Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated ActsNo. 174, 2007
Compilation No. 19
Compilation date: 14 October 2024
Includes amendments: Act No. 38, 2024
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the National Health Security Act 2007 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If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.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
4 Binding the Crown
5 Application of laws to external Territories
Part 2--Public health surveillance
Division 1--Objects of Part
6 Objects of Part
Division 2--National Health Security Agreement
7 National Health Security Agreement
Division 3--Permissible purposes
Division 4--National Focal Point
9 Meaning of National Focal Point
10 Functions of the National Focal Point
Division 5--National Notifiable Disease List
11 National Notifiable Disease List
12 Temporary additions to the National Notifiable Disease List
Division 6--Notification, sharing information and liaising in relation to public health events of national significance and listed human diseases
13 Notification, sharing information and liaising in relation to public health events of national significance and listed human diseases
14 Receipt of information or recommendation from the World Health Organization
15 Non-personal information
Division 7--Public health observation
16 National Focal Point notified of incoming traveller who is under public health observation
17 Incoming travellers who are placed under public health observation
Division 8--Confidentiality of information
18 Definition of protected information for the purposes of Part 2
19 Authorisation to use information for permissible purposes
20 Authorisation to use information for purposes of proceedings
21 Offence relating to protected information
22 Defence for use of information in good faith
23 Defence for use of information also received from another source and use of information by prescribed agencies
24 Defence for use of information required by another law
25 Defence for disclosure to person to whom information relates or if person to whom information relates consents
26 Defence for disclosure to person who provided the information
Division 9--Miscellaneous
27 Notice to other countries about further use of information
28 Delegation
29 Annual report
Part 3--Regulation of security-sensitive biological agents
Division 1--Preliminary
30 Object of Part
Division 2--The List of Security-sensitive Biological Agents
31 Establishment of the List of Security-sensitive Biological Agents
32 Variation of the List of Security-sensitive Biological Agents
33 Minister must obtain and have regard to expert advice
34 List to be available on the Department's website
Division 3--Standards relating to security-sensitive biological agents
35 Minister may determine standards relating to security-sensitive biological agents
Division 4--The National Register
36 National Register of Security-sensitive Biological Agents
37 Content of National Register
38 Variation of the National Register
Division 4A--Requirements relating to suspected security-sensitive biological agents
Subdivision A--Application
38A Application of Division
Subdivision B--Carrying out confirmatory testing or destruction
38B Initial tester must have confirmatory testing or destruction done
38C Offence--failure to have confirmatory testing or destruction done
Subdivision C--Compliance with SSBA standards
38D Compliance with SSBA Standards in handling biological agent
38E Offence--failure to comply with SSBA Standards in handling biological agent
Subdivision D--Further provisions relating to confirmatory testing
38F Initial tester must report transfer of biological agent or sample for confirmatory testing
38G Offence--failure by initial tester to report transfer
38H Initial tester must report results of confirmatory testing to Secretary
38J Offence--failure to report results of confirmatory testing to Secretary
38K Reporting if biological agent disposed of after confirmatory testing shows it is a security-sensitive biological agent
38L Offence--failure to report disposal
Subdivision E--Further provisions relating to destruction
38M Initial tester must report destruction of biological agent
38N Offence--failure to report destruction
38P Direction to dispose of biological agent for failure to comply with section 38B
38Q Offence--failure to dispose of biological agent as directed
Division 5--Requirements for entities that handle security-sensitive biological agents
Subdivision A--Application and definitions
39 Application of Division
40 Meaning of exempt entity
41 Meaning of legitimate purpose
Subdivision B--Reporting requirements
42 Entity that handles security-sensitive biological agents must give a report to the Secretary
43 Offence--failure to give a report to the Secretary
44 Secretary must consider report and decide whether or not to include entity on the National Register
45 Secretary may direct entity to dispose of security-sensitive biological agents
46 Offence--failure to comply with direction to dispose of security-sensitive biological agent
47 Secretary not satisfied entity handling security-sensitive biological agent for a legitimate purpose
48 Registered entity must report any changes to the Secretary
48A Registered entity must report certain reportable events to police
48B Offence--failure to report reportable event to police
49 Secretary must consider report of changes and decide whether or not to vary the National Register
50 Secretary may direct entity to dispose of security-sensitive biological agents
51 Offence--failure to comply with direction to dispose of security-sensitive biological agent
52 Secretary not satisfied entity handling security-sensitive biological agent for a legitimate purpose
53 Failure to report changes to the Secretary
54 Offence--failure to comply with direction to dispose of security-sensitive biological agent
55 Application of reporting requirements in relation to individuals
55AA Entity that needs to undertake emergency maintenance may give a report to the Secretary
55AB Emergency maintenance period
55AC Secretary may declare exemption from this Division etc. during emergency maintenance period
55AD Offence--breaching condition of exemption
55A Cancellation of entity's registration on application
Subdivision C--Compliance with SSBA Standards
56 Entity must comply with SSBA Standards
57 Failure to comply with SSBA Standards
58 Offence--failure to comply with direction to dispose of security-sensitive biological agent
Subdivision D--Directions not to handle security-sensitive biological substances
59 Secretary may direct individual not to handle security-sensitive biological agents
60 Offence--failure to comply with direction not to handle security-sensitive biological agents
Division 5AA--Entities that temporarily handle security-sensitive biological agents
Subdivision A--Reporting by entities that temporarily handle security-sensitive biological agents
60AA Entity that temporarily handles a security-sensitive biological agent may give a report to the Secretary
60AB Temporary handling period
60AC Application of Division 5 to an entity that gives a temporary handling report
60AD Entity that gives a temporary handling report must give a temporary handling disposal report
60AE Offence--failure to give a report to the Secretary
60AF Entity that gives a temporary handling report must report any changes to the Secretary
60AG Offence--failure to give a report to the Secretary
60AH Entity that gives a temporary handling report must report certain events to police
60AI Offence--failure to report event to police
Subdivision B--Compliance with temporary handling Standards
60AJ Temporary handling Standards
60AK Entity must comply with temporary handling Standards
60AL Offence--failure to comply with temporary handling Standards
Subdivision C--Conditions in relation to the temporary handling of security-sensitive biological agents
60AM Secretary may impose conditions
60AN Entity must comply with conditions
60AO Failure to comply with conditions
60AP Offence--failure to comply with direction to dispose of sample
Division 5A--Suspension of Divisions 4A, 5 and 5AA to deal with threats
60A Minister may suspend Divisions 4A, 5 and 5AA to deal with threats
60B Variation or revocation of suspension
60C Offence--failure to comply with conditions on suspension
Division 6--Enforcement
61 Secretary may arrange for disposal of security-sensitive biological agents
62 Injunctions
Division 7--Powers of inspection
Subdivision A--Appointment of inspectors and identity cards
63 Appointment of inspectors
64 Identity card
Subdivision B--Monitoring compliance
65 Powers available to inspectors for monitoring compliance
66 Monitoring powers
67 Power to operate equipment
69 Application for monitoring warrant
Subdivision C--Offence-related powers
70 Inspector may enter premises by consent or under a warrant
70A Offence-related powers of inspectors
70B Persons assisting inspectors
70C Use of force in executing a warrant
70D Inspector may ask questions and seek production of documents
70E Inspector to be in possession of warrant
70F Occupier to provide inspector with facilities and assistance
70G Copies of seized things to be provided
70H Receipts for things seized
70J Return of seized things
70K Magistrate may permit a thing to be retained
70L Disposal of things
70M Issue of offence-related warrants
70N Offence-related warrants by telephone, fax etc.
70P Offence relating to warrants by telephone, fax etc.
Subdivision D--Expert assistance
71 Expert assistance to operate a thing
72 Expert assistance from scientific or technical expert
Subdivision E--Emergency powers
73 Powers available to inspectors for dealing with dangerous situations
Subdivision F--Obligations and incidental powers of inspectors
74 Inspector must produce identity card on request
75 Consent
76 Details of warrant etc. to be given to occupier
77 Announcement before entry
Subdivision G--Other matters
78 Occupier entitled to be present during search
79 Division not to abrogate privilege against self-incrimination
79A Compensation for damage to electronic equipment
Division 8--Review of decisions
80 Meaning of reviewable decision
81 Notification of decision and review rights
82 Internal review
83 Review of decisions by Administrative Review Tribunal
Division 9--Confidentiality of information
84 Definition of protected information for the purposes of Part 3
85 Secretary may give report to certain agencies
86 Authorisation to use information in performing duties or exercising powers under Division 6, 7 or 8 of Part 2 or this Part
87 Authorisation to use information for certain purposes
88 Secretary may authorise use of information
89 Authorisation to use information for purposes of certain proceedings
90 Offence relating to protected information
91 Defence for disclosure to person who provided the information
92 Defence for use of information under particular laws
93 No other exceptions under other laws
Division 10--Delegation
94 Secretary may delegate powers and functions under this Part
Part 4--Miscellaneous
95 Regulations
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 |
174, 2007 | 28 Sept 2007 | s 6-29: 28 Mar 2008 (s 2(1) item 2) |
| |
100, 2009 | 7 Oct 2009 | Sch 1 (items 1, 28-39): 8 Oct 2009 (s 2(1) items 2, 4) | -- | |
8, 2010 | 1 Mar 2010 | Sch 5 (item 72): 1 Mar 2010 (s 2(1) item 35) | -- | |
National Health Security Amendment (Background Checking) Act 2010 | 15, 2010 | 11 Mar 2010 | 11 Mar 2010 (s 2) | -- |
139, 2010 | 10 Dec 2010 | Sch 1 (item 75): 11 Dec 2010 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- | |
46, 2011 | 27 June 2011 | Sch 2 (items 811, 812) and Sch 3 (items 10, 11): 27 Dec 2011 (s 2(1) items 5, 12) | Sch 3 (items 10, 11) | |
182, 2012 | 10 Dec 2012 | Sch 1 and 2: 31 Mar 2013 (s 2(1) item 2 and F2013L00474) | Sch 1 (items 12, 17, 26) | |
197, 2012 | 12 Dec 2012 | Sch 5 (item 64) and Sch 6 (items 15-19): 12 Mar 2014 (s 2(1) items 3, 19) | Sch 6 (items 1, 15-19) | |
Federal Circuit Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments) Act 2013 | 13, 2013 | 14 Mar 2013 | Sch 2 (item 2): 12 Apr 2013 (s 2(1) items 2, 3) | -- |
Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Foreign Fighters) Act 2014 | 116, 2014 | 3 Nov 2014 | Sch 1 (items 134, 135): 1 Dec 2014 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- |
59, 2015 | 26 May 2015 | Sch 1 (items 146-149) and Sch 2 (items 356-396): 18 June 2015 (s 2(1) items 2, 6) | Sch 1 (items 184-203) and Sch 2 (items 356-396) | |
as amended by |
|
|
|
|
33, 2016 | 23 Mar 2016 | Sch 2: 24 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- | |
Biosecurity (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2015 | 62, 2015 | 16 June 2015 | Sch 2 (items 37-42) and Sch 4: 16 June 2016 (s 2(1) items 2, 4) | Sch 3 and Sch 4 |
as amended by |
|
|
|
|
93, 2017 | 23 Aug 2017 | Sch 2 (item 9): 20 Sept 2017 (s 2(1) item 4) | -- | |
Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015 | 126, 2015 | 10 Sept 2015 | Sch 1 (items 402, 403): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- |
National Emergency Declaration (Consequential Amendments) Act 2020 | 129, 2020 | 15 Dec 2020 | Sch 1 (items 31-33): 16 Dec 2020 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- |
13, 2021 | 1 Mar 2021 | Sch 2 (item 617): 1 Sept 2021 (s 2(1) item 5) | -- | |
Statute Law Amendment (Prescribed Forms and Other Updates) Act 2023 | 74, 2023 | 20 Sept 2023 | Sch 1 (items 94, 95): 20 Mar 2024 (s 2(1) item 2) | Sch 1 (item 95) |
Administrative Review Tribunal (Consequential and Transitional Provisions No. 1) Act 2024 | 38, 2024 | 31 May 2024 | Sch 12 (items 32, 45): 14 Oct 2024 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- |
Provision affected | How affected |
Part 1 |
|
s 3..................... | am No 100, 2009; Nos 8 and 139, 2010; No 46, 2011; No 182, 2012; No 59, 2015; No 62, 2015; No 129, 2020 |
| ed C16 |
s 4..................... | am No 59, 2015 |
Part 2 |
|
Division 2 |
|
s 7..................... | am No 59, 2015 |
Division 3 |
|
s 8..................... | am No 62, 2015 |
Division 6 |
|
Division 6 heading.......... | rs No 62, 2015 |
s 13.................... | am No 62, 2015 |
Division 8 |
|
s 19.................... | am No 197, 2012; No 59, 2015 |
s 20.................... | am No 197, 2012 |
s 23.................... | am No 59, 2015 |
Part 3 |
|
Division 1 |
|
s 30.................... | am No 100, 2009 |
Division 3 |
|
s 35.................... | am No 100, 2009; No 15, 2010 |
Division 4 |
|
s 38.................... | am No 100, 2009 |
Division 4A |
|
Division 4A............... | ad No 100, 2009 |
Subdivision A |
|
s 38A................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
| am No 182, 2012 |
Subdivision B |
|
s 38B................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
s 38C................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
Subdivision C |
|
s 38D................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
s 38E................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
Subdivision D |
|
s 38F................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
s 38G................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
s 38H................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
| am No 182, 2012 |
s 38J.................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
s 38K................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
s 38L................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
Subdivision E |
|
s 38M................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
s 38N................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
s 38P................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
s 38Q................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
Division 5 |
|
Subdivision A |
|
s 39.................... | am No 182, 2012 |
Subdivision B |
|
s 42.................... | am No 100, 2009 |
s 47.................... | am No 100, 2009; No 197, 2012 |
s 48.................... | am No 100, 2009 |
s 48A................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
s 48B................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
s 52.................... | am No 197, 2012 |
s 53.................... | am No 100, 2009 |
s 55.................... | am No 100, 2009 |
s 55AA.................. | ad No 182, 2012 |
s 55AB.................. | ad No 182, 2012 |
s 55AC.................. | ad No 182, 2012 |
s 55AD.................. | ad No 182, 2012 |
s 55A................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
Subdivision C |
|
s 57.................... | am No 182, 2012 |
s 58.................... | am No 182, 2012 |
Division 5AA |
|
Division 5AA.............. | ad No 182, 2012 |
Subdivision A |
|
s 60AA.................. | ad No 182, 2012 |
s 60AB.................. | ad No 182, 2012 |
s 60AC.................. | ad No 182, 2012 |
s 60AD.................. | ad No 182, 2012 |
s 60AE.................. | ad No 182, 2012 |
s 60AF.................. | ad No 182, 2012 |
s 60AG.................. | ad No 182, 2012 |
s 60AH.................. | ad No 182, 2012 |
S 60AI.................. | ad No 182, 2012 |
Subdivision B |
|
s 60AJ.................. | ad No 182, 2012 |
s 60AK.................. | ad No 182, 2012 |
s 60AL.................. | ad No 182, 2012 |
Subdivision C |
|
s 60AM.................. | ad No 182, 2012 |
s 60AN.................. | ad No 182, 2012 |
s 60AO.................. | ad No 182, 2012 |
s 60AP.................. | ad No 182, 2012 |
Division 5A |
|
Division 5A heading......... | rs No 100, 2009; No 182, 2012 |
Division 5A............... | ad No 100, 2009 |
s 60A................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
| am No 100, 2009; No 182, 2012; No 126, 2015; No 129, 2020 |
s 60B................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
| am No 100, 2009; No 182, 2012; No 126, 2015 |
s 60C................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
Division 6 |
|
s 61.................... | am No 100, 2009; No 182, 2012 |
s 62.................... | am No 13, 2013; No 13, 2021 |
Division 7 |
|
Subdivision A |
|
s 64.................... | am No 74, 2023 |
Subdivision B |
|
s 65.................... | am No 100, 2009; No 182, 2012 |
s 66.................... | am No 100, 2009 |
s 68.................... | rep No 100, 2009 |
s 69.................... | am No 182, 2012 |
Subdivision C |
|
s 70.................... | rs No 100, 2009 |
s 70A................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
s 70B................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
s 70C................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
s 70D................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
s 70E................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
s 70AF.................. | ad No 100, 2009 |
s 70G................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
s 70H................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
s 70J.................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
s 70K................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
s 70JL................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
s 70M................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
s 70N................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
s 70P................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
Subdivision D |
|
s 72.................... | am No 100, 2009 |
Subdivision F |
|
s 75.................... | rs No 100, 2009 |
s 76.................... | rs No 100, 2009 |
s 77.................... | am No 100, 2009 |
Subdivision G |
|
s 78.................... | am No 100, 2009 |
s 79A................... | ad No 100, 2009 |
| am No 13, 2013; No 13, 2021 |
Division 8 |
|
s 80.................... | am No 100, 2009; No 182, 2012 |
s 83.................... | am No 38, 2024 |
Division 9 |
|
s 84.................... | am No 100, 2009; No 182, 2012 |
s 85.................... | am No 100, 2009; No 197, 2012 |
s 86.................... | am No 197, 2012 |
s 87.................... | am No 197, 2012 |
s 88.................... | am No 197, 2012 |
s 89.................... | am No 197, 2012; No 116, 2014 |
s 92.................... | am No 116, 2014 |