Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

ATOMIC ENERGY ACT 1953 - NOTES

No. 31, 1953

Compilation No. 9

Compilation date: 30 November 2022

Includes amendments up to: Act No. 63, 2022

Registered: 8 December 2022

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Atomic Energy Act 1953 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 30 November 2022 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Self-repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

Contents

Part I--Preliminary

1 Short title

2 Commencement

5 Interpretation

6 Act binds the Crown

7 Extension to external Territories

34 Exercise of powers

34A Application of the Criminal Code

Part II--Title to and information concerning prescribed substances

35 Title of Crown to prescribed substances in Territories of the Commonwealth

36 Notification of discovery of prescribed substance

37 Power to obtain information

Part III--The Ranger Project

Division 1--Authority to carry on mining etc.

41 Authority to mine prescribed substances on behalf of, or in association with, the Commonwealth

41B Assignment of interests in authorities under section 41

41C Further authority under section 41 in respect of Ranger Project Area

Division 2--Authority to carry on rehabilitation etc.

41CA Authority to carry on rehabilitation etc.

41CB Application for rehabilitation authority

41CC Powers under rehabilitation authority

41CD Rehabilitation authority may impose conditions, restrictions and requirements

41CE Rehabilitation authority must impose rehabilitation requirements

41CF Termination of previous Part III authorities

41CG Assignment of interests in rehabilitation authority

Division 3--Close-out of Part III authorities

41CH When rehabilitation requirements are taken to be satisfied in relation to an area of land

41CI When authority is no longer in force in relation to an area of land

Division 4--Variation and revocation of Part III authorities

41CJ Variation of Part III authorities--overview

41CK Minister may vary Part III authority

41CL Variation of Part III authorities--agreement with Land Council must be in force

41CM Variation of Part III authorities--consultation

41CN Variation of Part III authorities--notice etc.

41CO Variation of Part III authorities--timing

41CP Variation of Part III authorities--other matters

41CQ Revocation of Part III authorities--overview

41CR Minister may revoke authority under section 41

41CS Variation and revocation must be consistent with Commonwealth obligations

Division 5--Other matters relating to Part III authorities

41CT Conferral of functions and powers

41CU Incorporation of matters in other instruments

41CV Part III authority not a legislative instrument

41CW Exemption from Part 3 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

41CX Restrictions under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 on entry onto land etc.

41CY Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws

Division 6--Offences and compensation

41D Offences relating to breach of condition etc.

41E Offences relating to entry etc. on land

42 Compensation for certain matters

43 Compensation for acquisition of property

Part V--Miscellaneous

59 Delegation

65 Regulations

Endnotes

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

Endnote 3--Legislation history

Endnote 4--Amendment history

Endnotes

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

Endnote 3--Legislation history

Endnote 4--Amendment history

Abbreviation key--Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history--Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section  15V of the Legislation Act 2003.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and "(md not incorp)" is added to the amendment history.

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

 

ad = added or inserted	o = order(s)
am = amended	Ord = Ordinance
amdt = amendment	orig = original
c = clause(s)	par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)
C[x] = Compilation No. x	/sub-subparagraph(s)
Ch = Chapter(s)	pres = present
def = definition(s)	prev = previous
Dict = Dictionary	(prev ... ) = previously
disallowed = disallowed by Parliament	Pt = Part(s)
Div = Division(s)	r = regulation(s)/rule(s)
ed = editorial change	reloc = relocated
exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have	renum = renumbered
effect	rep = repealed
F = Federal Register of Legislation	rs = repealed and substituted
gaz = gazette	s = section(s)/subsection(s)
LA = Legislation Act 2003	Sch = Schedule(s)
LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003	Sdiv = Subdivision(s)
(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given	SLI = Select Legislative Instrument
effect	SR = Statutory Rules
(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment	Sub-Ch = Sub-Chapter(s)
cannot be given effect	SubPt = Subpart(s)
mod = modified/modification	underlining = whole or part not
No. = Number(s)	commenced or to be commenced

Endnote 3--Legislation history

 

Act	Number and year	Assent	Commencement	Application, saving and transitional provisions
Atomic Energy Act 1953	31, 1953	15 Apr 1953	15 Apr 1953
Atomic Energy Act 1958	1, 1958	1 Apr 1958	1 Apr 1958	s 3(2)
Statute Law Revision (Decimal Currency) Act 1966	93, 1966	29 Oct 1966	1 Dec 1966	--
Atomic Energy Act 1973	131, 1973	13 Nov 1973	13 Nov 1973	--
Statute Law Revision Act 1973	216, 1973	19 Dec 1973	31 Dec 1973	s 9(1) and 10
Administrative Changes (Consequential Provisions) Act 1976	91, 1976	20 Sept 1976	Sch: 22 Dec 1975 (s 2(7)) s 4: 20 Sept 1975 (s.2(1))	s 4
Atomic Energy Amendment Act 1978	31, 1978	9 June 1978	9 June 1978	--
Administrative Changes (Consequential Provisions) Act 1978	36, 1978	12 June 1978	12 June 1978	--
Atomic Energy Amendment Act (No. 2) 1978	182, 1978	4 Dec 1978	s 6: 15 Jan 1979 (see Gazette 1979, No. S3) Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Atomic Energy Amendment Act 1979	44, 1979	14 June 1979	14 June 1979	s 9
Australian Federal Police (Consequential Amendments) Act 1979	155, 1979	28 Nov 1979	19 Oct 1979 (see s 2 and Gazette 1979, No. S206)	--
Atomic Energy Amendment Act 1980	9, 1980	29 Mar 1980	29 Mar 1980	--
Australian Federal Police (Consequential Amendments) Act 1980	70, 1980	28 May 1980	28 May 1980	--
Atomic Energy Amendment Act (No. 2) 1980	119, 1980	11 Sept 1980	11 Sept 1980	--
Statute Law Revision Act 1981	61, 1981	12 June 1981	s 115: Royal Assent	--
Public Service Reform Act 1984	63, 1984	25 June 1984	s 151(1), (9): 1 July 1984 (see Gazette 1984, No. S245) s 152(1): 20 July 1984 (see Gazette 1984, No. S276)	s 151(9)
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 1) 1985	65, 1985	5 June 1985	s 3: 3 July 1985	--
Atomic Energy Amendment Act 1987	5, 1987	13 Mar 1987	27 Apr 1987 (see s 2 and Gazette 1987, No. S68)	--
Industry, Science and Resources Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001	140, 2001	1 Oct 2001	s 4 and Sch 1 (items 1-8): 2 Oct 2001 (s 2)	s 4
Statute Law Revision Act 2008	73, 2008	3 July 2008	Sch 4 (items 53-76): 4 July 2008 (s 2(1) item 64)	--
Statute Law Revision Act (No. 2) 2015	145, 2015	12 Nov 2015	Sch 3 (item 6): 10 Dec 2015 (s 2(1) item 7)	--
Statute Law Revision Act (No. 1) 2016	4, 2016	11 Feb 2016	Sch 4 (items 1, 21): 10 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 6)	--
Statute Update Act 2016	61, 2016	23 Sept 2016	Sch 1 (items 38-48): 21 Oct 2016 (s 2(1) item 1)	--
Atomic Energy Amendment (Mine Rehabilitation and Closure) Act 2022	63, 2022	29 Nov 2022	30 Nov 2022 (s 2(1) item 1)	Sch 1 (items 25, 26)

Endnote 4--Amendment history

 

Provision affected	How affected
Part I
s. 3.....................	rep. No. 216, 1973
s. 4.....................	rep. No. 5, 1987
s 5.....................	am No 131, 1973; No 216, 1973; No 31, 1978; No 182, 1978; No 44, 1979; No 155, 1979; No 70, 1980; No 119, 1980; No 63, 1984; No  5, 1987; No 63, 2022
s. 6.....................	rs. No. 5, 1987
	am No 145, 2015
s. 7.....................	am. Nos. 131 and 216, 1973
	rs. No. 5, 1987
Part II...................	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 8.....................	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 9.....................	am. No. 1, 1958; No. 131, 1973; No. 44, 1979
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 10....................	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 11....................	am. No. 216, 1973
	rs. No. 31, 1978
	rep. No. 65, 1985
s. 11A...................	ad. No. 31, 1978
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 12....................	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 12A...................	ad. No. 1, 1958
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 13....................	rs. No. 1, 1958
	am. No. 131, 1973; No. 44, 1979
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 14....................	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 15....................	am. No. 1, 1958; No. 44, 1979
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 16....................	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 17....................	am. Nos. 131 and 216, 1973; No. 31, 1978
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 18....................	am. No. 44, 1979
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 19....................	am. No. 91, 1976
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 20....................	am. No. 31, 1978
	rep. No. 5, 1987
Division 3................	rs. No. 44, 1979
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 21....................	am. No. 1, 1958; No. 93, 1966; No. 216, 1973
	rs. No. 44, 1979
	am. No. 63, 1984
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 22....................	am. No. 216, 1973; No. 31, 1978
	rs. No. 44, 1979
	rep. No. 65, 1985
ss. 23, 24.................	rep. No. 44, 1979
s. 25....................	rs. No. 1, 1958
	am. No. 216, 1973
	rs. No. 44, 1979
	rep. No. 5, 1987
ss. 26, 27.................	rs. No. 1, 1958
	am. No. 216, 1973; No. 36, 1978
	rs. No. 44, 1979
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 28....................	rs. No. 44, 1979
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 29....................	am. No. 93, 1966
	rs. No. 44, 1979
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 30....................	rs. No. 1, 1958; No. 44, 1979; No. 119, 1980
	rep. No. 5, 1987
ss. 30AA-30AC............	ad. No. 119, 1980
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 30A...................	ad. No. 1, 1958
	rs. No. 44, 1979
	rep. No. 5, 1987
ss. 30B-30D..............	ad. No. 44, 1979
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 31....................	rs. No. 1, 1958
	am. Nos. 31 and 36, 1978; No. 44, 1979
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 32....................	am. No. 216, 1973
	rs. No. 44, 1979
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 33....................	am. No. 36, 1978
	rep. No. 5, 1987
Part III heading.............	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 34....................	am. No. 216, 1973
	rs. No. 31, 1978; No. 5, 1987
s. 34A...................	ad. No. 140, 2001
Part II
Part II heading.............	ad. No. 5, 1987
s. 35....................	am. Nos. 131 and 216, 1973; No. 44, 1979
s 36....................	am No 44, 1979; No 5, 1987; No 140, 2001; No 73, 2008; No 61, 2016
s 37....................	am No 5, 1987; No 140, 2001; No 73, 2008; No 61, 2016
s. 38....................	am. No. 1, 1958; Nos. 131 and 216, 1973
	rs. No. 31, 1978
	rep. No. 5, 1987
ss. 39, 40.................	rep. No. 5, 1987
Part III
Part III heading.............	ad. No. 5, 1987
Division 1
Division 1 heading..........	ad No 63, 2022
s 41....................	am No 31, 1978; No 182, 1978; No 44, 1979; No 9, 1980; No 119, 1980; No 61, 1981; No 5, 1987; No  73, 2008; No 63, 2022
s 41A...................	ad No 182, 1978
	am No 73, 2008;
	rep No 63, 2022
s. 41B...................	ad. No. 182, 1978
	am. No. 73, 2008
s. 41C...................	ad. No. 182, 1978
	am. No. 73, 2008
Division 2
Division 2................	ad No 63, 2022
s 41CA..................	ad No 63, 2022
s 41CB..................	ad No 63, 2022
s 41CC..................	ad No 63, 2022
s 41CD..................	ad No 63, 2022
s 41CE..................	ad No 63, 2022
s 41CF..................	ad No 63, 2022
s 41CG..................	ad No 63, 2022
Division 3
Division 3................	ad No 63, 2022
s 41CH..................	ad No 63, 2022
s 41CI...................	ad No 63, 2022
Division 4
Division 4................	ad No 63, 2022
s 41CJ...................	ad No 63, 2022
s 41CK..................	ad No 63, 2022
s 41CL..................	ad No 63, 2022
s 41CM..................	ad No 63, 2022
s 41CN..................	ad No 63, 2022
s 41CO..................	ad No 63, 2022
s 41CP..................	ad No 63, 2022
s 41CQ..................	ad No 63, 2022
s 41CR..................	ad No 63, 2022
s 31CS..................	ad No 63, 2022
Division 5
Division 5................	ad No 63, 2022
s 41CT..................	ad No 63, 2022
s 41CU..................	ad No 63, 2022
s 41CV..................	ad No 63, 2022
s 41CW..................	ad No 63, 2022
s 41CX..................	ad No 63, 2022
s 41CY..................	ad No 63, 2022
Division 6
Division 6 heading..........	ad No 63, 2022
s 41D...................	ad No 5, 1987
	am No 140, 2001; No 61, 2016; No 63, 2022
s 41E...................	ad No 140, 2001
	am No 4, 2016; No 61, 2016
s 42....................	am No 182, 1978; No 5, 1987; No 63, 2022
s 43....................	am No 93, 1966; No 131, 1973; No 31, 1978; No 44, 1979
	rep No. 5, 1987
	ad No 63, 2022
Part IV..................	rep. No. 5, 1987
ss. 44-46.................	am. No. 44, 1979
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 47....................	am. No. 131, 1973
	rep. No. 5, 1987
ss. 48, 49.................	am. No. 44, 1979
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 50....................	am. Nos. 131 and 216, 1973; No. 44, 1979
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 51....................	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 52....................	am. Nos. 131 and 216, 1973
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 53....................	am. No. 44, 1979
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 54....................	am. No. 216, 1973
	rep. No. 9, 1980
s. 55....................	am. No. 44, 1979
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 56....................	am. No. 131, 1973; No. 44, 1979
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 57....................	am. No. 44, 1979
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 58....................	rep. No. 9, 1980
Part V
s. 59....................	am. No. 73, 2008
s. 60....................	rs. No. 9, 1980
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 61....................	am. Nos. 131 and 216, 1973
	rep. No. 31, 1978
s. 62....................	am. No. 44, 1979
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 63....................	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 64....................	am. No. 93, 1966; No. 131, 1973; No. 44, 1979
	rep. No. 5, 1987
s. 65....................	am. No. 93, 1966; No. 44, 1979
	rs. No. 5, 1987
The Schedule heading........	rep. No. 131, 1973
Schedule heading...........	ad. No. 131, 1973
	rep. No. 5, 1987
Schedule.................	rep. No. 5, 1987