Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated ActsAct No. 174 of 2007 as amended
This compilation was prepared on 27 December 2011
taking into account amendments up to Act No. 46 of 2011
The text of any of those amendments not in force
on that date is appended in the Notes section
The operation of amendments that have been incorporated may
be
affected by application provisions that are set out in the Notes section
Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and
Publishing,
Attorney-General's Department, Canberra
Contents
Part 1--Preliminary 1
1............ Short title [see Note 1] ........................................................................ 1
2............ Commencement ................................................................................... 1
3............ Definitions .......................................................................................... 2
4............ Binding the Crown .............................................................................. 8
5............ Application of laws to external Territories .......................................... 8
Part 2--Public health surveillance 9
Division 1--Objects of Part 9
6............ Objects of Part .................................................................................... 9
Division 2--National Health Security Agreement 10
7............ National Health Security Agreement ................................................. 10
Division 3--Permissible purposes 11
8............ Permissible purposes ........................................................................ 11
Division 4--National Focal Point 12
9............ Meaning of National Focal Point ...................................................... 12
10.......... Functions of the National Focal Point ............................................... 12
Division 5--National Notifiable Disease List 13
11.......... National Notifiable Disease List ........................................................ 13
12.......... Temporary additions to the National Notifiable Disease List ............ 13
Division 6--Notifying, sharing information and liaising with responsible Commonwealth, State or Territory bodies in relation to public health events of national significance etc. 15
13.......... Notifying, sharing information and liaising with responsible Commonwealth, State or Territory bodies in relation to public health events of national significance ...................................... 15
14.......... Receipt of information or recommendation from the World Health Organization 16
15.......... Non-personal information ................................................................. 17
Division 7--Public health observation 18
16.......... National Focal Point notified of incoming traveller who is under public health observation 18
17.......... Incoming travellers who are placed under public health observation . 18
Division 8--Confidentiality of information 20
18.......... Definition of protected information for the purposes of Part 2 ......... 20
19.......... Authorisation to use information for permissible purposes ............... 20
20.......... Authorisation to use information for purposes of proceedings ......... 23
21.......... Offence relating to protected information .......................................... 23
22.......... Defence for use of information in good faith .................................... 24
23.......... Defence for use of information also received from another source and use of information by prescribed agencies 24
24.......... Defence for use of information required by another law ................... 26
25.......... Defence for disclosure to person to whom information relates or if person to whom information relates consents 26
26.......... Defence for disclosure to person who provided the information ....... 27
Division 9--Miscellaneous 28
27.......... Notice to other countries about further use of information ................ 28
28.......... Delegation ......................................................................................... 28
29.......... Annual report .................................................................................... 29
Part 3--Regulation of security-sensitive biological agents 30
Division 1--Preliminary 30
30.......... Object of Part .................................................................................... 30
Division 2--The List of Security-sensitive Biological Agents 31
31.......... Establishment of the List of Security-sensitive Biological Agents .... 31
32.......... Variation of the List of Security-sensitive Biological Agents ............ 31
33.......... Minister must obtain and have regard to expert advice ...................... 32
34.......... List to be available on the Department's website ............................... 32
Division 3--Standards relating to security-sensitive biological agents 33
35.......... Minister may determine standards relating to security-sensitive biological agents 33
Division 4--The National Register 35
36.......... National Register of Security-sensitive Biological Agents ................ 35
37.......... Content of National Register ............................................................. 35
38.......... Variation of the National Register ..................................................... 35
Division 4A--Requirements relating to suspected security-sensitive biological agents 37
Subdivision A--Application 37
38A....... Application of Division ..................................................................... 37
Subdivision B--Carrying out confirmatory testing or destruction 37
38B....... Initial tester must have confirmatory testing or destruction done ....... 37
38C....... Offence--failure to have confirmatory testing or destruction done ... 38
Subdivision C--Compliance with SSBA standards 38
38D....... Compliance with SSBA Standards in handling biological agent ....... 38
38E........ Offence--failure to comply with SSBA Standards in handling biological agent 39
Subdivision D--Further provisions relating to confirmatory testing 39
38F........ Initial tester must report transfer of biological agent or sample for confirmatory testing 39
38G....... Offence--failure by initial tester to report transfer ............................ 40
38H....... Initial tester must report results of confirmatory testing to Secretary . 40
38J........ Offence--failure to report results of confirmatory testing to Secretary 41
38K....... Reporting if biological agent disposed of after confirmatory testing shows it is a security-sensitive biological agent .......................................................................................................... 41
38L........ Offence--failure to report disposal ................................................... 42
Subdivision E--Further provisions relating to destruction 42
38M...... Initial tester must report destruction of biological agent .................... 42
38N....... Offence--failure to report destruction ............................................... 43
38P........ Direction to dispose of biological agent for failure to comply with section 38B 43
38Q....... Offence--failure to dispose of biological agent as directed ............... 44
Division 5--Requirements for entities that handle security-sensitive biological agents 45
Subdivision A--Application and definitions 45
39.......... Application of Division ..................................................................... 45
40.......... Meaning of exempt entity .................................................................. 45
41.......... Meaning of legitimate purpose ......................................................... 46
Subdivision B--Reporting requirements 47
42.......... Entity that handles security-sensitive biological agents must give a report to the Secretary 47
43.......... Offence--failure to give a report to the Secretary ............................. 48
44.......... Secretary must consider report and decide whether or not to include entity on the National Register 49
45.......... Secretary may direct entity to dispose of security-sensitive biological agents 50
46.......... Offence--failure to comply with direction to dispose of security-sensitive biological agent 50
47.......... Secretary not satisfied entity handling security-sensitive biological agent for a legitimate purpose 51
48.......... Registered entity must report any changes to the Secretary ............... 53
48A....... Registered entity must report certain reportable events to police ....... 55
48B....... Offence--failure to report reportable event to police ......................... 56
49.......... Secretary must consider report of changes and decide whether or not to vary the National Register 56
50.......... Secretary may direct entity to dispose of security-sensitive biological agents 57
51.......... Offence--failure to comply with direction to dispose of security-sensitive biological agent 58
52.......... Secretary not satisfied entity handling security-sensitive biological agent for a legitimate purpose 58
53.......... Failure to report changes to the Secretary .......................................... 60
54.......... Offence--failure to comply with direction to dispose of security-sensitive biological agent 61
55.......... Application of reporting requirements in relation to individuals ........ 61
55A....... Cancellation of entity's registration on application ............................ 62
Subdivision C--Compliance with SSBA Standards 63
56.......... Entity must comply with SSBA Standards ....................................... 63
57.......... Failure to comply with SSBA Standards .......................................... 63
58.......... Offence--failure to comply with direction to dispose of security-sensitive biological agent 64
Subdivision D--Directions not to handle security-sensitive biological substances 65
59.......... Secretary may direct individual not to handle security-sensitive biological agents 65
60.......... Offence--failure to comply with direction not to handle security-sensitive biological agents 66
Division 5A--Suspension of Divisions 4A and 5 to deal with threats 67
60A....... Minister may suspend Divisions 4A and 5
to deal with
threats
................................................................................................ 67
60B....... Variation or revocation of suspension ............................................... 68
60C....... Offence--failure to comply with conditions on suspension .............. 69
Division 6--Enforcement 70
61.......... Secretary may arrange for disposal of security-sensitive biological agents 70
62.......... Injunctions ........................................................................................ 70
Division 7--Powers of inspection 72
Subdivision A--Appointment of inspectors and identity cards 72
63.......... Appointment of inspectors ................................................................ 72
64.......... Identity card ...................................................................................... 72
Subdivision B--Monitoring compliance 72
65.......... Powers available to inspectors for monitoring compliance ................ 72
66.......... Monitoring powers ........................................................................... 73
67.......... Power to operate equipment .............................................................. 74
69.......... Application for monitoring warrant ................................................... 75
Subdivision C--Offence-related powers 76
70.......... Inspector may enter premises by consent or under a warrant ............ 76
70A....... Offence-related powers of inspectors ................................................ 76
70B....... Persons assisting inspectors .............................................................. 78
70C....... Use of force in executing a warrant ................................................... 79
70D....... Inspector may ask questions and seek production of documents ...... 79
70E........ Inspector to be in possession of warrant ........................................... 80
70F........ Occupier to provide inspector with facilities and assistance .............. 80
70G....... Copies of seized things to be provided .............................................. 81
70H....... Receipts for things seized .................................................................. 81
70J........ Return of seized things ...................................................................... 81
70K....... Magistrate may permit a thing to be retained ..................................... 82
70L........ Disposal of things ............................................................................. 83
70M...... Issue of offence-related warrants ...................................................... 84
70N....... Offence-related warrants by telephone, fax etc. ................................. 85
70P........ Offence relating to warrants by telephone, fax etc. ............................ 86
Subdivision D--Expert assistance 87
71.......... Expert assistance to operate a thing ................................................... 87
72.......... Expert assistance from scientific or technical expert .......................... 88
Subdivision E--Emergency powers 89
73.......... Powers available to inspectors for dealing with dangerous situations 89
Subdivision F--Obligations and incidental powers of inspectors 90
74.......... Inspector must produce identity card on request ............................... 90
75.......... Consent ............................................................................................. 90
76.......... Details of warrant etc. to be given to occupier ................................... 90
77.......... Announcement before entry .............................................................. 91
Subdivision G--Other matters 92
78.......... Occupier entitled to be present during search .................................... 92
79.......... Division not to abrogate privilege against self-incrimination ............. 92
79A....... Compensation for damage to electronic equipment ........................... 92
Division 8--Review of decisions 94
80.......... Meaning of reviewable decision ........................................................ 94
81.......... Notification of decision and review rights ......................................... 94
82.......... Internal review .................................................................................. 94
83.......... Review of decisions by Administrative Appeals Tribunal ................ 95
Division 9--Confidentiality of information 96
84.......... Definition of protected information for the purposes of Part 3 ......... 96
85.......... Secretary may give report to certain agencies .................................... 96
86.......... Authorisation to use information in performing duties or exercising powers under Division 6, 7 or 8 of Part 2 or this Part .................................................................................................... 97
87.......... Authorisation to use information for certain purposes ...................... 97
88.......... Secretary may authorise use of information ...................................... 97
89.......... Authorisation to use information for purposes of certain proceedings 98
90.......... Offence relating to protected information .......................................... 98
91.......... Defence for disclosure to person who provided the information ....... 99
92.......... Defence for use of information under particular laws ....................... 99
93.......... No other exceptions under other laws ............................................... 99
Division 10--Delegation 101
94.......... Secretary may delegate powers and functions under this Part ......... 101
Part 4--Miscellaneous 102
95.......... Regulations ..................................................................................... 102
Notes 103
Notes to
the
National Health Security Act 2007 Note 1 The National Health Security Act 2007 as shown in this
compilation comprises Act No. 174, 2007 amended as indicated in the Tables
below. For all relevant information pertaining to application, saving
or transitional provisions see Table A. Table of Acts
|
Act |
Number |
Date |
Date of commencement |
Application, saving or transitional provisions |
|
174, 2007 |
28 Sept 2007 |
Ss. 6-29: 28 Mar 2008 |
|
|
|
100, 2009 |
7 Oct 2009 |
Schedule 1 (items 1, 28-39): 8 Oct 2009 |
-- |
|
|
8, 2010 |
1 Mar 2010 |
Schedule 5 (item 72): Royal Assent |
-- |
|
|
National Health Security Amendment (Background Checking) Act 2010 |
15, 2010 |
11 Mar 2010 |
11 Mar 2010 |
-- |
|
Territories Law Reform Act 2010 |
139, 2010 |
10 Dec 2010 |
Schedule 1 (item 75): 11 Dec 2010 |
-- |
|
Acts Interpretation Amendment Act 2011 |
46, 2011 |
27 June 2011 |
Schedule 2 (items 811, 812) and Schedule 3 (items 10, 11): 27 Dec 2011 |
Sch. 3 (items 10, 11) |
Table of Amendments
|
ad. = added or inserted am. = amended rep. = repealed rs. = repealed and substituted |
|
|
Provision affected |
How affected |
|
Part 1 |
|
|
S. 3...................................... |
am. No. 100, 2009; Nos. 8 and 139, 2010; No. 46, 2011 |
|
Part 3 |
|
|
Division 1 |
|
|
S. 30.................................... |
am. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Division 3 |
|
|
S. 35.................................... |
am. No. 100, 2009; No. 15, 2010 |
|
Note to s. 35(1)................... |
rep. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Notes 1, 2 to s. 35(1).......... |
ad. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Division 4 |
|
|
S. 38.................................... |
am. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Division 4A |
|
|
Div. 4A of Part 3.................. |
ad. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Subdivision A |
|
|
S. 38A.................................. |
ad. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Subdivision B |
|
|
Ss. 38B, 38C....................... |
ad. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Subdivision C |
|
|
Ss. 38D, 38E....................... |
ad. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Subdivision D |
|
|
Ss. 38F-38H....................... |
ad. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Ss. 38J-38L........................ |
ad. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Subdivision E |
|
|
Ss. 38M, 38N....................... |
ad. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Ss. 38P, 38Q....................... |
ad. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Division 5 |
|
|
Subdivision B |
|
|
Note 3 to s. 42(1)................ |
ad. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Note to s. 47(2)................... |
am. No. 100, 2009 |
|
S. 48.................................... |
am. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Note to s. 48(1)................... |
ad. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Note to s. 48(3) |
|
|
Note 2 to s. 48(3)................ |
ad. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Ss. 48A, 48B........................ |
ad. No. 100, 2009 |
|
S. 53.................................... |
am. No. 100, 2009 |
|
S. 55.................................... |
am. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Note to s. 55(1)................... |
am. No. 100, 2009 |
|
S. 55A.................................. |
ad. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Division 5A |
|
|
Heading to Div. 5A ............ |
rs. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Div. 5A of Part 3.................. |
ad. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Heading to s. 60A.............. |
am. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Ss. 60A, 60B........................ |
ad. No. 100, 2009 |
|
|
am. No. 100, 2009 |
|
S. 60C.................................. |
ad. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Division 6 |
|
|
S. 61.................................... |
am. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Division 7 |
|
|
Subdivision B |
|
|
Ss. 65, 66............................ |
am. No. 100, 2009 |
|
S. 68.................................... |
rep. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Subdivision C |
|
|
S. 70.................................... |
rs. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Ss. 70A-70H....................... |
ad. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Ss. 70J-70N........................ |
ad. No. 100, 2009 |
|
S. 70P.................................. |
ad. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Subdivision D |
|
|
S. 72.................................... |
am. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Subdivision F |
|
|
Ss. 75, 76............................ |
rs. No. 100, 2009 |
|
S. 77.................................... |
am. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Subdivision G |
|
|
S. 78.................................... |
am. No. 100, 2009 |
|
S. 79A.................................. |
ad. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Division 8 |
|
|
S. 80.................................... |
am. No. 100, 2009 |
|
Division 9 |
|
|
Ss. 84, 85............................ |
am. No. 100, 2009 |
Table A
Application, saving or transitional provisions
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.