued.
(3) The Licensing Authority may not take action
referred to in section 47(1)(f) with respect to a
ground for disciplinary action if the licensee has
already been fined by a court or a tribunal with
respect to the same behaviour.
(4) The Licensing Authority must, as soon as
practicable after making its decision, give a
written notice about the decision to the licensee.
(5) The written notice must state the following—
(a) the decision;
(b) the reasons for the decision;
(c) that the licensee may apply for a review of
the decision within 28 days;
(d) the way the licensee may apply for the
review of the decision.
(6) The decision takes effect on—
(a) the day the notice is given to the licensee; or
(b) the later day stated in the notice.
Division 5 Disciplinary proceedings before
tribunal or court
57 Application of Division
The Licensing Authority may start disciplinary
proceedings against a licensee under this Division
only if an Act of the participating jurisdiction in
which the conduct that provides the grounds for
the disciplinary proceedings occurred has declared
that this Division applies to licensees carrying out
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the licensed occupation for which the licensee is
licensed.
58 Application to relevant tribunal or court
If the Licensing Authority reasonably believes a
ground for taking disciplinary action against a
licensee exists, the Authority may apply to the
relevant tribunal or court for the participating
jurisdiction.
59 Decision by relevant tribunal or court
(1) After hearing the matter about the licensee, the
relevant tribunal or court must decide—
(a) the licensee has no case to answer; or
(b) that a ground exists to take disciplinary
action against the licensee.
(2) If the relevant tribunal or court decides that a
ground exists to take disciplinary action against
the licensee, the tribunal or court may decide to
take one or more disciplinary actions against the
licensee.
(3) However, the relevant tribunal or court may not
take action referred to in section 47(1)(f) with
respect to a ground for discplinary action if the
licensee has already been fined by a court or a
tribunal with respect to the same behaviour.
60 Licensing Authority to give effect to decision of
relevant tribunal or court
The Licensing Authority must give effect to a
decision of the relevant tribunal or court, unless
the decision is stayed on appeal.
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Part 4 Monitoring and enforcement
Division 1 Power to obtain information
61 Powers of authorised officers
(1) This section applies if an authorised officer
reasonably believes—
(a) an offence against this Law or a prescribed
Act has been committed; and
(b) a person may be able to give information
about the offence.
(2) The authorised officer may, by written notice
given to a person, require the person to—
(a) give stated information to the authorised
officer within a stated reasonable time and in
a stated reasonable way; or
(b) attend before the authorised officer at a
stated reasonable time and a stated
reasonable place to answer questions or
produce documents.
62 Offence for failing to produce information or attend
before authorised officer
(1) A person required to give stated information to an
authorised officer under section 61(2)(a) must not
fail, without reasonable excuse, to give the
information as required by the notice.
Penalty—
(a) for an individual—$10,000; or
(b) for a body corporate—$50,000.
(2) A person given a notice to attend before an
authorised officer under section 61(2)(b) must not
fail, without reasonable excuse, to—
(a) attend as required by the notice; and
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(b) continue to attend as required by the
authorised officer until excused from further
attendance; and
(c) answer a question the person is required to
answer by the authorised officer; and
(d) produce a document the person is required to
produce by the notice.
Penalty—
(a) for an individual—$10,000; or
(b) for a body corporate—$50,000.
(3) For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2), it is a
reasonable excuse for an individual to fail to give
stated information, answer a question or produce a
document, if giving the information, answering
the question or producing the document might
tend to incriminate the individual.
63 Power to require licensee to produce documents
(1) An authorised officer may require a licensee to
make available, or produce, for inspection by the
authorised officer at a reasonable time and place
nominated by the authorised officer, a document
to which the licensee has access and that the
licensee is required to keep under this Law or a
prescribed Act or that otherwise relates to the
licensee's obligations under this Law or a
prescribed Act.
(2) A licensee required to make available or produce
a document under subsection (1) must not fail,
without reasonable excuse, to comply with the
requirement.
Penalty—
(a) for an individual—$10,000;
(b) for a body corporate—$50,000.
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64 Inspection of documents
(1) If a document is produced to an authorised officer
under section 61 or 63, the authorised officer
may—
(a) inspect the document; and
(b) make a copy of, or take an extract from, the
document; and
(c) keep the document while it is necessary for
an investigation being carried out by the
authorised officer.
(2) If the authorised officer keeps the document, the
authorised officer must—
(a) give the person who produced the document
a receipt for the document; and
(b) permit a person otherwise entitled to
possession of the document to inspect, make
a copy of, or take an extract from, the
document at the reasonable time and place
decided by the authorised officer.
Division 2 Power to enter places
65 Entering places
(1) An authorised officer may enter and inspect a
place for the purpose of investigating—
(a) whether this Law or a prescribed Act is
being complied with; or
(b) whether work being carried out under a
licence has been, or is being, carried out in
accordance with this Law or a prescribed
Act.
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(2) An authorised officer may only enter and inspect a
place—
(a) if the place is a relevant place—
(i) with the consent of the occupier or
person in control of the place; or
(ii) during times prescribed work is being
carried out at the place; or
(iii) if it is a public place and the entry is
made when it is open to the public; or
(iv) if the entry is authorised by a warrant;
or
(b) if the place is not a relevant place, if the
entry is authorised by a warrant.
(3) For the purpose of asking the occupier or person
in control of a relevant place for consent to enter,
an authorised officer may, without the consent of
the occupier or person in control, enter the place
to the extent that is reasonable to contact the
person.
(4) Subsection (2)(a) does not allow entry to a home
without the occupier's consent or a warrant.
(5) In this section—
home means any part of a building, caravan or
other structure in which an individual lives.
public place means—
(a) a place, or a part of a place, that the public is
entitled to use, that is open to members of
the public or that is used by the public,
whether or not on payment of money; or
(b) a place, or part of a place, that the occupier
allows members of the public to enter,
whether or not on payment of money.
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66 Application for warrant
(1) An authorised officer may apply to a magistrate of
a participating jurisdiction for a warrant for a
place.
(2) The authorised officer must prepare a written
application that states the grounds on which the
warrant is sought.
(3) The written application must be sworn.
(4) The magistrate may refuse to consider the
application until the authorised officer gives the
magistrate all the information the magistrate
requires about the application in the way the
magistrate requires.
67 Issue of warrant
(1) The magistrate may issue the warrant only if the
magistrate is satisfied—
(a) there are reasonable grounds for suspecting
there is a particular thing or activity that may
provide evidence of an offence against this
Law or a prescribed Act at the place; or
(b) it is necessary for the purpose of determining
whether work being carried out under a
licence has been, or is being, carried out in
accordance with this Law or a prescribed Act
at the place.
(2) The warrant must state—
(a) that a stated authorised officer may, with
necessary and reasonable help and force—
(i) enter the place and any other place
necessary for entry; and
(ii) exercise the authorised officer's powers
under this Part; and
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(b) the matter for which the warrant is sought;
and
(c) the evidence that may be seized under the
warrant; and
(d) the hours of the day or night when the place
may be entered; and
(e) the date, within 14 days after the warrant's
issue, the warrant ends.
68 Application by electronic communication
(1) An authorised officer may apply for a warrant by
phone, facsimile, email, radio, video conferencing
or another form of communication if the
authorised officer considers it necessary because
of—
(a) urgent circumstances; or
(b) other special circumstances, including the
authorised officer's remote location.
(2) The application—
(a) may not be made before the authorised
officer prepares the written application under
section 66(2); but
(b) may be made before the written application
is sworn.
(3) The magistrate may issue the warrant (the original
warrant) only if the magistrate is satisfied—
(a) it was necessary to make the application
under subsection (1); and
(b) the way the application was made under
subsection (1) was appropriate.
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(4) After the magistrate issues the original warrant—
(a) if there is a reasonably practicable way of
immediately giving a copy of the warrant to
the authorised officer, for example, by
sending a copy by fax or email, the
magistrate must immediately give a copy of
the warrant to the authorised officer; or
(b) otherwise—
(i) the magistrate must tell the authorised
officer the date and time the warrant is
issued and the other terms of the
warrant; and
(ii) the authorised officer must complete a
form of warrant including by writing on
it—
(A) the magistrate's name; and
(B) the date and time the magistrate
issued the warrant; and
(C) the other terms of the warrant.
(5) The copy of the warrant referred to in subsection
(4)(a), or the form of warrant completed under
subsection (4)(b) (in either case the duplicate
warrant), is a duplicate of, and as effectual as, the
original warrant.
(6) The authorised officer must, at the first reasonable
opportunity, send to the magistrate—
(a) the written application complying with
section 66(2) and (3); and
(b) if the authorised officer completed a form of
warrant under subsection (4)(b), the
completed form of warrant.
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(7) The magistrate must keep the original warrant
and, on receiving the documents under subsection
(6), file the original warrant and documents in the
court.
(8) Despite subsection (5), if—
(a) an issue arises in a proceeding about whether
an exercise of a power was authorised by a
warrant issued under this section; and
(b) the original warrant is not produced in
evidence;
the onus of proof is on the person relying on the
lawfulness of the exercise of the power to prove a
warrant authorised the exercise of the power.
(9) This section does not limit section 66.
69 Procedure before entry under warrant
(1) Before entering a place under a warrant, an
authorised officer must do or make a reasonable
attempt to do the following—
(a) identify himself or herself to a person present
at the place who is an occupier of the place
or the person apparently in control of the
place by producing the authorised officer's
identity card or another document evidencing
the authorised officer's appointment;
(b) give the person a copy of the warrant;
(c) tell the person the authorised officer is
permitted by the warrant to enter the place;
(d) give the person an opportunity to allow the
authorised officer immediate entry to the
place without using force.
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(2) However, the authorised officer need not comply
with subsection (1) if the authorised officer
reasonably believes that immediate entry to the
place is required to ensure the effective execution
of the warrant is not frustrated.
70 Powers after entering places
(1) This section applies if an authorised officer enters
a place under section 65.
(2) The authorised officer may for the purposes of the
investigation do the following—
(a) search any part of the place;
(b) inspect, measure, test, photograph or film
any part of the place or anything at the place;
(c) take a thing, or a sample of or from a thing,
at the place for analysis, measurement or
testing;
(d) copy, or take an extract from, a document at
the place;
(e) take into or onto the place any person,
equipment and materials the authorised
officer reasonably requires for exercising a
power under this Part;
(f) require the occupier of the place, or a person
at the place, to give the authorised officer
reasonable help to exercise the authorised
officer's powers under paragraphs (a) to (e);
(g) require the occupier of the place, or a person
at the place, to give the authorised officer
information, including, for example, the
person's name, address or licence number, to
help the authorised officer ascertain whether
this Law or the prescribed Act is being
complied with.
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(3) The authorised officer may also require any of the
following persons to do, or refrain from doing,
something at the place if the officer reasonably
believes it is necessary to do so to prevent injury
or other harm to persons at the place—
(a) a licensee who has been carrying out
prescribed work at the place or a person
acting under the direction of the licensee;
(b) a person who has been carrying out
prescribed work at the place under the
direction of or on behalf of a licensee;
(c) the occupier of the place or a person at the
place.
(4) When making a requirement mentioned in
subsection (2)(f) or (g) or (3), the authorised
officer must warn the person it is an offence to fail
to comply with the requirement unless the person
has a reasonable excuse.
71 Offences for failing to comply with requirement
under section 70
(1) A person required to give reasonable help under
section 70(2)(f) must comply with the
requirement, unless the person has a reasonable
excuse.
Penalty—
(a) for an individual—$10,000; or
(b) for a body corporate—$50,000.
(2) A person of whom a requirement is made under
section 70(2)(g) or (3) must comply with the
requirement, unless the person has a reasonable
excuse.
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Penalty—
(a) for an individual—$10,000; or
(b) for a body corporate—$50,000.
(3) It is a reasonable excuse for an individual not to
comply with a requirement under section 70(2)(f)
or (g) that complying with the requirement might
tend to incriminate the individual.
Division 3 Power to stop and search
vehicles
72 Division applies only to certain licensed occupations
This Division applies only in relation to a licensed
occupation that is prescribed as being a relevant
occupation for the purposes of this Division.
73 Power to stop and search vehicles
(1) An authorised officer may enter a vehicle and
exercise the powers set out in section 70(2) if—
(a) the authorised officer is investigating
whether work being carried out under a
licence has been, or is being, carried out in
accordance with this Law or a prescribed
Act; or
(b) the authorised officer suspects on reasonable
grounds that—
(i) the vehicle is being, or has been, used
in the commission of an offence against
this Law or a prescribed Act in relation
to a relevant occupation; or
(ii) the vehicle, or anything on or in the
vehicle, may afford evidence of the
commission of an offence against this
Law or a prescribed Act in relation to a
relevant occupation.
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(2) The authorised officer may enter the vehicle and
exercise the powers with necessary and reasonable
help and force, and without consent or a warrant.
(3) Without limiting subsection (2), the authorised
officer may require the driver of the vehicle or the
person otherwise in control of the vehicle—
(a) to give the authorised officer reasonable help
to enable the vehicle to be entered; or
(b) to bring the vehicle to a specified place and
remain in control of the vehicle to enable the
authorised officer to exercise the authorised
officer's powers in relation to the vehicle.
(4) A person must not, without reasonable excuse,
contravene a requirement under subsection (3).
Penalty—$10,000.
(5) If the vehicle is moving or about to move the
authorised officer may signal the driver of the
vehicle to stop or not to move the vehicle.
(6) A person must not, without reasonable excuse,
disobey a signal under subsection (5).
Penalty—$10,000.
(7) It is a reasonable excuse for the person to fail to
stop or to move the vehicle if—
(a) to immediately obey the signal would have
endangered, or damaged the property of, the
person or another person; and
(b) the person obeys the signal as soon as it is
practicable to obey the signal.
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Division 4 Power to seize evidence
74 Seizing evidence at place entered with consent or
warrant
(1) If an authorised officer enters a place with the
consent of the occupier or person in control of the
place, the authorised officer may seize a thing at
the place if—
(a) the authorised officer reasonably believes the
thing is evidence that is relevant to the
investigation being conducted by the
authorised officer; and
(b) seizing the thing is consistent with the
purpose of the entry as told to the occupier or
person in control when asking for the
occupier's or person in control's consent.
(2) If an authorised officer enters a place with a
warrant, the authorised officer may seize the
evidence for which the warrant was issued.
(3) For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2), the
authorised officer may also seize anything else at
the place if the authorised officer reasonably
believes—
(a) the thing is evidence that is relevant to the
investigation; and
(b) seizing the thing is necessary to prevent the
thing being hidden, lost or destroyed.
75 Seizing evidence from other places
(1) This section applies if an authorised officer does
any of the following without consent or a
warrant—
(a) enters a place during times when prescribed
work is being carried out at the place;
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(b) enters a public place when the place is open
to the public;
(c) enters a vehicle.
(2) The authorised officer may seize a thing at the
place, or on or in the vehicle, if the authorised
officer reasonably believes the thing is evidence
that is relevant to the investigation being
conducted by the authorised officer.
76 Securing evidence
(1) Having seized a thing, an authorised officer
may—
(a) move the thing from the place where it was
seized; or
(b) leave the thing at the place where it was
seized but—
(i) take reasonable action to restrict access,
or prevent or mitigate damage, to it; or
(ii) direct the person the authorised officer
reasonably believes is in control of the
seized thing to take reasonable action to
restrict access, or prevent or mitigate
damage, to it; or
(iii) for equipment, make it inoperable, or
direct the person the authorised officer
reasonably believes is in control of the
thing to make it inoperable.
(2) A person to whom a direction is given under
subsection (1)(b)(ii) or (iii) must comply with the
direction.
Penalty—$10,000.
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77 Tampering with seized things
(1) If an authorised officer or a person acting at the
officer's direction restricts access to a seized thing,
a person must not tamper or attempt to tamper
with it, or something restricting access to it,
without an authorised officer's approval.
Penalty—$25,000.
(2) If an authorised officer or a person acting at the
officer's direction makes a seized thing inoperable,
a person must not tamper or attempt to tamper
with the thing, without an authorised officer's
approval.
Penalty—$25,000.
78 Receipt for seized things
(1) As soon as practicable after an authorised officer
seizes a thing, the authorised officer must give a
receipt for it to the person from whom it was
seized.
(2) However, if for any reason it is not practicable to
comply with subsection (1), the authorised officer
must leave the receipt at the place where it was
seized in a conspicuous position and in a
reasonably secure way.
(3) The receipt must describe generally the seized
thing and its condition.
(4) This section does not apply to a thing if it is
impracticable or would be unreasonable to give
the receipt given the thing's nature, condition and
value.
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79 Forfeiture of seized thing
(1) A seized thing is forfeited to the Licensing
Authority if the Authority—
(a) cannot find its owner, after making
reasonable inquiries; or
(b) cannot return it to its owner, after making
reasonable efforts.
(2) In applying subsection (1)—
(a) subsection (1)(a) does not require the
Licensing Authority to make inquiries if it
would be unreasonable to make inquiries to
find the owner; and
(b) subsection (1)(b) does not require the
Licensing Authority to make efforts if it
would be unreasonable to make efforts to
return the thing to its owner.
(3) Regard must be had to a thing's nature, condition
and value in deciding—
(a) whether it is reasonable to make inquiries or
efforts; and
(b) if making inquiries or efforts, what inquiries
or efforts, including the period over which
they are made, are reasonable.
80 Dealing with forfeited things
(1) On the forfeiture of a thing to the Licensing
Authority, the thing becomes the Authority's
property and may be dealt with by the Authority
as the Authority considers appropriate.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Licensing
Authority may destroy or dispose of the thing.
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81 Return of seized things
If a seized thing has not been forfeited, the
Licensing Authority must immediately return the
thing to its owner if the Authority is no longer
satisfied its continued retention as evidence is
necessary.
82 Access to seized things
(1) Until a seized thing is forfeited or returned, the
Licensing Authority must allow its owner to
inspect it and, if it is a document, to copy it.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if it is impracticable
or would be unreasonable to allow the inspection.
Division 5 General
83 Compensation
(1) A person may claim from the Licensing Authority
the cost of repairing or replacing property
damaged because of the exercise or purported
exercise of a power under this Part by an
authorised officer.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), compensation
may be claimed for damage to property incurred
in complying with a requirement made of the
person under this Part.
(3) Compensation is not payable for damage caused
to the property of a relevant person if the exercise
or purported exercise of the power under this Part
by the authorised officer occurred in the course of
an investigation of the relevant person.
(4) Compensation may be claimed and ordered to be
paid in a proceeding brought in a court with
jurisdiction for the recovery of the amount of
compensation claimed.
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(5) A court may order compensation to be paid only if
it is satisfied it is just to make the order in the
circumstances of the particular case.
(6) The national regulations may provide for matters
to which a court may, must or must not have
regard in deciding whether to make an order under
this section.
(7) In this section—
relevant person means the following—
(a) a licensee;
(b) a person, other than a licensee, who is or was
carrying out prescribed work;
(c) a person, other than a licensee, who is or was
advertising or holding out that he or she was
licensed to carry out a licensed occupation.
84 False or misleading information
A person must not, in relation to a licence or a
licensed occupation, state anything to an
authorised officer that the person knows is false or
misleading in a material particular.
Penalty—
(a) for an individual—$25,000; or
(b) for a body corporate—$125,000.
85 False or misleading documents
(1) A person must not give an authorised officer a
document containing information the person
knows is false or misleading in a material
particular.
Penalty—
(a) for an individual—$25,000; or
(b) for a body corporate—$125,000.
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(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person who,
when giving the document—
(a) informs the authorised officer, to the best of
the person's ability, how it is false or
misleading; and
(b) gives the correct information to the
authorised officer if the person has, or can
reasonably obtain, the correct information.
86 Obstructing authorised officers
(1) A person must not obstruct an authorised officer
in the exercise of a power, unless the person has a
reasonable excuse.
Penalty—
(a) for an individual—$25,000; or
(b) for a body corporate—$125,000.
(2) If a person has obstructed an authorised officer
and the authorised officer decides to proceed with
the exercise of the power, the authorised officer
must warn the person that—
(a) it is an offence to obstruct the authorised
officer, unless the person has a reasonable
excuse; and
(b) the authorised officer considers the person's
conduct is an obstruction.
(3) In this section—
obstruct includes hinder and attempt to obstruct or
hinder.
87 Impersonation of authorised officers
A person must not pretend to be an authorised
officer.
Penalty—$25,000.
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Part 5 Reviews and Appeals
Division 1 Preliminary
88 Definitions
In this Part—
affected person, for a reviewable decision, means
a person prescribed by the national regulations as
being a person who may apply for an internal
review of the reviewable decision.
reviewable decision means any of the following
decisions made under this Law—
(a) a decision to refuse to grant a licence;
(b) a decision to refuse to renew or vary a
licence;
(c) a decision to vary a licence at the Licensing
Authority's initiative;
(d) a decision to immediately suspend a licence;
(e) a decision by the Licensing Authority to take
disciplinary action against a licensee;
(f) a decision to revoke a licence;
(g) a decision to give a licensee, or a member of
a class of licensees, a direction under
section 101;
(h) another decision prescribed by the national
regulations as being a decision for which a
person may apply for an internal review
under this Part.
review decision see section 91.
reviewer means a person deciding an internal
review of a reviewable decision under this Part.
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Division 2 Reviews
89 Applying for internal review
(1) An affected person for a reviewable decision may
apply to the Licensing Authority for an internal
review of the decision.
(2) The application must be made within 28 days after
the day the affected person is given notice of the
reviewable decision.
(3) The Licensing Authority may, at any time, extend
the time for applying for the internal review.
(4) The application for an internal review must be in
writing and state fully the grounds of the
application.
90 Internal review
(1) An internal review must not be decided by—
(a) the person who made the reviewable
decision; or
(b) a person who holds a less senior position
than that person.
(2) The reviewer must conduct the review on—
(a) the material before the Licensing Authority
that led to the reviewable decision; and
(b) the reasons for the reviewable decision; and
(c) any other relevant material the reviewer
allows.
(3) For the review, the reviewer must give the
affected person a reasonable opportunity to make
written or oral representations to the reviewer.
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91 Review decision
(1) The reviewer must make a decision (the review
decision) to—
(a) confirm the reviewable decision; or
(b) amend the reviewable decision; or
(c) substitute another decision for the reviewable
decision.
(2) If the review decision confirms the reviewable
decision, for the purpose of an appeal, the
reviewable decision is taken to be the review
decision.
(3) If the review decision amends the reviewable
decision, for the purpose of an appeal, the
reviewable decision as amended is taken to be the
review decision.
(4) If the review decision substitutes another decision
for the reviewable decision, for the purpose of an
appeal, the substituted decision is taken to be the
review decision.
92 Notice of review decision
(1) The Licensing Authority must, as soon as
practicable after the review decision is made, give
the affected person notice (the review notice) of
the review decision.
(2) If the review decision is not the decision sought
by the affected person, the review notice must also
state the following—
(a) the reasons for the decision;
(b) that the affected person may appeal against
the decision in accordance with the national
regulations;
(c) how to appeal.
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(3) If the Licensing Authority does not give the
review notice within the review period the
Authority is taken to have made a review decision
confirming the reviewable decision.
(4) In this section—
review period means—
(a) the period ending 28 days after the
application is made; or
(b) the period, ending not more than 56 days
after the application is made, agreed between
the Authority and the affected person.
Division 3 Appeals
93 Appellable decisions
(1) A person who has applied for an internal review
of a reviewable decision under Division 2 and is
dissatisfied with the review decision may appeal
against the review decision to the relevant tribunal
or court for a participating jurisdiction.
(2) Also, the relevant tribunal or court for a
participating jurisdiction may deal with an appeal
by a person against a reviewable decision if the
person did not apply for an internal review of the
reviewable decision under Division 2 but only
if—
(a) the relevant tribunal or court is satisfied—
(i) the person was an affected person for
the reviewable decision; and
(ii) the person made a late application for
the internal review; and
(iii) the person dealing with the application
unreasonably refused to consider the
application; and
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(iv) the appeal was lodged within a
reasonable time after the making of the
reviewable decision; or
(b) the relevant tribunal or court is satisfied—
(i) the person was an affected person for
the reviewable decision; and
(ii) it is necessary for the relevant tribunal
or court to deal with the appeal to
protect the applicant's interests; and
(iii) the appeal was lodged within a
reasonable time after the making of the
reviewable decision.
94 Proceedings and decision
(1) After hearing the matter, the relevant tribunal or
court must—
(a) confirm the review decision or reviewable
decision; or
(b) amend the review decision or reviewable
decision; or
(c) substitute another decision for the review
decision or reviewable decision.
(2) In substituting another decision for the review
decision or reviewable decision, the relevant
tribunal or court has the same powers as the entity
that made the review decision or reviewable
decision.
Part 6 Ministerial Council
95 Functions of Ministerial Council
The Ministerial Council is responsible for the
effective implementation and operation of the
national licensing system.
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96 Directions
(1) The Ministerial Council may give directions to the
Licensing Authority about the policies to be
applied by the Licensing Authority in exercising
its functions.
(2) However, neither the Ministerial Council nor a
Minister may give a direction to the Licensing
Authority about—
(a) a particular person; or
(b) a particular application; or
(c) a particular disciplinary proceeding or
disciplinary action.
Part 7 National Occupational Licensing
Authority
Division 1 Establishment, functions and
powers
97 Establishment of Licensing Authority
(1) The National Occupational Licensing Authority is
established.
(2) The Licensing Authority—
(a) is a body corporate with perpetual
succession; and
(b) has a common seal; and
(c) may sue and be sued in its corporate name.
(3) The Licensing Authority represents the State.
98 General powers of Licensing Authority
The Licensing Authority has all the powers of an
individual and, in particular, may—
(a) enter into contracts; and
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(b) acquire, hold, dispose of, and deal with, real
and personal property; and
(c) do anything necessary or convenient to be
done in the performance of its functions.
99 Functions of Licensing Authority
(1) The principal functions of the Licensing Authority
are—
(a) to develop policy about, and administer, the
national licensing system; and
(b) to provide advice to the Ministerial Council
about matters relating to the national
licensing system.
(2) In exercising its functions, the Licensing
Authority must have regard to the objectives of
the national licensing system set out in section 3.
(3) Without limiting subsection (1), the functions of
the Licensing Authority include the following—
(a) to give effect to policy directions and other
decisions made by the Ministerial Council;
(b) to undertake reviews of legislation, and
develop and review policy matters, relating
to occupational licensing and provide advice
to the Ministerial Council about matters
arising out of the reviews;
(c) to analyse, and prepare projections about, its
budget and provide the analysis and
projections to the Ministerial Council;
(d) to manage its resources in a way that ensures
the national licensing system is as efficient
as possible;
(e) to review and make recommendations about
any national licensing fees provided for
under this Law;
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(f) to undertake research and consultation to
support the development, monitoring and
maintenance of policy about—
(i) the regulation of licensed occupations;
and
(ii) the licensing of persons carrying out
licensed occupations; and
(iii) requirements relating to the conduct of
licensees;
(g) to regulate the conduct of licensees;
(h) to prosecute persons who commit offences
against this Law or the national regulations;
(i) to keep up-to-date and publicly accessible
national registers of licensees;
(j) to develop, for approval by the Ministerial
Council, measures and processes for
assessing its performance and to report on
the measures and processes to the Council;
(k) to advise the Ministerial Council on issues
relevant to the national licensing system;
(l) to liaise with participating jurisdictions in a
way that is transparent and provides for the
sharing of information with State or
Territory entities, relevant jurisdictional
regulators and statutory bodies having
functions in relation to licensed occupations
or licensees;
(m) to co-operate with any entity reviewing the
national licensing system;
(n) to establish, as appropriate, committees and
other mechanisms to assist the Authority in
performing its functions.
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100 Consultation
In exercising its functions in relation to reviewing
legislation or developing or reviewing policy
matters about licensed occupations, the Licensing
Authority must, to the extent the Authority
considers reasonable in the circumstances, consult
with—
(a) stakeholders from relevant licensed
occupations; and
(b) the community.
101 Directions
(1) The Licensing Authority may give a direction to a
licensee, or a class of licensees, about a matter
relating to the way in which the licensee or class
of licensees carries out the licensed occupation.
(2) A direction must be given by written notice given
to the licensee, or each licensee who is a member
of the class of licensees, the subject of the
direction.
102 Delegation
(1) The Licensing Authority may delegate any of its
functions, other than developing policy about the
national licensing system, to—
(a) an entity, or the chief executive of an entity
or department of government, of a
participating jurisdiction nominated by the
member of the Ministerial Council that
represents that jurisdiction; or
(b) a member of the police force or police
service of a participating jurisdiction.
(2) The Licensing Authority may delegate any of its
functions to the chief executive officer or another
member of the Authority's staff.
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(3) An entity or chief executive to whom a function
has been delegated under subsection (1)(a) by the
Licensing Authority may subdelegate the function
(including this power of subdelegation).
Division 2 Governing Board of Licensing
Authority
Subdivision 1 Establishment and
functions
103 National Occupational Licensing Board
(1) The Licensing Authority has a governing board
known as the National Occupational Licensing
Board.
(2) The Licensing Board consists of not more than
10 members appointed by the Ministerial Council.
(3) The members of the Licensing Board consist of—
(a) one person appointed by the Ministerial
Council as Chairperson, being a person who
is not a licensee or otherwise involved in any
licensed occupation; and
(b) 2 persons (jurisdictional regulator
members) who are jurisdictional regulators
or members of the staff of jurisdictional
regulators, nominated by the chief executives
of First Ministers' Departments; and
(c) other persons the Ministerial Council
considers have appropriate skills or
experience in unions, employer
representation, consumer advocacy or
training.
(4) In appointing members of the Licensing Board,
the Ministerial Council must have regard to the
need for the Board to have an appropriate balance
of skills and expertise among its members.
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104 Functions of Licensing Board
(1) The affairs of the Licensing Authority are to be
controlled by the Licensing Board.
(2) All acts and things done in the name of, or on
behalf of, the Licensing Authority by or with the
authority of the Licensing Board are taken to have
been done by the Licensing Authority.
(3) The Licensing Board must ensure the Licensing
Authority performs its functions in a proper,
effective and efficient way.
(4) The Licensing Board has any other functions
given to the Licensing Board by or under this
Law.
Subdivision 2 Members
105 Terms of office of members
(1) Subject to this Division, a member holds office—
(a) for a jurisdictional regulator member, for
2 years; and
(b) otherwise, for the period, not more than
3 years, specified in the member's instrument
of appointment.
(2) If otherwise qualified, a member is eligible for
reappointment.
106 Remuneration
(1) A member, other than a jurisdictional regulator
member, is entitled to be paid the remuneration
and allowances decided by the remuneration
tribunal from time to time.
(2) In this section—
remuneration tribunal means a tribunal
prescribed by the national regulations.
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107 Vacancy in office of member
(1) The office of a member becomes vacant if the
member—
(a) completes a term of office; or
(b) resigns the office by signed notice given to
the Chairperson of the Ministerial Council;
or
(c) is removed from office by the Chairperson of
the Ministerial Council under this section; or
(d) is absent, without leave first being granted
by the Licensing Board, from 3 or more
consecutive meetings of the Board of which
reasonable notice has been given to the
member personally or by post; or
(e) dies.
(2) The Chairperson of the Ministerial Council may
remove a member from office if—
(a) the member has been found guilty of an
offence (whether in a participating
jurisdiction or elsewhere) that, in the opinion
of the Chairperson of the Ministerial
Council, renders the member unfit to
continue to hold the office of member; or
(b) the member becomes bankrupt, applies to
take the benefit of any law for the relief of
bankrupt or insolvent debtors, compounds
with member's creditors or makes an
assignment of member's remuneration for
their benefit; or
(c) the Licensing Board recommends the
removal of the member, on the basis that the
member has engaged in misconduct or has
failed or is unable to properly exercise the
member's functions as a member.
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108 Vacancies to be advertised
(1) Before the Ministerial Council appoints a member
of the Licensing Board, other than a jurisdictional
regulator member, the vacancy to be filled is to be
publicly advertised.
(2) It is not necessary to advertise a vacancy in the
membership of the Licensing Board before
appointing a person to act in the office of a
member.
109 Extension of term of office during vacancy in
membership
(1) If the office of a member becomes vacant because
the member has completed the member's term of
office, the member is taken to continue to be a
member during that vacancy until the date on
which the vacancy is filled, whether by re-
appointment of the member or appointment of a
successor to the member.
(2) However, this section ceases to apply to the
member if—
(a) the member resigns the member's office by
signed notice given to the Chairperson of the
Ministerial Council; or
(b) the Chairperson of the Ministerial Council
decides the services of the member are no
longer required.
(3) The maximum period for which a member is
taken to continue to be a member under this
section after completion of the member's term of
office is 6 months.
110 Members to act in public interest
A member of the Licensing Board is to act
impartially and in the public interest in the
exercise of the member's functions as a member.
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111 Disclosure of conflict of interest
(1) If—
(a) a member has a direct or indirect pecuniary
or other interest in a matter being considered
or about to be considered at a meeting of the
Licensing Board; and
(b) the interest appears to raise a conflict with
the proper performance of the member's
duties in relation to the consideration of the
matter—
the member must, as soon as possible after the
relevant facts have come to the member's
knowledge, disclose the nature of the interest at a
meeting of the Board.
(2) Particulars of any disclosure made under this
section must be recorded by the Licensing Board
in a register of interests kept for the purpose.
(3) After a member has disclosed the nature of an
interest in any matter, the member must not,
unless the Ministerial Council or the Licensing
Board otherwise decides—
(a) be present during any deliberation of the
Board with respect to the matter; or
(b) take part in any decision of the Board with
respect to the matter.
(4) For the purposes of the making of a decision by
the Licensing Board under subsection (3), a
member who has a direct or indirect pecuniary or
other interest in a matter to which the disclosure
relates must not—
(a) be present during any deliberation of the
Board for the purpose of making the
decision; or
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(b) take part in the making by the Board of the
decision.
(5) A contravention of this section does not invalidate
any decision of the Licensing Board but if the
Board becomes aware a member of the Board
contravened this section the Board must
reconsider any decision made by the Board in
which the member took part in contravention of
this section.
Subdivision 3 Meetings
112 General procedure
The procedure for the calling of meetings of the
Licensing Board and for the conduct of business
at the meetings is, subject to this Law, to be
decided by the Board.
113 Quorum
The quorum for a meeting of the Licensing Board
is a majority of its members.
114 Chief executive officer may attend meetings
(1) The chief executive officer may attend meetings
of the Board and participate in discussions of the
Board, but is not entitled to be present during the
consideration by the Board of any matter in which
the chief executive officer has a direct personal
interest.
(2) The chief executive officer is not entitled to vote
at a meeting.
115 Presiding member
(1) The Chairperson is to preside at a meeting of the
Board.
(2) However, in the absence of the Chairperson the
following person is to preside at a meeting of the
Licensing Board—
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(a) if the Chairperson has nominated another
person who is present at the meeting to
preside at the meeting, that person;
(b) otherwise, a person elected by the members
of the Licensing Board who are present at
the meeting.
(3) The presiding member has a deliberative vote and,
in the event of an equality of votes, has a second
or casting vote.
116 Voting
A decision supported by a majority of the votes
cast at a meeting of the Licensing Board at which
a quorum is present is the decision of the Board.
117 First meeting
The Chairperson may call the first meeting of the
Licensing Board in any manner the Chairperson
thinks fit.
118 Defects in appointment of members
A decision of the Licensing Board is not
invalidated by any defect or irregularity in the
appointment of any member of the Board.
Division 3 Chief executive officer
119 Chief executive officer
(1) There is to be a chief executive officer of the
Licensing Authority.
(2) The chief executive officer is to be appointed by
the Licensing Board with the approval of the
Ministerial Council.
(3) The chief executive officer is to be appointed for a
period, not more than 5 years, specified in the
officer's instrument of appointment.
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(4) The chief executive officer is eligible for re-
appointment.
(5) The chief executive officer is taken, while holding
that office, to be a member of the staff of the
Licensing Authority.
120 Functions of chief executive officer
The chief executive officer—
(a) is responsible for the day to day management
of the Licensing Authority; and
(b) has any other functions conferred on the
chief executive officer by the Licensing
Board.
Division 4 Staff
121 Staff
(1) The Licensing Authority may, for the purpose of
exercising its functions, employ staff.
(2) The staff of the Licensing Authority are to be
employed on the terms and conditions prescribed
by the national regulations.
122 Staff seconded to Licensing Authority
The Licensing Authority may make arrangements
for the services of a person who is a member of
the staff of a government agency of a participating
jurisdiction or the Commonwealth to be made
available to the Licensing Authority in connection
with the exercise of its functions.
Division 5 Authorised officers
123 Powers of authorised officers
(1) An authorised officer has the powers given by this
Law.
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(2) In exercising the powers, the authorised officer is
subject to the directions of the Licensing
Authority.
124 Functions of authorised officer
An authorised officer has the following
functions—
(a) to enforce this Law;
(b) to monitor compliance with this Law;
(c) to determine whether work being carried out
under a licence has been, or is being, carried
out in accordance with this Law or a
prescribed Act.
125 Appointment of authorised officers
(1) The Licensing Authority may appoint any of the
following persons as an authorised officer—
(a) a member of the Licensing Authority's staff;
(b) an employee of a jurisdictional regulator;
(c) a member of the police force or police
service of a participating jurisdiction;
(d) a person prescribed for the purposes of this
section by the national regulations;
(e) a person who is a member of a class of
persons prescribed for the purposes of this
section by the national regulations.
(2) The Licensing Authority may appoint a person as
an authorised officer only if satisfied the person is
qualified for appointment because the person has
the necessary expertise or experience.
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126 Appointment conditions and limits on powers
(1) An authorised officer holds office on the
conditions—
(a) stated in the authorised officer's instrument
of appointment; or
(b) stated in a notice given by the Licensing
Authority to the authorised officer; or
(c) prescribed by the national regulations.
(2) The instrument of appointment, a notice given by
the Licensing Authority or the national regulations
may limit the authorised officer's powers under
this Law.
127 Identity card
(1) The Licensing Authority must issue an identity
card to each authorised officer.
(2) The identity card must—
(a) contain a recent photograph of the authorised
officer; and
(b) contain a copy of the authorised officer's
signature; and
(c) identify the person as an authorised officer
under this Law; and
(d) include an expiry date.
(3) This section does not prevent the issue of a single
identity card to a person for this Law and other
Acts.
128 Production and display of identity card
(1) An authorised officer may exercise a power in
relation to someone else (the other person) only if
the authorised officer—
(a) first produces the authorised officer's identity
card for the other person's inspection; or
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(b) has the identity card displayed so it is clearly
visible to the other person.
(2) However, if for any reason it is not practicable to
comply with subsection (1) before exercising the
power, the authorised officer must produce the
identity card for the other person's inspection at
the first reasonable opportunity.
129 When authorised officer ceases to hold office
(1) An authorised officer ceases to hold office if any
of the following occurs—
(a) the term of office stated in a condition of
office ends;
(b) under another condition of office, the
authorised officer ceases to hold office;
(c) the authorised officer's resignation takes
effect.
(2) Subsection (1) does not limit the ways an
authorised officer may cease to hold office.
130 Resignation
An authorised officer may resign by signed notice
given to the Licensing Authority.
131 Return of identity card
A person who ceases to be an authorised officer
must return the person's identity card to the
Licensing Authority within 7 days after ceasing to
be an authorised officer, unless the person has a
reasonable excuse.
Penalty—$5,000.
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Division 6 Occupational Licence Advisory
Committees
132 Establishment of Advisory Committee
The Licensing Authority must establish an
Occupational Licence Advisory Committee for
each licensed occupation.
133 Function of Advisory Committee
The function of an Advisory Committee is to give
advice to the Licensing Authority about—
(a) the development, maintenance and
performance of licensing policy in relation to
the licensed occupation for which the
Advisory Committee is established; and
(b) any other matter referred to the Advisory
Committee by the Licensing Authority.
134 Membership and procedures of Advisory
Committee
(1) An Advisory Committee is to consist of the
members appointed in writing by the Licensing
Board.
(2) Before appointing members of an Advisory
Committee, the Licensing Authority must invite
nominations for membership of the Advisory
Committee from—
(a) national peak bodies who represent the
licensed occupation; or
(b) if there is not a national peak body that
represents the licensed occupation, another
peak body that represents the licensed
occupation.
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(3) Without limiting subsection (2), peak bodies
include the following—
(a) unions and employer bodies;
(b) occupational professional associations;
(c) consumer advocacy organisations;
(d) bodies that regulate the licensed occupation;
(e) if relevant, peak insurance bodies;
(f) bodies involved in the national training
system.
(4) In appointing members to an Advisory
Committee, the Licensing Board must have regard
to the need for the Advisory Committee to have a
balance of expertise relevant to the licensed
occupation including in relation to the following
areas—
(a) regulation of the licensed occupation;
(b) occupational operations and practices,
including from a union and employer
perspective;
(c) workplace health and safety;
(d) consumer advocacy;
(e) training;
(f) if relevant, insurance.
(5) The national regulations may provide for—
(a) the appointment of members of Advisory
Committees; and
(b) the procedures of Advisory Committees.
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Part 8 Information and privacy
Division 1 Privacy
135 Application of Commonwealth Privacy Act
(1) Subject to subsection (3), the Privacy Act applies
as a law of a participating jurisdiction for the
purposes of the national licensing system.
(2) However, the Privacy Act does not apply to the
national licensing system to the extent that
functions, other than functions relating to the
national registers, are being exercised under this
Law by a State or Territory entity.
(3) The national regulations may modify the Privacy
Act for the purposes of this Law.
(4) Without limiting subsection (3), the national
regulations may—
(a) provide that the Privacy Act applies as if a
provision of the Privacy Act specified in the
national regulations were omitted; or
(b) provide that the Privacy Act applies as if an
amendment to the Privacy Act made by a
law of the Commonwealth, and specified in
the national regulations, had not taken effect;
or
(c) confer jurisdiction on a tribunal or court of a
participating jurisdiction.
(5) In this section—
Privacy Act means the Privacy Act 1988 of the
Commonwealth, as in force from time to time.
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Division 2 Disclosure of information and
confidentiality
136 Definition
In this Division—
protected information means information that
comes to a person's knowledge in the course of, or
because of, the person exercising functions under
this Law or a prescribed Act.
137 Application of Commonwealth FOI Act
(1) Subject to subsection (3), the FOI Act applies as a
law of a participating jurisdiction for the purposes
of the national licensing system.
(2) However, the FOI Act does not apply to the
national licensing system to the extent that
functions are being exercised under this Law by a
State or Territory entity.
(3) The national regulations may modify the FOI Act
for the purposes of this Law.
(4) Without limiting subsection (3), the national
regulations may—
(a) provide that the FOI Act applies as if a
provision of the FOI Act specified in the
national regulations were omitted; or
(b) provide that the FOI Act applies as if an
amendment to the FOI Act made by a law of
the Commonwealth, and specified in the
national regulations, had not taken effect; or
(c) confer jurisdiction on a tribunal or court of a
participating jurisdiction.
(5) In this section—
FOI Act means the Freedom of Information Act
1982 of the Commonwealth, as in force from time
to time.
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138 Duty of confidentiality
(1) A person who is, or has been, a person exercising
functions under this Law must not disclose to
another person protected information.
Penalty—
(a) for an individual—$25,000; or
(b) for a body corporate—$125,000.
(2) However, subsection (1) does not apply if—
(a) the information is disclosed in the exercise of
a function under, or for the purposes of, this
Law; or
(b) the disclosure is authorised or required by
any law of a participating jurisdiction; or
(c) the disclosure is otherwise required or
permitted by law; or
(d) the disclosure is with the agreement of the
person to whom the information relates; or
(e) the disclosure is in a form that does not
identify the identity of a person; or
(f) the information relates to proceedings before
a court or tribunal and the proceedings are or
were open to the public; or
(g) the disclosure is the publication of
information about disciplinary action taken
against persons under this Law or the
national regulations or the conviction of
persons for offences against this Law or the
national regulations and the publication is in
accordance with the national regulations; or
(h) the information is, or has been, accessible to
the public, including because it is or was
recorded in a national register; or
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(i) the disclosure is to a prescribed entity or is
otherwise authorised by the national
regulations.
139 Disclosure to jurisdictional regulators and other
Commonwealth, State and Territory entities
A person exercising functions under this Law may
disclose protected information to any of the
following entities if the disclosure is in connection
with functions exercised by that entity—
(a) a jurisdictional regulator;
(b) another Commonwealth, State or Territory
entity.
Division 3 Registers and other records
140 National Registers and records
(1) The Licensing Authority must keep the national
registers and other records required by the
national regulations.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the national
regulations may provide for—
(a) the information that must be collected and
recorded by the Licensing Authority about
licensees; and
(b) the information that is to be included in
public registers about licensees; and
(c) the way the public registers are to be kept;
and
(d) the inspection of the public registers by
members of the public; and
(e) the publication of information included in
public registers.
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141 Application of Commonwealth Archives Act
(1) Subject to subsection (3), the Archives Act applies
as a law of a participating jurisdiction for the
purposes of the national licensing system.
(2) However, the Archives Act does not apply to the
national licensing system to the extent that
functions are being exercised under this Law by a
State or Territory entity.
(3) The national regulations may modify the Archives
Act for the purposes of this Law.
(4) Without limiting subsection (3), the national
regulations may—
(a) provide that the Archives Act applies as if a
provision of the Archives Act specified in
the national regulations were omitted; or
(b) provide that the Archives Act applies as if an
amendment to the Archives Act made by a
law of the Commonwealth, and specified in
the national regulations, had not taken effect;
or
(c) confer jurisdiction on a tribunal or court of a
participating jurisdiction.
(5) In this section—
Archives Act means the Archives Act 1983 of the
Commonwealth, as in force from time to time.
Part 9 Miscellaneous
Division 1 Finance
142 National Occupational Licensing Authority Fund
(1) The National Occupational Licensing Authority
Fund is established.
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(2) The Authority Fund is a fund to be administered
by the Licensing Authority.
(3) The Licensing Authority may establish accounts
with any financial institution for money in the
Authority Fund.
(4) The Authority Fund does not form part of the
consolidated fund or consolidated account of a
participating jurisdiction or the Commonwealth.
143 Payments into Authority Fund
There is payable into the Authority Fund—
(a) all money appropriated by the Parliament of
any participating jurisdiction or the
Commonwealth for the purposes of the
Fund; and
(b) the proceeds of the investment of money in
the Fund; and
(c) all grants, gifts and donations made to the
Licensing Authority, but subject to any trusts
declared in relation to the grants, gifts or
donations; and
(d) all money directed or authorised to be paid
into the Fund by or under this Law, any law
of a participating jurisdiction or any law of
the Commonwealth; and
(e) any other money or property prescribed by
the national regulations; and
(f) any other money or property received by the
Licensing Authority in connection with the
exercise of its functions.
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144 Payments out of Authority Fund
Payments may be made from the Authority Fund
for the purpose of—
(a) paying any costs or expenses, or discharging
any liabilities, incurred in the administration
or enforcement of this Law; and
(b) any other payments recommended by the
Licensing Authority and approved by the
Ministerial Council.
145 Investment by Licensing Authority
(1) The Licensing Authority must invest its funds in a
way that is secure and provides a low risk so that
the Authority's exposure to the loss of funds is
minimised.
(2) The Licensing Authority must keep records that
show it has invested in a way that complies with
subsection (1).
146 Financial management duties of Licensing
Authority
The Licensing Authority must—
(a) ensure its operations are carried out
efficiently, effectively and economically; and
(b) keep proper books and records in relation to
the Authority Fund; and
(c) ensure expenditure is made from the
Authority Fund for lawful purposes only
and, as far as possible, that reasonable value
is expended from the Fund; and
(d) ensure its procedures, including internal
control procedures, afford adequate
safeguards with respect to—
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(i) the correctness, regularity and propriety
of payments made from the Authority
Fund; and
(ii) receiving and accounting for payments
made to the Authority Fund; and
(iii) prevention of fraud or mistake; and
(e) take any action necessary to ensure the
preparation of accurate financial statements
in accordance with Australian Accounting
Standards for inclusion in its annual report;
and
(f) take any action necessary to facilitate the
audit of the financial statements in
accordance with this Law; and
(g) arrange for any further audit by a qualified
person of the books and records kept by the
Licensing Authority, if directed to do so by
the Ministerial Council.
Division 2 Reporting and planning
arrangements
147 Annual report
(1) The Licensing Authority must, within 3 months
after the end of each financial year, give the
Ministerial Council an annual report for the
financial year.
(2) Despite subsection (1), the first annual report of
the Licensing Authority must—
(a) relate to the period starting on 1 January
2011 and ending on 30 June 2012; and
(b) be made by 30 September 2012.
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(3) The annual report must—
(a) include for the period to which the report
relates—
(i) the financial statements that have been
audited by an auditor decided by the
Ministerial Council; and
(ii) information about the consultation
processes used by the Licensing
Authority in exercising its functions of
reviewing legislation and developing
and reviewing policy matters about
licensed occupations; and
(iii) other matters required by the national
regulations; and
(b) be prepared in the way required by the
national regulations.
(4) Without limiting subsection (3)(b), the national
regulations may provide—
(a) that the financial statements are to be
prepared in accordance with Australian
Accounting Standards; and
(b) for the auditing of the financial statements.
(5) The Ministerial Council is to make arrangements
for the tabling of the Licensing Authority's annual
report in each House of the Parliament of each
participating jurisdiction.
(6) As soon as practicable after the annual report has
been tabled in at least one House of the Parliament
of a participating jurisdiction, the Licensing
Authority must publish a copy of the report on its
website.
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(7) In this section—
Australian Accounting Standards means
Accounting Standards issued by the Australian
Accounting Standards Board.
148 Strategic and operational plans
(1) The Licensing Authority must prepare and give to
the Ministerial Council for approval by the
Council—
(a) a strategic plan for each 3-year period; and
(b) an annual operational plan.
(2) The strategic plan must be given to the Ministerial
Council—
(a) for the Licensing Authority's first strategic
plan, within 6 months after the
commencement of this section; and
(b) for subsequent strategic plans, not later than
6 months before the preceding strategic plan
is due to expire.
Division 3 Provisions relating to persons
exercising functions under Law
149 General duties of persons exercising functions under
this Law
(1) A person exercising functions under this Law
must, when exercising the functions, act honestly
and with integrity.
(2) A person exercising functions under this Law
must exercise the person's functions under this
Law—
(a) in good faith; and
(b) with a reasonable degree of care, diligence
and skill.
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(3) A person exercising functions under this Law
must not make improper use of the person's
position or of information that comes to the
person's knowledge in the course of, or because
of, the person's exercise of the functions—
(a) to gain an advantage for himself or herself or
another person; or
(b) to cause a detriment to the development,
implementation or operation of the national
licensing system.
Penalty—$25,000.
150 Application of Commonwealth Ombudsman Act
(1) Subject to subsection (3), the Ombudsman Act
applies as a law of a participating jurisdiction for
the purposes of the national licensing system.
(2) However, the Ombudsman Act does not apply to
the national licensing system to the extent that
functions are being exercised under this Law by a
State or Territory entity.
(3) The national regulations may modify the
Ombudsman Act for the purposes of this Law.
(4) Without limiting subsection (3), the national
regulations may—
(a) provide that the Ombudsman Act applies as
if a provision of the Ombudsman Act
specified in the national regulations were
omitted; or
(b) provide that the Ombudsman Act applies as
if an amendment to the Ombudsman Act
made by a law of the Commonwealth and
specified in the national regulations, had not
taken effect; or
(c) confer jurisdiction on a tribunal or court of a
participating jurisdiction.
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(5) In this section—
Ombudsman Act means the Ombudsman Act
1976 of the Commonwealth, as in force from time
to time.
151 Protection from personal liability for persons
exercising functions
(1) A person who is or was a protected person is not
personally liable for anything done or omitted to
be done in good faith—
(a) in the exercise of a function under this Law;
or
(b) in the reasonable belief that the act or
omission was the exercise of a function
under this Law.
(2) Any liability resulting from an act or omission
that would, but for subsection (1), attach to a
protected person attaches instead to the Licensing
Authority.
(3) In this section—
protected person means any of the following—
(a) a member of the Licensing Board;
(b) a member of a committee of the Licensing
Authority;
(c) a member of the staff of the Licensing
Authority;
(d) an authorised officer;
(e) a person to whom the Licensing Authority
has delegated any of its functions;
(f) a person to whom an entity, or the chief
executive of an entity or department of
government, of a participating jurisdiction
has subdelegated a function delegated to the
chief executive by the Licensing Authority;
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(g) a member of the staff of an entity or
department referred to in paragraph (f);
(h) a person acting under the authority or
direction of a person referred to in
paragraphs (a) to (g).
Division 4 Legal proceedings
152 Limitation on time for starting proceedings
A proceeding for an offence against this Law or
the national regulations must start within 6 years
after the commission of the offence.
153 Evidentiary certificates
(1) A certificate purporting to be signed by the chief
executive officer of the Licensing Authority and
stating any of the following matters is prima facie
evidence of the matter—
(a) a stated document is one of the following
things made, given, issued or kept under this
Law—
(i) an appointment or decision;
(ii) a notice, direction or requirement;
(iii) a licence;
(iv) a register, or an extract from a register;
(v) a record, or an extract from a record;
(b) a stated document is another document kept
under this Law;
(c) a stated document is a copy of a document
referred to in paragraph (a) or (b);
(d) on a stated day, or during a stated period, a
stated person was or was not a licensee;
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(e) on a stated day, or during a stated period, a
licence was or was not subject to a stated
condition or undertaking;
(f) on a stated day, a licence was suspended or
cancelled;
(g) on a stated day, or during a stated period, an
appointment as an authorised officer was or
was not in force for a stated person;
(h) on a stated day, a stated person was given a
stated notice or direction under this Law;
(i) on a stated day, a stated requirement was
made of a person.
(2) If functions are being exercised under this Law by
a State or Territory entity, a certificate purporting
to be signed by any of the following, and stating
any of the matters referred to in subsection (1), is
prima facie evidence of the matter—
(a) if there is a chief executive of the entity, the
chief executive;
(b) if there is no chief executive of the entity but
there is a chairperson (however described) of
the entity, the chairperson;
(c) otherwise, a member of the entity.
Division 5 Miscellaneous
154 Approved forms
(1) The Licensing Authority may approve forms for
use under this Law.
(2) The approval of a form must be notified on the
Licensing Authority's website.
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155 Extrinsic materials
The COAG Agreement is declared to be extrinsic
material for the purposes of paragraph (h) of the
definition of extrinsic material in section 8(1) of
Schedule 1.
156 References to laws includes references to
instruments made under laws
(1) In this Law, a reference (either generally or
specifically) to a law or a provision of a law
(including this Law) includes a reference to the
statutory instruments made or in force under the
law or the provision.
(2) In this section—
law means a law of the Commonwealth or a State
or Territory.
157 Service of documents
(1) If this Law or the national regulations require or
permit a document to be served on a person, the
document may be served by—
(a) on an individual—
(i) delivering it to the person personally; or
(ii) leaving it at, or by sending it by post to,
the address of the place of residence or
business of the person last known to the
person serving the document; or
(iii) sending it by facsimile transmission to
a facsimile number notified to the
sender by the individual as an address
at which service of notices under this
Law will be accepted; or
(iv) sending it by email to an internet
address notified to the sender by the
individual as an address at which
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service of notices under this Law will
be accepted; or
(b) on a body corporate—
(i) leaving it at, or sending it by post to,
the head office, a registered office or
the principal place of business of the
body corporate; or
(ii) sending it by facsimile transmission to
a facsimile number notified to the
sender by the body corporate as an
address at which service of notices
under this Law will be accepted; or
(iii) sending it by email to an internet
address notified to the sender by the
body corporate as an address at which
service of notices under this Law will
be accepted.
(2) Subsection (1) applies whether the word 'deliver',
'give', 'notify', 'send' or 'serve' or another
expression is used.
(3) Subsection (1) does not affect the power of a court
or tribunal to authorise service of a document
otherwise than as provided in that subsection.
158 Service by post
If a document authorised or required to be served
(whether the word 'deliver', 'give', 'notify', 'send'
or 'serve' or another expression is used) on a
person is served by post, service of the
document—
(a) may be effected by properly addressing,
prepaying and posting a letter containing the
document; and
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(b) in Australia or in an external Territory—is,
unless evidence sufficient to raise doubt is
adduced to the contrary, taken to have been
effected on the fourth business day after the
letter was posted; and
(c) in another place—is, unless evidence
sufficient to raise doubt is adduced to the
contrary, taken to have been effected at the
time when the letter would have been
delivered in the ordinary course of post.
159 Review of Law
(1) The Ministerial Council is to conduct independent
public reviews of the operation of the national
licensing system and this Law to determine
whether the system and the Law continue to
comply with the objectives and principles set out
in clause 4 of the COAG Agreement.
(2) The reviews are to be undertaken—
(a) for the first review, as soon as possible after
the period of 5 years from the date on which
this Law commences in at least one
participating jurisdiction; and
(b) for subsequent reviews, at intervals of not
more than 10 years.
(3) A report on the outcome of each review is to be
tabled in each House of the Parliament of each
participating jurisdiction within 3 months after the
end of the review.
Division 6 Regulations
160 National regulations
(1) The Ministerial Council may make regulations for
the purposes of this Law.
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(2) The regulations may provide for the following—
(a) the occupations to which this Law is to
apply;
(b) the licensing of persons carrying out licensed
occupations;
(c) other matters relating to licences including—
(i) applications for licences; and
(ii) the requirements to be satisfied by
persons to be eligible for a licence or to
continue to hold a licence; and
(iii) the granting of licences; and
(iv) the renewal, variation or surrender of
licences;
(d) fees under this Law including—
(i) the fees to be paid for applications
made under this Law for licences or the
renewal or variation of a licence; and
(ii) the refunding of fees; and
(iii) the waiver of fees; and
(iv) late fees and fees for dishonoured
payments;
(e) arrangements for the publication of fees
prescribed under Acts of participating
jurisdictions that relate to licensees or
licensed occupations;
(f) the conduct of licensees, including the
making and adoption of codes of practice
applicable to licensees;
(g) matters relating to compliance with and
enforcement of this Law and the regulations,
including, for example—
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(i) monitoring and auditing of licensees
and work undertaken by licensees; and
(ii) complaints about licensees or former
licensees; and
(iii) the grounds on which licences are
automatically suspended or cancelled
and other matters relating to those
suspensions or cancellations; and
(iv) the establishment of a demerit point
scheme for licensees; and
(v) the establishment of an infringement
notice scheme for persons who
allegedly contravene this Law or the
regulations; and
(vi) other matters relating to disciplinary
proceedings and disciplinary action;
(h) matters relating to nominees for licences;
(i) matters relating to directors and members of
licensees who are bodies corporate,
including—
(i) the duties and obligations of directors
and members; and
(ii) matters relating to the liability of
directors and members;
(j) matters relating to persons who are
employed or otherwise engaged by licensees,
including—
(i) the duties and obligations of licensees
in relation to those persons; and
(ii) the duties and obligations of those
persons; and
(iii) matters relating to vicarious liability for
the actions of those persons;
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(k) matters relating to persons who are receivers,
managers or administrators appointed to
carry out, wind up or otherwise administer or
operate businesses conducted by licensees or
persons whose licences have been suspended
or cancelled, including matters relating to the
appointment of those persons and the
obligations and responsibilities of those
persons in carrying out, winding up or
otherwise administering or operating the
businesses;
(l) matters relating to fidelity funds and
indemnity funds held in relation to licensees;
(m) matters relating to trust funds held by
licensees;
(n) the payment of penalties and fines imposed
under this Law, including who the penalties
and fines are to be paid to;
(o) the imposition of penalties, of not more than
$5,000 for individuals or $25,000 for bodies
corporate, for a contravention of a provision
of the regulations;
(p) criteria or procedures to be used by the
Licensing Authority in developing policy
about the national licensing system and the
admission of new occupations to the system;
(q) the publication of information about
disciplinary action taken against persons
under this Law or the regulations or the
conviction of persons for offences against
this Law or the regulations;
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(r) provisions of a savings or transitional
nature—
(i) consequent on the enactment of this
Law in a participating jurisdiction or
the making of the regulations under this
Law; or
(ii) to otherwise allow or facilitate the
change from the operation of a law of a
participating jurisdiction relating to the
licensing of persons carrying out
licensed occupations to the operation of
this Law or the regulations made under
this Law;
(s) any other matter that is necessary or
convenient to be prescribed for carrying out
or giving effect to this Law.
(3) Savings and transitional provisions consequent on
the enactment of this Law in a participating
jurisdiction, or to allow or facilitate the licensing
of persons carrying out a licensed occupation in a
participating jurisdiction, may have retrospective
operation to a day not earlier than the participation
day for that participating jurisdiction.
161 Regulations about licensing, registration and
accreditation of persons carrying out licensed
occupations
(1) Without limiting section 160(2)(b), the national
regulations may provide for—
(a) the different categories of licences,
registration and accreditation that may be
granted for licensed occupations; and \
(b) the scope of work that may be carried out
under the authority of the different categories
of licences, registration and accreditation;
and
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(c) the different types of licences, registration
and accreditation that may be granted for
licensed occupations; and
(d) the ways in which licensed occupations are
to be carried out, including, for example, the
way in which work is to be carried out under
licences, registration and accreditation and
the records to be kept by persons who hold
licences, registration and accreditation.
(2) The national regulations may not provide for the
licensing, registration or accreditation of persons
carrying out, in a participating jurisdiction,
prescribed work that is within the scope of a
licensed occupation if—
(a) immediately before the occupation became a
licensed occupation for the participating
jurisdiction under this Law, persons carrying
out that prescribed work in the participating
jurisdiction were not required to hold a
licence, registration or accreditation or be
otherwise authorised to carry out the work;
and
(b) the Minister who is the member of the
Ministerial Council representing the
participating jurisdiction has not agreed to
the making of the regulation.
162 Inclusion of new occupations in national regulations
(1) A regulation may be made prescribing an
occupation as being a licensed occupation only if
the requirements of this section have been
satisfied.
(2) A participating jurisdiction that licences or
proposes to licence an occupation may make a
nomination to the Ministerial Council that the
occupation should be a licensed occupation.
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(3) If the Ministerial Council unanimously agrees that
the occupation is to be a licensed occupation a
regulation may be made prescribing the
occupation as a licensed occupation.
(4) If a majority of the members of the Ministerial
Council agrees that the occupation is to be a
licensed occupation, a regulation may be made—
(a) prescribing the occupation as a licensed
occupation; and
(b) providing that the occupation is a licensed
occupation only in specified participating
jurisdictions.
(5) A regulation made under subsection (4) must be
reviewed by the Ministerial Council at intervals of
not more than 12 months.
(6) This section does not apply to an occupation
referred to in clause 3.5 of the COAG agreement.
163 Publication of national regulations
(1) The national regulations are to be published on the
NSW legislation website in accordance with
Part 6A of the Interpretation Act 1987 of New
South Wales.
(2) A regulation commences on the day or days
specified in the regulation for its commencement
(being not earlier than the date it is published).
164 Parliamentary scrutiny of national regulations
(1) The member of the Ministerial Council
representing a participating jurisdiction is to make
arrangements for the tabling of a regulation made
under this Law in each House of the Parliament of
the participating jurisdiction.
(2) In addition, any other requirement of a law of a
participating jurisdiction relevant to the
disallowance of a regulation in that jurisdiction is
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to be complied with in that jurisdiction in relation
to a regulation made under this Law as if the
regulation had been made under an Act of that
jurisdiction.
(3) A regulation made under this Law may be
disallowed in a participating jurisdiction by a
House of the Parliament of that jurisdiction in the
same way, and within the same period, that a
regulation made under an Act of that jurisdiction
may be disallowed.
(4) A regulation disallowed under subsection (3) does
not cease to have effect in the participating
jurisdiction, or any other participating jurisdiction,
unless the regulation is disallowed in a majority of
the participating jurisdictions.
(5) If a regulation is disallowed in a majority of the
participating jurisdictions, it ceases to have effect
in all participating jurisdictions on the day of its
disallowance in the last of the jurisdictions
forming the majority.
(6) In this section—
regulation includes a provision of a regulation.
165 Effect of disallowance of national regulation
(1) The disallowance of a regulation in a majority of
jurisdictions has the same effect as a repeal of the
regulation.
(2) If a regulation ceases to have effect under
section 164 any law or provision of a law repealed
or amended by the regulation is revived as if the
disallowed regulation has not been made.
(3) The restoration or revival of a law under
subsection (2) takes effect at the beginning of the
day on which the disallowed regulation by which
it was amended or repealed ceases to have effect.
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(4) In this section—
regulation includes a provision of a regulation.
Schedule 1 Miscellaneous provisions
relating to interpretation
(Section 5)
Part 1 Preliminary
1 Displacement of Schedule by contrary intention
The application of this Schedule may be
displaced, wholly or partly, by a contrary intention
appearing in this Law.
Part 2 General
2 Law to be construed not to exceed legislative power
of Legislature
(1) This Law is to be construed as operating to the
full extent of, but so as not to exceed, the
legislative power of the Legislature of this
jurisdiction.
(2) If a provision of this Law, or the application of a
provision of this Law to a person, subject matter
or circumstance, would, but for this section, be
construed as being in excess of the legislative
power of the Legislature of this jurisdiction—
(a) it is a valid provision to the extent to which it
is not in excess of the power; and
(b) the remainder of this Law, and the
application of the provision to other persons,
subject matters or circumstances, is not
affected.
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(3) This section applies to this Law in addition to, and
without limiting the effect of, any provision of this
Law.
3 Every section to be a substantive enactment
Every section of this Law has effect as a
substantive enactment without introductory words.
4 Material that is, and is not, part of this Law
(1) The heading to a Part, Division or Subdivision
into which this Law is divided is part of this Law.
(2) A Schedule to this Law is part of this Law.
(3) Punctuation in this Law is part of this Law.
(4) A heading to a section or subsection of this Law
does not form part of this Law.
(5) Notes included in this Law (including footnotes
and endnotes) do not form part of this Law.
5 References to particular Acts and to enactments
In this Law—
(a) an Act of this jurisdiction may be cited—
(i) by its short title; or
(ii) by reference to the year in which it was
passed and its number; and
(b) a Commonwealth Act may be cited—
(i) by its short title; or
(ii) in another way sufficient in a
Commonwealth Act for the citation of
such an Act—
together with a reference to the
Commonwealth; and
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(c) an Act of another jurisdiction may be cited—
(i) by its short title; or
(ii) in another way sufficient in an Act of
the jurisdiction for the citation of such
an Act—
together with a reference to the jurisdiction.
6 References taken to be included in Act or Law
citation etc
(1) A reference in this Law to an Act includes a
reference to—
(a) the Act as originally enacted, and as
amended from time to time since its original
enactment; and
(b) if the Act has been repealed and re-enacted
(with or without modification) since the
enactment of the reference—the Act as
re-enacted, and as amended from time to
time since its re-enactment.
(2) A reference in this Law to a provision of this Law
or of an Act includes a reference to—
(a) the provision as originally enacted, and as
amended from time to time since its original
enactment; and
(b) if the provision has been omitted and
re-enacted (with or without modification)
since the enactment of the reference—the
provision as re-enacted, and as amended
from time to time since its re-enactment.
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) apply to a reference in this
Law to a law of the Commonwealth or another
jurisdiction as they apply to a reference in this
Law to an Act and to a provision of an Act.
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7 Interpretation best achieving Law's purpose
(1) In the interpretation of a provision of this Law, the
interpretation that will best achieve the purpose or
object of this Law is to be preferred to any other
interpretation.
(2) Subsection (1) applies whether or not the purpose
is expressly stated in this Law.
8 Use of extrinsic material in interpretation
(1) In this section—
extrinsic material means relevant material not
forming part of this Law, including, for
example—
(a) material that is set out in the document
containing the text of this Law as printed by
the Government Printer; and
(b) a relevant report of a Royal Commission,
Law Reform Commission, commission or
committee of inquiry, or a similar body, that
was laid before the Parliament of this
jurisdiction before the provision concerned
was enacted; and
(c) a relevant report of a committee of the
Parliament of this jurisdiction that was made
to the Parliament before the provision was
enacted; and
(d) a treaty or other international agreement that
is mentioned in this Law; and
(e) an explanatory note or memorandum relating
to the Bill that contained the provision, or
any relevant document, that was laid before,
or given to the members of, the Parliament of
this jurisdiction by the member bringing in
the Bill before the provision was enacted;
and
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(f) the speech made to the Parliament of this
jurisdiction by the member in moving a
motion that the Bill be read a second time;
and
(g) material in the Votes and Proceedings of the
Parliament of this jurisdiction or in any
official record of debates in the Parliament of
this jurisdiction; and
(h) a document that is declared by this Law to be
a relevant document for the purposes of this
section.
ordinary meaning means the ordinary meaning
conveyed by a provision having regard to its
context in this Law and to the purpose of this
Law.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), in the interpretation of a
provision of this Law, consideration may be given
to extrinsic material capable of assisting in the
interpretation—
(a) if the provision is ambiguous or obscure—to
provide an interpretation of it; or
(b) if the ordinary meaning of the provision
leads to a result that is manifestly absurd or
is unreasonable—to provide an interpretation
that avoids such a result; or
(c) in any other case—to confirm the
interpretation conveyed by the ordinary
meaning of the provision.
(3) In determining whether consideration should be
given to extrinsic material, and in determining the
weight to be given to extrinsic material, regard is
to be had to—
(a) the desirability of a provision being
interpreted as having its ordinary meaning;
and
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(b) the undesirability of prolonging proceedings
without compensating advantage; and
(c) other relevant matters.
9 Effect of change of drafting practice
If—
(a) a provision of this Law expresses an idea in
particular words; and
(b) a provision enacted later appears to express
the same idea in different words for the
purpose of implementing a different
legislative drafting practice, including, for
example—
(i) the use of a clearer or simpler style; or
(ii) the use of gender-neutral language—
the ideas must not be taken to be different merely
because different words are used.
10 Use of examples
If this Law includes an example of the operation
of a provision—
(a) the example is not exhaustive; and
(b) the example does not limit, but may extend,
the meaning of the provision; and
(c) the example and the provision are to be read
in the context of each other and the other
provisions of this Law, but, if the example
and the provision so read are inconsistent,
the provision prevails.
11 Compliance with forms
(1) If a form is prescribed or approved by or for the
purpose of this Law, strict compliance with the
form is not necessary and substantial compliance
is sufficient.
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(2) If a form prescribed or approved by or for the
purpose of this Law requires—
(a) the form to be completed in a specified way;
or
(b) specified information or documents to be
included in, attached to or given with the
form; or
(c) the form, or information or documents
included in, attached to or given with the
form, to be verified in a specified way—
the form is not properly completed unless the
requirement is complied with.
Part 3 Terms and references
12 Definitions
(1) In this Law—
Act means an Act of the Legislature of this
jurisdiction.
adult means an individual who is 18 or more.
affidavit, in relation to a person allowed by law to
affirm, declare or promise, includes affirmation,
declaration and promise.
amend includes—
(a) omit or omit and substitute; or
(b) alter or vary; or
(c) amend by implication.
appoint includes reappoint.
Australia means the Commonwealth of Australia
but, when used in a geographical sense, does not
include an external Territory.
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business day means a day that is not—
(a) a Saturday or Sunday; or
(b) a public holiday, special holiday or bank
holiday in the place in which any relevant act
is to be or may be done.
calendar month means a period starting at the
beginning of any day of one of the 12 named
months and ending—
(a) immediately before the beginning of the
corresponding day of the next named month;
or
(b) if there is no such corresponding day—at the
end of the next named month.
calendar year means a period of 12 months
beginning on 1 January.
commencement, in relation to this Law or an Act
or a provision of this Law or an Act, means the
time at which this Law, the Act or provision
comes into operation.
Commonwealth means the Commonwealth of
Australia but, when used in a geographical sense,
does not include an external Territory.
confer, in relation to a function, includes impose.
contravene includes fail to comply with.
country includes—
(a) a federation; or
(b) a state, province or other part of a federation.
date of assent, in relation to an Act, means the
day on which the Act receives the Royal Assent.
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definition means a provision of this Law
(however expressed) that—
(a) gives a meaning to a word or expression; or
(b) limits or extends the meaning of a word or
expression.
document means any record of information and
includes—
(a) any paper or other material on which there is
writing; or
(b) any paper or other material on which there
are marks, figures, symbols or perforations
having a meaning for a person qualified to
interpret them; or
(c) any computer, disc, tape or other article or
any material from which sounds, images,
writings or messages are capable of being
reproduced (with or without the aid of
another article or device);
(d) a map, plan, drawing or photograph.
electronic communication means—
(a) a communication of information in the form
of data, text or images by means of guided or
unguided electromagnetic energy, or both; or
(b) a communication of information in the form
of sound by means of guided or unguided
electromagnetic energy, or both, where the
sound is processed at its destination by an
automated voice recognition system.
estate includes easement, charge, right, title,
claim, demand, lien or encumbrance, whether at
law or in equity.
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expire includes lapse or otherwise cease to have
effect.
external Territory means a Territory, other than
an internal Territory, for the government of which
as a Territory provision is made by a
Commonwealth Act.
fail includes refuse.
financial year means a period of 12 months
beginning on 1 July.
foreign country means a country (whether or not
an independent sovereign State) outside Australia
and the external Territories.
function includes a power, authority or duty.
Gazette means the Government Gazette of this
jurisdiction.
gazetted means published in the Gazette.
Gazette notice means notice published in the
Gazette.
Government Printer means the Government
Printer of this jurisdiction, and includes any other
person authorised by the Government of this
jurisdiction to print an Act or instrument.
individual means a natural person.
information system means a system for
generating, sending, receiving, storing or
otherwise processing electronic communications.
insert, in relation to a provision of this Law,
includes substitute.
instrument includes a statutory instrument.
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interest, in relation to land or other property,
means—
(a) a legal or equitable estate in the land or other
property; or
(b) a right, power or privilege over, or in relation
to, the land or other property.
internal Territory means the Australian Capital
Territory, the Jervis Bay Territory or the Northern
Territory.
Jervis Bay Territory means the Territory
mentioned in the Jervis Bay Territory Acceptance
Act 1915 (Cwlth).
make includes issue or grant.
minor means an individual who is under 18.
modification includes addition, omission or
substitution.
month means a calendar month.
named month means 1 of the 12 months of the
year.
Northern Territory means the Northern Territory
of Australia.
number means—
(a) a number expressed in figures or words; or
(b) a letter; or
(c) a combination of a number so expressed and
a letter.
oath, in relation to a person allowed by law to
affirm, declare or promise, includes affirmation,
declaration or promise.
office includes position.
omit, in relation to a provision of this Law or an
Act, includes repeal.
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party includes an individual or a body politic or
corporate.
penalty includes forfeiture or punishment.
person includes an individual or a body politic or
corporate.
power includes authority.
prescribed means prescribed by, or by regulations
made or in force for the purposes of or under, this
Law.
printed includes typewritten, lithographed or
reproduced by any mechanical means.
proceeding means a legal or other action or
proceeding.
property means any legal or equitable estate or
interest (whether present or future, vested or
contingent, or tangible or intangible) in real or
personal property of any description (including
money), and includes things in action.
provision, in relation to this Law or an Act, means
words or other matter that form or forms part of
this Law or the Act, and includes—
(a) a Chapter, Part, Division, Subdivision,
section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph,
sub-subparagraph or Schedule of or to this
Law or the Act; or
(b) a clause, section, subsection, item, column,
table or form of or in a Schedule to this Law
or the Act; or
(c) the long title and any preamble to the Act.
repeal includes—
(a) revoke or rescind; or
(b) repeal by implication; or
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(c) abrogate or limit the effect of this Law or
instrument concerned; or
(d) exclude from, or include in, the application
of this Law or instrument concerned any
person, subject matter or circumstance.
sign includes the affixing of a seal or the making
of a mark.
statutory declaration means a declaration made
under an Act, or under a Commonwealth Act or
an Act of another jurisdiction, that authorises a
declaration to be made otherwise than in the
course of a judicial proceeding.
statutory instrument means an instrument
(including a regulation) made or in force under or
for the purposes of this Law, and includes an
instrument made or in force under any such
instrument.
swear, in relation to a person allowed by law to
affirm, declare or promise, includes affirm,
declare or promise.
word includes any symbol, figure or drawing.
writing includes any mode of representing or
reproducing words in a visible form.
(2) In a statutory instrument—
the Law means this Law.
13 Provisions relating to defined terms and gender and
number
(1) If this Law defines a word or expression, other
parts of speech and grammatical forms of the
word or expression have corresponding meanings.
(2) Definitions in or applicable to this Law apply
except so far as the context or subject matter
otherwise indicates or requires.
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(3) In this Law, words indicating a gender include
each other gender.
(4) In this Law—
(a) words in the singular include the plural; and
(b) words in the plural include the singular.
14 Meaning of "may" and "must" etc
(1) In this Law, the word may, or a similar word or
expression, used in relation to a power indicates
that the power may be exercised or not exercised,
at discretion.
(2) In this Law, the word must, or a similar word or
expression, used in relation to a power indicates
that the power is required to be exercised.
(3) This section has effect despite any rule of
construction to the contrary.
15 Words and expressions used in statutory
instruments
(1) Words and expressions used in a statutory
instrument have the same meanings as they have,
from time to time, in this Law, or relevant
provisions of this Law, under or for the purposes
of which the instrument is made or in force.
(2) This section has effect in relation to an instrument
except so far as the contrary intention appears in
the instrument.
16 Effect of express references to bodies corporate and
individuals
In this Law, a reference to a person generally
(whether the expression "person", "party",
"someone", "anyone", "no-one", "one", "another"
or "whoever" or another expression is used)—
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(a) does not exclude a reference to a body
corporate or an individual merely because
elsewhere in this Law there is particular
reference to a body corporate (however
expressed); and
(b) does not exclude a reference to an individual
or a body corporate merely because
elsewhere in this Law there is particular
reference to an individual (however
expressed).
17 Production of records kept in computers etc
If a person who keeps a record of information by
means of a mechanical, electronic or other device
is required by or under this Law—
(a) to produce the information or a document
containing the information to a court,
tribunal or person; or
(b) to make a document containing the
information available for inspection by a
court, tribunal or person;
then, unless the court, tribunal or person otherwise
directs—
(c) the requirement obliges the person to
produce or make available for inspection, as
the case may be, a document that reproduces
the information in a form capable of being
understood by the court, tribunal or person;
and
(d) the production to the court, tribunal or
person of the document in that form
complies with the requirement.
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18 References to this jurisdiction to be implied
In this Law—
(a) a reference to an officer, office or statutory
body is a reference to such an officer, office
or statutory body in and for this jurisdiction;
and
(b) a reference to a locality or other matter or
thing is a reference to such a locality or other
matter or thing in and of this jurisdiction.
19 References to officers and holders of offices
In this Law, a reference to a particular officer, or
to the holder of a particular office, includes a
reference to the person for the time being
occupying or acting in the office concerned.
20 Reference to certain provisions of Law
If a provision of this Law refers—
(a) to a Part, section or Schedule by a number
and without reference to this Law—the
reference is a reference to the Part, section or
Schedule, designated by the number, of or to
this Law; or
(b) to a Schedule without reference to it by a
number and without reference to this Law—
the reference, if there is only one Schedule to
this Law, is a reference to the Schedule; or
(c) to a Division, Subdivision, subsection,
paragraph, subparagraph, sub-subparagraph,
section, subsection, item, column, table or
form by a number and without reference to
this Law—the reference is a reference to—
(i) the Division, designated by the number,
of the Part in which the reference
occurs; and
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(ii) the Subdivision, designated by the
number, of the Division in which the
reference occurs; and
(iii) the subsection, designated by the
number, of the section in which the
reference occurs; and
(iv) the paragraph, designated by the
number, of the section, subsection,
Schedule or other provision in which
the reference occurs; and
(v) the paragraph, designated by the
number, of the section, subsection,
item, column, table or form of or in the
Schedule in which the reference occurs;
and
(vi) the subparagraph, designated by the
number, of the paragraph in which the
reference occurs; and
(vii) the sub-subparagraph, designated by
the number, of the subparagraph in
which the reference occurs; and
(viii) the clause, section, subsection, item,
column, table or form, designated by
the number, of or in the Schedule in
which the reference occurs—
as the case requires.
21 Reference to provisions of this Law or an Act is
inclusive
In this Law, a reference to a portion of this Law or
an Act includes—
(a) a reference to the Chapter, Part, Division,
Subdivision, section, subsection or other
provision of this Law or the Act referred to
that forms the beginning of the portion; and
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(b) a reference to the Chapter, Part, Division,
Subdivision, section, subsection or other
provision of this Law or the Act referred to
that forms the end of the portion.
Example— A reference to "sections 5 to 9" includes both section 5 and
section 9.
It is not necessary to refer to "sections 5 to 9 (both
inclusive)" to ensure that the reference is given an inclusive
interpretation.
Part 4 Functions and powers
22 Performance of statutory functions
(1) If this Law confers a function or power on a
person or body, the function may be performed, or
the power may be exercised, from time to time as
occasion requires.
(2) If this Law confers a function or power on a
particular officer or the holder of a particular
office, the function may be performed, or the
power may be exercised, by the person for the
time being occupying or acting in the office
concerned.
(3) If this Law confers a function or power on a body
(whether or not incorporated), the performance of
the function, or the exercise of the power, is not
affected merely because of vacancies in the
membership of the body.
23 Power to make instrument or decision includes
power to amend or repeal
If this Law authorises or requires the making of an
instrument or decision—
(a) the power includes power to amend or repeal
the instrument or decision; and
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(b) the power to amend or repeal the instrument
or decision is exercisable in the same way,
and subject to the same conditions, as the
power to make the instrument or decision.
24 Matters for which statutory instruments may make
provision
(1) If this Law authorises or requires the making of a
statutory instrument in relation to a matter, a
statutory instrument made under this Law may
make provision for the matter by applying,
adopting or incorporating (with or without
modification) the provisions of—
(a) an Act or statutory instrument; or
(b) another document (whether of the same or a
different kind)—
as in force at a particular time or as in force from
time to time.
(2) If a statutory instrument applies, adopts or
incorporates the provisions of a document, the
statutory instrument applies, adopts or
incorporates the provisions as in force from time
to time, unless the statutory instrument otherwise
expressly provides.
(3) A statutory instrument may—
(a) apply generally throughout this jurisdiction
or be limited in its application to a particular
part of this jurisdiction; or
(b) apply generally to all persons, matters or
things or be limited in its application to—
(i) particular persons, matters or things; or
(ii) particular classes of persons, matters or
things; or
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(c) otherwise apply generally or be limited in its
application by reference to specified
exceptions or factors.
(4) A statutory instrument may—
(a) apply differently according to different
specified factors; or
(b) otherwise make different provision in
relation to—
(i) different persons, matters or things; or
(ii) different classes of persons, matters or
things.
(5) A statutory instrument may authorise a matter or
thing to be from time to time determined, applied
or regulated by a specified person or body.
(6) If this Law authorises or requires a matter to be
regulated by statutory instrument, the power may
be exercised by prohibiting by statutory
instrument the matter or any aspect of the matter.
(7) If this Law authorises or requires provision to be
made with respect to a matter by statutory
instrument, a statutory instrument made under this
Law may make provision with respect to a
particular aspect of the matter despite the fact that
provision is made by this Law in relation to
another aspect of the matter or in relation to
another matter.
(8) A statutory instrument may provide for the review
of, or a right of appeal against, a decision made
under the statutory instrument, or this Law, and
may, for that purpose, confer jurisdiction on any
court, tribunal, person or body.
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(9) A statutory instrument may require a form
prescribed by or under the statutory instrument, or
information or documents included in, attached to
or given with the form, to be verified by statutory
declaration.
25 Presumption of validity and power to make
(1) All conditions and preliminary steps required for
the making of a statutory instrument are presumed
to have been satisfied and performed in the
absence of evidence to the contrary.
(2) A statutory instrument is taken to be made under
all powers under which it may be made, even
though it purports to be made under this Law or a
particular provision of this Law.
26 Appointments may be made by name or office
(1) If this Law authorises or requires a person or
body—
(a) to appoint a person to an office; or
(b) to appoint a person or body to exercise a
power; or
(c) to appoint a person or body to do another
thing—
the person or body may make the appointment
by—
(d) appointing a person or body by name; or
(e) appointing a particular officer, or the holder
of a particular office, by reference to the title
of the office concerned.
(2) An appointment of a particular officer, or the
holder of a particular office, is taken to be the
appointment of the person for the time being
occupying or acting in the office concerned.
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27 Acting appointments
(1) If this Law authorises a person or body to appoint
a person to act in an office, the person or body
may, in accordance with this Law, appoint—
(a) a person by name; or
(b) a particular officer, or the holder of a
particular office, by reference to the title of
the office concerned—
to act in the office.
(2) The appointment may be expressed to have effect
only in the circumstances specified in the
instrument of appointment.
(3) The appointer may—
(a) determine the terms and conditions of the
appointment, including remuneration and
allowances; and
(b) terminate the appointment at any time.
(4) The appointment, or the termination of the
appointment, must be in, or evidenced by, writing
signed by the appointer.
(5) The appointee must not act for more than 1 year
during a vacancy in the office.
(6) If the appointee is acting in the office otherwise
than because of a vacancy in the office and the
office becomes vacant, then, subject to subsection
(2), the appointee may continue to act until—
(a) the appointer otherwise directs; or
(b) the vacancy is filled; or
(c) the end of a year from the day of the
vacancy—
whichever happens first.
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(7) The appointment ceases to have effect if the
appointee resigns by writing signed and delivered
to the appointer.
(8) While the appointee is acting in the office—
(a) the appointee has all the powers and
functions of the holder of the office; and
(b) this Law and other laws apply to the
appointee as if the appointee were the holder
of the office.
(9) Anything done by or in relation to a person
purporting to act in the office is not invalid merely
because—
(a) the occasion for the appointment had not
arisen; or
(b) the appointment had ceased to have effect; or
(c) the occasion for the person to act had not
arisen or had ceased.
(10) If this Law authorises the appointer to appoint a
person to act during a vacancy in the office, an
appointment to act in the office may be made by
the appointer whether or not an appointment has
previously been made to the office.
28 Powers of appointment imply certain incidental
powers
(1) If this Law authorises or requires a person or body
to appoint a person to an office—
(a) the power may be exercised from time to
time as occasion requires; and
(b) the power includes—
(i) power to remove or suspend, at any
time, a person appointed to the office;
and
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(ii) power to appoint another person to act
in the office if a person appointed to the
office is removed or suspended; and
(iii) power to reinstate or reappoint a person
removed or suspended; and
(iv) power to appoint a person to act in the
office if it is vacant (whether or not the
office has ever been filled); and
(v) power to appoint a person to act in the
office if the person appointed to the
office is absent or is unable to
discharge the functions of the office
(whether because of illness or
otherwise).
(2) The power to remove or suspend a person under
subsection (1) (b) may be exercised even if this
Law provides that the holder of the office to
which the person was appointed is to hold office
for a specified period.
(3) The power to make an appointment under
subsection (1) (b) may be exercised from time to
time as occasion requires.
(4) An appointment under subsection (1) (b) may be
expressed to have effect only in the circumstances
specified in the instrument of appointment.
29 Delegation of functions
(1) If this Law authorises a person or body to delegate
a function, the person or body may, in accordance
with this Law and any other applicable law,
delegate the function to—
(a) a person or body by name; or
(b) a specified officer, or the holder of a
specified office, by reference to the title of
the office concerned.
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(2) The delegation may be—
(a) general or limited; and
(b) made from time to time; and
(c) revoked, wholly or partly, by the delegator.
(3) The delegation, or a revocation of the delegation,
must be in, or evidenced by, writing signed by the
delegator or, if the delegator is a body, by a
person authorised by the body for the purpose.
(4) A delegated function may be exercised only in
accordance with any conditions to which the
delegation is subject.
(5) The delegate may, in the performance of a
delegated function, do anything that is incidental
to the delegated function.
(6) A delegated function that purports to have been
exercised by the delegate is taken to have been
properly exercised by the delegate unless the
contrary is proved.
(7) A delegated function that is properly exercised by
the delegate is taken to have been exercised by the
delegator.
(8) If, when exercised by the delegator, a function is
dependent on the delegator's opinion, belief or
state of mind, then, when exercised by the
delegate, the function is dependent on the
delegate's opinion, belief or state of mind.
(9) If—
(a) the delegator is a specified officer or the
holder of a specified office; and
(b) the person who was the specified officer or
holder of the specified office when the
delegation was made ceases to be the holder
of the office—
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then—
(c) the delegation continues in force; and
(d) the person for the time being occupying or
acting in the office concerned is taken to be
the delegator for the purposes of this section.
(10) If—
(a) the delegator is a body; and
(b) there is a change in the membership of the
body—
then—
(c) the delegation continues in force; and
(d) the body as constituted for the time being is
taken to be delegator for the purposes of this
section.
(11) If a function is delegated to a specified officer or
the holder of a specified office—
(a) the delegation does not cease to have effect
merely because the person who was the
specified officer or the holder of the
specified office when the function was
delegated ceases to be the officer or the
holder of the office; and
(b) the function may be exercised by the person
for the time being occupying or acting in the
office concerned.
(12) A function that has been delegated may, despite
the delegation, be exercised by the delegator.
(13) The delegation of a function does not relieve the
delegator of the delegator's obligation to ensure
that the function is properly exercised.
(14) Subject to subsection (15), this section applies to a
subdelegation of a function in the same way as it
applies to a delegation of a function.
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(15) If this Law authorises the delegation of a function,
the function may be subdelegated only if the Law
expressly authorises the function to be
subdelegated.
30 Exercise of powers between enactment and
commencement
(1) If a provision of this Law (the empowering
provision) that does not commence on its
enactment would, had it commenced, confer a
power—
(a) to make an appointment; or
(b) to make a statutory instrument of a
legislative or administrative character; or
(c) to do another thing—
then—
(d) the power may be exercised; and
(e) anything may be done for the purpose of
enabling the exercise of the power or of
bringing the appointment, instrument or
other thing into effect—
before the empowering provision commences.
(2) If a provision of a Victoria Act (the empowering
provision) that does not commence on its
enactment would, had it commenced, amend a
provision of this Law so that it would confer a
power—
(a) to make an appointment; or
(b) to make a statutory instrument of a
legislative or administrative character; or
(c) to do another thing—
then—
(d) the power may be exercised; and
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(e) anything may be done for the purpose of
enabling the exercise of the power or of
bringing the appointment, instrument or
other thing into effect—
before the empowering provision commences.
(3) If—
(a) this Law has commenced and confers a
power to make a statutory instrument (the
basic instrument-making power); and
(b) a provision of a Victoria Act that does not
commence on its enactment would, had it
commenced, amend this Law so as to confer
additional power to make a statutory
instrument (the additional instrument-
making power)—
then—
(c) the basic instrument-making power and the
additional instrument-making power may be
exercised by making a single instrument; and
(d) any provision of the instrument that required
an exercise of the additional instrument-
making power is to be treated as made under
subsection (2).
(4) If an instrument, or a provision of an instrument,
is made under subsection (1) or (2) that is
necessary for the purpose of—
(a) enabling the exercise of a power mentioned
in the subsection; or
(b) bringing an appointment, instrument or other
thing made or done under such a power into
effect—
the instrument or provision takes effect—
(c) on the making of the instrument; or
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(d) on such later day (if any) on which, or at
such later time (if any) at which, the
instrument or provision is expressed to take
effect.
(5) If—
(a) an appointment is made under subsection (1)
or (2); or
(b) an instrument, or a provision of an
instrument, made under subsection (1) or (2)
is not necessary for a purpose mentioned in
subsection (4)—
the appointment, instrument or provision takes
effect—
(c) on the commencement of the relevant
empowering provision; or
(d) on such later day (if any) on which, or at
such later time (if any) at which, the
appointment, instrument or provision is
expressed to take effect.
(6) Anything done under subsection (1) or (2) does
not confer a right, or impose a liability, on a
person before the relevant empowering provision
commences.
(7) After the enactment of a provision mentioned in
subsection (2) but before the provision's
commencement, this section applies as if the
references in subsections (2) and (5) to the
commencement of the empowering provision
were references to the commencement of the
provision mentioned in subsection (2) as amended
by the empowering provision.
(8) In the application of this section to a statutory
instrument, a reference to the enactment of the
instrument is a reference to the making of the
instrument.
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Part 5 Distance, time and age
31 Matters relating to distance, time and age
(1) In the measurement of distance for the purposes of
this Law, the distance is to be measured along the
shortest road ordinarily used for travelling.
(2) If a period beginning on a given day, act or event
is provided or allowed for a purpose by this Law,
the period is to be calculated by excluding the
day, or the day of the act or event; and—
(a) if the period is expressed to be a specified
number of clear days or at least a specified
number of days—by excluding the day on
which the purpose is to be fulfilled; and
(b) in any other case—by including the day on
which the purpose is to be fulfilled.
(3) If the last day of a period provided or allowed by
this Law for doing anything is not a business day
in the place in which the thing is to be or may be
done, the thing may be done on the next business
day in the place.
(4) If the last day of a period provided or allowed by
this Law for the filing or registration of a
document is a day on which the office is closed
where the filing or registration is to be or may be
done, the document may be filed or registered at
the office on the next day that the office is open.
(5) If no time is provided or allowed for doing
anything, the thing is to be done as soon as
possible, and as often as the prescribed occasion
happens.
(6) If, in this Law, there is a reference to time, the
reference is, in relation to the doing of anything in
a jurisdiction, a reference to the legal time in the
jurisdiction.
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(7) For the purposes of this Law, a person attains an
age in years at the beginning of the person's
birthday for the age.
Part 6 Effect of repeal, amendment or
expiration
32 Time of Law ceasing to have effect
If a provision of this Law is expressed—
(a) to expire on a specified day; or
(b) to remain or continue in force, or otherwise
have effect, until a specified day—
this provision has effect until the last moment of
the specified day.
33 Repealed Law provisions not revived
If a provision of this Law is repealed or amended
by a Victorian Act, or a provision of a Victorian
Act, the provision is not revived merely because
the Victorian Act or the provision of the Victorian
Act—
(a) is later repealed or amended; or
(b) later expires.
34 Saving of operation of repealed Law provisions
(1) The repeal, amendment or expiry of a provision of
this Law does not—
(a) revive anything not in force or existing at the
time the repeal, amendment or expiry takes
effect; or
(b) affect the previous operation of the provision
or anything suffered, done or begun under
the provision; or
(c) affect a right, privilege or liability acquired,
accrued or incurred under the provision; or
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(d) affect a penalty incurred in relation to an
offence arising under the provision; or
(e) affect an investigation, proceeding or remedy
in relation to such a right, privilege, liability
or penalty.
(2) Any such penalty may be imposed and enforced,
and any such investigation, proceeding or remedy
may be begun, continued or enforced, as if the
provision had not been repealed or amended or
had not expired.
35 Continuance of repealed provisions
If a Victorian Act repeals some provisions of this
Law and enacts new provisions in substitution for
the repealed provisions, the repealed provisions
continue in force until the new provisions
commence.
36 Law and amending Acts to be read as one
This Law and all Victorian Acts amending this
Law are to be read as one.
Part 7 Instruments under Law
37 Schedule applies to statutory instruments
(1) This Schedule applies to a statutory instrument,
and to things that may be done or are required to
be done under a statutory instrument, in the same
way as it applies to this Law, and things that may
be done or are required to be done under this Law,
except so far as the context or subject matter
otherwise indicates or requires.
(2) The fact that a provision of this Schedule refers to
this Law and not also to a statutory instrument
does not, by itself, indicate that the provision is
intended to apply only to this Law.
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Part 8 Application to coastal sea
38 Application
This Law has effect in and relation to the coastal
sea of this jurisdiction as if that coastal sea were
part of this jurisdiction.
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ENDNOTES
† Minister's second reading speech—
Legislative Assembly: 12 August 2010
Legislative Council: 2 September 2010
The long title for the Bill for this Act was "A Bill for an Act to provide
for a national law to regulate the licensing of certain occupations and for
other purposes."
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