Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated ActsNo. 169, 2000
Compilation No. 14
Compilation date: 14 October 2024
Includes amendments: Act No. 39, 2024
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Gene Technology Act 2000 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 14 October 2024 (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 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 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 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If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.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 1--Preliminary
1 Short title
2 Commencement
3 Object of Act
4 Regulatory framework to achieve object
5 Nationally consistent scheme
6 Act to bind the Crown
7 External Territories
8 Offences
Part 2--Interpretation and operation of Act
Division 1--Simplified outline
9 Simplified outline
Division 2--Definitions
10 Definitions
11 Meaning of intentional release of a GMO into the environment
12 Meaning of corresponding State law
Division 3--Operation of Act
13 Operation of Act
14 Wind-back of reach of Act
15 Relationship to other Commonwealth laws
Division 4--Provisions to facilitate a nationally consistent scheme
Subdivision A--General provisions
16 State laws may operate concurrently
17 Conferral of functions on Commonwealth officers and bodies
18 No doubling-up of liabilities
19 Review of certain decisions
20 Things done for multiple purposes
Subdivision B--Policy principles, policy guidelines and codes of practice
21 Ministerial Council may issue policy principles
22 Consultation on policy principles
23 Ministerial Council may issue policy guidelines
24 Ministerial Council may issue codes of practice
Part 3--The Gene Technology Regulator
25 Simplified outline
26 The Gene Technology Regulator
27 Functions of the Regulator
28 Powers of the Regulator
29 Delegation
30 Independence of the Regulator
Part 4--Regulation of dealings with GMOs
Division 1--Simplified outline
31 Simplified outline
Division 2--Dealings with GMOs must be licensed
32 Person not to deal with a GMO without a licence
33 Person not to deal with a GMO without a licence--strict liability offence
34 Person must not breach conditions of a GMO licence
35 Person must not breach conditions of a GMO licence--strict liability offence
35A Person must not breach conditions of emergency dealing determination
35B Person must not breach conditions of emergency dealing determination--strict liability offence
36 Person must not breach conditions on GMO Register
37 Offence relating to notifiable low risk dealings
38 Aggravated offences--significant damage to health or safety of people or to the environment
Part 5--Licensing system
Division 1--Simplified outline
39 Simplified outline
Division 2--Licence applications
40 Person may apply for a licence
40A Licences relating to inadvertent dealings
41 Application may be withdrawn
42 Regulator may require applicant to give further information
43 Regulator must consider applications except in certain circumstances
44 Regulator may consult with applicant
45 Regulator must not use certain information in considering licence application
Division 3--Initial consideration of licences for dealings not involving intentional release of a GMO into the environment
46 Applications to which this Division applies
46A Division does not apply to an application relating to inadvertent dealings
47 What the Regulator must do in relation to application
Division 4--Initial consideration of licences for dealings involving intentional release of a GMO into the environment
48 Applications to which this Division applies
49 Division does not apply to an application relating to inadvertent dealings
50 Regulator must prepare risk assessment and risk management plan
50A Limited and controlled release applications
51 Matters Regulator must take into account in preparing risk assessment and risk management plan
52 Public notification of risk assessment and risk management plan
53 Regulator may take other actions
54 Person may request copies of certain documents
Division 5--Decision on licence etc.
55 Regulator must make a decision on licence and licence conditions
56 Regulator must not issue the licence unless satisfied as to risk management
57 Other circumstances in which Regulator must not issue the licence
58 Matters to be taken into account in deciding whether a person is suitable to hold a licence
59 Notification of licence decision
60 Period of licence
Division 6--Conditions of licences
61 Licence is subject to conditions
62 Conditions that may be prescribed or imposed
63 Condition about informing people of obligations
64 Condition about monitoring and audits
65 Condition about additional information to be given to the Regulator
66 Person may give information to Regulator
67 Protection of persons who give information
Division 7--Suspension, cancellation and variation of licences
68 Suspension and cancellation of licence
69 Surrender of licence
70 Transfer of licences
71 Variation of licence
72 Regulator to notify of proposed suspension, cancellation or variation
Part 5A--Emergency dealing determinations
Division 1--Simplified outline
72A Simplified outline
Division 2--Making of emergency dealing determination
72B Minister may make emergency dealing determination
72C Period of effect of emergency dealing determination
Division 3--Effect and conditions of emergency dealing determination
72D Emergency dealing determination authorises dealings, subject to conditions
Division 4--Variation, suspension and revocation of emergency dealing determination
72E Variation, suspension and revocation of emergency dealing determination
Part 6--Regulation of notifiable low risk dealings and dealings on the GMO Register
Division 1--Simplified outline
73 Simplified outline
Division 2--Notifiable low risk dealings
74 Notifiable low risk dealings
75 Regulation of notifiable low risk dealings
Division 3--The GMO Register
76 GMO Register
77 Contents of Register
78 Regulator may include dealings with GMOs on GMO Register
79 Regulator not to make determination unless risks can be managed
80 Variation of GMO Register
81 Inspection of Register
Part 7--Certification and accreditation
Division 1--Simplified outline
82 Simplified outline
Division 2--Certification
83 Application for certification
84 When the Regulator may certify the facility
85 Regulator may require applicant to give further information
86 Conditions of certification
87 Variation of certification
88 Suspension or cancellation of certification
89 Regulator to notify of proposed suspension, cancellation or variation
89A Transfer of certification
90 Guidelines
Division 3--Accredited organisations
91 Application for accreditation
92 Regulator may accredit organisations
93 Regulator may require applicant to give further information
94 Conditions of accreditation
95 Variation of accreditation
96 Suspension or cancellation of accreditation
97 Regulator to notify of proposed suspension, cancellation or variation
98 Guidelines
Part 8--The Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee and the Gene Technology Ethics and Community Consultative Committee
Division 1--Simplified outline
99 Simplified outline
Division 2--The Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee
100 The Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee
101 Function of the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee
102 Expert advisers
103 Remuneration
104 Members and procedures
105 Subcommittees
Division 3--The Gene Technology Ethics and Community Consultative Committee
106 The Gene Technology Ethics and Community Consultative Committee
107 Function of Ethics and Community Committee
108 Membership
109 Remuneration
110 Membership and Procedures
111 Subcommittees
112 Expert advisers
Part 9--Administration
Division 1--Simplified outline
117 Simplified outline
Division 2--Appointment and conditions of Regulator
118 Appointment of the Regulator
119 Termination of appointment
120 Disclosure of interests
121 Acting appointment
122 Terms and conditions
123 Outside employment
124 Remuneration
125 Leave of absence
126 Resignation
Division 3--Money
127 Regulator may charge for services
128 Notional payments by the Commonwealth
130 Credits to Account
131 Recovery of amounts
132 Purposes of Account
Division 4--Staffing
133 Staff assisting the Regulator
134 Consultants
135 Seconded officers
Division 5--Reporting requirements
136 Annual Report
137 Reports to Parliament
Division 6--Record of GMO Dealings
138 Record of GMO Dealings
139 Inspection of Record
Division 7--Reviews of notifiable low risk dealings and exemptions
140 Regulator may review notifiable low risk dealings
141 Regulator may review exemptions
142 Regulator may give notice of consideration
143 What Regulator may do after consideration
144 Regulator not required to review matters
Part 10--Enforcement
145 Simplified outline
146 Regulator may give directions
147 Injunctions
148 Forfeiture
Part 11--Powers of inspection
Division 1--Simplified outline
149 Simplified outline
Division 2--Appointment of inspectors and identity cards
150 Appointment of inspectors
151 Identity card
Division 3--Monitoring powers
152 Powers available to inspectors for monitoring compliance
153 Monitoring powers
Division 4--Offence-related powers
154 Searches and seizures related to offences
155 Offence-related powers of inspectors in relation to premises
156 Use of equipment at premises
Division 5--Expert assistance
157 Expert assistance to operate a thing
Division 6--Emergency powers
158 Powers available to inspectors for dealing with dangerous situations
Division 7--Obligations and incidental powers of inspectors
159 Inspector must produce identity card on request
160 Consent
161 Details of warrant to be given to occupier etc.
162 Announcement before entry
163 Compensation for damage
Division 8--Power to search goods, baggage etc.
164 Power to search goods, baggage etc.
165 Seizure of goods
Division 9--General provisions relating to search and seizure
166 Copies of seized things to be provided
167 Occupier entitled to be present during search
168 Receipts for things seized
169 Retention of seized things
170 Magistrate may permit a thing to be retained
171 Disposal of goods if there is no owner or owner cannot be located
Division 10--Warrants
172 Monitoring warrants
173 Offence-related warrants
174 Offence-related warrants by telephone, telex, fax etc.
175 Offences relating to warrants
Division 11--Other matters
176 Part not to abrogate privilege against self-incrimination
177 Part does not limit power to impose conditions
Part 12--Miscellaneous
Division 1--Simplified outline
178 Simplified outline
Division 2--Review of decisions
179 Meaning of terms
180 Notification of decisions and review rights
181 Internal review
182 Deadlines for making reviewable decisions
183 Review of decisions by Administrative Review Tribunal
183A Extended standing for judicial review
Division 3--Confidential commercial information
184 Application for protection of confidential commercial information
185 Regulator may declare that information is confidential commercial information
186 Revocation of declaration
187 Confidential commercial information must not be disclosed
Division 4--Conduct by directors, employees and agents
188 Conduct by directors, employees and agents
189 Meaning of terms
Division 5--Transitional provisions
190 Transitional provision--dealings covered by Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee advice to proceed
191 Regulations may relate to transitional matters
Division 6--Other
192 False or misleading information or document
192A Interference with dealings with GMOs
193 Regulations
194 Review of operation of Act
Endnotes
Endnote 1--About the endnotes
Endnote 2--Abbreviation key
Endnote 3--Legislation history
Endnote 4--Amendment history
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.
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) |
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 |
169, 2000 | 21 Dec 2000 | s 1 and 2: 21 Dec 2000 |
| |
81, 2001 | 10 July 2001 | Sch 3 (item 2): 1 July 2002 (s 2(5)(b) and gaz 2002, No GN30) | -- | |
144, 2002 | 19 Dec 2002 | s 3-26 and Sch 1: 16 Jan 2003 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- | |
30, 2006 | 6 Apr 2006 | Sch 1 (items 25-28): 7 Apr 2006 | -- | |
99, 2007 | 28 June 2007 | Sch 1 (items 1-23, 36-61) and Sch 2: 1 July 2007 | Sch 1 (item 35) | |
26, 2008 | 23 June 2008 | Sch 1 (items 73-76): 23 June 2008 (s 2(1) | -- | |
Crimes Legislation Amendment (Serious and Organised Crime) Act (No. 2) 2010 | 4, 2010 | 19 Feb 2010 | Sch 11 (item 11): 20 Feb 2010 | -- |
46, 2011 | 27 June 2011 | Sch 2 (items 650-652) and Sch 3 (items 10, 11): 27 Dec 2011 | Sch 3 (items 10, 11) | |
Superannuation Legislation (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2011 | 58, 2011 | 28 June 2011 | Sch 1 (items 90-93): 1 July 2011 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- |
62, 2014 | 30 June 2014 | Sch 9 (items 119-122) and Sch 14: 1 July 2014 (s 2(1) items 6, 14) | Sch 14 | |
as amended by |
|
|
|
|
Public Governance and Resources Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2015 | 36, 2015 | 13 Apr 2015 | Sch 2 (items 7-9) and Sch 7: 14 Apr 2015 (s 2) | Sch 7 |
as amended by |
|
|
|
|
Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015 | 126, 2015 | 10 Sept 2015 | Sch 1 (item 486): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- |
Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015 | 126, 2015 | 10 Sept 2015 | Sch 1 (item 495): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- |
10, 2015 | 5 Mar 2015 | Sch 3 (items 152-159, 348, 349): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2) | Sch 3 (items 348, 349) | |
121, 2015 | 10 Sept 2015 | Sch 1: 10 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2) | Sch 1 (items 3, 6, 19, 21) | |
Statute Law Revision Act (No. 1) 2016 | 4, 2016 | 11 Feb 2016 | Sch 4 (items, 1, 178): 10 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 6) | -- |
33, 2016 | 23 Mar 2016 | Sch 5 (item 59): 1 July 2016 (s 2(1) item 7) | -- | |
Administrative Review Tribunal (Consequential and Transitional Provisions No. 2) Act 2024 | 39, 2024 | 31 May 2024 | Sch 15 (items 12, 30): 14 Oct 2024 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- |
Provision affected | How affected |
Part 1 |
|
s 7..................... | am No. 33, 2016 |
s 8..................... | am No 4, 2016 |
Part 2 |
|
Division 2 |
|
s. 10.................... | am. No. 99, 2007; No. 58, 2011; No 121, 2015 |
Division 4 |
|
Subdivision A |
|
s. 17.................... | am. No. 99, 2007; No 121, 2015 |
s 19.................... | am No 39, 2024 |
Subdivision B |
|
s 21.................... | am No 10, 2015 |
s. 22.................... | am. No. 99, 2007 |
s. 24.................... | am. No. 99, 2007; No 10, 2015 |
Part 3 |
|
s 30.................... | am No 121, 2015 |
Part 4 |
|
Division 1 |
|
s. 31.................... | am. No. 99, 2007 |
Division 2 |
|
s. 32.................... | am. No. 99, 2007; No 4, 2016 |
s. 33.................... | am. No. 99, 2007; No 4, 2016 |
s. 34.................... | am. No. 99, 2007; No 4, 2016 |
s 35.................... | am No 4, 2016 |
s. 35A................... | ad. No. 99, 2007 |
| am No 4, 2016 |
s. 35B................... | ad No 99, 2007 |
| am No 4, 2016 |
s 36.................... | am No 4, 2016 |
s 37.................... | am No 4, 2016 |
Part 5 |
|
Division 2 |
|
s. 40A................... | ad. No. 99, 2007 |
am. No. 99, 2007 | |
Division 3 |
|
s. 46A................... | ad. No. 99, 2007 |
| am No 121, 2015 |
Division 4 |
|
s. 49.................... | rs. No. 99, 2007 |
| am No 121, 2015 |
s. 50.................... | am. No. 99, 2007 |
s. 50A................... | ad. No. 99, 2007 |
s. 51.................... | am. No. 99, 2007 |
s. 52.................... | am. No. 99, 2007; No 121, 2015 |
Division 5 |
|
s. 56.................... | am. No. 99, 2007 |
Note to s. 56............... | ad. No. 99, 2007 |
s. 57.................... | am. No. 99, 2007 |
s. 60.................... | am. No. 99, 2007 |
Division 6 |
|
s. 67.................... | am. No. 99, 2007 |
Division 7 |
|
s 71.................... | am. No. 99, 2007; No 121, 2015 |
s 72.................... | am No 99, 2007 |
Part 5A |
|
Part 5A.................. | ad. No. 99, 2007 |
Division 1 |
|
s. 72A................... | ad. No. 99, 2007 |
Division 2 |
|
ad. No. 99, 2007 | |
Division 3 |
|
s. 72D................... | ad. No. 99, 2007 |
Division 4 |
|
s. 72E................... | ad. No. 99, 2007 |
Part 6 |
|
Division2 |
|
s 74.................... | am No 121, 2015 |
Division 3 |
|
s. 78.................... | am. No. 99, 2007; No 10, 2015 |
Part 7 |
|
Division 1 |
|
s. 82.................... | am. No. 99, 2007 |
Division 2 |
|
s 80.................... | am No 10, 2015 |
Note to s. 83(2)............. | am. No. 99, 2007 |
s. 89.................... | am. No. 99, 2007 |
s. 89A................... | ad. No. 99, 2007 |
Division 3 |
|
Note to s. 91(1)............. | rep. No. 99, 2007 |
Notes 1, 2 to s. 91(1)......... | ad. No. 99, 2007 |
s. 92.................... | am. No. 99, 2007 |
s. 97.................... | am. No. 99, 2007 |
Part 8 |
|
Heading to Part 8........... | rs. No. 99, 2007 |
Division 1 |
|
s. 99.................... | am. No. 99, 2007 |
Division 2 |
|
s. 100................... | am. No. 99, 2007 |
Division 3 |
|
Div. 3 of Part 8............. | rs. No. 99, 2007 |
s. 106................... | rs. No. 99, 2007 |
s. 107................... | rs. No. 99, 2007 |
s. 108................... | rs. No. 99, 2007 |
s. 109................... | rs. No. 99, 2007 |
s. 110................... | rs. No. 99, 2007 |
s. 110A.................. | rep. No. 99, 2007 |
rs. No. 99, 2007 | |
Div. 4 of Part 8............. | rep. No. 99, 2007 |
ss. 113-116............... | rep. No. 99, 2007 |
Part 9 |
|
Division 1 |
|
s 117................... | am No 62, 2014; No 121, 2015 |
Division 2 |
|
s. 119................... | am. No. 26, 2008; No. 58, 2011 |
s. 121................... | am. No. 46, 2011 |
Note to s. 121.............. | ad. No. 46, 2011 |
Division 3 |
|
s 128................... | am No 62, 2014 |
s 129................... | am No 62, 2014 |
s. 130................... | am. No. 30, 2006 |
Note to s. 130(1)............ | ad. No. 30, 2006 |
| am No 62, 2014 |
Division 5 |
|
s 136................... | am No 121, 2015 |
s. 136A.................. | am. No. 99, 2007 |
| rep No 121, 2015 |
Division 6 |
|
Division 6 heading.......... | rs No 121, 2015 |
s. 138................... | am. No. 81, 2001; No. 99, 2007; No 121, 2015 |
Part 10 |
|
s. 145................... | am. No. 99, 2007 |
s. 146................... | am. No. 99, 2007 |
Part 11 |
|
Division 1 |
|
s. 149................... | am. No. 99, 2007 |
Division 3 |
|
s. 152................... | am. No. 99, 2007 |
Division 11 |
|
Heading to s. 177........... | am. No. 99, 2007 |
s. 177................... | am. No. 99, 2007 |
Part 12 |
|
Division 2 |
|
s. 179................... | am. No. 99, 2007 |
s. 182................... | am. No. 99, 2007 |
s 183................... | am No 39, 2024 |
Division 3 |
|
s. 185................... | am. No. 99, 2007 |
Division 4 |
|
s. 189................... | am. No. 4, 2010 |
Division 6 |
|
s. 192A.................. | am. No. 99, 2007; No 4, 2016 |
rep. No. 144, 2002 |