Contents

Part I--Preliminary                                                                                                               1

1............ Short title [see Note 1] ........................................................................ 1

2............ Commencement [see Note 1] .............................................................. 1

3............ Objects of Act ..................................................................................... 1

4............ Interpretation ....................................................................................... 2

4A......... Supplementary Agency Agreements ................................................... 9

5............ Conduct by directors, servants or agents ............................................. 9

6............ Act to extend to external Territories .................................................. 10

7............ Act to bind Crown ............................................................................ 10

8............ Application of Act (other than Division 2A of Part III) .................... 11

8A......... Application of the Criminal Code ..................................................... 13

Part II--Control of nuclear material, associated items and related facilities         14

9............ Nuclear material to which this Part applies ........................................ 14

10.......... Associated items to which this Part applies ....................................... 14

11.......... Exemption and termination declarations ............................................ 14

12.......... Application for permit ....................................................................... 15

13.......... Permit to possess nuclear material or associated items ...................... 16

14.......... Permit not to be granted to owner or operator of nuclear facility unless Director satisfied as to certain matters        19

15.......... Permit not to be granted where nuclear material etc. to be held outside nuclear facility unless Director satisfied as to certain matters ................................................................................... 19

16.......... Special transport permit ..................................................................... 19

16A....... Permit to establish facility ................................................................. 21

16B....... Permit to decommission facility ........................................................ 23

17.......... Application for authority to communicate information ...................... 24

18.......... Authority to communicate information .............................................. 24

19.......... Revocation of permit or authority ...................................................... 26

20.......... Notification of grant, variation or revocation of permit or authority .. 26

21.......... Effect of grant of permit or authority ................................................. 27

22.......... Review of decisions .......................................................................... 27

Part III--Offences                                                                                                                30

Division 1--General offences                                                                                  30

23.......... Possession of nuclear material or associated item without permit ..... 30

24.......... Special provisions for carriers ........................................................... 31

25.......... Breach of condition of permit or authority etc. .................................. 31

25A....... Breach of duty to ensure security of associated technology .............. 32

26.......... Unauthorised communication of information .................................... 33

26A....... Communication prejudicing security of nuclear material or associated item              34

27.......... Minister to be given certain notices in respect of exempt nuclear material                 34

28.......... Interference with containment or surveillance devices ....................... 35

28A....... Establishment of facility without permit ............................................ 35

29.......... Information in relation to design for modification of nuclear facility . 36

29A....... Decommissioning of facility without permit ..................................... 36

30.......... False or misleading statements etc. .................................................... 37

31.......... Obstruction of Agency inspector ...................................................... 37

31A....... Unauthorised access to areas etc. to which access is restricted under permit             38

Division 2--Offences relating to the Physical Protection Convention 39

32.......... Definitions ........................................................................................ 39

33.......... Stealing nuclear material .................................................................... 39

34.......... Demanding nuclear material by threats etc. ....................................... 39

34A....... Carrying, sending or moving nuclear material ................................... 40

35.......... Use of nuclear material causing death or injury to persons or damage to property or the environment     40

35A....... Acts against nuclear facilities etc. ...................................................... 40

36.......... Threat to use nuclear material ............................................................ 40

37.......... Threat to commit offence ................................................................... 41

38.......... Extension of application of offence provisions ................................. 41

Division 2A--Offences relating to nuclear terrorism                                43

38A....... ADF members not liable for prosecution .......................................... 43

38B....... Definitions ........................................................................................ 43

38C....... Possessing radioactive material or Convention device, or making Convention device              43

38D....... Using radioactive material, or using or damaging Convention device or nuclear facility           44

38E........ Threats and demands ......................................................................... 45

38F........ Jurisdictional requirement ................................................................. 46

38G....... Double jeopardy and foreign offences .............................................. 47

38H....... Attorney-General's consent needed to bring proceedings for offence under this Division        47

38J........ Evidentiary certificates ...................................................................... 47

Division 3--Miscellaneous                                                                                        48

39.......... Forfeiture .......................................................................................... 48

40.......... Hearing in camera etc. ....................................................................... 48

41.......... Register of Permit and Authority Holders to be evidence of certain matters              49

Part IV--Administration                                                                                                  51

Division 1--Director of Safeguards                                                                     51

42.......... Director of Safeguards ...................................................................... 51

43.......... Functions of Director ........................................................................ 51

44.......... Directions of Minister ....................................................................... 52

45.......... Remuneration and allowances ........................................................... 52

46.......... Leave of absence ............................................................................... 52

47.......... Resignation ....................................................................................... 52

48.......... Termination of appointment .............................................................. 52

49.......... Disclosure of interests ....................................................................... 53

50.......... Acting Director ................................................................................. 53

51.......... Annual report by Director ................................................................. 53

52.......... Additional reports ............................................................................. 54

53.......... Delegation by Director ...................................................................... 54

Division 2--Australian Safeguards Office                                                       56

54.......... Australian Safeguards Office ............................................................ 56

55.......... Staff .................................................................................................. 56

56.......... Engagements of consultants etc. ........................................................ 56

Division 3--Inspectors and Agency inspectors                                              57

57.......... Inspectors and Agency inspectors ..................................................... 57

58.......... Identity cards ..................................................................................... 57

Division 4--Inspections, searches and seizures                                             58

59.......... Safeguards inspections by inspectors ................................................ 58

60.......... Safeguards inspections by Agency inspectors .................................. 60

61.......... Offence-related searches and seizures ............................................... 62

62.......... Warrants may be granted by telephone .............................................. 64

63.......... Emergency searches and seizures ...................................................... 65

64.......... Inspectors and Agency inspectors to produce evidence of identity ... 66

65.......... Persons to assist inspectors ............................................................... 67

66.......... Inspector may require information etc. .............................................. 67

67.......... Seizure of nuclear material etc. where required by prescribed international agreement              68

Division 5--Miscellaneous                                                                                        71

68.......... Compliance with conditions etc. ........................................................ 71

69.......... Register of Permit and Authority Holders to be kept ........................ 71

Part IVA--Charges                                                                                                             73

69A....... Charge--producers of uranium ore concentrates .............................. 73

69B....... Extension of time to pay .................................................................... 73

69C....... Payment by instalments ..................................................................... 73

Part V--Miscellaneous                                                                                                       74

70.......... Powers to be exercised in accordance with international agreements 74

71.......... Reports etc. to be confidential ........................................................... 74

72.......... Delegation by Minister ...................................................................... 75

73.......... Orders and directions ........................................................................ 77

74.......... Regulations ....................................................................................... 78

Schedule 1--Article XX of the Statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency        80

Definitions ....................................................................................................... 80

Schedule 2--Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons     81

Schedule 3--Agreement between Australia and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the application of safeguards in connection with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons                                                                                                                  87

Schedule 4--Convention on the physical protection of nuclear material                 123

Schedule 5--Prescribed international agreements                                         135

Notes                                                                                                                                            137

  

Notes to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987

Note 1

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 as shown in this compilation comprises Act No. 8, 1987 amended as indicated in the Tables below.

All relevant information pertaining to application, saving or transitional provisions prior to 31 March 2000 is not included in this compilation. For subsequent information see Table A.

Table of Acts

Act	Number and year	Date of Assent	Date of commencement	Application, saving or transitional provisions
Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987	8, 1987	17 Mar 1987	Ss. 1 and 2: Royal Assent Ss. 23-26: 31 Mar 1988 (see Gazette 1988, No. S68) Ss. 32-38: 28 Oct 1987 (see Gazette 1987, No. S284) Remainder: 31 Mar 1987 (see Gazette 1987, No. S57)
Statutory Instruments (Tabling and Disallowance) Legislation Amendment Act 1988	99, 1988	2 Dec 1988	2 Dec 1988	--
Patents Act 1990	83, 1990	30 Oct 1990	30 Apr 1991	--
Primary Industries and Energy Legislation Amendment Act 1990	134, 1990	28 Dec 1990	Part 7 (ss. 34-37): 1 Oct 1990 Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Industrial Relations Legislation Amendment Act 1991	122, 1991	27 June 1991	Ss. 4(1), 10(b) and 15-20: 1 Dec 1988 Ss. 28(b)-(e), 30 and 31: 10 Dec 1991(see Gazette 1991, No. S332) Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Qantas Sale Act 1992	196, 1992	21 Dec 1992	Schedule (Part 2): 10 Mar 1993 (see Gazette 1993, No. GN17) (a)	--
Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Amendment Act 1993	33, 1993	20 Sept 1993	1 Nov 1993	--
Evidence (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1995	3, 1995	23 Feb 1995	S. 14: Royal Assent (b) S. 27: 18 Apr 1995 (b)	S. 14
Statute Law Revision Act 1996	43, 1996	25 Oct 1996	Schedule 4 (item 114): Royal Assent (c)	--
Foreign Affairs and Trade Legislation Amendment Act 1997	150, 1997	17 Oct 1997	Schedule 1 (items 15-29): Royal Assent (d)	--
Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999	146, 1999	11 Nov 1999	Schedule 1 (items 693-695): 5 Dec 1999 (see Gazette 1999, No. S584) (e)	--
Crimes at Sea Act 2000	13, 2000	31 Mar 2000	Ss. 1 and 2: Royal Assent Remainder: 31 Mar 2001	Sch. 2 (item 11) [see Table A]
Criminal Code Amendment (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences) Act 2000	137, 2000	24 Nov 2000	Ss. 1-3 and Schedule 1 (items 1, 4, 6, 7, 9-11, 32): Royal Assent Remainder: 24 May 2001	Sch. 2 (items 418, 419) [see Table A]
Foreign Affairs and Trade Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001	35, 2001	28 Apr 2001	26 May 2001	S. 4 [see Table A]
Abolition of Compulsory Age Retirement (Statutory Officeholders) Act 2001	159, 2001	1 Oct 2001	29 Oct 2001	Sch 1 (item 97) [see Table A]
Non-Proliferation Legislation Amendment Act 2003	132, 2003	12 Dec 2003	Schedule 1: 13 Dec 2003 Remainder: Royal Assent	Sch. 1 (items 2, 22, 27, 33, 46, 60, 64, 70) [see Table A]
Non-Proliferation Legislation Amendment Act 2007	50, 2007	10 Apr 2007	Schedule 1 (items 1-27, 29-54): 11 Apr 2007 Schedule 1 (item 28): [see s. 2(1) and Note 2] Remainder: Royal Assent	Sch. 1 (items 53,54) [see Table A]
Acts Interpretation Amendment Act 2011	46, 2011	27 June 2011	Schedule 2 (items 875-877) and Schedule 3 (items 10, 11): 27 Dec 2011	Sch. 3 (items 10, 11) [see Table A]
Nuclear Terrorism Legislation Amendment Act 2012	3, 2012	6 Mar 2012	Schedule 1 (items 1-7): 20 Apr 2012 (see F2012L00893) Schedule 2: Royal Assent	--

(a)     The Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 was amended by the Schedule (Part 2) only of the Qantas Sale Act 1992, paragraph 2(3)(a) of which provides as follows:

                 (3)   A Proclamation may fix a day that is earlier than the day on which the Proclamation is published in the Gazette but only if:

                              (a)   in the case of sections 30, 31, 35, 37, 39, 43 and 50 and Parts 1 and 2 of the Schedule--the day is not earlier than the substantial minority sale day; and

(b)     The Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 was amended by the Evidence (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1995, subsections 2(1) and (13) of which provide as follows:

                 (1)   This Part and Parts 2 and 3 commence on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.

               (13)   Section 27 of this Act and the Schedule to this Act commence:

                              (a)   on the day on which sections 153 and 155 of the Evidence Act 1995 commence; or

                              (b)   if those sections commence on different days--the first day on which both of those sections are in force.

Sections 153 and 155 commenced on 18 April 1995.

(c)     The Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 was amended by Schedule 4 (item 114) only of the Statute Law Revision Act 1996, subsection 2(1) of which provides as follows:

                 (1)   Subject to subsections (2) and (3), this Act commences on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

(d)     The Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 was amended by Schedule 1 (items 15-29) only of the Foreign Affairs and Trade Legislation Amendment Act 1997, subsection 2(2) of which provides as follows:

                 (2)   If the day on which the first supplementary IAEA agreement is signed on behalf of Australia is a later day than the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent, the amendments of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 made by this Act commence on that later day.

In pursuance of subsection 2(2), the amendments commenced on Royal Assent.

(e)     The Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 was amended by Schedule 1 (items 693-695) only of the Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999, subsections 2(1) and (2) of which provide as follows:

                 (1)   In this Act, commencing time means the time when the Public Service Act 1999 commences.

                 (2)   Subject to this section, this Act commences at the commencing time.

Table of Amendments

ad. = added or inserted     am. = amended     rep. = repealed     rs. = repealed and substituted
Provision affected	How affected
Part I
S. 3......................................	am. No. 150, 1997; No. 3, 2012
S. 4......................................	am. No. 99, 1988; No. 196, 1992; No. 3, 1995; No. 150, 1997; No. 146, 1999; No. 35, 2001; No. 132, 2003; No. 50, 2007; No. 3, 2012
S. 4A...................................	ad. No. 150, 1997
Heading to s. 8..................	rs. No. 3, 2012
S. 8......................................	am. No. 150, 1997; No. 3, 2012
S. 8A...................................	ad. No. 35, 2001
Part II
Heading to Part II..............	rs. No. 132, 2003
S. 11....................................	am. No. 99, 1988; No. 3, 1995; No. 3, 2012
S. 12....................................	am. No. 132, 2003
S. 13....................................	am. No. 150, 1997; No. 50, 2007
S. 15....................................	am. No. 134, 1990
S. 16A.................................	ad. No. 132, 2003
S. 16B.................................	ad. No. 50, 2007
Ss. 19, 20............................	am. No. 132, 2003
S. 22....................................	am. No. 132, 2003; No. 50, 2007
Part III
Division 1
S. 23....................................	am. No. 83, 1990; No. 13, 2000; No. 132, 2003; No. 50, 2007
S. 25....................................	am. No. 13, 2000; No. 35, 2001; No. 132, 2003
S. 25A.................................	ad. No. 132, 2003
	am. No. 50, 2007
S. 26....................................	am. No. 83, 1990; No. 132, 2003; No. 50, 2007
S. 26A.................................	ad. No. 132, 2003
	am. No. 50, 2007
Ss. 27, 28............................	am. No. 132, 2003
S. 28A.................................	ad. No. 132, 2003
Heading to s. 29................	am. No. 132, 2003
S. 29....................................	am. No. 132, 2003
S. 29A.................................	ad. No. 50, 2007
S. 30....................................	am. No. 132, 2003; No. 50, 2007
S. 31....................................	am. No. 137, 2000; No. 132, 2003; No. 50, 2007
S. 31A.................................	ad. No. 132, 2003
	am. No. 50, 2007
Division 2
S. 32....................................	rs. No. 50, 2007
Ss. 33, 34............................	am. No. 132, 2003
S. 34A.................................	ad. No. 50, 2007
Heading to s. 35................	am. No. 50, 2007
S. 35....................................	am. No. 132, 2003; No. 50, 2007
S. 35A.................................	ad. No. 50, 2007
S. 36....................................	am. No. 132, 2003; No. 50, 2007
S. 37....................................	am. No. 132, 2003; No. 50, 2007
S. 38....................................	am. No. 13, 2000; No. 50, 2007
Division 2A
Div. 2A of Part III................	ad. No. 3, 2012
Ss. 38A-38H.......................	ad. No. 3, 2012
S. 38J..................................	ad. No. 3, 2012
Division 3
Ss. 40, 41............................	am. No. 132, 2003
Part IV
Division 1
S. 42....................................	am. No. 159, 2001; No. 132, 2003
S. 43....................................	am. No. 150, 1997
S. 45....................................	am. No. 43, 1996
S. 46....................................	rs. No. 122, 1991
	am. No. 146, 1999
S. 48....................................	am. No. 122, 1991
S. 49....................................	am. No. 134, 1990
S. 50....................................	am. No. 46, 2011
Note to s. 50.......................	ad. No. 46, 2011
Division 2
S. 54....................................	am. No. 132, 2003
S. 55....................................	am. No. 146, 1999
Division 3
S. 57....................................	am. No. 150, 1997
S. 58....................................	am. No. 35, 2001; No. 132, 2003
Division 4
S. 59....................................	am. No. 150, 1997; No. 50, 2007
S. 60....................................	am. No. 150, 1997; No. 50, 2007
S. 61....................................	am. No. 50, 2007
S. 65....................................	am. No. 132, 2003
S. 66....................................	am. No. 35, 2001; No. 132, 2003
Division 5
S. 69....................................	am. No. 132, 2003
Part IVA
Part IVA ..............................	ad. No. 33, 1993
Ss. 69A-69C ......................	ad. No. 33, 1993
Part V
S. 70....................................	am. No. 150, 1997
S. 71....................................	am. No. 132, 2003
S. 72....................................	am. No. 132, 2003; No. 50, 2007
S. 73....................................	am. No. 99, 1988; No. 132, 2003; No. 50, 2007; No. 3, 2012
S. 74....................................	am. No. 132, 2003

Note 2

Non-Proliferation Legislation Amendment Act 2007 (No. 50, 2007)

The following amendment commences on the day on which the amendments done at Vienna on 8 July 2005 to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material take effect for the purposes of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 in accordance with paragraph 4(3)(b) of that Act. However, the amendment may not commence, see subsection 2(1) (item 3):

Schedule 1

28  Section 32 (definition of nuclear facility)

Repeal the definition, substitute:

nuclear facility has the same meaning as in the Physical Protection Convention.

As at 20 April 2012 the amendment is not incorporated in this compilation.

Table A

Application, saving or transitional provisions

Crimes At Sea Act 2000 (No. 13, 2000)

Schedule 2

11  Application of amendments

(1)       The amendments made by this Schedule apply to acts and omissions that take place after this Schedule commences.

(2)       Although this Schedule repeals the Crimes at Sea Act 1979, that Act continues to apply, in relation to acts and omissions that took place before this Schedule commences, as if the repeal had not happened.

(3)       For the purposes of this item, if an act or omission is alleged to have taken place between two dates, one before and one on or after the day on which this Schedule commences, the act or omission is alleged to have taken place before this Schedule commences.

Criminal Code Amendment (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences) Act 2000 (No. 137, 2000)

Schedule 2

418  Transitional--pre-commencement offences

(1)       Despite the amendment or repeal of a provision by this Schedule, that provision continues to apply, after the commencement of this item, in relation to:

                     (a)  an offence committed before the commencement of this item; or

                     (b)  proceedings for an offence alleged to have been committed before the commencement of this item; or

                     (c)  any matter connected with, or arising out of, such proceedings;

as if the amendment or repeal had not been made.

(2)       Subitem (1) does not limit the operation of section 8 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

419  Transitional--pre-commencement notices

If:

                     (a)  a provision in force immediately before the commencement of this item required that a notice set out the effect of one or more other provisions; and

                     (b)  any or all of those other provisions are repealed by this Schedule; and

                     (c)  the first-mentioned provision is amended by this Schedule;

the amendment of the first-mentioned provision by this Schedule does not affect the validity of such a notice that was given before the commencement of this item.

Foreign Affairs and Trade Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001 (No. 35, 2001)

4  Application of amendments

             (1)  Each amendment made by this Act applies to acts and omissions that take place after the amendment commences.

             (2)  For the purposes of this section, if an act or omission is alleged to have taken place between 2 dates, one before and one on or after the day on which a particular amendment commences, the act or omission is alleged to have taken place before the amendment commences.

Abolition of Compulsory Age Retirement (Statutory Officeholders) Act 2001
(No. 159, 2001)

Schedule 1

97  Application of amendments

The amendments made by this Schedule do not apply to an appointment if the term of the appointment began before the commencement of this item.

Non-Proliferation Legislation Amendment Act 2003 (No. 132, 2003)

Schedule 1

2  Saving of declarations of associated material

(1)       This item applies to a declaration that:

                     (a)  declared a class of material to be associated material for the purposes of the definition of associated material in subsection 4(1) of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987; and

                     (b)  was in force immediately before the commencement of this Schedule.

(2)       The amendment of paragraph (a) of that definition made by this Schedule does not affect the validity of the declaration at and after that commencement, so far as the declaration declared a class of material specially suited for use in the operation of a nuclear reactor to be associated material.

22  Application of new offence

Section 25A of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 applies to conduct occurring at or after the commencement of this Schedule, whether the authorisation to deal with the associated technology was given before or after that commencement.

27  Application of new offence

Section 26A of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 applies to conduct occurring at or after the commencement of this Schedule.

33  Application of new offence

(1)       Section 28A of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 applies to causing work to be carried out after the commencement of this Schedule, even if the work started to be carried out (as a result of that cause) before that commencement.

(2)       However, causing work to be carried out in the 6 months starting on the commencement of this Schedule is not an offence against that section if the work started to be carried out (as a result of that cause) before that commencement.

46  Application of new offence

Section 31A of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 applies to conduct occurring at or after the commencement of this Schedule, whether the permit described in paragraph 31A(1)(b) of that Act was granted before or after that commencement.

60  Saving of Register

The amendments of section 69 of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 made by this Schedule do not affect the validity at or after the commencement of this Schedule of the Register as it was in force immediately before that commencement.

64  Saving of delegations

The amendment of subsection 72(4) of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 made by this Schedule does not affect the validity at or after the commencement of this Schedule of a delegation described in that subsection that was in force immediately before that commencement.

70  Saving of regulations

The amendments of section 74 of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 made by this Schedule do not affect the validity at or after the commencement of this Schedule of any regulations in force under that Act immediately before that commencement.

Non-Proliferation Legislation Amendment Act 2007 (No. 50, 2007)

Schedule 1

53  Application--communication of information

The amendment made by item 19 applies in relation to communications made after the commencement of that item.

54  Application--decommissioning of facility without permit

(1)       Section 29A of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 applies to causing work to be carried out after the commencement of this item, even if the work started to be carried out (as a result of that cause) before that commencement.

(2)       However, causing work to be carried out in the period of 6 months starting on the day of c39, 140, 145mmencement of this item is not an offence against that section if the work started to be carried out (as a result of that cause) before that commencement.

Acts Interpretation Amendment Act 2011 (No. 46, 2011)

Schedule 3

10  Saving--appointments

The amendments made by Schedule 2 do not affect the validity of an appointment that was made under an Act before the commencement of this item and that was in force immediately before that commencement.

11  Transitional regulations

The Governor-General may make regulations prescribing matters of a transitional nature (including prescribing any saving or application provisions) relating to the amendments and repeals made by Schedules 1 and 2.