Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated ActsNo. 123, 1998
Compilation date: 14 October 2024
Includes amendments: Act No. 38, 2024
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018 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If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.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--Introduction
Division 1--Preliminary provisions
1 Short title
2 Commencement
3 Objects of Act
4 Simplified outline of this Act
5 Act binds the Crown
6 External Territories
6A Extraterritorial operation
7 Application of Criminal Code
Division 2--Definitions
9 Related party
Part 3--Regulation of space activities and high power rockets
Division 1A--Simplified outline of this Part
10 Simplified outline of this Part
Division 1--Offences and civil penalties
11 Launch facility licence required to operate a launch facility in Australia
12 Launch of space object from Australian launch facility, Australian aircraft or foreign aircraft in airspace over Australian territory
13 Launch of high power rocket from Australia
14 Launch of space object from outside Australia
15 Return of space object to Australia
15A Return of space object outside Australia
16 Commonwealth not bound
17 Activities of international space organisations
Division 2--Launch facility licences
18 Granting a launch facility licence
19 Terms of launch facility licence
20 Standard launch facility licence conditions
21 Breaching a launch facility licence condition
22 Transfer of launch facility licence
23 Varying or revoking a launch facility licence
24 Applying for the grant, variation or transfer of a launch facility licence
25 Procedure etc.
26 Suspending a launch facility licence
27 Basis on which launch facility licence is granted
Division 3--Australian launch permits
28 Granting an Australian launch permit
29 Terms of Australian launch permit
30 Standard Australian launch permit conditions
31 Breaching an Australian launch permit condition
32 Transfer of Australian launch permit
33 Varying or revoking an Australian launch permit
34 Applying for the grant, variation or transfer of an Australian launch permit
35 Procedure etc.
36 Suspending an Australian launch permit
37 Basis on which Australian launch permit is granted
Division 4--Australian high power rocket permits
38 Granting an Australian high power rocket permit
39 Terms of Australian high power rocket permit
40 Standard Australian high power rocket permit conditions
41 Breaching an Australian high power rocket permit condition
42 Transfer of Australian high power rocket permit
43 Varying or revoking an Australian high power rocket permit
44 Applying for the grant, variation or transfer of an Australian high power rocket permit
45 Procedure etc.
46 Suspending an Australian high power rocket permit
46A Basis on which Australian high power rocket permit is granted
Division 5--Overseas payload permits
46B Granting an overseas payload permit
46C Terms of overseas payload permit
46D Breaching an overseas payload permit condition
46E Transfer of overseas payload permit
46F Varying or revoking an overseas payload permit
46G Applying for the grant, variation or transfer of an overseas payload permit
46H Procedure etc.
46J Suspending an overseas payload permit
46K Basis on which overseas payload permit is granted
Division 6--Return authorisations
46L Giving a return authorisation
46M Offence and civil penalty relating to returns
46N Breaching a return authorisation condition
46P Varying or revoking a return authorisation
46Q Applying for the giving or variation of a return authorisation
46R Procedure etc.
46S Suspending a return authorisation
46T Basis on which return authorisation is given
Division 6A--Authorisation certificates
46U Authorisation certificates
46V Terms of authorisation certificate
46W Breaching an authorisation certificate condition
46X Varying or revoking an authorisation certificate
46Y Basis on which authorisation certificate is issued
Division 7--Insurance/financial requirements
47 Satisfying the insurance/financial requirements
48 Insurance requirements
49 Additional insurance not precluded
Division 8--Launch Safety Officer
50 Launch Safety Officer
51 Functions of Launch Safety Officer
52 Powers of Launch Safety Officer
53 Offence for contravening direction
55 Launch Safety Officer to comply with Minister's instructions
56 Seizures in emergency situations
57 Launch Safety Officer may obtain assistance
58 Identity cards
Division 9--Administration etc.
59 Fees
60 Request for information
61 Review of decisions
62 Notice of decisions
Part 4--Liability for damage by space objects
Division 1A--Simplified outline of this Part
62A Simplified outline of this Part
Division 1--Scope of Part
63 Damage covered
64 Compensation for third party damage by space objects to be determined solely under this Part
Division 2--Liability for third party damage
Subdivision A--Rules for damage caused by launches and most returns
66 Scope of Subdivision
67 Damage on Earth or in the air
68 Damage to other space objects
69 Limit on amount of permit or certificate holder's liability
Subdivision B--Rules for certain returns conducted by overseas nationals
70 Scope of Subdivision
71 Liability
Division 3--Procedure etc.
72 Federal Court and Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) have jurisdiction
73 Action for compensation
Division 4--Compensation claims by foreign countries
74 Responsible party's liability to the Commonwealth
75 Claims Commission
Part 4A--Liability for damage by high power rockets
Division 1--Simplified outline of this Part
75A Simplified outline of this Part
Division 2--Scope of Part
75B Damage covered
75C Compensation for third party damage by high power rockets to be determined solely under this Part
Division 3--Liability for third party damage
75D Damage on Earth or in the air
75E Limit on amount of permit holder's liability
Division 4--Procedure etc.
75F Federal Court and Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) have jurisdiction
75G Action for compensation
Part 5--Register of Space Objects
75H Simplified outline of this Part
76 Minister to keep Register
77 Registration number
Part 6--Civil penalties
80 Simplified outline of this Part
81 Civil penalty provisions
Part 7--Investigation of accidents
Division 1A--Simplified outline of this Part
83 Simplified outline of this Part
Division 1--Scope of Part
84 Scope of Part
85 Meaning of accident
86 Meaning of incident
Division 2--Investigations
87 Object of Division
88 Appointing an Investigator
89 Investigator to investigate accident or incident
90 Investigator may invite assistance
91 Investigator's powers to gather information
92 Offences relating to section 91 requirements
93 Report of investigation
94 Custody of space object or high power rocket
95 Suspension of permit, authorisation or certificate after accident
96 Disclosure of safety records
97 Relationship with other powers
Division 3--Accident site powers
98 Accident sites and accident site premises
99 Power of entry to accident site
100 Procedure before entry
101 Identity cards
102 Availability of assistance and use of force in entering accident site premises
103 Offence to enter or remain on accident site without permission
Part 8--Miscellaneous
103A Simplified outline of this Part
104 Delegation
105 Operation of other laws
106 Immunity
107 Compensation--constitutional safety net
108 Severability: additional effect of Act
110 Rules
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 |
123, 1998 | 21 Dec 1998 | 21 Dec 1998 (s 2) |
| |
101, 2001 | 4 Sept 2001 | 4 Sept 2001 (s 2) | -- | |
100, 2002 | 10 Nov 2002 | Sch 1: 1 Dec 2002 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- | |
8, 2010 | 1 Mar 2010 | Sch 5 (item 137(a)): 1 Mar 2010 (s 2(1) item 38) | -- | |
103, 2013 | 29 June 2013 | Sch 3 (items 188, 189, 343): 29 June 2013 (s 2(1) item 16) | Sch 3 (item 343) | |
Statute Law Revision Act (No. 1) 2016 | 4, 2016 | 11 Feb 2016 | Sch 4 (items 1, 284-289, 429): 10 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 6) | -- |
61, 2016 | 23 Sept 2016 | Sch 2 (items 95-99): 21 Oct 2016 (s 2(1) item 1) | -- | |
92, 2018 | 31 Aug 2018 | Sch 1: 31 Aug 2019 (s 2(1) item 1) | Sch 1 (items 189-191) | |
13, 2021 | 1 Mar 2021 | Sch 2 (items 738-745): 1 Sept 2021 (s 2(1) item 5) | -- | |
Statute Law Amendment (Prescribed Forms and Other Updates) Act 2023 | 74, 2023 | 20 Sept 2023 | Sch 4 (items 63, 64): 18 Oct 2023 (s 2(1) item 3) | -- |
Administrative Review Tribunal (Consequential and Transitional Provisions No. 1) Act 2024 | 38, 2024 | 31 May 2024 | Sch 13 (item 5): 14 Oct 2024 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- |
Provision affected | How affected |
Title.................... | am No 92, 2018 |
Part 1 |
|
Division 1 |
|
Division 1 heading.......... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 1..................... | am No 92, 2018 |
s 3..................... | am No 101, 2001; No 92, 2018 |
s 4..................... | am No 101, 2001 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
s 6A.................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
Division 2 |
|
Part 2 heading............. | rep No 92, 2018 |
Division 2 heading.......... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 8..................... | am No 101, 2001; No 100, 2002; No 92, 2018; No 13, 2021 |
s 8A.................... | ad No 100, 2002 |
| rep No 92, 2018 |
s 8B.................... | ad No 100, 2002 |
| am No 8, 2010; No 103, 2013 |
| rep No 92, 2018 |
s 8C.................... | ad No 100, 2002 |
| rep No 92, 2018 |
s 9..................... | am No 92, 2018 |
Part 3 |
|
Part 3 heading............. | rs No 92, 2018 |
Division 1A |
|
Division 1A............... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 10.................... | rs No 92, 2018 |
Division 1 |
|
Division 1 heading.......... | rs No 92, 2018 |
s 11.................... | am No 4, 2016 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
s 12.................... | am No 4, 2016 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
s 13.................... | am No 4, 2016 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
s 14.................... | am No 4, 2016 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
s 15.................... | rs No 92, 2018 |
s 15A................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 16.................... | am No 92, 2018 |
Division 2 |
|
Division 2................ | rs No 92, 2018 |
s 18.................... | am No 100, 2002 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
s 19.................... | rs No 92, 2018 |
s 20.................... | rs No 92, 2018 |
s 21.................... | rs No 92, 2018 |
s 22.................... | rs No 92, 2018 |
s 23.................... | am No 100, 2002 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
s 24.................... | am No 100, 2002 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
s 25.................... | rs No 92, 2018 |
s 25A................... | ad No 100, 2002 |
| rep No 92, 2018 |
s 26.................... | am No 100, 2002 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
s 27.................... | rs No 92, 2018 |
Division 3 |
|
Division 3................ | rs No 92, 2018 |
s 28.................... | rs No 92, 2018 |
s 29.................... | rs No 92, 2018 |
s 30.................... | am No 4, 2016 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
s 31.................... | am No 100, 2002 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
| am No 74, 2023 |
s 32.................... | am No 100, 2002 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
s 33.................... | am No 100, 2002 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
s 34.................... | am No 100, 2002 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
s 35.................... | am No 100, 2002 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
s 36.................... | rs No 92, 2018 |
s 37.................... | rs No 92, 2018 |
Division 4 |
|
Division 4................ | rs No 92, 2018 |
s 38.................... | am No 100, 2002 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
s 39.................... | am No 100, 2002 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
s 40.................... | am No 100, 2002 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
s 41.................... | rs No 92, 2018 |
| am No 74, 2023 |
s 42.................... | am No 100, 2002 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
s 43.................... | am No 100, 2002 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
s 44.................... | am No 4, 2016 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
s 45.................... | rs No 92, 2018 |
s 45A................... | ad No 100, 2002 |
| rep No 92, 2018 |
s 45B................... | ad No 100, 2002 |
| rep No 92, 2018 |
s 45C................... | ad No 100, 2002 |
| rep No 92, 2018 |
s 46.................... | rs No 92, 2018 |
s 46A................... | ad No 100, 2002 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
Division 5 |
|
Division 5................ | rs No 92, 2018 |
s 46B................... | ad No 100, 2002 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
s 46C................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 46D................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 46E................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 46F................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 46G................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 46H................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 46J.................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 46K................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
Division 6 |
|
Division 6................ | rs No 92, 2018 |
s 46L................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 46M................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 46N................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 46P................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 46Q................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 46R................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 46S................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 46T................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
Division 6A |
|
Division 6A............... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 46U................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 46V................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 46W................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 46X................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 46Y................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
Division 7 |
|
s 47.................... | am No 100, 2002; No 92, 2018 |
s 48.................... | am No 100, 2002; No 92, 2018 |
Division 8 |
|
s 50.................... | rs No 92, 2018 |
s 51.................... | am No 100, 2002 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
s 52.................... | am No 100, 2002; No 92, 2018 |
s 53.................... | am No 100, 2002; No 4, 2016; No 61, 2016 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
s 54.................... | am No 100, 2002 |
| rep No 92, 2018 |
s 55.................... | am No 92, 2018 |
s 56.................... | am No 92, 2018 |
s 57.................... | am No 92, 2018 |
s 58.................... | am No 4, 2016; No 61, 2016; No 92, 2018 |
Division 9 |
|
s 59.................... | am No 100, 2002 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
| am No 13, 2021 |
s 60.................... | am No 100, 2002; No 92, 2018 |
s 61.................... | am No 100, 2002; No 92, 2018; No 38, 2024 |
s 62.................... | rs No 92, 2018 |
Part 4 |
|
Division 1A |
|
Division 1A............... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 62A................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
Division 1 |
|
s 63.................... | am No 100, 2002; No 92, 2018 |
s 64.................... | am No 100, 2002; No 92, 2018 |
s 65.................... | rep No 92, 2018 |
Division 2 |
|
Subdivision A |
|
s 66.................... | am No 92, 2018 |
s 69.................... | am No 100, 2002; No 92, 2018 |
Subdivision B |
|
s 70.................... | am No 92, 2018 |
Division 3 |
|
s 72.................... | am No 92, 2018; No 13, 2021 |
s 73.................... | am No 92, 2018 |
Division 4 |
|
s 74.................... | am No 92, 2018 |
Part 4A |
|
Part 4A.................. | ad No 92, 2018 |
Division 1 |
|
s 75A................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
Division 2 |
|
s 75B................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 75C................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
Division 3 |
|
s 75D................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 75E................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
Division 4 |
|
s 75F................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
| am No 13, 2021 |
s 75G................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
Part 5 |
|
Part 5 heading............. | rs No 92, 2018 |
s 75H................... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 76.................... | am No 92, 2018 |
s 77.................... | am No 92, 2018 |
s 78.................... | rep No 92, 2018 |
s 79.................... | rep No 92, 2018 |
Part 5A.................. | ad No 101, 2001 |
| rep No 92, 2018 |
s 79A................... | ad No 101, 2001 |
| rep No 92, 2018 |
s 79B................... | ad No 101, 2001 |
| rep No 92, 2018 |
Part 6 |
|
Part 6................... | rs No 92, 2018 |
s 80.................... | am No 100, 2002 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
s 81.................... | rs No 92, 2018 |
| am No 13, 2021 |
s 82.................... | rep No 92, 2018 |
Part 7 |
|
Division 1A |
|
Division 1A............... | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 83.................... | am No 4, 2016 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
Division 1 |
|
s 84.................... | am No 92, 2018 |
s 85.................... | am No 100, 2002; No 92, 2018 |
s 86.................... | am No 92, 2018 |
Division 2 |
|
s 88.................... | am No 92, 2018 |
s 90.................... | am No 92, 2018 |
s 91.................... | am No 92, 2018 |
s 92.................... | am No 4, 2016; No 61, 2016; No 92, 2018 |
s 94.................... | am No 4, 2016; No 61, 2016; No 92, 2018 |
s 95.................... | am No 92, 2018 |
s 96.................... | am No 4, 2016; No 61, 2016; No 92, 2018 |
Division 3 |
|
s 98.................... | am No 92, 2018 |
s 99.................... | am No 92, 2018 |
s 101................... | am No 4, 2016; No 61, 2016; No 92, 2018 |
s 103................... | am No 4, 2016; No 61, 2016 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
Part 8 |
|
s 103A.................. | ad No 92, 2018 |
s 104................... | am No 92, 2018 |
s 106................... | rs No 100, 2002 |
s 107................... | am No 92, 2018; No 13, 2021 |
s 108................... | am No 101, 2001; No 92, 2018 |
s 109................... | am No 4, 2016 |
| rep No 92, 2018 |
s 110................... | am No 100, 2002 |
| rs No 92, 2018 |
Schedule 1................ | am No 100, 2002 |
| rep No 92, 2018 |
Schedule 2................ | rep No 92, 2018 |
Schedule 3................ | rep No 92, 2018 |
Schedule 4................ | rs No 100, 2002 |
| rep No 92, 2018 |
Schedule 5................ | am No 100, 2002 |
| rep No 92, 2018 |
Schedule 6................ | ad No 101, 2001 |
| rep No 92, 2018 |