Contents

Part I--Preliminary                                                                                                               1

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

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

3............ Interpretation ....................................................................................... 1

3A......... Prescribed authorities: Commonwealth-controlled companies .......... 13

3B......... Certain legislation relating to Australian Capital Territory not to be enactment          14

3BA...... Commonwealth service providers ..................................................... 15

3C......... Application of Act ............................................................................. 15

3D......... Application of the Criminal Code ..................................................... 15

Part II--Establishment, functions, powers and duties of the Ombudsman            16

Division 1--Establishment and functions                                                          16

4............ Establishment of offices of Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman .. 16

5............ Functions of Ombudsman ................................................................. 17

6............ Discretion not to investigate certain complaints ................................. 19

6A......... Transfer of complaints about ACC ................................................... 26

6B......... Transfer of complaints about Integrity Commissioner ...................... 26

6C......... Transfer of complaints to Information Commissioner ....................... 27

7............ Complaints ........................................................................................ 28

7A......... Preliminary inquiries ......................................................................... 29

8............ Investigations .................................................................................... 31

8A......... Investigations by Commonwealth and State Ombudsmen ................ 36

8B......... Investigations by other authorities of ACC actions ........................... 38

8C......... Investigations by other authorities of ACLEI actions ........................ 39

8D......... Investigations by Ombudsman and Australian Federal Police .......... 40

9............ Power to obtain information and documents ..................................... 40

10.......... Unreasonable delay in exercising power ........................................... 44

10A....... Ombudsman may refer questions to the AAT ................................... 45

11.......... Ombudsman may recommend that the principal officer refer questions to the AAT                 46

11A....... Powers of Federal Court of Australia ............................................... 46

12.......... Complainant and Department etc. to be informed .............................. 47

13.......... Power to examine witnesses ............................................................. 49

14.......... Power to enter premises .................................................................... 49

Division 2--Reports                                                                                                     51

15.......... Reports by Ombudsman ................................................................... 51

16.......... Reports where appropriate action not taken on Ombudsman's report 53

17.......... Special reports to Parliament ............................................................. 54

18.......... Ombudsman may have further discussion with principal officer ...... 54

19.......... Annual report and additional reports to Parliament ........................... 55

Part IIA--Establishment, functions, powers and duties of the Defence Force Ombudsman      57

19B....... Establishment of office of Defence Force Ombudsman .................... 57

19C....... Functions of Defence Force Ombudsman ......................................... 57

19D....... Discretion to investigate complaints as Commonwealth Ombudsman or as Defence Force Ombudsman                 59

19E........ Discretion with respect to certain complaints .................................... 60

19F........ Application of provisions of Act to Defence Force Ombudsman ..... 61

Part IIB--Establishment, functions, powers and duties of the Postal Industry Ombudsman    62

Division 1--Preliminary                                                                                             62

19G....... Definitions ........................................................................................ 62

19H....... Action taken by contractors ............................................................... 63

19J........ Continued application of this Act to deregistered PPOs .................... 64

19K....... Part IIB not to affect operation of other provisions of this Act ......... 64

Division 2--Establishment and functions of the Postal Industry Ombudsman   65

19L........ Establishment of office of Postal Industry Ombudsman ................... 65

19M...... Functions of Postal Industry Ombudsman ........................................ 65

19N....... Discretion to investigate complaints as Commonwealth Ombudsman or as Postal Industry Ombudsman                66

19P........ Discretion to refer complaint to another statutory office-holder ........ 68

19Q....... Discretion not to investigate certain complaints ................................. 68

Division 3--Powers and duties of the Postal Industry Ombudsman 70

19R....... Application of other provisions of this Act to the Postal Industry Ombudsman       70

19S........ Powers of the Postal Industry Ombudsman under section 9 ............. 72

19T........ Duty to accord procedural fairness .................................................... 72

19U....... Disclosure of identifying information ............................................... 73

19V....... Postal Industry Ombudsman may report to Australia Post or registered PPO          73

19W...... Minister to table certain reports in Parliament ................................... 74

19X....... Annual reports .................................................................................. 75

19Y....... Postal Industry Ombudsman may notify employer of misconduct .... 76

19Z........ Limitation on liability where information or documents provided in good faith or when required to do so               77

Division 4--Register of PPOs                                                                                 78

19ZA..... Registration of PPOs ........................................................................ 78

19ZB..... Information to be included in Register .............................................. 78

19ZC..... Deregistration of PPOs ..................................................................... 78

19ZD..... Register may be maintained by electronic means ............................... 79

Division 5--Fees for investigations                                                                      80

19ZE..... Fees for investigations ...................................................................... 80

Part IIC--Establishment, functions, powers and duties of the Overseas Students Ombudsman             82

Division 1--Preliminary                                                                                             82

19ZF..... Definitions ........................................................................................ 82

19ZG..... Continued application of Part to former registered providers ............ 82

19ZH..... Part not to affect operation of other provisions of this Act ................ 83

Division 2--Establishment and functions of the Overseas Students Ombudsman             84

19ZI...... Establishment of office of Overseas Students Ombudsman .............. 84

19ZJ...... Functions of Overseas Students Ombudsman .................................. 84

19ZK..... Transfer of complaints ...................................................................... 85

19ZL..... Discretion not to investigate certain complaints ................................. 86

Division 3--Powers and duties of the Overseas Students Ombudsman 87

19ZM.... Application of other provisions of this Act to the Overseas Students Ombudsman 87

19ZN..... Powers of the Overseas Students Ombudsman under section 9 ....... 89

19ZO..... Duty to accord procedural fairness .................................................... 89

19ZP..... Disclosure of identifying information ............................................... 90

19ZQ..... Overseas Students Ombudsman may report to private registered provider               90

19ZR..... Minister to table certain reports in Parliament ................................... 91

19ZS..... Annual reports .................................................................................. 92

19ZT..... Overseas Students Ombudsman may notify of misconduct .............. 93

19ZU..... Limitation on liability where information or documents provided in good faith or when required to do so               93

Part III--Conditions of service, and staff, of the Ombudsman               95

Division 1--Ombudsman                                                                                           95

20.......... Interpretation ..................................................................................... 95

21.......... Appointment of Ombudsman ............................................................ 95

22.......... Tenure of office ................................................................................. 95

23.......... Deputy Ombudsman ......................................................................... 95

24.......... Salary and allowances ....................................................................... 95

25.......... Leave of absence ............................................................................... 96

26.......... Resignation ....................................................................................... 96

27.......... Retirement ......................................................................................... 96

28.......... Suspension and removal of Ombudsman .......................................... 96

28A....... Removal taken to be retirement on ground of invalidity .................... 97

28B....... Retirement on ground of invalidity under the Superannuation Acts .. 98

29.......... Acting appointments ......................................................................... 99

Division 2--Staff                                                                                                          100

31.......... Staff ................................................................................................ 100

Part IV--Miscellaneous                                                                                                   101

33.......... Ombudsman not to be sued ............................................................. 101

34.......... Delegation ....................................................................................... 101

35.......... Officers to observe confidentiality .................................................. 102

35AA.... Disclosure of information and documents to Integrity Commissioner 105

35A....... Disclosure of information by Ombudsman ..................................... 105

35B....... Disclosure of ACC information ...................................................... 106

35C....... Disclosure of ACLEI information ................................................... 107

36.......... Offences .......................................................................................... 108

37.......... Protection from civil actions ............................................................ 108

38.......... Regulations ..................................................................................... 109

Notes                                                                                                                                            111

  

Notes to the Ombudsman Act 1976

Note 1

The Ombudsman Act 1976 as shown in this compilation comprises Act No. 181, 1976 amended as indicated in the Tables below.

For application, saving or transitional provisions made by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2005, see Act No. 45, 2005.

For application, saving or transitional provisions made by Schedule 7 of the Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Act 2010, see Act No. 51, 2010.

All relevant information pertaining to application, saving or transitional provisions prior to 24 November 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
Ombudsman Act 1976	181, 1976		13 Dec 1976	1 July 1977 (see Gazette 1977, No. S115)
Ombudsman Amendment Act 1978	63, 1978		22 June 1978	1 July 1978	S. 11
Ombudsman Amendment Act 1979	107, 1979		25 Oct 1979	2 June 1979	--
Australian Federal Police (Consequential Amendments) Act 1979	155, 1979		28 Nov 1979	19 Oct 1979 (see s. 2 and Gazette 1979, No. S206)	--
Statute Law Revision Act 1981	61, 1981		12 June 1981	S. 115: Royal Assent (a)	--
Ombudsman Amendment Act 1983	61, 1983		12 Oct 1983	Ss. 3, 4(2), 6, 20, 21 and 30: 5 Dec 1983 (see Gazette 1983, No. S305) Remainder: Royal Assent	S. 30
Public Service Reform Act 1984	63, 1984		25 June 1984	S. 151(1): 1 July 1984 (see Gazette 1984, No. S245) (b)	S. 151(9)
as amended by
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2) 1985	193, 1985		16 Dec 1985	S. 3: (c)	S. 16
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 1) 1985	65, 1985		5 June 1985	S. 3: 3 July 1985 (d)	--
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2) 1986	168, 1986		18 Dec 1986	S. 3: Royal Assent (e)	S. 5(1)
A.C.T. Self-Government (Consequential Provisions) Act 1988	109, 1988		6 Dec 1988	Schedule 5 (in part): 11 May 1989 (see Gazette 1989, No. S164) (f)	--
Privacy Act 1988	119, 1988		14 Dec 1988	1 Jan 1989 (see Gazette 1988, No. 399)	--
Telecommunications and Postal Services (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1989	63, 1989		19 June 1989	Ss. 1 and 2: Royal Assent Part 5 (ss. 17, 18): 30 June 1989 (see s. 2(3) and Gazette 1989, No. S216) Remainder: 1 July 1989 (see Gazette 1989, No. S230)	--
Telecommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1991	99, 1991		27 June 1991	Part 1 (ss. 1, 2): Royal Assent S. 24 and Part 5 (s. 26): 1 Feb 1992 (see s. 2(3) and Gazette 1992, No. S32) Remainder: 1 July 1991	--
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	--
Prime Minister and Cabinet Legislation Amendment Act 1991	199, 1991		18 Dec 1991	18 Dec 1991	--
Superannuation Legislation (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 1992	94, 1992		30 June 1992	S. 3: 1 July 1990 Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Qantas Sale Act 1992	196, 1992		21 Dec 1992	Schedule (Part 1): 10 Mar 1993 (see Gazette 1993, No. GN17) (g) Schedule (Part 5): 30 Aug 1995 (see Gazette 1995, No. S324) (g)	S. 2(6) (am. by 60, 1993, s. 4; 168, 1994, Sch. [item 17])
as amended by
Qantas Sale Amendment Act 1993	60, 1993		3 Nov 1993	10 Mar 1993	--
Qantas Sale Amendment Act 1994	168, 1994		16 Dec 1994	Schedule (item 17): Royal Assent (h)	--
Prime Minister and Cabinet (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1994	33, 1994		15 Mar 1994	Ss. 18-27: Royal Assent (i)	S. 27(2)
Employment Services (Consequential Amendments) Act 1994	177, 1994		19 Dec 1994	Ss. 1, 2(1), (3) and 3-8: 19 Dec 1994 (see s. 2(1)) Ss. 2(2) and 32-39: Royal Assent Remainder: 1 Jan 1995 (see s. 2(3) and Gazette 1994, No. S472)	S. 13
Taxation Laws Amendment Act (No. 1) 1995	120, 1995		25 Oct 1995	Schedule 1 (item 58): 23 Nov 1994 (see s. 2(2)) Schedule 2 (items 8-13): 1 July 1994 Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Statute Law Revision Act 1996	43, 1996		25 Oct 1996	Schedule 2 (item 78): (j) Schedule 4 (item 117) and Schedule 5 (items 109-111): Royal Assent (j)	--
Defence Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 1997	1, 1997		19 Feb 1997	Schedules 1 and 3: 30 Apr 1997 (see Gazette 1997, No. S91) Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Telecommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1997	59, 1997		3 May 1997	Schedule 1 (items 40-42): 1 July 1997 (k)	--
Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999	146, 1999		11 Nov 1999	Schedule 1 (items 711-717): 5 Dec 1999 (see Gazette 1999, No. S584) (l)	--
Federal Magistrates (Consequential Amendments) Act 1999	194, 1999		23 Dec 1999	Schedule 21: 23 Dec 1999 (m)	--
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]
Prime Minister and Cabinet Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001	49, 2001		21 June 2001	19 July 2001	S. 4 [see Table A]
National Crime Authority Legislation Amendment Act 2001	135, 2001		1 Oct 2001	Schedules 1-7 and 9-12: 12 Oct 2001 (see Gazette 2001, No. S428) Schedule 8: 13 Oct 2001 (see Gazette 2001, No. S428) Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Abolition of Compulsory Age Retirement (Statutory Officeholders) Act 2001	159, 2001	1 Oct 2001		29 Oct 2001	Sch. 1 (item 97) [see Table A]
Statute Law Revision Act 2002	63, 2002	3 July 2002		Schedule 1 (item 24): (n)	--
Australian Crime Commission Establishment Act 2002	125, 2002	10 Dec 2002		Schedule 2 (items 84-98, 226): 1 Jan 2003	Sch. 2 (item 226) [see Table A]
Australian Communications and Media Authority (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2005	45, 2005	1 Apr 2005		Schedule 3 (items 3, 4): (o) Schedule 3 (items 5, 6, 8) and Schedule 4: 1 July 2005 (see s. 2(1)) Schedule 3 (item 7): (o) Schedule 3 (items 9-11): (o)	Sch. 4 [see Note 1] S. 2(1) (items 5, 7, 9) (am. by 8, 2007, Sch. 1 [items 2-4])
as amended by
Statute Law Revision Act 2007	8, 2007		15 Mar 2007	Schedule 2 (items 2-4): (oa)	--
Migration and Ombudsman Legislation Amendment Act 2005	141, 2005	12 Dec 2005		Schedule 2 (items 2-25): Royal Assent Schedule 2 (items 28-31): (p)	--
Postal Industry Ombudsman Act 2006	25, 2006	6 Apr 2006		Schedule 1 (items 1-14, 20(1), 21): 6 Oct 2006 Schedule 2 (item 1): (q) Schedule 2 (item 2): (q) Schedule 2 (item 3): (q) Schedule 2 (item 4): (q) Schedule 2 (item 5): (q)	Sch. 1 (items 20(1), 21) [see Table A]
Law Enforcement (AFP Professional Standards and Related Measures) Act 2006	84, 2006	30 June 2006		Schedule 3 (items 46-64): 30 Dec 2006 (see s. 2(1))	--
Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner (Consequential Amendments) Act 2006	86, 2006	30 June 2006		Schedule 1 (items 41-47): 30 Dec 2006 (see s. 2(1))	--
Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Trustee Board and Other Measures) (Consequential Amendments) Act 2008	26, 2008	23 June 2008		Schedule 1 (items 98-101): Royal Assent	--
Statute Law Revision Act 2010	8, 2010	1 Mar 2010		Schedule 5 (item 137(a)): (r)	--
Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Act 2010	51, 2010	31 May 2010		Schedule 4 (items 59-64, 66, 67) and Schedule 7: (s)	Sch. 4 (items 66, 67) [see Table A] Sch. 7 [see Note 1]
Territories Law Reform Act 2010	139, 2010	10 Dec 2010		Schedule 1 (items 241, 242): 10 June 2011	--
Statute Law Revision Act 2011	5, 2011	22 Mar 2011		Schedule 1 (items 70-86): Royal Assent Schedule 6 (item 130): 19 Apr 2011	--
Education Services for Overseas Students Legislation Amendment Act 2011	11, 2011	8 Apr 2011		Schedule 2 (items 1-4, 8, 9): 9 Apr 2011	Sch. 2 (items 8, 9) [see Table A]
Acts Interpretation Amendment Act 2011	46, 2011	27 June 2011		Schedule 2 (items 894-900) and Schedule 3 (items 10, 11): 27 Dec 2011	Sch. 3 (items 10, 11) [see Table A]
Superannuation Legislation (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2011	58, 2011	28 June 2011		Schedule 1 (items 123, 124): (t)	--
Education Services for Overseas Students Legislation Amendment (Tuition Protection Service and Other Measures) Act 2012	9, 2012	20 Mar 2012		Schedule 5 (items 6, 7, 8(2)): [see Note 2 and Table A]	Sch. 5 (item 8(2)) [see Table A]

(a)     The Ombudsman Act 1976 was amended by section 115 only of the Statute Law Revision Act 1981, subsection 2(1) of which provides as follows:

                 (1)   Subject to this section, this Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

(b)     The Ombudsman Act 1976 was amended by subsection 151(1) only of the Public Service Reform Act 1984, subsection 2(4) of which provides as follows:

                 (4)   The remaining provisions of this Act shall come into operation on such day as is, or on such respective days as are, fixed by Proclamation.

(c)     The Public Service Reform Act 1984 was amended by section 3 only of the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2) 1985, subsection 2(11) of which provides as follows:

               (11)   The amendment of Schedule 4 to the Public Service Reform Act 1984 made by this Act shall be deemed to have come into operation on 1 July 1984.

(d)     The Ombudsman Act 1976 was amended by section 3 only of the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 1) 1985, subsection 2(1) of which provides as follows:

                 (1)   Subject to this section, this Act shall come into operation on the twenty-eighth day after the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

(e)     The Ombudsman Act 1976 was amended by section 3 only of the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2) 1986, subsection 2(1) of which provides as follows:

                 (1)   Subject to this section, this Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

(f)      The Ombudsman Act 1976 was amended by Schedule 5 (in part) only of the A.C.T. Self-Government (Consequential Provisions) Act 1988, subsection 2(3) of which provides as follows:

                 (3)   The remaining provisions of this Act (including the amendments made by Schedule 5) commence on a day or days to be fixed by Proclamation.

(g)     The Ombudsman Act 1976 was amended by the Schedule (Parts 1 and 5) only of the Qantas Sale Act 1992, subsections 2(2), (3)(a) and (c) of which provide as follows:

                 (2)   Subject to subsection (3), the remaining provisions of this Act commence on a day or days to be fixed by Proclamation.

                 (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

                              (c)   in the case of sections 25, 36, 38, 44 and 51 and Parts 5, 6 and 7 of the Schedule--the day is not earlier than the 100% sale day.

(h)     The Qantas Sale Act 1992 was amended by the Schedule (item 17) only of the Qantas Sale Amendment Act 1994, subsection 2(1) of which provides as follows:

                 (1)   Subject to this section, this Act commences on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

(i)      The Ombudsman Act 1976 was amended by sections 18-27 only of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1994, subsection 2(1) of which provides as follows:

                 (1)   Except for subsection 15(1), this Act commences on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

(j)      The Ombudsman Act 1976 was amended by Schedule 2 (item 78), Schedule 4 (item 117) and Schedule 5 (items 109-111) only of the Statute Law Revision Act 1996, subsections 2(1) and (2) of which provide as follows:

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

                 (2)   Each item in Schedule 2 commences or is taken to have commenced (as the case requires) at the time specified in the note at the end of the item.

         Item 78 is taken to have commenced immediately after the commencement of the amendment of the Ombudsman Act 1976 in Schedule 1 to the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 1) 1985.

         The abovementioned amendment commenced on 3 July 1985.

(k)     The Ombudsman Act 1976 was amended by Schedule 1 (items 40-42) only of the Telecommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1997, subsection 2(2)(d) of which provides as follows:

                 (2)   The following provisions commence on 1 July 1997:

                              (d)   Schedule 1;

(l)      The Ombudsman Act 1976 was amended by Schedule 1 (items 711-717) 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.

(m)    The Ombudsman Act 1976 was amended by Schedule 21 only of the Federal Magistrates (Consequential Amendments) Act 1999, subsection 2(1) of which provides as follows:

                 (1)   Subject to this section, this Act commences on the commencement of the Federal Magistrates Act 1999.

(n)     The Ombudsman Act 1976 was amended by Schedule 1 (item 24) only of the Statute Law Revision Act 2002, subsection 2(1) (item 19) of which provides as follows:

                 (1)   Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, on the day or at the time specified in column 2 of the table.

Commencement information
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3
Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
19.  Schedule 1, item 24	Immediately after item 111 of Schedule 5 to the Statute Law Revision Act 1996 commenced	25 October 1996

(o)     Subsection 2(1) (items 5-10) of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2005 provide as follows:

                 (1)   Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.

Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
5. Schedule 3, items 3 and 4	The later of: (a)  the commencement of section 6 of the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005; and (b)  immediately after the commencement of item 2 of Schedule 1 to the Postal Industry Ombudsman Act 2006. However, the provision(s) do not commence at all if the event mentioned in paragraph (b) does not occur.	6 October 2006 (paragraph (b) applies)
7.  Schedule 3, item 7	At the same time as section 6 of the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005 commences. However, if item 10 of Schedule 1 to the Postal Industry Ombudsman Act 2006 has commenced on or before that time, the provision(s) do not commence at all.	1 July 2005
9.  Schedule 3, items 9, 10 and 11	The later of: (a)  the commencement of section 6 of the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005; and (b)  immediately after the commencement of item 11 of Schedule 1 to the Postal Industry Ombudsman Act 2006. However, if item 11 of Schedule 1 to the Postal Industry Ombudsman Act 2006 does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.	6 October 2006 (paragraph (b) applies)

(oa)   Subsection 2(1) (item 29) of the Statute Law Revision Act 2007 provides as follows:

                 (1)   Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.

Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
29.  Schedule 2, items 2, 3 and 4	Immediately after the commencement of section 2 of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2005.	1 April 2005

(p)     Subsection 2(1) (item 6) of the Migration and Ombudsman Legislation Amendment Act 2005 provides as follows:

                 (1)   Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.

Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
6.  Schedule 2, items 28 to 31	The later of: (a)  the start of the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent; and (b)  immediately after the commencement of item 11 of Schedule 1 to the Postal Industry Ombudsman Act 2006. However, the provision(s) do not commence at all if the event mentioned in paragraph (b) does not occur.	6 October 2006 (paragraph (b) applies)

(q)     Subsection 2(1) (items 3-7) of the Postal Industry Ombudsman Act 2006 provide as follows:

                 (1)   Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.

Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
3.  Schedule 2, item 1	Immediately after the commencement of item 2 of Schedule 2 to the Prime Minister and Cabinet Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001.	26 July 2001
4.  Schedule 2, item 2	Immediately after the commencement of item 1 of Schedule 2 to the Prime Minister and Cabinet Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001.	26 July 2001
5.  Schedule 2, item 3	Immediately after the commencement of item 717 of Schedule 1 to the Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999.	5 December 1999
6.  Schedule 2, item 4	Immediately after the commencement of Schedule 5 to the A.C.T. Self-Government (Consequential Provisions) Act 1988.	11 May 1989
7.  Schedule 2, item 5	Immediately after the commencement of item 11 of Schedule 3 to the National Crime Authority Legislation Amendment Act 2001.	12 October 2001

(r)     Subsection 2(1) (items 31 and 38) of the Statute Law Revision Act 2010 provides as follows:

                 (1)   Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.

Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
31.  Schedule 5, items 1 to 51	The day this Act receives the Royal Assent.	1 March 2010
38.  Schedule 5, Parts 2 and 3	Immediately after the provision(s) covered by table item 31.	1 March 2010

(s)     Subsection 2(1) (item 7) of the Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Act 2010 provides as follows:

                 (1)   Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.

Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
7.  Schedules 4 to 7	Immediately after the commencement of section 3 of the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010. However, if section 3 of the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010 does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.	1 November 2010

(t)      Subsection 2(1) (item 2) of the Superannuation Legislation (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2011 provides as follows:

                 (1)   Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.

Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
2.  Schedules 1 and 2	Immediately after the commencement of section 2 of the Governance of Australian Government Superannuation Schemes Act 2011.	1 July 2011

Table of Amendments

ad. = added or inserted      am. = amended      rep. = repealed      rs. = repealed and substituted
Provision affected	How affected
Title.....................................	rs. No. 61, 1983
	am. No. 25, 2006; No. 11, 2011
Part I
S. 3......................................	am. No. 63, 1978; Nos. 107 and 155, 1979; No. 61, 1983; No. 63, 1984 (as am. by No. 193, 1985); No. 168, 1986; No. 109, 1988; No. 199, 1991; No. 196, 1992; Nos. 33 and 177, 1994; No. 43, 1996; No. 1, 1997; Nos. 146 and 194, 1999; No. 135, 2001; Nos. 63 and 125, 2002; Nos. 45 and 141, 2005; Nos. 25 and 84, 2006; Nos. 5 and 58, 2011
S. 3AB.................................. Renumbered s. 3A .........	ad. No. 33, 1994 No. 49, 2001
S. 3AA.................................. Renumbered s. 3B .........	ad. No. 109, 1988 No. 49, 2001
S. 3BA..................................	ad. No. 141, 2005
S. 3A.................................... Renumbered s. 3C .........	ad. No. 61, 1983 No. 49, 2001
S. 3D....................................	ad. No. 49, 2001
Part II
Division 1
S. 4......................................	am. No. 61, 1983; No. 199, 1991; No. 33, 1994; No. 120, 1995; No. 141, 2005; No. 84, 2006; No. 139, 2010
S. 5......................................	am. No. 63, 1978; No. 155, 1979; No. 61, 1983; No. 199, 1991; Nos. 33 and 177, 1994; No. 146, 1999; No. 135, 2001; No. 125, 2002; Nos. 84 and 86, 2006; No. 5, 2011
S. 6......................................	am. No. 61, 1983; No. 168, 1986; No. 119, 1988; No. 63, 1989; Nos. 99 and 199, 1991; Nos. 33 and 177, 1994; No. 59, 1997; No. 146, 1999; No. 45, 2005; Nos. 25, 84 and 86, 2006; No. 51, 2010; No. 5, 2011
Heading to s. 6A................	am. No. 125, 2002
S. 6A....................................	ad. No. 135, 2001
	am. No. 125, 2002
S. 6B....................................	ad. No. 86, 2006
S. 6C....................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 7......................................	rs. No. 61, 1983
	am. No. 199, 1991
Subhead to s. 7A(1)...........	ad. No. 141, 2005
Subhead to s. 7A(2)...........	ad. No. 141, 2005
S. 7A....................................	ad. No. 61, 1983
	am. No. 168, 1986; No. 199, 1991; No. 141, 2005
Subhead to s. 8(1)..............	ad. No. 141, 2005
Subhead to s. 8(2)..............	ad. No. 141, 2005
Subhead to s. 8(3)..............	ad. No. 141, 2005
Subhead to s. 8(4)..............	ad. No. 141, 2005
Subhead to s. 8(8)..............	ad. No. 141, 2005
Subhead to s. 8(10)............	ad. No. 141, 2005
S. 8......................................	am. No. 61, 1983; No. 199, 1991; No. 33, 1994; No. 43, 1996; No. 141, 2005; No. 84, 2006
S. 8A....................................	ad. No. 61, 1983
	am. No. 199, 1991; No. 84, 2006
Heading to s. 8B................	am. No. 125, 2002
S. 8B....................................	ad. No. 135, 2001
	am. No. 125, 2002
S. 8C....................................	ad. No. 86, 2006
S. 8D....................................	ad. No. 84, 2006
S. 9......................................	am. No. 63, 1978; No. 61, 1983; No. 168, 1986; No. 109, 1988; No. 199, 1991; No. 137, 2000; No. 135, 2001; No. 125, 2002; No. 141, 2005; No. 86, 2006
S. 10....................................	am. No. 61, 1983; No. 199, 1991
S. 10A..................................	ad. No. 199, 1991
S. 11....................................	am. No. 61, 1983
	rs. No. 199, 1991
S. 11A..................................	ad. No. 61, 1983
	am. No. 199, 1991; No. 141, 2005
S. 12....................................	rs. No. 61, 1983
	am. No. 199, 1991
S. 13....................................	am. No. 199, 1991; No. 33, 1994
S. 14....................................	am. No. 168, 1986; No. 199, 1991; No. 141, 2005
Division 2
S. 15....................................	am. No. 61, 1983; No. 199, 1991
Ss. 16, 17............................	am. No. 199, 1991; No. 33, 1994
S. 18....................................	rs. No. 63, 1978
	rep. No. 61, 1983
	ad. No. 199, 1991
S. 19....................................	am. No. 63, 1978; No. 107, 1979; No. 61, 1983; No. 168, 1986; No. 109, 1988; No. 199, 1991; No. 141, 2005; No. 51, 2010
Part IIA
Part IIA.................................	ad. No. 61, 1983
S. 19A..................................	ad. No. 61, 1983
	rep. No. 168, 1986
S. 19B..................................	ad. No. 61, 1983
S. 19C..................................	ad. No. 61, 1983
	am. No. 199, 1991; No. 141, 2005
S. 19D..................................	ad. No. 61, 1983
	am. No. 199, 1991
S. 19E..................................	ad. No. 61, 1983
	am. No. 168, 1986; No. 199, 1991
S. 19F..................................	ad. No. 61, 1983
	am. No. 25, 2006
Part IIB
Part IIB.................................	ad. No. 25, 2006
Division 1
Ss. 19G, 19H.......................	ad. No. 25, 2006
Ss. 19J, 19K........................	ad. No. 25, 2006
Division 2
S. 19L..................................	ad. No. 25, 2006
S. 19M.................................	ad. No. 25, 2006
	am. No. 141, 2005
S. 19N..................................	ad. No. 25, 2006
Ss. 19P, 19Q.......................	ad. No. 25, 2006
Division 3
S. 19R..................................	ad. No. 25, 2006
	am. No. 141, 2005; No. 51, 2010; No. 5, 2011
Ss. 19S-19Z........................	ad. No. 25, 2006
Division 4
Ss. 19ZA-19ZC...................	ad. No. 25, 2006
S. 19ZD...............................	ad. No. 25, 2006
	am. No. 8, 2010
Division 5
S. 19ZE................................	ad. No. 25, 2006
	am. No. 45, 2005
Part IIC
Part IIC................................	ad. No. 11, 2011
Division 1
Ss. 19ZF-19ZH...................	ad. No. 11, 2011
Division 2
Ss. 19ZI-19ZL.....................	ad. No. 11, 2011
Division 3
Ss. 19ZM-19ZU..................	ad. No. 11, 2011
Part III
Division 1
S. 22....................................	am. No. 199, 1991; No. 43, 1996; No. 159, 2001
S. 23....................................	am. No. 63, 1978; No. 61, 1983; No. 109, 1988
S. 24....................................	am. No. 168, 1986; No. 43, 1996
S. 25....................................	rs. No. 122, 1991
	am. No. 146, 1999
S. 26....................................	am. No. 199, 1991
S. 28....................................	am. No. 61, 1981; No. 61, 1983; Nos. 122 and 199, 1991
S. 28A..................................	ad. No. 94, 1992
	am. No. 26, 2008
S. 28B..................................	ad. No. 94, 1992
	am. No. 26, 2008; No. 58, 2011
S. 29....................................	rs. No. 61, 1983
	am. No. 168, 1986; No. 199, 1991; No. 33, 1994; No. 141, 2005; No. 46, 2011
Note to s. 29(1)...................	ad. No. 46, 2011
Note to s. 29(1A)................	ad. No. 46, 2011
S. 30....................................	am. No. 199, 1991
	rep. No. 94, 1992
Division 2
S. 31....................................	am. No. 63, 1984; No. 146, 1999
S. 32....................................	rep. No. 65, 1985
Heading to Div. 3 of Part III .........................................	rep. No. 43, 1996
Part IV
S. 33....................................	am. No. 61, 1983; No. 199, 1991; No. 84, 2006
S. 34....................................	am. No. 63, 1978
	rs. No. 61, 1983
	am. No. 199, 1991; Nos. 25 and 84, 2006; No. 11, 2011
S. 35....................................	am. No. 63, 1978; No. 61, 1983; No. 119, 1988; No. 63, 1989; No. 199, 1991; No. 135, 2001; No. 141, 2005; Nos. 84 and 86, 2006; No. 51, 2010
S. 35AA................................	ad. No. 86, 2006
S. 35A..................................	ad. No. 61, 1983
	am. No. 177, 1994; No. 135, 2001; No. 141, 2005; No. 86, 2006; No. 5, 2011
Heading to s. 35B..............	am. No. 125, 2002
S. 35B..................................	ad. No. 135, 2001
	am. No. 125, 2002; No. 25, 2006
S. 35C..................................	ad. No. 86, 2006
S. 36....................................	am. No. 61, 1983; No. 199, 1991; No. 137, 2000; No. 49, 2001
S. 37....................................	am. No. 61, 1983
Part V...................................	ad. Statutory Rules 1978 No. 104 rep. No. 168, 1986
Ss. 39-42............................	ad. Statutory Rules 1978 No. 104
	rep. No. 168, 1986

Note 2

Education Services for Overseas Students Legislation Amendment (Tuition Protection Service and Other Measures) Act 2012 (No. 9, 2012)

The following amendments commence on 1 July 2012:

Schedule 5

6  Subsection 19ZJ(3)

Omit "or an accepted student,", substitute "an accepted student, or a former accepted student,".

7  Subsection 19ZK(5) (definition of statutory complaint handler)

Omit "or an accepted student, ", substitute "an accepted student, or a former accepted student,".

As at 12 April 2012 the amendments are not incorporated in this compilation.

Table A

Application, saving or transitional provisions

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.

Prime Minister and Cabinet Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001 (No. 49, 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.

Australian Crime Commission Establishment Act 2002  (No. 125, 2002)

Schedule 2

226  Transitional regulations

(1)       The Governor-General may make regulations prescribing matters of a transitional nature (including prescribing any saving or application provisions) arising out of the amendments made by this Schedule.

(2)       Despite subsection 48(2) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901, regulations made under this item within 1 year after commencement of this item may commence on a day earlier than the day on which they are made, but not earlier than the commencement of this item.

Postal Industry Ombudsman Act 2006 (No. 25, 2006)

Schedule 1

20  Application

(1)       The amendments made by Part 1 of this Schedule apply in relation to action taken by Australia Post or a registered PPO after the commencement of this Part.

21  Transitional--reports under section 19X

The first report under section 19X of the Ombudsman Act 1976 relating to the operations of the Postal Industry Ombudsman during a year must relate to the operations of the Postal Industry Ombudsman during the period that:

                     (a)  started on the commencement of this Part; and

                     (b)  ended on the 30 June first occurring after that commencement.

Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Act 2010 (No. 51, 2010)

Schedule 4

66  Application--Part 2

The amendments made by Part 2 apply in relation to a complaint made to the Ombudsman under the Ombudsman Act 1976 at or after the commencement of that Part (whether or not the action to which the complaint relates was taken before, at or after that commencement).

67  Savings--complaints on foot continue under old law

(1)       This item applies if:

                     (a)  before the commencement of Part 2, a complaint is made to the Ombudsman under the Ombudsman Act 1976; and

                     (b)  at the commencement of that Part, the Ombudsman has not informed the complainant of the result of the complaint under section 12 of that Act.

(2)       Despite the amendments made to the Ombudsman Act 1976 by Part 2, the Ombudsman must continue to deal with the complaint under the Ombudsman Act 1976 as if those amendments had not been made.

Education Services for Overseas Students Legislation Amendment Act 2011 (No. 11, 2011)

Schedule 2

8  Application of Part 1

The amendments made by Part 1 of this Schedule apply in relation to action taken by a private registered provider before or after this Schedule commences.

9  Transitional provision--reports under section 19ZS

The first report under section 19ZS of the Ombudsman Act 1976 relating to the operations of the Overseas Students Ombudsman during a year must relate to the operations of the Overseas Students Ombudsman during the period that:

                     (a)  started on the commencement of this Part; and

                     (b)  ended on the 30 June first occurring after 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.

Education Services for Overseas Students Legislation Amendment (Tuition Protection Service and Other Measures) Act 2012 (No. 9, 2012)

The following provision commences on 1 July 2012:

Schedule 5

8  Application

(2)       The amendments to the Ombudsman Act 1976 that are made by this Schedule apply in relation to any complaint made, or investigation commenced, after commencement.