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OFFSHORE MINERALS ACT 2003 (NO. 10 OF 2003)


TABLE OF PROVISIONS

           Long Title
           Preamble

CHAPTER 1 -- Introduction

   PART 1.1 -- Legislative formalities and background  

   1.      Short title  
   2.      Commencement  
   3.      Commonwealth-State agreement (the Offshore Constitutional Settlement)

   PART 1.2 -- Interpretation

           Division 1 -- General  

   4.      Notes in the text  
   5.      Interpretation  
   5A.     Relationship with Environmental Protection Act 1986  
   6.      Shares in a licence  
   7.      Transfer of a licence  
   8.      Successor licences  
   9.      Section number not used  
   10.     Position on the Earth’s surface  
   11.     Section number not used  
   12.     Power to vary and revoke instruments

           Division 2 -- Basic concepts  

   13.     – 15. Section numbers not used  
   16.     Coastal waters, and effect of change in baseline  
   17.     Blocks  
   18.     Reserved block  
   19.     Standard block  
   20.     Tender block  
   21.     Discrete area  
   22.     Minerals  
   23.     Exploration  
   24.     Recovery  
   25.     Licence holder  
   26.     Associates  
   27.     Confidential information  
   28.     Confidential sample

   PART 1.3 -- Administration of the Commonwealth-State offshore area  

   29.     Definitions  
   30.     Minister as member of Joint Authority, or as Designated Authority  
   31.     State officer acting under delegation  
   32.     – 34. Section numbers not used

   PART 1.4 -- Application of this Act  

   35.     Act does not apply to exploration for or recovery of petroleum  
   36.     Section number not used  
   37.     Act applies to all individuals and corporations

CHAPTER 2 -- Regulation of offshore exploration and mining

   PART 2.1 -- General  

   38.     General prohibition on exploring and mining without appropriate authorisation  
   38A.    Exploration and mining in marine reserves and fish habitat protection areas  
   38B.    Consultation with other Ministers  
   39.     Licences and consents available under this Act  
   40.     Steps involved in the grant of a fully effective licence  
   41.     Approval of form and manner of applications etc.  
   42.     Rights to minerals recovered  
   43.     Effect of grant of licence or special purpose consent on native title  
   44.     Licence etc. does not authorise unnecessary interference with other activities in the licence area

   PART 2.2 -- Exploration licences

           Division 1 -- General  

   45.     Exploration licences  
   46.     Activities authorised by an exploration licence  
   47.     Minister may cancel or not renew exploration licence without compensation  
   48.     Licence rights may be suspended  
   49.     Compensation for acquisition of property due to suspension of rights

           Division 2 -- Application for and grant of exploration licence over standard blocks  

   50.     Application for exploration licence over standard block  
   51.     Excluded blocks  
   52.     Minister may determine that excluded block is available  
   53.     Minister may allow application for more than one discrete area  
   54.     How to apply  
   55.     Effect of inclusion of unavailable block in application  
   56.     Payment of fee  
   57.     Application must be advertised  
   58.     How multiple applications are dealt with  
   59.     Discussions about blocks applied for  
   60.     Advertising revised application  
   61.     Request for further information  
   62.     Section number not used  
   63.     Minister may provisionally grant licence  
   64.     Section number not used  
   65.     Matters to be specified in the licence  
   66.     Applicant must be notified  
   67.     Amendment of conditions  
   68.     Amendment of security requirements  
   69.     Extension of primary payment period  
   70.     Acceptance of grant of exploration licence for standard block  
   71.     Conditions applicable to licence on grant  
   72.     Lapse of provisional grant of exploration licence

           Division 3 -- Application for and grant of exploration licence over tender block  

   73.     Matters to be determined before applications for exploration licence over tender blocks invited  
   74.     Minister may invite applications for exploration licence over tender blocks  
   75.     Tender block licence notice -- exploration licence  
   76.     Application for exploration licence over tender blocks  
   77.     How to apply  
   78.     Payment of fee  
   79.     Request for further information  
   80.     Section number not used  
   81.     Minister may provisionally grant licence  
   82.     Section number not used  
   83.     Successful applicant must be notified  
   84.     Acceptance of grant of exploration licence over tender blocks  
   85.     Conditions applicable to licence on grant  
   86.     Lapse of provisional grant of exploration licence  
   87.     Provisional grant to next applicant if grant lapses

           Division 4 -- Duration of exploration licence  

   88.     Initial term of exploration licence  
   89.     Term of renewal of exploration licence  
   90.     Effect of suspension of rights on term of exploration licence  
   91.     Effect of application for renewal on term of exploration licence  
   92.     Effect of application for retention licence or mining licence on term of exploration licence  
   93.     Effect of application for extension on term of licence  
   94.     Extension of licence -- activities disrupted  
   95.     Grant of licence extension -- activities disrupted  
   96.     Extension of licence -- other circumstances  
   97.     Grant of licence extension -- other circumstances  
   98.     Notification of decision

           Division 5 -- Voluntary surrender of part of exploration licence area  

   99.     Voluntary surrender of blocks if discrete area remains  
   100.    Voluntary surrender of blocks if up to 3 discrete areas remain

           Division 6 -- Application for and grant of renewal of exploration licence  

   101.    Application for renewal of exploration licence  
   102.    When application to be made  
   103.    How to apply for renewal  
   104.    Mandatory reduction of licence area on renewal of exploration licence  
   105.    Request for further information  
   106.    Payment of fee  
   107.    Section number not used  
   108.    Provisional renewal of an exploration licence  
   109.    Section number not used  
   110.    Applicant must be notified  
   111.    Amendment of conditions  
   112.    Amendment of security requirements  
   113.    Extension of primary payment period  
   114.    Acceptance of renewal of exploration licence  
   115.    Conditions applicable to licence on renewal  
   116.    Lapse of provisional renewal of exploration licence

           Division 7 -- Obligations associated with exploration licence  

   117.    General  
   118.    Conditions of exploration licence  
   119.    No conditions requiring payment of money  
   120.    Variation of conditions  
   121.    Exemption from or suspension of conditions  
   122.    Automatic suspension of conditions if licence rights are suspended  
   123.    Work practices  
   124.    Licence holder must keep specified records etc.  
   125.    Licence holder must assist inspectors

           Division 8 -- Expiry of exploration licence  

   126.    General  
   127.    Voluntary surrender of exploration licence  
   128.    Automatic expiry of exploration licence when retention licence takes effect  
   129.    Automatic expiry of exploration licence when mining licence takes effect  
   130.    Cancellation of exploration licence  
   131.    Obligations of former exploration licence holders and former associates

   PART 2.3 -- Retention licences

           Division 1 -- General  

   132.    Retention licences  
   133.    Activities authorised by a retention licence  
   134.    Minister may cancel or not renew retention licence without compensation  
   135.    Licence rights may be suspended  
   136.    Compensation for acquisition of property due to suspension of rights

           Division 2 -- Application for and grant of retention licence  

   137.    Application for retention licence  
   138.    How to apply  
   139.    Payment of fee  
   140.    Application must be advertised  
   141.    Request for further information  
   142.    Section number not used  
   143.    Minister may provisionally grant licence  
   144.    Section number not used  
   145.    Grounds for granting retention licence  
   146.    Matters to be specified in the licence  
   147.    Applicant must be notified  
   148.    Amendment of conditions  
   149.    Amendment of security requirements  
   150.    Extension of primary payment period  
   151.    Acceptance of grant of retention licence  
   152.    Conditions applicable to licence on grant  
   153.    Lapse of provisional grant of retention licence

           Division 3 -- Duration of retention licence  

   154.    Initial term of retention licence  
   155.    Term of renewal of licence  
   156.    Effect of application for renewal on term of retention licence  
   157.    Effect of application for mining licence on term of retention licence

           Division 4 -- Voluntary surrender of part of retention licence area  

   158.    Voluntary surrender of blocks if discrete area remains

           Division 5 -- Application for and grant of renewal of retention licence  

   159.    Application for renewal of retention licence  
   160.    When application to be made  
   161.    How to apply for renewal  
   162.    Request for further information  
   163.    Payment of fee  
   164.    Section number not used  
   165.    Provisional renewal of retention licence  
   166.    Section number not used  
   167.    Matters that may be taken into account  
   168.    Refusal of application for renewal  
   169.    Applicant must be notified  
   170.    Amendment of conditions  
   171.    Amendment of security requirements  
   172.    Extension of primary payment period  
   173.    Acceptance of renewal of retention licence  
   174.    Conditions applicable to licence on renewal  
   175.    Lapse of provisional renewal of retention licence

           Division 6 -- Obligations associated with retention licence  

   176.    General  
   177.    Conditions of retention licence  
   178.    No conditions requiring payment of money  
   179.    Variation of conditions  
   180.    Exemption from or suspension of conditions  
   181.    Automatic suspension of conditions if licence rights are suspended  
   182.    Significant changes in circumstances to be reported to Minister  
   183.    Work practices  
   184.    Licence holder must keep specified records etc.  
   185.    Licence holder must assist inspectors

           Division 7 -- Expiry of retention licence  

   186.    General  
   187.    Voluntary surrender of retention licence  
   188.    Automatic expiry of retention licence when mining licence takes effect  
   189.    Cancellation of retention licence, breach of condition etc.  
   190.    Cancellation of retention licence, mining activities viable  
   191.    Obligations of former retention licence holders and former associates

   PART 2.4 -- Mining licences

           Division 1 -- General  

   192.    Mining licences  
   193.    Activities authorised by a mining licence  
   194.    Minister may cancel or not renew mining licence without compensation  
   195.    Licence rights may be suspended  
   196.    Compensation for acquisition of property due to suspension of rights

           Division 2 -- Application for and grant of mining licence over standard blocks  

   197.    Application for mining licence over vacant standard block  
   198.    Holder of exploration licence or retention licence may apply for mining licence  
   199.    How to apply  
   200.    Effect of inclusion of unavailable block in application  
   201.    Payment of fee  
   202.    Application must be advertised  
   203.    How multiple applications are dealt with  
   204.    Request for further information  
   205.    Section number not used  
   206.    Minister may provisionally grant licence  
   207.    Restriction in case of marine nature reserve or marine park  
   208.    Refusal of application for mining licence made under section 198  
   209.    Matters to be specified in the licence  
   210.    Applicant must be notified  
   211.    Amendment of conditions  
   212.    Amendment of security requirements  
   213.    Extension of primary payment period  
   214.    Acceptance of grant of mining licence for standard block  
   215.    Conditions applicable to licence on grant  
   216.    Lapse of provisional grant of mining licence

           Division 3 -- Application for and grant of mining licence over tender block  

   217.    Matters to be determined before applications for mining licence over tender blocks invited  
   218.    Minister may invite applications for mining licence over tender blocks  
   219.    Tender block licence notice -- mining licence  
   220.    Application for mining licence over tender blocks  
   221.    How to apply  
   222.    Payment of fee  
   223.    Request for further information  
   224.    Section number not used  
   225.    Minister may provisionally grant licence  
   226.    Restriction in case of marine nature reserve or marine park  
   227.    Successful applicant must be notified  
   228.    Acceptance of grant of mining licence over tender blocks  
   229.    Conditions applicable to licence on grant  
   230.    Lapse of provisional grant of mining licence  
   231.    Provisional grant to next applicant if grant lapses

           Division 4 -- Duration of mining licence  

   232.    Initial term of mining licence  
   233.    Term of renewal of licence  
   234.    Effect of application for renewal on term of mining licence

           Division 5 -- Voluntary surrender of part of mining licence area  

   235.    Voluntary surrender of blocks if discrete area remains

           Division 6 -- Application for and grant of renewal of mining licence  

   236.    Application for renewal of mining licence  
   237.    When application to be made  
   238.    How to apply for renewal  
   239.    Request for further information  
   240.    Payment of fee  
   241.    Section number not used  
   242.    Provisional renewal of mining licence  
   243.    Section number not used  
   244.    Matters that may be taken into account  
   245.    Refusal of application for renewal  
   246.    Applicant must be notified  
   247.    Amendment of conditions  
   248.    Amendment of security requirements  
   249.    Extension of primary payment period  
   250.    Acceptance of renewal of mining licence  
   251.    Conditions applicable to licence on renewal  
   252.    Lapse of provisional renewal of mining licence

           Division 7 -- Obligations associated with mining licence  

   253.    General  
   254.    Conditions of mining licence  
   255.    No conditions requiring payment of money  
   256.    Variation of conditions  
   257.    Exemption from or suspension of conditions  
   258.    Automatic suspension of conditions if licence rights are suspended  
   259.    Work practices  
   260.    Licence holder must pay royalty  
   261.    Licence holder must keep specified records  
   262.    Licence holder must assist inspectors

           Division 8 -- Expiry of mining licence  

   263.    General  
   264.    Voluntary surrender of mining licence  
   265.    Cancellation of mining licence  
   266.    Obligations of former mining licence holders and former associates

   PART 2.5 -- Works licences

           Division 1 -- General  

   267.    Works licences  
   268.    Activities authorised by a works licence  
   269.    Minister may cancel or not renew works licence without compensation

           Division 2 -- Application for and grant of works licence  

   270.    Application for works licence  
   271.    How to apply  
   272.    Payment of fee  
   273.    Applicant to notify licence holders affected by the application  
   274.    Application must be advertised  
   275.    Section number not used  
   276.    Minister may provisionally grant licence  
   277.    Section number not used  
   278.    Matters to be specified in the licence  
   279.    Applicant must be notified  
   280.    Amendment of conditions  
   281.    Amendment of security requirements  
   282.    Extension of primary payment period  
   283.    Acceptance of grant of works licence  
   284.    Conditions applicable to works licence on grant  
   285.    Lapse of provisional grant of works licence

           Division 3 -- Duration of works licence  

   286.    Initial term of works licence  
   287.    Term of renewal of works licence  
   288.    Effect of application for renewal on term of works licence

           Division 4 -- Application for and grant of renewal of works licence  

   289.    Application for renewal of works licence  
   290.    When application to be made  
   291.    How to apply for renewal  
   292.    Payment of fee  
   293.    Section number not used  
   294.    Provisional renewal of works licence  
   295.    Section number not used  
   296.    Applicant must be notified  
   297.    Amendment of conditions  
   298.    Amendment of security requirements  
   299.    Extension of primary payment period  
   300.    Acceptance of renewal of works licence  
   301.    Conditions applicable to works licence on renewal  
   302.    Lapse of provisional renewal of works licence

           Division 5 -- Obligations associated with works licence  

   303.    General  
   304.    Conditions of works licence  
   305.    No conditions requiring payment of money  
   306.    Variation of conditions  
   307.    Exemption from or suspension of conditions  
   308.    Work practices  
   309.    Licence holder must keep specified records etc.  
   310.    Licence holder must assist inspectors

           Division 6 -- Expiry of works licence  

   311.    General  
   312.    Voluntary surrender of works licence  
   313.    Cancellation of works licence  
   314.    Obligations of former works licence holders and former associates

   PART 2.6 -- Special purpose consents  

   315.    Special purpose consents  
   316.    Activities authorised by a special purpose consent  
   317.    Application for a consent  
   318.    How to apply  
   319.    Payment of fee  
   320.    Applicant must obtain agreement of exploration, retention and mining licence holders affected by the application  
   321.    Applicant to notify works licence holders affected by the application  
   322.    Section number not used  
   323.    Minister may grant special purpose consent  
   324.    Section number not used  
   325.    Matters to be specified in the consent  
   326.    Duration of consent  
   327.    Conditions of consent

CHAPTER 3 -- Registration and Dealings

   PART 3.1 -- Registration

           Division 1 -- Preliminary  

   328.    Register to be kept  
   329.    Document files to be kept  
   330.    Form of register and document file  
   331.    Correction of errors in the register  
   332.    Inspection of register and documents

           Division 2 -- Matters to be entered in register

              Subdivision A -- Licences  

   333.    Licences  
   334.    Renewal of licences  
   335.    Extension of exploration licences  
   336.    Expiry of licences  
   337.    Variations etc. to licences  
   338.    Transfer of licences  
   339.    Other dealings in licences  
   340.    Devolution of licences

              Subdivision B -- Caveats  

   341.    Effect of a caveat  
   342.    Lodgment of caveats  
   343.    Form of caveat  
   344.    Payment of fee  
   345.    Caveat to be registered  
   346.    Withdrawal of caveat  
   347.    Form of withdrawal  
   348.    Duration of caveat  
   349.    Notice to caveat holder  
   350.    Caveat holder may consent to registration  
   351.    Orders that can be made by a court in relation to caveats

           Division 3 -- Miscellaneous  

   352.    Fees for registration  
   352A.   Exemption from stamp duty  
   353.    Protection from legal actions  
   354.    Application to court for correction of register  
   355.    Appeals against determinations under section 352  
   356.    Section number not used  
   357.    Evidentiary value of register  
   358.    Certified copy of document on document file  
   359.    Certification of registration action

   PART 3.2 -- Dealings in licences

           Division 1 -- Dealings in licences to be in writing and registered  

   360.    Dealings in licences to be in writing  
   361.    Dealings in interests in licences not effective until registered

           Division 2 -- Approval of transfer of licences  

   362.    Transfers require approval by Minister  
   363.    Application for approval of transfer  
   364.    Minister may ask for further information  
   365.    Minister’s response to application for approval  
   366.    Protection from legal actions

CHAPTER 4 -- Administration

   PART 4.1 -- Information management  

   367.    Minister may ask person for information  
   368.    Power to ask person to appear  
   369.    Power to examine on oath or affirmation  
   370.    Minister may ask for documents  
   371.    Minister may ask for samples  
   372.    Obligation to comply with request under section 367, 368, 369, 370 or  
   373.    Immunity from use of information etc. given in response to request under section 367, 368, 369, 370 or 371  
   374.    Restrictions on release of confidential material  
   375.    Circumstances in which confidential material may be released  
   376.    Certain reports to be made available

   PART 4.2 -- Monitoring and enforcement

           Division 1 -- Inspections  

   377.    Compliance inspections  
   378.    Powers exercisable in course of inspection  
   379.    Inspection of licence-related premises etc. without warrant  
   380.    Inspection of other premises etc. with occupier’s consent  
   381.    Inspection of other premises etc. with warrant  
   382.    Procedure for obtaining warrant  
   383.    Further provisions as to exercise of powers under warrant  
   384.    Occupier to cooperate with inspector

           Division 2 -- Directions  

   385.    Directions by Minister must be obeyed  
   386.    Scope of directions  
   387.    Minister may give directions  
   388.    Direction may incorporate material in another document  
   389.    Direction may impose absolute prohibition  
   390.    Direction may extend to associates  
   391.    Holder to give notice of direction to associates  
   392.    Power to give directions after licence etc. ends  
   393.    Effect of directions on other instruments  
   394.    Minister may specify time for compliance  
   395.    Minister may take action if holder fails to comply  
   396.    Costs incurred by Minister in taking action under section 395  
   397.    Defences to actions to recover debts

           Division 3 -- Securities  

   398.    Securities  
   399.    Determination of requirement to lodge security  
   400.    Application of security

           Division 4 -- Restoration of environment  

   401.    Removal of property from coastal waters  
   402.    Rehabilitation of damaged areas

           Division 5 -- Safety zones  

   403.    Declaration of safety zone around a structure or equipment  
   404.    Effect of declaration of safety zone  
   405.    – 420. Section numbers not used

   PART 4.3 -- Inspectors  

   421.    Appointment of inspectors  
   422.    Identity cards  
   423.    Return of identity card

   PART 4.4 -- Licence fees and royalty

           Division 1 -- Licence fees  

   424.    Definition  
   425.    Licence fees  
   426.    Limit on amount of fees  
   427.    Time for payment

           Division 2 -- Royalty  

   428.    Definition  
   429.    Royalty  
   430.    Rate of royalty  
   431.    Reduction of royalty in certain cases  
   432.    Fixing of landed value  
   433.    Fixing of quantity  
   434.    Time for payment  
   435.    State to pay 40% of royalties to Commonwealth

           Division 3 -- Penalties and recovery  

   436.    Penalty if fee or royalty overdue  
   437.    Fees etc. recoverable as debts

           Chapter 5 -- Miscellaneous  

   438.    State functions under Part 5.1 of Commonwealth Act  
   439.    Minister’s approval required for certain transactions under Land Administration Act 1997  
   440.    Delegation by Minister  
   441.    False statements  
   442.    Service of documents on licence holders etc.  
   443.    Regulations  
   444.    Savings and transitional provisions
           SCHEDULE 1 -- Area in which coastal waters are situated
           SCHEDULE 2 -- Savings and transitional provisions  
           

[Assented to 17 April 2003]



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