Australian Military Regulations (Amendment)

Administered by Department of Defence

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STATUTORY RULES.

1946. No. 150.

_______

REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT 1903-1945.*

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 Defence Act 1903-1945.

Dated this twenty-third day of October, 1946.

HENRY

Governor-General.

By His Royal Highness’s Command,

F. M. FORDE

Minister of State for the Army.

________

Amendment of the Australian Military Regulations.†

Definitions.

Regulation 3 of the Australian Military Regulations is amended by omitting the definition of “Formation, &c.” and inserting in its stead the following definition:—

“‘Formation, &c.,’ means the whole of the officers and soldiers belonging or attached to a Command, Army Corps, Division, Military District, Brigade Group or to such other portion of the Military Forces as is, from time to time, appointed a Formation, &c., by the Military Board;”.

 

 

* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 24th October, 1946.

† Statutory Rules 1927, No. 149, as amended by Statutory Rules 1928, Nos. 23, 28 and 126; 1929, No. 123; 1930, Nos. 26, 37 and 92; 1931, No. 13; 1932, Nos. 80, 87 and 125; 1933, Nos. 49 and 77; 1934, Nos. 26 and 80; 1935, Nos. 99 and 109; 1936, Nos. 21, 44 and 100; 1937, No. 45; 1938, Nos. 75, 90 and 93; 1939, Nos. 31, 51, 58, 115, 123, 134, 160 and 173; 1940, Nos. 2, 16, 29, 59, 150, 183, 184, 185, 186, 199, 237, 252, 272 and 273; 1941, Nos. 3, 4, 14, 43, 135, 153, 155, 205, 245, 246, 260, and 311; 1942, Nos. 35, 59, 60, 85, 114, 166, 179, 211, 231, 289, 333, 334, 350, 417, 477, 506, 508, 521, 522, 555 and 556; 1943, Nos. 17, 72, 126, 174, 199, 200, 219, 244, 245, 246, 249 and 258; 1944, Nos. 1, 39, 69, 71, 72, 114, 120, 122, 154 and 164 ; 1945, Nos. 6, 19, 38, 42, 68, 94, 111, 141 and 195; 1940, Nos. 72, 113, 114 and 116.

_______________________

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

5302.—Price 3d.

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1946 No. 150, made under the Defence Act 1903-1945, aim to amend the Australian Military Regulations through the addition and omission of definitions, thereby clarifying the scope and application of military formations and related units. Enacted by the Governor-General in accordance with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, these regulations seek to ensure that the military operations and administrative structures are clearly defined and understood within the framework of the Defence Act. This legislative instrument addresses the need for precise definitions within the military regulatory framework to facilitate effective governance and operation of the Australian Defence Force.

Scope and Application

The Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1945 govern the conduct and organisation of the Australian Military Forces, applying to all officers and soldiers belonging or attached to any military formation as defined by the Military Board. These Regulations have a national scope, operating within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia and are applicable to all military personnel and formations across the nation. The Regulations are inclusive of all military entities and formations, encompassing Commands, Army Corps, Divisions, Military Districts, and Brigade Groups, as well as any other portions of the Military Forces designated as a formation. While the primary focus is on military personnel and formations, there are no explicit exclusions or exemptions stated within the text. The application and interpretation of these Regulations may be further refined through subordinate instruments, thereby extending or restricting their scope as necessary.

Key Provisions

These Regulations amend the Australian Military Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1945. The key operative section, Regulation 3, redefines the term "Formation, &c." to include the entirety of officers and soldiers attached to a Command, Army Corps, Division, Military District, Brigade Group, or any other portion of the Military Forces designated as such by the Military Board (Reg. 3). This amendment aims to provide clarity and specificity in defining military units and their composition. The Act imposes specific obligations on the military personnel and units defined by these Regulations. Each military formation, as now defined, must adhere to the directives and orders issued by the Military Board. This includes maintaining the integrity of the unit structure and ensuring that all personnel are accounted for and properly assigned (Reg. 3). The amendment aims to streamline command and operational efficiency within the military hierarchy. Failure to comply with these Regulations can result in various consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed within the Regulations themselves, breaches of the Defence Act 1903-1945 can lead to disciplinary actions against military personnel. These may include courts-martial and other forms of military discipline. In cases where the breach has civilian ramifications, it could also lead to civil or criminal prosecution under Australian law, with penalties varying based on the severity of the offence. The seriousness of the breach will determine the extent of the penalties imposed.

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Defence & Security Law
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Regulation
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Definitions & Interpretation
Delegation & Subordinate 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.