Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated ActsNo. 133, 2013
Compilation No. 18
Compilation date: 17 October 2023
Includes amendments up to: Act No. 73, 2023
Registered: 24 October 2023
This compilation includes commenced amendments made by Act No. 71, 2023
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 17 October 2023 (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If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.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 matters
1 Short title
2 Commencement
3 Crown to be bound
4 Extension to external Territories
5 Extension to things outside Australia
Division 2--Objects
6 Objects
Division 3--Overview
7 Simplified outline of this Act
7A Role of the Ombudsman under the Ombudsman Act 1976
7B Role of the IGIS under the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1986
Division 4--Definitions
Part 2--Protection of disclosers and witnesses
Division 1--Protections
9 Simplified outline
Subdivision A--Immunity from liability
10 Protection of disclosers
11 Liability for false or misleading statements etc. unaffected
11A Designated publication restrictions
12 Discloser's liability for own conduct not affected
12A Witnesses--immunity from liability etc.
12B Witnesses--exceptions to immunities
Subdivision B--Protection from reprisals
13 What constitutes taking a reprisal
14 Compensation
15 Injunctions, apologies and other orders
16 Reinstatement
17 Multiple orders
18 Costs only if proceedings instituted vexatiously etc.
19 Reprisals in relation to disclosures--offences
19A Interaction between civil remedies and offences
Subdivision C--Protecting the identity of disclosers
20 Disclosure or use of identifying information
21 Identifying information not to be disclosed etc. to courts or tribunals
Subdivision D--Interaction with the Fair Work Act 2009
22 Interaction with protections under Part 3-1 of the Fair Work Act 2009
22A Interaction with remedies under the Fair Work Act 2009
Subdivision E--Miscellaneous
23 Claims for protection
24 Protections have effect despite other Commonwealth laws
Division 2--Public interest disclosures
25 Simplified outline
Subdivision A--Public interest disclosures
26 Meaning of public interest disclosure
27 Associated allegations
28 How a public interest disclosure may be made
Subdivision B--Disclosable conduct
29 Meaning of disclosable conduct
29A Meaning of personal work-related conduct
30 Officers or employees of a contracted service provider
31 Disagreements with government policies etc.
32 Conduct connected with courts or Commonwealth tribunals
33 Conduct connected with intelligence agencies
Subdivision C--Internal disclosures: authorised internal recipients
34 Meaning of authorised internal recipient
35 When conduct relates to an agency
36 Meaning of authorised officer
Subdivision D--Intelligence information
41 Meaning of intelligence information
Part 3--Investigations
Division 1--Allocating the handling of disclosures
42 Simplified outline
43 Allocation of disclosure--decision by authorised officer
44 Allocation of disclosure--notice of decision to allocate
44A Allocation of disclosure--decision not to allocate
44B Non-allocation of disclosure subject to stop action direction under the NACC Act
45 Reallocation of disclosures
45A Conduct related to intelligence agencies and agencies with intelligence functions--notice to the IGIS
Division 2--The obligation to investigate disclosures
46 Simplified outline
47 Principal officer must investigate disclosures
48 Discretion not to investigate
49 Investigative agency using separate investigative powers
50 Notification to discloser
50AA Decision not to investigate--referral for investigation under another law or power
50A Notification to Ombudsman or IGIS about investigation
51 Report of investigation
52 Time limit for investigations under this Division
53 Conduct of investigations under this Division
54 Adoption of findings of another investigation
Division 3--Miscellaneous
55 The Ombudsman and the IGIS--recommendations
56 Disclosure to a member of an Australian police force
Part 4--Administrative matters
Division 1--Additional obligations and functions
58 Simplified outline
59 Additional obligations of principal officers
60 Additional obligations of authorised officers
60A Additional obligations of supervisors
61 Additional obligations of public officials
62 Additional functions of the Ombudsman
63 Additional functions of the IGIS
Division 2--Treatment of information
64 Simplified outline of this Division
65 Sharing information and documents between agencies
67 Secrecy--legal practitioners
Division 3--Officials and agencies
68 Simplified outline
Subdivision A--Public officials
70 Individuals taken to be public officials
Subdivision B--Agencies and prescribed authorities
71 Meaning of agency
72 Meaning of prescribed authority
Subdivision C--Principal officers
73 Meaning of principal officer
Subdivision D--Machinery of government changes
73A Scope of Subdivision
73B Machinery of government changes--conduct relating to affected agency
73C Machinery of government changes--disclosures made before change
73D Machinery of government changes--information transfer
Part 5--Miscellaneous
74 Ombudsman may determine standards
75 Restriction on the application of secrecy provisions
76 Annual reports by the Ombudsman
76A Six-monthly reports by the Ombudsman
77 Delegations
78 Liability for acts and omissions
79 Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws
80 Law relating to legal professional privilege not affected
82 Other investigative powers etc. not affected
82A Review of operation of Act
83 The PID 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 |
133, 2013 | 15 July 2013 | s 3-83: 15 Jan 2014 (s 2(1) item 2) |
| |
62, 2014 | 30 June 2014 | Sch 11 (items 84-91) and Sch 14: 1 July 2014 (s 2(1) items 6, 14) | Sch 11 (item 87) and 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) | -- |
108, 2014 | 2 Oct 2014 | Sch 1 (items 49-53, 85): 30 Oct 2014 (s 2(1) item 2) | Sch 1 (item 85) and Sch 7 (items 144, 145) | |
59, 2015 | 26 May 2015 | Sch 1 (items 178-180): 18 June 2015 (s 2(1) item 2) | Sch 1 (items 184-203) | |
60, 2015 | 26 May 2015 | Sch 8 (item 38) and Sch 9: 1 July 2015 (s 2(1) items 19, 22) | Sch 9 | |
109, 2015 | 30 June 2015 | Sch 1 (items 63, 64): 28 July 2015 (s 2(1) item 2) | Sch 1 (item 64) | |
Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015 | 126, 2015 | 10 Sept 2015 | Sch 1 (item 496): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- |
132, 2015 | 13 Oct 2015 | Sch 1 (item 68): 14 Oct 2015 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- | |
164, 2015 | 2 Dec 2015 | Sch 2 (items 70, 80): 1 July 2016 (s 2(1) item 2) | Sch 2 (item 80) | |
24, 2016 | 18 Mar 2016 | Sch 5 (items 29, 30): 1 July 2016 (s 2(1) item 7) | Sch 6 | |
Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2016 | 82, 2016 | 29 Nov 2016 | Sch 15 (item 33): 30 Nov 2016 (s 2(1) item 3) | -- |
Office of National Intelligence (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2018 | 156, 2018 | 10 Dec 2018 | Sch 2 (items 89, 90) and Sch 4: 20 Dec 2018 (s 2(1) items 2, 4) | Sch 4 |
13, 2021 | 1 Mar 2021 | Sch 2 (items 710-714): 1 Sept 2021 (s 2(1) item 5) | -- | |
Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Act 2021 | 98, 2021 | 3 Sept 2021 | Sch 2 (items 96-111): 4 Sept 2021 (s 2(1) item 3) | Sch 2 (item 111) |
National Anti-Corruption Commission (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2022 | 89, 2022 | 12 Dec 2022 | Sch 1 (items 163, 171-174, 182): repealed before commencing (s 2(1) item 2) | -- |
as amended by |
|
|
|
|
23, 2023 | 19 June 2023 | Sch 4 (item 1): 1 July 2023 (s 2(1) item 3) | -- | |
23, 2023 | 19 June 2023 | Sch 1-3 and Sch 4 (items 6-25): 1 July 2023 (s 2(1) items 2, 6) | Sch 3 | |
National Security Legislation Amendment (Comprehensive Review and Other Measures No. 2) Act 2023 | 53, 2023 | 11 Aug 2023 | Sch 1 (item 16): 12 Aug 2023 (s 2(1) item 1) | -- |
71, 2023 | 19 Sept 2023 | Sch 4 (items 20, 21): 17 Oct 2023 (s 2(1) item 5) | -- | |
Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Modernisation) Act 2023 | 73, 2023 | 20 Sept 2023 | Sch 1 (items 196-198) and Sch 3 (item 2): 21 Sept 2023 (s 2(1) items 2, 5) | Sch 3 (item 2) |
Provision affected | How affected |
Part 1 |
|
Division 2 |
|
s 6..................... | am No 23, 2023 |
Division 3 |
|
s 7..................... | rs No 23, 2023 |
| am No 23, 2023 |
s 7A.................... | ad No 23, 2023 |
s 7B.................... | ad No 23, 2023 |
Division 4 |
|
s 8..................... | am No 62, 2014; No 108, 2014; No 60, 2015; No 109, 2015; No 164, 2015; No 82, 2016 |
| ed C10 |
| am No 156, 2018; No 13, 2021; No 98, 2021; No 89, 2022; No 23, 2023 |
Part 2 |
|
Part 2 heading............. | rs No 23, 2023 |
Division 1 |
|
s 9..................... | am No 13, 2021; No 23, 2023 |
Subdivision A |
|
s 12A................... | ad No 23, 2023 |
s 12B................... | ad No 23, 2023 |
Subdivision B |
|
s 13.................... | am No 23, 2023 |
s 14.................... | am No 13, 2021; No 23, 2023 |
s 15.................... | am No 13, 2021; No 23, 2023 |
s 16.................... | am No 13, 2021 |
s 17.................... | am No 13, 2021 |
s 19.................... | rs No 23, 2023 |
s 19A................... | am No 23, 2023 |
Subdivision C |
|
s 20.................... | am No 23, 2023 |
Subdivision D |
|
s 22.................... | am No 23, 2023 |
s 22A................... | am No 13, 2021 |
Subdivision E |
|
s 23.................... | am No 132, 2015 |
Division 2 |
|
s 25.................... | am No 89, 2022; No 23, 2023 |
Subdivision A |
|
s 26.................... | am No 89, 2022; No 23, 2023 |
s 28.................... | am No 89, 2022 |
Subdivision B |
|
s 29.................... | am No 62, 2014; No 23, 2023 |
s 29A................... | ad No 23, 2023 |
s 30.................... | am No 23, 2023 |
s 32.................... | am No 126, 2015 |
Subdivision C |
|
s 34.................... | am No 98, 2021; No 23, 2023; No 73, 2023 |
s 35.................... | am No 23, 2023 |
Subdivision D |
|
s 41.................... | am No 108, 2014 |
Part 3 |
|
Division 1 |
|
s 42.................... | am No 98, 2021; No 89, 2022 |
s 43.................... | am No 98, 2021 |
| rs No 23, 2023 |
| am No 23, 2023 |
| ed C15 |
s 44.................... | am No 98, 2021 |
| rs No 23, 2023 |
s 44A................... | ad No 23, 2023 |
s 44B................... | ad No 23, 2023 |
s 45.................... | am No 23, 2023 |
s 45A................... | ad No 23, 2023 |
Division 2 |
|
s 46.................... | am No 98, 2021; No 89, 2022 |
s 47.................... | am No 89, 2022; No 23, 2023 |
s 48.................... | am No 23, 2023 |
s 49.................... | am No 23, 2023 |
s 50.................... | am No 89, 2022; No 23, 2023 |
s 50AA.................. | ad No 23, 2023 |
s 50A................... | am No 98, 2021; No 89, 2022; No 23, 2023 |
s 51.................... | am No 23, 2023 |
s 52.................... | am No 98, 2021; No 23, 2023 |
s 53.................... | am No 62, 2014; No 23, 2023 |
s 54.................... | rs No 23, 2023 |
Division 3 |
|
s 55.................... | ad No 23, 2023 |
s 56.................... | rs No 23, 2023 |
| am No 23, 2023 |
s 57.................... | rep No 23, 2023 |
Part 4 |
|
Division 1 |
|
s 58.................... | am No 98, 2021 |
s 59.................... | rs No 23, 2023 |
s 60.................... | am No 23, 2023 |
s 60A................... | rs No 23, 2023 |
s 61.................... | am No 23, 2023 |
s 63.................... | am No 98, 2021 |
Division 2 |
|
s 64.................... | rs No 23, 2023 |
s 65.................... | rs No 23, 2023 |
s 66.................... | am No 108, 2014 |
| rep No 23, 2023 |
s 67.................... | am No 23, 2023 |
Division 3 |
|
Subdivision A |
|
s 69.................... | am No 59, 2015; No 89, 2022; No 23, 2023; No 71, 2023; No 73, 2023 |
s 70.................... | am No 23, 2023; No 71, 2023 |
Subdivision B |
|
s 71.................... | rs No 23, 2023 |
s 72.................... | am No 62, 2014; No 108, 2014; No 156, 2018 |
| rs No 23, 2023 |
Subdivision C |
|
s 73.................... | |
Subdivision D |
|
Subdivision D............. | ad No 23, 2023 |
s 73A................... | ad No 23, 2023 |
s 73B................... | ad No 23, 2023 |
s 73C................... | ad No 23, 2023 |
s 73D................... | ad No 23, 2023 |
Part 5 |
|
s 75.................... | am No 23, 2023 |
s 76.................... | am No 62, 2014; No 23, 2023; No 53, 2023 |
s 76A................... | ad No 23, 2023 |
s 77.................... | rs No 23, 2023 |
| am No 73, 2023 (amdt never applied (Sch 1 item 198)) |
s 78.................... | am No 23, 2023 |
s 82A................... | rs No 23, 2023 |