Air Force (Women's Services) Regulations (Amendment)

Legislation au C1951L00018 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

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STATUTORY RULES.

1951. No. .

REGULATIONS UNDER THE AIR FORCE ACT 1923-1950.*

I,THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Air Force Act 1923-1950.

Dated this  fifteenth

day of ,   March , 1951.

W.J. McKELL

Governor-General.

By His Excellency's Command,

Minister of State for Air.

Amendments of the Air Force (Women's Services) Regulations†

Parts.

1. Regulation 2 of the Air Force (Women's Services) Regulations is amended by omitting the words and figures—

" Part III-Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force."

and inserting in their stead the words and figures—

" Part III. Women's Royal Australian Air Force.".

Women's Services

2. Regulation 4 of the Air Force (Women's Services) Regulations is amended by omitting the word " Auxiliary " and inserting in its stead the word “ Royal ”.

Members of existing organizations

3. Regulation 6 of the Air Force (Women's Services) Regulations is repealed.

Applications of Air Force Regulations

4. Regulation 7 of the Air Force (Women's Services) Regulations is amended by omitting all the words from and including the words Air Force Regulations ", but, in the application " to the end of that regulation.

Part III.

5.The heading to Part III. of the Air Force (Women's Services) Regulations is amended by omitting the word " Auxiliary " and inserting in its stead the word “ Royal ”.

Constitution.

6. Regulation 12 of the Air Force (Women's Services) Regulations is amended by omitting the word " Auxiliary " (wherever occurring) and inserting in its stead the word “ Royal ”.

Ranks of officers.

7. Regulation 13 of the Air Force (Women's Services) Regulations is amended by omitting the word " Auxiliary " and inserting in its  stead the word “ Royal ”.

8. Regulation 14 of the Air Force (Women's Services) Regulations is repealed and the following regulation inserted in its stead :—

Period of enlistment

" 14.—(1.) A woman who enlists in the Women's Royal Australian Air Force may be required to engage to serve for a period of four years.

* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on  , 1951.

† Statutory Rules 1943, No. 69, as amended by Statutory Rules 1945, No. 117.—Second amendment. 

5798.—Price 3D. 15/18.12.1950.


" (2.) A person who, prior to the commencement of this regulation, has engaged to serve for the period specified in this regulation shall be bound to serve in accordance with the tenor of her oath of enlistment until she is discharged, dismissed or removed from the Air Force.",

9. Regulation 15 of the Air Force (Women's Services) Regulations is repealed and the following regulation inserted in its stead :—

Ranks of Airwomen.

" 15. The ranks of airwomen shall be those set out in the first column of the following table, and, for the purpose of determining relative rank, they shall correspond with the ranks of airmen specified opposite thereto in the second column of that table :—

Warrant Officers.

Warrant Officer..................................Warrant Officer

Non-commissioned Officers.

Flight Sergeant  ................

Flight Sergeant

Sergeant .....................

Sergeant

Corporal .....................

Corporal

Other Ranks.

Leading Aircraftwoman ...........

Leading Aircraftwoman

Aircraftwoman .................

Aircraftwoman

Aircraftwoman (Recruit) ...........

Aircraftwoman (Recruit)".

Authority to command and subordination of members.

10. Regulation 16 of the Air Force (Women's Services) Regulations is amended by omitting the word " Auxiliary " (wherever occurring) and inserting in its stead the word “ Royal ”.

 Superior Officer-in relation to male members.

11. Regulation 18 of the Air Force (Women's Services) Regulations is amended by omitting the word “ under-officer ” and inserting in its stead the words “ warrant officer ”.

Superior Officer-in relation to airwomen.

12. Regulation 19 of the Air Force (Women's Services) Regulations is amended by omitting the words “ an under-officer ” and inserting in their stead the words “ a warrant officer ”.

Powers of Commanding Officer.

13. Regulation 21 of the Air Force (Women's Services) Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (2.) the words " an under-officer " (wherever occurring) and inserting in their stead the words “ a warrant officer ”.

Delegation to subordinate commander.

14. Regulation 22 of the Air Force (Women's Services) Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (2.) the words “ an under-officer ” (wherever occurring) and inserting in their stead the words " a warrant officer ".

By Authority : L, F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1951 No. 18, made under the Air Force Act 1923-1950, were introduced to formalise the transition of the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force into the Women's Royal Australian Air Force. Enacted by the Governor-General in accordance with the Federal Executive Council's advice, these regulations aimed to update the existing Air Force (Women's Services) Regulations to reflect the change in the name and status of the women's service within the Air Force. The policy objective behind these amendments was to ensure that the legal framework governing the women's service aligned with its new designation and responsibilities as part of the Royal Australian Air Force, thus maintaining consistency and clarity in the administration and governance of the service.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1951 No. 18 under the Air Force Act 1923-1950 amends the Air Force (Women's Services) Regulations, specifically updating the designation of the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force to the Women's Royal Australian Air Force. This regulatory change applies to all members and entities associated with the renamed service, including the alteration of ranks and titles to reflect the new designation. The geographic scope of these regulations is national, as they pertain to the Australian Defence Force, which operates under the Commonwealth of Australia. The amendments are designed to align the Women's Royal Australian Air Force with the Royal Australian Air Force, ensuring consistency in rank structures and command relationships. Notably, these regulations do not introduce new exclusions or thresholds but rather refine existing structures to reflect the new naming convention and associated changes. The application of these regulations is further extended through subordinate instruments as necessary, ensuring that all related documentation and practices are updated accordingly.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Statutory Rules 1951 No. 18, which are regulations under the Air Force Act 1923-1950, primarily focus on updating the terminology and structure of the Women's Services within the Australian Air Force. Regulation 2 changes the name of Part III from "Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force" to "Women's Royal Australian Air Force," and similar amendments are made to other regulations to reflect this change. For example, Regulation 4 replaces "Auxiliary" with "Royal," and Regulation 12 and 13 update the ranks of officers and airwomen respectively to reflect the new title. Regulation 14 specifies the period of enlistment for women in the Women's Royal Australian Air Force, setting it at four years, while Regulation 15 delineates the ranks of airwomen and their corresponding ranks among airmen. The obligations and requirements imposed by these regulations on the parties governed include the renaming and restructuring of the Women's Services, ensuring that all references within the regulations reflect the new title "Women's Royal Australian Air Force." These changes necessitate updates to various sections, such as the application of Air Force regulations, constitution, ranks, and authority to command. The regulations also detail the period of enlistment and the ranks of airwomen, establishing a clear hierarchy and expectations for service within the Women's Royal Australian Air Force. Regarding offences, penalties, or consequences for breach, the regulations do not explicitly detail specific penalties for non-compliance with these structural changes. However, it is implied that adherence to these updated regulations is necessary for the proper functioning and recognition of the Women's Royal Australian Air Force. Failure to comply with these regulations could potentially lead to administrative or disciplinary actions as outlined under the broader Air Force Act 1923-1950. While the specific maximum penalties are not stated within these regulations, they would likely align with the disciplinary measures and penalties provided for in the overarching legislation.

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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.