Social Services Act 1966

Legislation au C1966A00041 Not in force Act

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Social Services

No. 41 of 1966

An Act to amend the Social Services Act 1947–1965.

[Assented to 30 September 1966]

BE it enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—

Short title and citation.

1.—(1.) This Act may be cited as the Social Services Act 1966.


(2.) The Social Services Act 1947–1965 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.

(3.) The Principal Act, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Social Services Act 1947–1966.

Commencement.

2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

Savings.

3. Section 4 of the Principal Act is amended by omitting; paragraph (a) of sub-section (1.).

Parts.

4. Section 5 of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) by omitting the words and figures—

“Part II.—Administration (Sections 7–17).”

and inserting in their stead the words and figures—

“Part II.—Administration (Sections 7–17a).”; and

(b) by omitting the words and figures—

“Division 7.—Claims for Pensions (Sections 37–38).”

and inserting in their stead the words and figures—

“Division 7.—Claims for Pensions (Section 37).”.

Interpretation.

5. Section 6 of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) by omitting the definition of “Magistrate”;

(b) by inserting after the definition of “member of the Forces” the following definitions:—

“‘mental hospital’ means premises declared by the Director-General under section seventeen a of this Act to be a mental hospital for the purposes of this Act;

‘mental hospital patient’ means a person who has been admitted to a mental hospital as a patient of the hospital and is shown on the records of the hospital as a patient, other than an out-patient, of the hospital;”; and

(c) by adding at the end thereof the following sub-section:—

“(2.) Where a mental hospital patient is transferred from one mental hospital to another mental hospital, he shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to be a mental hospital patient during the period of the transfer notwithstanding that, during that period, he is not shown on the records of a mental hospital as a patient of a mental hospital.”.


Special Magistrates.

6. Section 11 of the Principal Act is repealed.

Powers as to taking of evidence and production of documents.

7. Section 16 of the Principal Act is amended by omitting the words “, a Magistrate” (wherever occurring).

8. After section 17 of the Principal Act the following section is inserted in Part II.:—

Declaration of mental hospitals.

“17a. Where the Director-General is satisfied that accommodation for mentally ill or mentally defective persons is provided in any premises, he…

Overview

The Social Services Act 1966 was enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament to amend the Social Services Act 1947–1965. This Act aimed to address gaps and update provisions within the existing legislation, particularly in light of the transition to decimal currency. It includes amendments to various sections of the Principal Act, such as updates to financial figures, the removal of certain outdated references, and the introduction of new provisions like the declaration of mental hospitals by the Director-General. The policy objective behind these amendments was to ensure that the social services framework remained relevant and effective in meeting the needs of the Australian community.

Scope and Application

The Social Services Act 1966 amends the Social Services Act 1947–1965 (the Principal Act). This legislation applies to individuals and entities who receive benefits or pensions under the Social Services Act and includes amendments to various provisions relating to mental hospitals, pensions, child endowment, and unemployment benefits. The Act has a Commonwealth jurisdictional reach, impacting all states and territories within Australia. The Act includes amendments to the definitions of terms such as "mental hospital" and "mental hospital patient," as well as modifications to pension rates, allowances, and conditions for receiving benefits. The Act also updates references to decimal currency and removes certain provisions that were previously in place. The amendments apply to instalments of pensions and allowances falling due on the first pension pay day after the commencement of this Act and to all subsequent instalments.

Key Provisions

  • The Social Services Act 1966 (C1966A00041) amends the Social Services Act 1947–1965 (the Principal Act) in several ways. Key provisions include amendments to the definitions, pensions, allowances, and other benefits provided under the Act. For instance, Section 17a of the Act (s. 8) allows the Director-General to declare premises as a mental hospital for the purposes of the Act when accommodation for mentally ill or mentally defective persons is provided. The Act also changes the rates of age and invalid pensions (s. 10), and the allowances not to be paid in certain circumstances (s. 12). The Act modifies the conditions and rates for widow's pensions (ss. 18 and 19), and the computation of income for pension purposes (s. 20).
  • The Act imposes various obligations on the parties it governs. For example, it requires the Director-General to declare premises as a mental hospital (s. 17a), and mandates that the pensions of mental hospital patients are suspended while they are patients (ss. 48 and 77). The Act also outlines the conditions under which benefits are payable, such as when a person is imprisoned or is an inmate of a mental hospital (s. 133). Furthermore, it sets out the requirements for the recovery of overpayments (s. 30), and the provision of information about pensioners (s. 141).
  • The Act also outlines the consequences for breaches of its provisions. While specific penalties are not mentioned in the text, breaches of the Act may result in civil or criminal consequences, such as fines or imprisonment, depending on the nature and severity of the breach. It is important for parties governed by the Act to comply with its provisions to avoid any potential penalties or consequences.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Social Security Law
Instrument
Amending Act
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Repeal & Amendment
Offence Provisions
Reporting & Disclosure Obligations
Regulatory Standards

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.