Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated ActsNo. 225, 1992
Compilation No. 16
Compilation date: 20 March 2024
Includes amendments: Act No. 74, 2023
Registered: 3 April 2024
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 20 March 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If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.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 the Act etc.
4 Interpretation
5 Act to bind Crown
5A Application of the Criminal Code
Part 2--The National Health and Medical Research Council
5B Establishment of the NHMRC
5C Function of the NHMRC
5D Reference of matters to the CEO, Council and Principal Committees by the Minister
5E Minister may give directions to the CEO, Council and Principal Committees
Part 3--The Chief Executive Officer
Division 1--Establishment and functions
6 The Chief Executive Officer
7 Functions of the CEO
8 Timetables and procedures to assist CEO make recommendations on application of Account
Division 2--Regulatory recommendations and guidelines
Subdivision A--Regulatory recommendations made, and guidelines issued, by CEO
9 CEO to only make regulatory recommendations and issue guidelines as developed by Council
10 Human research guidelines
12 Consultation about regulatory recommendations
13 Consultation about guidelines
14 Interim regulatory recommendations and guidelines
14AA Consultation requirements do not apply to revoking guidelines
Subdivision B--Guidelines approved by CEO
14A Approval by CEO of guidelines for third parties
Subdivision C--Other provisions about consultation
14B Consultation may be dispensed with in certain circumstances
15 CEO must develop procedures
Division 3--Corporate plans
16 Corporate plan
18 Approval and tabling of corporate plan
19 Variation of corporate plan
Part 4--The Council and committees of the NHMRC
Division 1--The Council of the NHMRC
20 Establishment of the Council of the NHMRC
21 Functions of the Council
22 Meetings of the Council
Division 2--Principal Committees
35 Principal Committees
36 Constitution of the Australian Health Ethics Committee
Division 3--Working committees
39 Working committees
Division 4--CEO's determinations of Council and committee procedures etc.
40 CEO's determinations of Council and committee procedures etc.
Part 5--Appointments, terms and conditions
41 Appointments
42 Acting appointments
42A Disclosures of interests
43 Remuneration and allowances
44 Leave of absence
44A Resignations
44B Terminations of appointments
44C Other terms and conditions
Part 6--Staff, consultants and work arrangements
45 Staff of the NHMRC
46 Consultants
48 CEO may make arrangements relating to various matters
Part 7--Medical Research Endowment Account
49 Medical Research Endowment Account
50 Credit of amounts to Account
51 Purposes of the Account
52 Application of gifts or bequests
53 Money repaid to the Commonwealth
Part 8--Commissioner of Complaints
Division 1--Establishment and functions of Commissioner of Complaints
55 Commissioner of Complaints
56 Functions of Commissioner
57 Who may complain
58 Grounds for complaint
59 How to make a complaint
60 Commissioner to investigate complaints
61 Discretion not to investigate
Division 2--Procedure and powers of Commissioner
62 CEO to be informed of investigation
63 Procedure of Commissioner
64 Co-operation with Commissioner
65 Immunity from penalty
66 Reports by Commissioner
67 Recommendations
68 Annual report of Commissioner
Division 3--Administrative arrangements for Commissioner
69 Commissioner must have appropriate expertise
72 Commissioner may enter into arrangements with NHMRC
76 Disclosure of interests of Commissioner in relation to investigation
78 Commissioner to protect personal information
79 Protection from civil actions
Part 9--Miscellaneous
80 Confidential commercial information
82 Delegation
83 Annual report
85 Regulations
Endnotes
Endnote 1--About the endnotes
Endnote 2--Abbreviation key
Endnote 3--Legislation history
Endnote 4--Amendment history
Endnote 5--Editorial changes
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 |
225, 1992 | 24 Dec 1992 | 24 June 1993 |
| |
Health and Community Services Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 1993 | 76, 1993 | 25 Nov 1993 | ss. 22 and 23: Royal Assent (a) | -- |
Human Services and Health Legislation Amendment Act (No. 3) 1995 | 149, 1995 | 16 Dec 1995 | Schedule 1 (items 79-81): Royal Assent (b) | -- |
152, 1997 | 24 Oct 1997 | Schedule 2 (items 973-984): 1 Jan 1998 (see Gazette 1997, No. GN49) (c) | -- | |
Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999 | 146, 1999 | 11 Nov 1999 | Schedule 1 (items 638-644): 5 Dec 1999 (see Gazette 1999, No. S584) (d) | -- |
6, 2000 | 7 Mar 2000 | 7 Mar 2000 | Sch. 1 (item 17) | |
Health and Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001 | 111, 2001 | 17 Sept 2001 | 17 Sept 2001 | |
8, 2005 | 22 Feb 2005 | s 4 and Sch 1 (items 191-201): 22 Feb 2005 (s 2(1) items 1, 2) | ||
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Amendment Act 2005 | 32, 2005 | 22 Mar 2005 | Schedule 4 (items 25-29): 24 Mar 2005 | Sch. 4 (item 27) |
30, 2006 | 6 Apr 2006 | Schedule 1 (items 33-36): 7 Apr 2006 | Sch. 1 (item 36) | |
National Health and Medical Research Council Amendment Act 2006 | 50, 2006 | 9 June 2006 | Sch 1 (items 1-109, 123-143): 1 July 2006 (s 2(1) items 2, 3, 4) | Sch 1 (items 124-143) |
51, 2010 | 31 May 2010 | Sch 5 (items 48-51): 1 Nov 2010 (s 2(1) item 7) | -- | |
5, 2011 | 22 Mar 2011 | Schedule 7 (item 101): 19 Apr 2011 | -- | |
46, 2011 | 27 June 2011 | Schedule 2 (items 807-810) and Schedule 3 (items 10, 11): 27 Dec 2011 | Sch. 3 (items 10, 11) | |
Statute Law Revision Act (No. 1) 2014 | 31, 2014 | 27 May 2014 | Sch 8 (item 33): 24 June 2014 | -- |
62, 2014 | 30 June 2014 | Sch 6 (item 57), Sch 10 (items 86-102) 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) | -- |
Statute Law Amendment (Prescribed Forms and Other Updates) Act 2023 | 74, 2023 | 20 Sept 2023 | Sch 1 (items 78-93): 20 Mar 2024 (s 2(1) item 2) | Sch 1 (item 93) |
(a) The National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992 was amended by sections 22 and 23 only of the Health and Community Services Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 1993, 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.
(b) The National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992 was amended by Schedule 1 (items 79-81) only of the Human Services and Health Legislation Amendment Act (No. 3) 1995, 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.
(c) The National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992 was amended by Schedule 2 (items 973-984) only of the Audit (Transitional and Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 1997, subsection 2(2) of which provides as follows:
(2) Schedules 1, 2 and 4 commence on the same day as the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997.
(d) The National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992 was amended by Schedule 1 (items 638-644) 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.
Provision affected | How affected |
Part 1 |
|
s. 3..................... | am. No. 50, 2006 |
s 4..................... | am No 149, 1995; No 152, 1997; No 6, 2000; No 8, 2005; No 32, 2005; No 50, 2006; No 51, 2010; No 31, 2014 |
| ed C16 |
s. 5A.................... | ad. No. 111, 2001 |
Part 2 |
|
Part 2................... | rs. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 5B.................... | ad. No. 50, 2006 |
| am No 62, 2014 |
s. 5C.................... | ad. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 5D.................... | ad. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 5E.................... | ad. No. 50, 2006 |
Part 3 |
|
Heading to Part 3........... | rs. No. 50, 2006 |
Division 1 |
|
Div. 1 of Part 3............. | rs. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 6..................... | rs. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 7..................... | am. No. 152, 1997; No. 8, 2005 |
| rs. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 8..................... | am. No. 6, 2000 |
| rs. No. 50, 2006 |
Division 2 |
|
Div. 2 of Part 3............. | rs. No. 50, 2006 |
Subdivision A |
|
rs. No. 50, 2006 | |
s. 11.................... | rep. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 11A................... | ad. No. 6, 2000 |
| am. No. 8, 2005 |
| rep. No. 50, 2006 |
s 12.................... | rs No 6, 2000; No 50, 2006 |
| am No 74, 2023 |
s 13.................... | rs No 6, 2000; No 50, 2006 |
| am No 74, 2023 |
s 14.................... | am No 6, 2000 |
| rs No 50, 2006 |
| am No 74, 2023 |
s 14AA.................. | ad No 50, 2006 |
Subdivision B |
|
s. 14A................... | ad. No. 6, 2000 |
| rs. No. 50, 2006 |
Subdivision C |
|
s 14B................... | ad No 6, 2000 |
| rs No 50, 2006 |
| am No 74, 2023 |
s 15.................... | rs No 50, 2006 |
Division 3 |
|
hdg to Div 3 of Pt 3.......... | rs No 62, 2014 |
s. 16.................... | am. No. 6, 2000; No. 50, 2006 |
| rs No 62, 2014 |
s. 17.................... | am. No. 50, 2006 |
| rep No 62, 2014 |
Heading to s. 18............ | rs. No. 6, 2000; No 62, 2014 |
s 18.................... | am. No. 6, 2000; No. 50, 2006 |
| rs No 62, 2014 |
hdg to s 19................ | rs No 62, 2014 |
s. 19.................... | am. No. 6, 2000; No. 50, 2006; No 62, 2014 |
Part 4 |
|
Part 4................... | rs. No. 50, 2006 |
Division 1 |
|
s. 20.................... | am. No. 6, 2000; No. 32, 2005 |
| rs. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 21.................... | am. No. 149, 1995 |
| rs. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 22.................... | am. No. 146, 1999 |
| rep. No. 6, 2000 |
| ad. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 23.................... | am. No. 6, 2000 |
| rep. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 24.................... | rep. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 25.................... | am. No. 6, 2000 |
| rep. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 26.................... | am. No. 146, 1999 |
| rep. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 27.................... | rep. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 28.................... | am. No. 32, 2005 |
| rep. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 29.................... | rep. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 30.................... | rep. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 31.................... | am. No. 32, 2005 |
| rep. No. 50, 2006 |
ss. 32-34................. | rep. No. 50, 2006 |
Heading to Part 5........... | rep. No. 50, 2006 |
Division 2 |
|
Heading to Div. 2 of Part 4..... | ad. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 35.................... | am. No. 152, 1997; No. 6, 2000; No. 8, 2005; No. 50, 2006 |
Note to s. 35(1) ............ | ad. No. 50, 2006 |
Notes 1, 2 to s. 35(6) ......... | ad. No. 50, 2006 |
Note to s. 35(7) ............ | ad. No. 50, 2006 |
Heading to s. 36............ | am. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 36.................... | am. No. 76, 1993; No. 149, 1995; No. 50, 2006 |
s. 37.................... | am. No. 6, 2000 |
| rep. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 37A................... | ad. No. 6, 2000 |
| rep. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 38.................... | am. No. 6, 2000 |
| rep. No. 50, 2006 |
Division 3 |
|
Div. 3 of Part 4............. | ad. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 39.................... | am. No. 6, 2000 |
| rs. No. 50, 2006 |
Division 4 |
|
Div. 4 of Part 4............. | ad. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 40.................... | rs. No. 50, 2006 |
Part 5 |
|
Part 5................... | ad. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 41.................... | rs. No. 50, 2006 |
Note to s. 41(5) ............ | am. No. 46, 2011 |
s. 42.................... | am. No. 6, 2000 |
| rs. No. 50, 2006 |
| am. No. 46, 2011 |
Note to s. 42(2) ............ | ad. No. 46, 2011 |
s. 42A................... | ad. No. 50, 2006 |
| am No 62, 2014 |
Note to s 42A(1)............ | ad No 62, 2014 |
Note to s 42A(3)............ | ad No 62, 2014 |
am. No. 6, 2000 | |
| rs. No. 50, 2006 |
Part 5A.................. | ad. No. 6, 2000 |
| rep. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 44A................... | ad. No. 6, 2000 |
| rs. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 44B................... | ad. No. 6, 2000 |
| rs. No. 50, 2006 |
| am No 62, 2014 |
s. 44C................... | ad. No. 6, 2000 |
| rs. No. 50, 2006 |
ss. 44D-44F............... | ad. No. 6, 2000 |
| rep. No. 50, 2006 |
Part 6 |
|
Part 6................... | rs. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 45.................... | am. No. 146, 1999; No. 6, 2000 |
| rs. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 46.................... | rs. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 47.................... | rep. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 48.................... | am. No. 146, 1999 |
| rs. No. 50, 2006 |
Part 7 |
|
Heading to Part 7........... | rs. No. 152, 1997; No. 8, 2005 |
s. 49.................... | rs. No. 152, 1997; No. 8, 2005 |
| am No 62, 2014 |
s. 50.................... | rs. No. 152, 1997; No. 8, 2005 |
Note to s 50............... | am No 62, 2014 |
Heading to s. 51............ | am. No. 152, 1997; No. 8, 2005 |
s. 51.................... | am. No. 152, 1997; No. 6, 2000; No. 8, 2005; No. 50, 2006 |
Note to s. 51(1) ............ | ad. No. 50, 2006 |
| am. No. 46, 2011 |
s. 52.................... | am. No. 152, 1997; No. 8, 2005; No. 30, 2006; No 62, 2014 |
s. 53.................... | rs. No. 152, 1997; No. 8, 2005 |
| am. No. 8, 2005 |
s. 54.................... | rep. No. 50, 2006 |
Part 8 |
|
Division 1 |
|
s. 56.................... | am. No. 6, 2000; No. 50, 2006 |
s. 61.................... | am. No. 50, 2006; No. 51, 2010 |
Division 2 |
|
Heading to s. 62............ | am. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 62.................... | am. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 64.................... | am. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 66.................... | am. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 67.................... | am. No. 6, 2000; No. 50, 2006 |
s. 68.................... | am. No. 50, 2006 |
Division 3 |
|
Heading to Div. 3 of Part 8..... | rs. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 69.................... | rs. No. 50, 2006 |
ss. 70, 71................. | rep. No. 50, 2006 |
Heading to s. 72............ | am. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 72.................... | am. No. 146, 1999; No. 50, 2006 |
ss. 73-75................. | rep. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 77.................... | rep. No. 50, 2006 |
Part 9 |
|
s. 80.................... | am. No. 50, 2006; No. 5, 2011 |
s. 81.................... | am. No. 6, 2000 |
| rep. No. 50, 2006 |
s. 82.................... | am. No. 6, 2000; Nos. 30 and 50, 2006 |
s. 83.................... | am. No. 50, 2006 |
| rs No 62, 2014 |
s. 84.................... | rep. No. 50, 2006 |
Part 10.................. | rep. No. 50, 2006 |
ss. 86-91................. | rep. No. 50, 2006 |
In preparing this compilation for registration, the following kinds of editorial change(s) were made under the Legislation Act 2003.
Section 4
Kind of editorial change
Reordering of definitions
Details of editorial change
This compilation was editorially changed to move the definition of interim human research guidelines in section 4 to the correct alphabetical position.