Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

PROTECTION OF MOVABLE CULTURAL HERITAGE ACT 1986 - NOTES

No. 11, 1986

Compilation No. 21

Compilation date: 14 October 2024

Includes amendments: Act No. 38, 2024

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986 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If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.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 I--Preliminary

1 Short title

2 Commencement

3 Interpretation

3A Approved forms

4 Act binds the Crown

5 Application

6 Extension to Territories

6A Application of the Criminal Code

Part II--Control of Exports and Imports

Division 1--Exports

7 Movable cultural heritage of Australia

8 National Cultural Heritage Control List

9 Unlawful exports

10 Grant of permits in respect of particular objects

10A Grant of general permits for certain institutions

11 Permits

12 Certificates of exemption

13 Variation etc. of conditions and period of permit or certificate

13A Address for service of notices

Division 2--Imports

14 Unlawful imports

Part III--Administration

15 National Cultural Heritage Committee

16 Functions of Committee

17 Constitution of Committee

18 Removal and resignation

19 Remuneration and allowances

20 Disclosure of interests

21 Meetings

21A Conduct of meetings

21B Certain resolutions may be made without meetings

22 Register of expert examiners

23 Expert examiners

24 Delegation

Part IV--National Cultural Heritage Account

25 Establishment of National Cultural Heritage Account

25A Credits to Account

25B Purpose of Account

26 Taxation

Part V--Enforcement of Act

27 Interpretation

28 Inspectors

29 Identity cards

30 Search warrants

31 Search warrants granted by telephone

32 Searches in emergencies

33 Powers of arrest

34 Seizure of protected objects

35 Power of retention

36 Notice of seizure

37 Court proceedings

38 Result of forfeiture

39 Production of permit

40 Proof of authority

41 Foreign country to request return of objects

43 Assistance of inspectors

46 Indictable offences

Part VI--Miscellaneous

47 Annual report

48 Administrative Review Tribunal

49 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
Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986	11, 1986	13 May 1986	1 July 1987 (see Gazette 1987, No. S138)
Postal Services Amendment Act 1988	126, 1988	14 Dec 1988	Sch 2: 14 Dec 1988 (s 2(1))	--
Arts, Environment, Tourism and Territories Legislation Amendment Act 1990	88, 1990	20 Nov 1990	s 15-23: 20 Nov 1990 (s 2(1))	--
Arts, Sport, Environment, Tourism and Territories Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 1991	179, 1991	25 Nov 1991	25 Nov 1991	--
Arts, Sport, Environment and Territories Legislation Amendment Act 1992	21, 1992	10 Apr 1992	8 May 1992	--
Statute Law Revision Act 1996	43, 1996	25 Oct 1996	Sch 4 (item 123): 25 Oct 1996 (s 2(1))	--
Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Amendment Act 1999	101, 1999	16 July 1999	16 July 1999	Sch. 1 (item 9)
Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999	146, 1999	11 Nov 1999	Sch 1 (item 752): 5 Dec 1999 (s 2(1), (2))	--
Criminal Code Amendment (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences) Act 2000	137, 2000	24 Nov 2000	Sch 2 (items 329-334, 418, 419): 24 May 2001 (s 2(3))	Sch 2 (items 418, 419)
Communications and the Arts Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001	5, 2001	20 Mar 2001	s 4 and Sch 1 (items 40-49): 24 May 2001 (s 2(1)(a))	s 4
Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Act 2005	8, 2005	22 Feb 2005	s 4 and Sch 1 (items 313, 314, 496): 22 Feb 2005 (s 2(1) items 1, 2, 10)	s 4 and Sch 1 (item 496)
Statute Law Revision Act 2011	5, 2011	22 Mar 2011	Sch 7 (items 113, 114): 19 Apr 2011 (s 2(1) item 18)	--
Acts Interpretation Amendment Act 2011	46, 2011	27 June 2011	Sch 2 (items 937, 938) and Sch 3 (items 10, 11): 27 Dec 2011 (s 2(1) items  7, 12)	Sch 3 (items 10, 11)
Statute Law Revision Act 2012	136, 2012	22 Sept 2012	Sch 1 (item 108): 22 Sept 2012 (s 2(1) item 2)	--
Statute Law Revision Act (No. 1) 2014	31, 2014	27 May 2014	Sch 3 (items 2, 3) and Sch 7 (item 8): 24 June 2014 (s 2(1) item  9)	--
Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2014	62, 2014	30 June 2014	Sch 11 (items 79-81) 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)	--
Customs and Other Legislation Amendment (Australian Border Force) Act 2015	41, 2015	20 May 2015	Sch 5 (items 147, 148) and Sch 9: 1 July 2015 (s 2(1) items 2, 7)	Sch 9
as amended by
Australian Border Force Amendment (Protected Information) Act 2017	115, 2017	30 Oct 2017	Sch 1 (item 26): 1 July 2015 (s 2(1) item 2)	--
Norfolk Island Legislation Amendment Act 2015	59, 2015	26 May 2015	Sch 2 (item 314): 1 July 2016 (s 2(1) item 5) Sch 2 (items 356-396): 18 June 2015 (s 2(1) item 6)	Sch 2 (items 356-396)
as amended by
Territories Legislation Amendment Act 2016	33, 2016	23 Mar 2016	Sch 2: 24 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)	--
Civil Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2015	113, 2015	17 Aug 2015	Sch 6: 18 Aug 2015 (s 2(1) item 2)	--
Statute Law Revision Act (No. 2) 2015	145, 2015	12 Nov 2015	Sch 3 (item 29): 10 Dec 2015 (s 2(1) item 7)	--
Statute Law Revision Act (No. 1) 2016	4, 2016	11 Feb 2016	Sch 4 (items 1, 249): 10 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 6)	--
Territories Legislation Amendment Act 2016	33, 2016	23 Mar 2016	Sch 5 (items 82, 83): 1 July 2016 (s 2(1) item 7)	--
Statute Update Act 2016	61, 2016	23 Sept 2016	Sch 1 (items 390-394): 21 Oct 2016 (s 2(1) item 1)	--
Aboriginal Land Grant (Jervis Bay Territory) Amendment (Strengthening Land and Governance Provisions) Act 2023	57, 2023	21 Aug 2023	Sch 1 (items 45, 46, 53): 22 Aug 2023 (s 2(1) item 1)	Sch 1 (item 53)
Statute Law Amendment (Prescribed Forms and Other Updates) Act 2023	74, 2023	20 Sept 2023	Sch 1 (items 105-113): 20 Mar 2024 (s 2(1) item 2)	Sch 1 (item 113)
Administrative Review Tribunal (Consequential and Transitional Provisions No. 1) Act 2024	38, 2024	31 May 2024	Sch 14 (item 14): 14 Oct 2024 (s 2(1) item 2)	--

Endnote 4--Amendment history

 

Provision affected	How affected
Part I
s 3.....................	am No 88, 1990; No 101, 1999; No 137, 2000; No 5, 2001; No 46, 2011; No 41, 2015; No 33, 2016; No 74, 2023
s 3A....................	ad No 74, 2023
s 4.....................	rs No 145, 2015
	am No 59, 2015 (amdt never applied (Sch 2 item 314))
s 6.....................	am No 33, 2016
s 6A....................	ad No 5, 2001
Part II
Division 1
s 9.....................	am No 126, 1988; No 5, 2001; No 4, 2016
s 10....................	am No 88, 1990; No 74, 2023
s 10A...................	ad No 88, 1990
	am No 74, 2023
s 11....................	am No 88, 1990; No 74, 2023
s 12....................	am No 74, 2023
s 13....................	am No 74, 2023
s 13A...................	ad No 88, 1990
Division 2
s 14....................	am No 88, 1990; No 4, 2016; No 61, 2016
Part III
s 16....................	am No 88, 1990; No 101, 1999
s 17....................	am No 88, 1990; No 31, 2014; No 113, 2015; No 57, 2023
s 18....................	am No 31, 2014; No 57, 2023
s 19....................	am No 43, 1996
s 21A...................	ad No 179, 1991
s 21B...................	ad No 21, 1992
s 24....................	am No 146, 1999; No 5, 2011
Part IV
Part IV heading.............	rs No 101, 1999
s 25....................	rs No 101, 1999
	am No 62, 2014
s 25A...................	ad No 101, 1999
	am No 8, 2005; No 62, 2014
s 25B...................	ad No 101, 1999
s 26....................	am No 101, 1999
Part V
s 27....................	am No 136, 2012; No 41, 2015
s 29....................	am No 5, 2001; No 4, 2016; No 61, 2016
s 39....................	am No 5, 2001; No 4, 2016; No 61, 2016
s 41....................	am No 5, 2011
s 42....................	rep No 5, 2001
s 43....................	am No 61, 2016
s 44....................	rep No 137, 2000
s 45....................	rep No 137, 2000
s 46....................	am No 137, 2000; No 5, 2001
Part VI
s 47....................	am No 101, 1999
s 48....................	am No 88, 1990; No 38, 2024