Liquid Fuel Emergency Act 1984
No. 5, 1984
Compilation No. 17
Compilation date: 5 December 2025
Includes amendments: Act No. 73, 2025
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Liquid Fuel Emergency Act 1984 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 5 December 2025 (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. The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au).
Application, saving and transitional provisions
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.
Presentational changes
The Legislation Act 2003 provides for First Parliamentary Counsel to make presentational changes to a compilation. Presentational changes are applied to give a more consistent look and feel to legislation published on the Register, and enable the user to more easily navigate those documents.
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. Any modifications affecting the law are accessible on the Register.
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If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.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
4 Extension of Act to external Territories
5 Act to bind Crown
6 Operation of Act
7 Additional operation of Act in relation to relevant fuel industry corporations
8 Additional operation of Act in relation to relevant persons
9 Minister must determine planning periods
10 Bulk customers of relevant fuel industry corporations or of relevant persons
11 Essential users of refined liquid petroleum products
11A Application of the Criminal Code
Part II—Contingency planning powers
12 Minister may direct relevant fuel industry corporations to maintain reserves etc.
13 Minister may direct relevant fuel industry corporations to develop bulk allocation procedures
15 Minister may enter into arrangements to enable directions under sections 23 and 24 to be implemented
Part III—Declaration of, and powers for dealing with, national liquid fuel emergency
16 Declaration of national liquid fuel emergency
17 Minister may direct relevant fuel industry corporations to maintain reserves etc.
18 Minister may direct transfer of liquid fuel
19 Minister may direct liquid fuel to be available for purchase
20 Minister may give directions as to output from refineries
21 Minister…
Overview
The Liquid Fuel Emergency Act 1984 was enacted to facilitate the management of liquid fuel that is, or is likely to be, in short supply, and for related purposes. This Act was passed by the Parliament of Australia. Its policy objective is to provide a legal framework to manage the supply and allocation of liquid fuel during a national emergency, ensuring that critical industries and services continue to operate without interruption. The Act empowers the Minister to direct corporations and relevant persons involved in the liquid fuel industry to maintain reserves, allocate supplies, and regulate the distribution of liquid fuel to essential users, particularly during periods declared as national liquid fuel emergencies.
Scope and Application
The Liquid Fuel Emergency Act 1984 applies to the Commonwealth and all States and Territories of Australia, including external Territories. This Act is designed to manage potential shortages of liquid fuel by empowering the Minister to issue directives to relevant fuel industry corporations and relevant persons. Relevant fuel industry corporations include entities engaged in the importation, exportation, recovery, refining, or sale of liquid fuel in Australia. Relevant persons include individuals or entities involved in the importation, exportation, or sale of liquid fuel in Australia. The Act does not apply to State or Territory Energy Ministers by implication. The Act's provisions include powers for contingency planning, declaration of a national liquid fuel emergency, and enforcement mechanisms. It also includes provisions for the appointment of authorised persons, the imposition of civil penalties, and the granting of injunctions. Exemptions from suit are provided for Ministers, the Secretary, and relevant fuel industry corporations or relevant persons in certain circumstances.
Key Provisions
- The Liquid Fuel Emergency Act 1984 (the "Act") facilitates the management of liquid fuel that is, or is likely to be, in short supply and provides mechanisms to deal with national liquid fuel emergencies. The Act applies to every external Territory and binds the Crown in each of its capacities. The Act allows the Minister to direct relevant fuel industry corporations to maintain reserves of liquid fuel and develop bulk allocation procedures. It also empowers the Minister to declare a national liquid fuel emergency, during which the Minister can give directions to relevant fuel industry corporations and relevant persons to manage the supply and distribution of liquid fuel, including directions regarding output from refineries, allocation of liquid fuel to bulk customers, and regulating or prohibiting supply of liquid fuel. The Act also provides for the appointment of authorised persons to enforce its provisions, including the power to enter premises, inspect, seize articles, and require the production of information and documents. Offences against civil penalty provisions can result in civil penalties, while criminal proceedings are not brought for contraventions of civil penalty provisions. The Act includes provisions for compensation for the acquisition of property and for compliance with directions, and it exempts certain persons from suit in relation to actions taken under the Act. The Act also includes miscellaneous provisions regarding the operation of State and Territory laws, delegation, and the repeal of the Liquid Fuel (Defence Stocks) Act 1949.
- Area of Law
- Energy Law
- Environmental Law
- Instrument
- Act
- Concepts
- Definitions & Interpretation
- Commencement Provisions
- Offence Provisions
- Civil Penalty Provisions
- Regulatory Standards
- Enforcement Powers
- Compliance Obligations
- Reporting & Disclosure Obligations
