Australian Military Regulations (Amendment)

Administered by Department of Defence

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STATUTORY RULES.

1955, No. 31.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT 1903-1953.*

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 1903-1953.

Dated this tenth

day of May, 1955.

W. J. Slim

Governot-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

Josiah Francis

Minister of State for the Army.

Amendments of the Australian Military Regulations.ϯ

Sub-division of Regulations.

1. Regulation 2 of the Australian Military Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting the words and figures—

“Division 5.—Leave of absence—Citizen

Forces and Australian Cadet Corps 457-462”

and inserting in their stead the words and figures—

“Division 5.—Leave of absence—Citizen

Forces.............................457-462”;

(b) by omitting the words and figures—

“Division 2.—Australian Instructional

Corps.............................542-543”;

“Division 4.—Royal Australian Army

Ordnance Corps.....................551-563”;

(d) by omitting the words and figures—

“Division 9.—Australian Intelligence

Corps.............................601-602a”;

(e) by omitting the words and figures—

“Division 12.—Provost Staff..............608-609”;

(f) by omitting the words and figures—

“Division 13.—War Disability Super

numerary List......................610-619”;

* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 19 May 1955.

Ϯ Statutory Rules 1927, No. 149, as amended to date. For previous amendments of the Australian Military Regulations, see footnote ϯ to Statutory Rules 1955, No. 7.

443.—Price 5d. 10/15.2.1955.

(g) by omitting the words and figures—

“Part VIII.—Senior Cadets—

Division 1.—Definitions.............630

Division 2.—Officers................631-642

Division 3.—W.O.’s and N.C.O.’s 643-653

Division 4.—Transfer...............654-657

Division 5.—Discipline..............658-668

Division 6.—General................669-672”;

(h) by omitting the words and figures—

“Division 1.—Record Book, Record of

Service and Roll Books.—Citizen

Forces and Senior Cadets.............735-747”

and inserting in their stead the words and figures—

“Division 1.—Roll Books.............735-736”;

(i) by omitting the words and figures—

“Part XII.—Uniform, medals, and decorations—

Division 1.— Uniform — Military Forces.....789-791

Division 2.—Medals and decorations.........792-800”

and inserting in their stead the words and figures—

“Part XII.—Uniforms 789-791”;

and

(j) by adding at the end thereof the words and figures—

“Appendix IIIa.—Form of enrolment for military service.”.

Definitions.

2. Regulation 3 of the Australian Military Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting from the definition of “Non-commissioned officer” in sub-regulation (1) the words “a non-commissioned officer of the Australian Cadet Corps or”; and

(b) by omitting from the definition of “Warrant officer” in that sub-regulation the words “, but does not include a warrant officer of the Australian Cadet Corps”.

Medical officers.

3. Regulation 54 of the Australian Military Regulations is amended by omitting the words “Australian Army Medical Corps” and inserting in their stead the words “Royal Australian Army Medical Corps”.

Dental officers.

4. Regulation 54a of the Australian Military Regulations is amended by omitting the words “Australian Army Dental Corps” and inserting in their stead the words “Royal Australian Army Dental Corps”.

Quartermasters.

5. Regulation 56 of the Australian Military Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (2) the words “Australian Army Medical Corps, the Australian Army Dental Corps, the Australian Army Veterinary Corps,” and inserting in their stead the words “Royal Australian Army Medical Corps, the Royal Australian Army Dental Corps”.

Command of Australian Cadet Corps.

6. Regulation 60 of the Australian Military Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting the words “when doing duty with Senior Cadets” and inserting in their stead the words “when performing duty with the Australian Cadet Corps”; and

(b) by omitting the words “the Senior Cadets” and inserting in their stead the words “the Australian Cadet Corps”.

Command for the purposes of discipline in certain Corps.

7. Regulation 66 of the Australian Military Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (4.) the words “Senior Cadets” and inserting in their stead the words “Australian Cadet Corps”.

Precedence of Corps.

8. Regulation 68 of the Australian Military Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (1.) the words—

“The Australian Instructional Corps,”.

Age for appointment of quartermaster in the Citizen Forces.

9. Regulation 105 of the Australian Military Regulations is repealed.

Transfer and appointment to Reserve of Officers.

10. Regulation 120 of the Australian Military Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting from paragraph (a) of sub-regulation (1) the words “five years” and inserting in their stead the words “eighteen months”;

(b) by omitting from paragraph (b) of sub-regulation (1) the words “the Royal Australian Army Pay Corps, the Australian Army Legal Corps or the Australian Army Psychology Corps” and inserting in their stead the words “the Australian Army Legal Corps, the Australian Army Psychology Corps or the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps”;

(d) by omitting sub-regulation (4) and inserting in its stead the following sub-regulations:—

“(3.) Subject to the succeeding provisions of this regulation, an officer who is transferred to the Reserve of Officers may be permitted to remain in the Reserve of Officers—

(a) if he has served on the Active List for a period of three years or more—for a period not exceeding five years;

(b) if he has served on the Active List for a period of less than three years—for a period not exceeding two years; or

(c) if, before the expiration of the period for which, but for this paragraph, he would be permitted to remain in the Reserve of Officers under the preceding provisions of this sub-regulation, he is placed on a Regimental List of officers in the Reserve of Officers—for the period he remains on that List.

“(4.) Subject to regulation 123 of these Regulations, an officer who is permitted to remain in the Reserve of Officers for a period under the last preceding sub-regulation shall, unless he is re-appointed to the Active List before the expiration of that period, be retired at the expiration of that period.”;

(e) by omitting from paragraph (a) of sub-regulation (5) the words “five years” (first occurring) and inserting in their stead the words “three years”;

(f) by omitting from paragraph (b) of sub-regulation (5) the words “five years”(first occurring) and inserting in their stead the words “three years”; and

(g) by omitting paragraph (a) of sub-regulation (6).

Powers of provost-marshals. &c.

11. Regulation 235 of the Australian Military Regulations is amended by omitting the words “Australian Army Provost Corps” (wherever occurring) and inserting in their stead the words “Royal Australian Army Provost Corps”.

Military police.

12. Regulation 236 of the Australian Military Regulations is amended by omitting the words “Australian Army Provost Corps” (wherever occurring) and inserting in their stead the words “Royal Australian Army Provost Corps”.

Modification and adaptation of A.A.48 and 49 and R.P. 19(c) and 106(c).

13. Regulation 299 of the Australian Military Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-paragraph (iiia) of paragraph (a) of sub-regulation (1) the words “Australian Army Medical Corps” and inserting in their stead the words “the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps”.

Illegal proceedings not to be continued or, if confirmed, to be quashed.

14. Regulation 338 of the Australian Military Regulations is amended by omitting from paragraph (ba) of sub-regulation (7) the words “(Personal Services)”.

Documentary evidence.

15. Regulation 388 of the Australian Military Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting from paragraph (ga) the words “District Finance Officer”(wherever occurring) and inserting in their stead the words “Command Paymaster”; and

(b) by omitting from paragraph (h) the words “Australian Army Provost Corps” (wherever occurring) and inserting in their stead the words “Royal Australian Army Provost Corps”.

General instructions for medical examinations in Military Forces.

16. Regulation 432 of the Australian Military Regulations is amended by omitting the words “and Australian Cadet Corps”.

Liability to be examined.

17. Regulation 433 of the Australian Military Regulations is amended by omitting the words “or of the Australian Cadet Corps”.

Medical officers’ report on infectious diseases, &c.,

18. Regulation 436 of the Australian Military Regulations is amended by omitting the words “or the Australian Cadet Corps”(wherever occurring).

Heading to Division B of Part VI.

19. The heading to Division 5 of Part VI. of the Australian Military Regulations is amended by omitting the words “AND AUSTRALIAN CADET CORPS”.

Grant of leave of absence.

20. Regulation 458 of the Australian Military Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting from sub-regulation (1) the words “or the Australian Cadet Corps”; and

(b) by omitting from paragraph (a) of sub-regulation (1) the words “or member of the Australian Cadet Corps not being an officer”(wherever occurring).

Sub-heading to regulation 503.

21. The sub-heading immediately preceding regulation 503 of the Australian Military Regulations is amended by omitting the words “and Senior Cadets”.

Repeal of Division 2 of Part VII.

22. Division 2 of Part VII. of the Australian Military Regulations is repealed.

Women who are officers.

23. Regulation 548a of the Australian Military Regulations is repealed.

Appointment of persons not legally qualified to practise as dentists or dental surgeons.

24. Regulation 550cc of the Australian Military Regulations is amended by omitting from the table in sub-regulation (1) the letters “L.H.Q.” and inserting in their stead the letters “A.H.Q.”.

Repeal of Division 4 of Part VII.

25. Division 4 of Part VII. of the Australian Military Regulations is repealed.

Repeal of Division 9 of Part VII.

26. Division 9 of Part VII. of the Australian Military Regulations is repealed.

Repeal of Divisions 12 and 13 of Part VII.

27. Divisions 12 and 13 of Part VII. of the Australian Military Regulations are repealed.

Repeal of Part VIII.

28. Part VIII. of the Australian Military Regulations is repealed.

Division 1 of Part X.

29. Division 1 of Part X. of the Australian Military Regulations is repealed and the following Division inserted in its stead:—

“DIVISION 1.—ROLL BOOKS.

Roll books.

“735.—(1.) A roll book shall be kept for each unit or sub-division of a unit by an officer of the Citizen Forces, or a member of the Permanent Forces, appointed by the Commanding Officer.

“(2.) An officer, warrant officer or a non-commissioned officer not below the rank of corporal shall enter in the roll book for his unit or sub-division of a unit—

(a) the names and particulars of members of the unit or subdivision of the unit;

(b) a record of attendance or absence from training;

(d) leave of absence granted; and

(e) the parade state of obligatory parades, alternative parades and voluntary parades.

“(3.) Each roll book shall contain a certificate by the Commanding Officer as to correctness of the entries made in each year.

Offences in relation to roll books.

“736.—(1.) A person who—

(a) without lawful authority—

(i) makes out or delivers a roll book;

(ii) makes or has in his possession a roll book; or

(iii) makes an entry in a roll book; or

(b) wilfully—

(i) makes a false or misleading entry in a roll book in circumstances not amounting to an offence under paragraph (a) of section 73b of the Act;

(ii) makes an incorrect alteration in a roll book;

(iii) omits to make an entry in a roll book which he is required to make; or

(iv) damages a roll book,

is guilty of an offence.

“(2.) An offence by a person against this regulation is punishable upon conviction—

(a) if the person is a member of the Military Forces—by penalties in accordance with regulation 215 of these Regulations; or

(b) if the person is not a member of the Military Forces—by a fine not exceeding Twenty pounds or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or both.”.

Conduct sheets for Citizen Forces.

30. Regulation 762 of the Australian Military Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting sub-regulation (1); and

(b) by omitting from sub-regulation (2) the words “voluntarily enlisted”.

Authority to disclose.

31. Regulation 770 of the Australian Military Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting sub-regulation (1) and inserting in its stead the following sub-regulation:—

“(1.) In this regulation—

‘authorizing officer’ means—

(a) the Minister;

(b) the Adjutant-General;

(d) an officer appointed for the purpose of this regulation by the Adjutant-General;

‘member’ includes a person who has served in the Military Forces.”;

(b) by omitting from sub-regulation (7) the words “Defence Force” and inserting in their stead the words “Military Forces”; and

(c) by omitting from sub-regulation (7) the words “Department of Defence” and inserting in their stead the words “Department of the Army”.

Heading to Part XII.

32. The heading to Part XII. and the heading to Division 1 of that Part are omitted and the following heading is inserted in their stead:—

“PART XII.—UNIFORMS.”.

Repeat of Division 2 of Part XII.

33. Division 2 of Part XII. of the Australian Military Regulations is repealed.

Appendix III.

34. Appendix III. to the Australian Military Regulations is amended by omitting Forms L and R.

Appendix IIIa.

35. Appendix IIIa. to the Australian Military Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting Forms M3 and M7; and

(b) by omitting from Form M3a the words and figures—

“Defence Act 1903-1941—Part IV.”

and inserting in their stead the words and figures—

“Defence Act 1903-1953—Part IV.”.

Printed for the Government of the Commonwealth by A. J. Arthur

at the Government Printing Office, Canberra.

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1955, No. 31, made under the Defence Act 1903-1953, amend the Australian Military Regulations to address the need for updates and clarifications in various areas, including the removal and restructuring of certain divisions and regulations to align with the current organisational structure and nomenclature of the Australian Defence Force. Enacted by the Governor-General, these regulations aim to streamline and modernise the governance and administration of military forces. The policy objective is to ensure that the regulations are reflective of the contemporary structure and operational requirements of the Australian Defence Force, thereby enhancing efficiency and compliance within the military framework. These amendments, which include the omission of obsolete or redundant divisions, the insertion of new regulatory text, and the updating of terminology to reflect current practices, are intended to provide a more coherent and functional legislative framework. By refining the definitions, roles, and responsibilities outlined in the Australian Military Regulations, the amendments seek to support the effective management and discipline of military personnel, ensuring that the regulations remain relevant and applicable to the evolving needs of the Australian Defence Force.

Scope and Application

The statutory rules issued under the Defence Act 1903-1953 pertain to the Australian Military Regulations, specifically targeting the Citizen Forces and related personnel within the military. The regulations apply to officers, warrant officers, and non-commissioned officers in the Citizen Forces, the Australian Cadet Corps, and other specified corps such as the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps and the Royal Australian Army Dental Corps. The rules outline the conditions for leave of absence, the management of roll books, and various administrative duties concerning military personnel. Notably, the regulations have undergone amendments to remove certain sections related to the Australian Instructional Corps, the Australian Cadet Corps, and other specific corps, while simultaneously introducing new definitions and roles for various military personnel. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, as they apply throughout the Commonwealth of Australia. Subordinate instruments may extend or further define the application of these regulations, thereby adding layers of specificity to the overarching statutory framework.

Key Provisions

The Australian Military Regulations, as amended by Statutory Rules 1955, No. 31, incorporate several significant changes that affect various aspects of military administration and operations. Firstly, the amendments streamline the structure of the Regulations by removing certain divisions and inserting new ones. For instance, Division 5, concerning leave of absence for Citizen Forces, has been modified by omitting references to the Australian Cadet Corps (Regulation 1). Similarly, Division 2, relating to the Australian Instructional Corps, and Division 4, covering the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps, have been omitted (Regulation 1(b) and (c)). Furthermore, the definitions of key terms have been updated to exclude references to the Australian Cadet Corps (Regulation 2(a) and (b)). Additionally, the titles of certain corps and units have been changed to reflect their royal affiliations, such as the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps and the Royal Australian Army Dental Corps (Regulations 3 and 4). The Regulations impose specific obligations on military personnel and units. For instance, officers and non-commissioned officers are required to maintain detailed roll books for their units, documenting members' names, attendance records, efficiency classifications, leave granted, and parade states (Regulation 735). These roll books must be certified annually by the Commanding Officer to ensure accuracy (Regulation 735(3)). Any person found guilty of creating or maintaining a roll book without lawful authority, making false or misleading entries, or damaging a roll book commits an offence (Regulation 736(1)). The penalties for such offences vary depending on whether the offender is a member of the Military Forces or not, with potential fines and imprisonment for non-members (Regulation 736(2)). Violations of the amended Regulations can lead to various civil and criminal consequences. For instance, any person who unlawfully creates or possesses a roll book, makes false entries, or damages a roll book is guilty of an offence (Regulation 736(1)). Members of the Military Forces face penalties under regulation 215, while non-members can be fined up to Twenty pounds, imprisoned for up to three months, or both (Regulation 736(2)). These amendments underscore the importance of compliance with military regulations and the potential legal repercussions of non-compliance.

Area of Law: Military Law
Instrument: Regulation
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Offence Provisions; Reporting & Disclosure Obligations

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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.

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