Defence Force Regulations (Amendment)

Administered by Department of Defence

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Statutory Rules

1976 No. 52

REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT 1903–1975.*

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Defence Act 1903–1975.

Dated this fifth day of February, 1976.

John R. Kerr

Governor-General

By His Excellency’s Command,

Minister of State for Defence.

Amendments of the Defence Force Regulations†

Commencement.

1. These Regulations shall come into operation on 9 February 1976.

Delegations.

2. After regulation 3 of the Defence Force Regulations the following regulation is inserted in Part I:—

“ 3a. (1) The Minister may, by writing signed by him, delegate to—

(a) a commissioned officer of the Defence Force; or

(b) a person for the time being holding or performing the duties of an office in the First, Second or Third Division of the Australian Public Service,

any of his powers or functions under these Regulations other than this power of delegation.

“(2) A delegation under sub-regulation (1) shall be revocable at will and no delegation shall prevent the exercise of any power or function by the Minister.”.

* Notified in the Australian Government Gazette on 6 February 1976.

† Statutory Rules 1932, No. 29, as amended by Statutory Rules 1953, Nos. 61 and 62; 1958, No. 38; 1963, No. 133; and 1968, No. 14.

18269/75—Recommended retail price 8c 10/20.1.1976


Relative ranks.

3. Regulation 8 of the Defence Force Regulations is amended by omitting the table and substituting the following table:—

Royal Australian Navy

Australian Army

Royal Australian Air Force

Admiral

General

Air Chief Marshal

Vice-Admiral

Lieutenant-General

Air Marshal

Rear-Admiral

Major-General

Air Vice-Marshal

Commodore

Brigadier

Air Commodore

Captain

Colonel

Group Captain

Commander

Lieutenant-Colonel

Wing Commander

Lieutenant-Commander

Major

Squadron Leader

Lieutenant

Captain

Flight Lieutenant

Sub-Lieutenant

Lieutenant

Flying Officer

Acting Sub-Lieutenant

Second Lieutenant

Pilot Officer

Midshipman

 

 

Warrant Officer

Warrant Officer, Class 1

Warrant Officer

Chief Petty Officer

Warrant Officer, Class 2

 

Artificer, First Class

 

 

Mechanician, First Class

Staff Sergeant

Flight Sergeant

Naval Shipwright, First Class

 

 

Petty Officer

Sergeant

Sergeant

Leading Seaman

Corporal

Corporal

 

Bombardier

 

Able Seaman

Lance Corporal

Leading Aircraftman

Seaman

Private

Aircraftman

4. After regulation 11 of the Defence Force Regulations the following Part is inserted:—

Part III—Council of Defence

Council of Defence—function.

“ 12. The function of the Council of Defence constituted under sub-section 28 (1) of the Act is to consider and discuss matters relating to the control and administration of the Defence Force, and of the respective arms of the Defence Force, referred to the Council by the Minister.

Meeting of Council ot Defence.

“ 13. (1) Subject to sub-regulation (2), the Council of Defence shall meet only at such times as the Minister directs.

“ (2) The Council of Defence shall meet at least 4 times in each year.”.

5. The Defence Force Regulations are amended by adding at the end thereof the following Part:—

Part VII—Defence Areas

Definitions.

“ 32. In this Part—

‘ Australian Government officer ’ means a person holding office under an Act of the Parliament of, or employed by, Australia, and includes—

(a) a person permanently or temporarily employed in the Australian Public Service or the Public Service of a Territory or in the service of an Australian public authority;

(b) a member of the Defence Force; and

(c) an officer of the Commonwealth Police Force;

‘ Australian public authority ’ means a body corporate (not being an incorporated company, society or association) incorporated for a public purpose by or under a law of Australia or of a Territory;

‘ constable ’ means an officer of the Commonwealth Police Force or a member of the police force of a State or Territory;

‘ the repealed Regulations ’ means the Supply and Development (Woomera Rocket Range) Regulations or the Supply and Development (Rocket Range) Regulations, as the case requires;


‘ the Woomera Area ’ means the places situated in the State of South Australia that were declared to be prohibited areas by the notice published in the Gazette on 14 April 1949, under regulation 5 of the Supply and Development (Long Range Weapons) Regulations and by the notice published in the Gazette on 20 December 1951, under sub-regulation 90 (1) of the Supply and Development Regulations;

‘ undertaking ’ means a work of defence;

‘ war material ’ means goods for use for Defence purposes and includes goods being developed for use for defence purposes or being tested for use, or the use of similar goods, for defence purposes.

Regulations to bind the Crown.

“ 33. Regulations 34 and 35 bind the Crown in right of Australia or of a State.

Entry upon and use of land.

“ 34. The Minister may authorize entry upon, and the use on behalf of Australia of, any area of land or water, being an area in which it is necessary or expedient in the interests of the safety or defence of Australia to carry out operations for the testing of war material, for the purpose of carrying out such operations.

Prohibited Areas.

“ 35. (1) The Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette, declare a place to be a prohibited area for the purposes of this regulation.

“ (2) The Minister shall not declare a place to be a prohibited area unless—

(a) it is an undertaking; or

(b) if is a place in which it is necessary or expedient in the interests of the safety or defence of Australia—

(i) to carry out operations for the testing of war material; and

(ii) that special precautions be taken to prevent the entry of unauthorized persons into that place.

“ (3) A person shall not enter, be in or remain in a prohibited area except with the permission of an authority or person authorized by the Minister to give such permission.

Penalty: $100 or imprisonment for 3 months, or both.

“ (4) Permission under sub-regulation (3) may be given subject to such conditions (including conditions as to the conduct in the prohibited area of the person to whom the permission is given) as the authority or person giving the permission considers necessary for the protection of persons and property in the area and of official secrets, and the person to whom the permission is given shall comply with and observe every such condition which is applicable to him.

Penalty: $100 or imprisonment for 3 months, or both.

“ (5) A person who enters, is in or remains in a prohibited area in contravention of sub-regulation (3) or who fails to comply with or observe any condition which is applicable to him under sub-regulation (4) may, without prejudice to any proceedings which may be taken against him, be removed from the prohibited area by or under direction of a constable, an Australian Government officer or a person authorized by the Minister to do so.

Compensation.

“ 36. Where—

(a) any person suffers loss or damage by reason of anything done in pursuance of regulation 34 in relation to any land or water in which he has any legal or equitable interest; or


(b) by reason of the operation of regulation 35 a person ordinarily resident in a prohibited area at the time when the area becomes a prohibited area suffers any loss or damage,

Australia shall be liable to pay to him such compensation as is determined by agreement between him and the Minister or, in the absence of agreement, by action by him against Australia in a court of competent jurisdiction.

Smoking, &c., in protected place.

“ 37. (1) A person shall not, without permission by the officer-in-charge—

(a) smoke, strike a match, light a fire or in any way procure a naked light or flame; or

(b) be in possession of tobacco, matches, a flame lighter, a candle, a lamp or other material capable of being used for smoking or for procuring a naked light or flame,

in a protected place.

Penalty: $100 or imprisonment for 3 months, or both.

“ (2) In sub-regulation (1)—

‘ officer-in-charge ’ means, in relation to an undertaking, the person appointed to be in charge of the undertaking;

‘ protected place ’ means an undertaking or part of an undertaking which is declared by the officer-in-charge, by notice in writing, to be a protected place for the purpose of this regulation, and on which there is prominently displayed a notice to that effect.

Canteens.

“ 38. (1) The Minister may establish, or authorize the establishment of, a canteen for the use of persons performing duties in, or employed in or in connexion with, an undertaking in the Woomera Area and may authorize the sale or supply of intoxicating liquor at such a canteen upon such terms and conditions as are specified by him.

“ (2) It is lawful for a person to sell or supply intoxicating liquor in pursuance of an authority by the Minister under sub-regulation (1).”.

Amendments of the Defence Force Regulations.

6. The Defence Force Regulations are amended as set out in the following table:—

Provision

Amendment

Regulation 2...............

Repeal.

Sub-regulation 3 (1)..........

Omit the definition of “ the Minister ”.

Sub-regulation 3 (2)..........

Omit “ Naval Forces, the Military Forces ”, substitute “ Navy, the Army ”.

Regulation 4...............

Omit “ Naval Forces, a body of the Military Forces ”, substitute “ Navy, a body of the Army ”.

 

Omit “ respective Chiefs of Staff of the forces concerned may make a joint ”, substitute “ Chief of Defence Force Staff may make an ”.

Regulation 5...............

Omit “ Naval Forces ” (wherever occurring), substitute “ Navy ”.

 

Omit “ Military Forces ” (wherever occurring), substitute “ Army ”.

 

Omit “ a joint ”, substitute “ an ”.

Regulation 6...............

Omit “ Naval Forces ” (wherever occurring), substitute “ Navy ”.

 

Omit “ Military Forces ” (wherever occurring), substitute “ Army ”.

 

Omit “ a joint ”, substitute “ an ”.

 

Provision

Amendment

Regulation 7...............

Omit “ Military Forces ” (wherever occurring), substitute “ Army ”.

 

Omit “ Naval Forces ” (wherever occurring), substitute “ Navy ”

 

Omit “ a joint ”, substitute “ an ”.

Regulation 8...............

Omit “ of these Regulations ”.

Sub-regulation 9 (1)..........

Omit “ The Chief of the Naval Staff, the Chief of the General Staff or the Chief of the Air Staff, respectively,”, substitute “ The Chief of Defence Force Staff ”.

 

Omit “ them, respectively,”, substitute “ him ”.

Sub-regulation 10 (1).........

Omit “ Naval Forces ” (wherever occurring), substitute “ Navy ”.

 

Omit “ Military Forces ” (wherever occurring), substitute “ Army ”.

 

Omit “ a joint ”, substitute “ an ”.

Regulation 11..............

Omit “ A joint ”, substitute “ An ”.

Regulation 17..............

Omit “ the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory of the Commonwealth ”, substitute “ Australia or of a State or Territory ”,

Regulation 19..............

Omit “ the Commonwealth or of the State or Territory of the Commonwealth ”, substitute “ Australia or of the State or Territory ”.

Regulation 21..............

Omit “ Forty dollars ”, substitute “ $40 ”.

 

Omit “ three ”, substitute “ 3 ”.

Regulation 23..............

Omit “ twenty-one ” (wherever occurring), substitute “ 21 ”.

Regulation 24..............

Omit “ twenty-one ”, substitute “ 21 ”.

Regulation 25..............

Omit from paragraph (a) “ twenty-one ” (wherever occurring), substitute “ 21 ”.

 

Omit from paragraph (a) “ of these Regulations ”.

 

Omit from paragraph (b) “ the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory of the Commonwealth ”, substitute “ Australia or of a State or Territory ”.

Sub-regulation 26 (1).........

Omit from the definition of “ Registrar of Deaths ” the words “ of the Commonwealth ”.

Regulation 28..............

Omit “ of the Commonwealth ”.

 

Omit “ Defence Forces ”, substitute “ Defence Force ”.

Sub-regulation 29 (1).........

Omit “ of the Commonwealth ” (wherever occurring).

Sub-regulation 29 (2).........

Omit “ of the Commonwealth ”.

Regulation 31..............

Omit “ of the Commonwealth ”.

Printed by Authority by the Government Printer of Australia

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1976 No. 52 are regulations made under the Defence Act 1903–1975 by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting on the advice of the Executive Council. These regulations were introduced to provide more detailed provisions for the Defence Force, including delegations of power, amendments to the Defence Force Regulations, and the establishment of a Council of Defence. The regulations also address the control and administration of Defence Force operations, including the use of land and water for testing war material, the establishment of prohibited areas, and the regulation of activities within protected places. The policy objective of these regulations is to ensure the efficient and effective administration of the Defence Force while safeguarding national security and interests. These regulations come into operation on 9 February 1976 and aim to streamline the administration and operations of the Defence Force by delegating certain powers to commissioned officers and public service officials, amending existing regulations, and establishing a Council of Defence to advise on Defence Force matters. The regulations also introduce provisions for the use of land and water for testing war material, the declaration of prohibited areas, and the regulation of activities within protected places, all aimed at maintaining the safety and security of Australia.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1976 No. 52, Regulations under the Defence Act 1903–1975, primarily govern the Defence Force and its operations, including the control and administration of the Australian Defence Force. These Regulations apply to the Australian Defence Force personnel, commissioned officers, Australian Public Service officers, and any other individuals or entities involved in Defence operations. They extend across Australia, as they are issued under Commonwealth authority, thereby applying nationally. These Regulations permit the Minister to delegate certain powers to commissioned officers and Australian Public Service officers, which can be revoked at any time. The Regulations also cover the establishment of the Council of Defence, which is tasked with discussing and considering Defence-related matters referred by the Minister, and it mandates that the Council meets at least four times a year. Furthermore, the Regulations provide the Minister with the authority to authorize entry and use of land for testing war material and to declare prohibited areas to ensure safety and defence interests. These Regulations can be further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, ensuring flexibility in their application to meet evolving Defence needs.

Key Provisions

These Regulations, made under the Defence Act 1903–1975, introduce various amendments and additions to the Defence Force Regulations. The Regulations come into operation on 9 February 1976 (Regulation 1). They include the power for the Minister to delegate certain powers and functions to commissioned officers of the Defence Force and specific Australian Public Service officers (Regulation 2). The rank structure of the Australian Defence Force is updated to reflect the current hierarchy (Regulation 3). Additionally, a new Part III titled "Council of Defence" is inserted, detailing the function of the Council and the minimum meeting frequency (Regulations 12 and 13). The Regulations mandate several obligations for parties and entities they govern. The Minister has the authority to delegate specific powers to Defence Force officers and public service officials, as long as the delegation is in writing and can be revoked at any time (Regulation 2). The Council of Defence must meet at least four times a year and will discuss matters referred to them by the Minister concerning the Defence Force and its arms (Regulation 12). Furthermore, the Minister can authorize entry upon and use of land for defence operations, such as testing war material, and can declare prohibited areas where special precautions must be taken to prevent unauthorized entry (Regulations 34 and 35). Violations of these Regulations carry significant consequences. Entering or remaining in a prohibited area without permission, or failing to comply with conditions set by the authority granting permission, can result in a penalty of $100, imprisonment for three months, or both (Regulation 35(3) and (5)). Additionally, engaging in prohibited activities such as smoking or possessing flammable materials in a protected place without permission can incur the same penalties (Regulation 37). Any person suffering loss or damage due to authorized activities on land or in a prohibited area can seek compensation from Australia (Regulation 36).

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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.