Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018 (Cth)

Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018

No. 123, 1998

Compilation No. 12

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If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.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 8 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