Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth)

Acts Interpretation Act 1901

No. 2, 1901

Compilation No. 38

Compilation date: 11 December 2024

Includes amendments: Act No. 115, 2024

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 11 December 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If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.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 1A Simplified outline 2 Application of Act 2A Binding the Crown Part 2—Definitions 2B Definitions 2C References to persons 2CA References to spouses 2D References to de facto partners 2E Registered relationships 2F De facto relationships 2G Months 2H References to law of the Commonwealth 2J Documents commencing proceedings 2K Rules of court 2L References to Australian Standards 2M Sitting day Part 3—Commencement of Acts 3 When Acts come into operation 3A Commencement of Acts 4 Exercise of powers between enactment and commencement of Act 6 Evidence of date of assent Part 4—Amendment, repeal and expiry of Acts 7 Effect of repeal or amendment of Act 10 References to amended or re‑enacted Acts 10A References to amended or re‑enacted laws of States and Territories 11 Acts may be altered etc. in same session 11A Inserting definitions into provisions or inserting items into lists or tables 11B Amending Act to be construed with amended Act Part 5—General interpretation rules 12 Every section a substantive enactment 13 Material that is part of an Act 15A Construction of Acts to be subject to Constitution 15AA Interpretation best achieving Act's purpose or object 15AB Use of extrinsic material in the interpretation of an Act 15AC Changes to style not to affect meaning 15AD Examples 15B Application of Acts in coastal sea 15C Jurisdiction of courts 16 References to the Sovereign 16A References to the Governor‑General 16B References to the Governor of a State 16BA References to judge 16C References to Stipendiary Magistrate and Magistrate 17A Paper or document purporting to be printed by Government Printer 18A Parts of speech and grammatical forms 18B Titles of Chairs and Deputy Chairs 19 References to Ministers in Acts 19A References to Departments in Acts 19B Machinery of government—substituted reference orders 19C Machinery of government—references to authorities in Commonwealth agreements 19D Machinery of government changes—saving the validity of acts done by authorities 19E Validity of acts done by Ministers 20 References to holders of appointments, offices and positions in Acts and Commonwealth agreements 21 Office etc. means office etc. of the Commonwealth 23 Rules as to gender and number 25A Production of records kept in computers etc. 25B Alterations of names and constitutions 25C Compliance with forms 25D Content of statements of reasons for decisions Part 6—Service of documents 28A Service of documents 29 Meaning of service by post Part 7—Powers, functions and duties 33 Exercise of powers and performance of functions or duties 33AA Power to appoint includes power to reappoint 33AB Validity of things done under appointments under Acts 33A Acting in offices or positions 33B Participation in meetings by telephone etc. 34 Power to hear and determine a matter includes power to receive evidence and examine witnesses etc. 34AAA Exercise of powers etc. by holders etc. of offices or positions 34AAB Minister may authorise others to perform functions or duties or exercise powers on his or her behalf 34AA Delegation to persons holding, occupying or performing the duties of an office or position 34AB Effect of delegation 34A Exercise of powers and performance of functions or duties that depend upon the opinion etc. of delegates 34B Presentation of papers to the Parliament 34C Periodic reports Part 8—Distance, time and age 35 Measurement of distance 36 Calculating time 37 Expressions of time 37A Attainment of particular age Part 9—Citation of Acts and instruments 38 Reference to Acts 39 Numbering of Acts 40 Citation of Acts and instruments 40A References to the new corporations and ASIC legislation Part 10—Instruments not covered by the Legislation Act 2003, and parliamentary resolutions 46 Construction of instruments 46AA Prescribing matters by reference to other instruments 47 Construction of resolutions Part 11—Regulations 51 Regulations Endnotes Endnote 1—About the endnotes Endnote 2—Abbreviation key Endnote 3—Legislation history Endnote 4—Amendment history