Foreign Passports (Law Enforcement and Security) Determination 2015

Administered by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Legislation au F2015L01224 In force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Foreign Passports (Law Enforcement and Security) Determination 2015

made under section 24 of the

Foreign Passports (Law Enforcement and Security) Act 2005

Compilation No. 1  

Compilation date:   8 October 2015

Includes amendments up to: Passports Legislation Amendment (2015 Measures No. 1) Determination 2015

 

 

 

About this compilation

 

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Foreign Passports (Law Enforcement and Security) Determination 2015 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 08/10/2015 (the compilation date).

This compilation was prepared on 15/10/2015.

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on ComLaw (www.comlaw.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on ComLaw for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on ComLaw for the compiled law.

Selfrepealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

 

 

Contents

 

1 Name

2 Commencement

3 Authority

4 Schedules

5 Definitions

6 Competent authorities—Australian law enforcement matters

7 Competent authorities—international law enforcement cooperation

8 Reasons relating to potential for harmful conduct

9 Competent authorities—potential for harmful conduct

Schedule 1—Repeals

Foreign Passports Determination 2005

 

1  Name

  This is the Foreign Passports (Law Enforcement and Security) Determination 2015.

2  Commencement

 (1) Each provision of this instrument specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.

 

Commencement information

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Provisions

Commencement

Date/Details

1.  The whole of this instrument

1 October 2015.

1 October 2015

Note:  This table relates only to the provisions of this instrument as originally made. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this instrument.

 (2) Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this instrument. Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it may be edited, in any published version of this instrument.

3  Authority

  This instrument is made under the Foreign Passports (Law Enforcement and Security) Act 2005.

4  Schedules

  Each instrument that is specified in a Schedule to this instrument is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this instrument has effect according to its terms.

5  Definitions

Note: A number of expressions used in this instrument are defined in the Act, including ASIO.

  In this instrument:

Act means the Foreign Passports (Law Enforcement and Security) Act 2005.

6  Competent authorities—Australian law enforcement matters

  For paragraph (b) of the definition of competent authority in subsection 13(2) of the Act, the following persons are specified as competent authorities in relation to the circumstances mentioned in paragraphs 13(1)(a) and (b) of the Act:

 (a) the AttorneyGeneral;

 (b) the Secretary of the AttorneyGeneral’s Department;

 (c) SES employees in the AttorneyGeneral’s Department.

7  Competent authorities—international law enforcement cooperation

 (1) For paragraph (b) of the definition of competent authority in subsection 14(2) of the Act, the following persons are specified as competent authorities in relation to the circumstances mentioned in paragraphs 14(1)(a) and (b) of the Act:

 (a) the Secretary of the AttorneyGeneral’s Department;

 (b) SES employees in the AttorneyGeneral’s Department.

 (2) For paragraph (c) of the definition of competent authority in subsection 14(2) of the Act, the Australian Federal Police is specified as a competent authority in relation to the circumstances mentioned in paragraphs 14(1)(a) and (b) of the Act.

8  Reasons relating to potential for harmful conduct

  For subparagraph 15(1)(a)(v) of the Act, the offences mentioned in subsections 13(1) and (2) of the Australian Passports Determination 2015 are specified.

9  Competent authorities—potential for harmful conduct

 (1) For paragraph (d) of the definition of competent authority in subsection 15(2) of the Act, the following are specified as competent authorities in relation to the circumstances mentioned in subsection 15(1) of the Act:

 (a) the Department of Immigration and Border Protection;

 (b) the Australian Federal Police.

 (2) For paragraph (f) of the definition of competent authority in subsection 15(2) of the Act, the following are specified as competent authorities in relation to the circumstances mentioned in subsection 15(1) of the Act:

 (a) the Secretary of the AttorneyGeneral’s Department;

 (b) SES employees in the AttorneyGeneral’s Department;

 (c) the DirectorGeneral of Security (within the meaning of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979);

 (d) a Deputy DirectorGeneral of Security (within the meaning of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979).

 

Schedule 1—Repeals

 

Foreign Passports Determination 2005

1  The whole of the Determination

Repeal the Determination.

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Endnotes about misdescribed amendments and other matters are included in a compilation only as necessary.

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation “(md)” added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is set out in the endnotes.

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

A = Act

orig = original

ad = added or inserted

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

am = amended

    /subsubparagraph(s)

amdt = amendment

pres = present

c = clause(s)

prev = previous

C[x] = Compilation No. x

(prev…) = previously

Ch = Chapter(s)

Pt = Part(s)

def = definition(s)

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

Dict = Dictionary

Reg = Regulation/Regulations

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

reloc = relocated

Div = Division(s)

renum = renumbered

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

rep = repealed

    effect

rs = repealed and substituted

F = Federal Register of Legislative Instruments

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

gaz = gazette

Sch = Schedule(s)

LI = Legislative Instrument

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

(md) = misdescribed amendment

SR = Statutory Rules

mod = modified/modification

SubCh = SubChapter(s)

No. = Number(s)

SubPt = Subpart(s)

o = order(s)

underlining = whole or part not

Ord = Ordinance

    commenced or to be commenced

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Name

FRLI registration

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Foreign Passports (Law Enforcement and Security) Determination 2015

5 August 2015 (see F2015L01224)

1 October 2015

-

Passports Legislation Amendment (2015 Measures No. 1) Determination 2015

1 October 2015 (see F2015L01630)

S 1-4, Sch 1: 2 Oct 2015

Sch 2: 8 Oct 2015

Sch 3: 1 Jan 2016

-

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

s. 9.………………………

 

rs. 2015 No. 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overview

The Foreign Passports (Law Enforcement and Security) Determination 2015 was enacted to provide further detail and clarification to the Foreign Passports (Law Enforcement and Security) Act 2005. This legislative instrument was introduced to address the need for specific guidelines and procedures regarding the issuance, refusal, and revocation of foreign passports in matters related to law enforcement and security. The enactment was authorised by the Australian Parliament and aims to enhance the effectiveness of the Act by specifying the competent authorities involved in Australian law enforcement matters, international law enforcement cooperation, and potential for harmful conduct. The determination came into effect on 1 October 2015, and it outlines the specific roles and responsibilities of various authorities, ensuring that the provisions of the Act are implemented consistently and effectively. The Foreign Passports (Law Enforcement and Security) Determination 2015 provides a framework for the application of the Act by detailing the processes and criteria for passport-related decisions. It identifies the competent authorities responsible for handling different aspects of passport issuance and revocation, including the Attorney-General's Department, the Australian Federal Police, and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. By specifying these authorities and their respective roles, the determination aims to streamline the implementation of the Act and ensure that all relevant agencies are clearly informed of their responsibilities. This legislative instrument thus supports the overarching policy objective of the Act, which is to protect national security and law enforcement interests by appropriately managing the issuance of foreign passports.

Scope and Application

The Foreign Passports (Law Enforcement and Security) Determination 2015 applies to the implementation and administration of the Foreign Passports (Law Enforcement and Security) Act 2005. It specifies the competent authorities involved in various capacities, including Australian law enforcement matters, international law enforcement cooperation, and potential for harmful conduct. The authorities include the Attorney-General, the Secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department, SES employees within the Attorney-General’s Department, the Australian Federal Police, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, and the Director-General and Deputy Director-General of Security. The Determination came into effect on 1 October 2015, with specific provisions for the Australian Federal Police and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection commencing on later dates. The legislation operates nationally and is subject to modifications and repeals as detailed in the endnotes. It is important to note that the effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law, and further details on any uncommenced amendments can be found on ComLaw.

Key Provisions

The Foreign Passports (Law Enforcement and Security) Determination 2015 outlines the key provisions under which the Act operates, particularly concerning the identification of competent authorities for specific circumstances. Section 6 specifies the competent authorities for Australian law enforcement matters, including the Attorney-General, the Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department, and SES employees within that department. Section 7 identifies the competent authorities for international law enforcement cooperation, which includes the Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department, SES employees in that department, and the Australian Federal Police. Section 8 lists the offences that may be considered under subparagraph 15(1)(a)(v) of the Act, while Section 9 details the authorities for potential harmful conduct, which includes the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, the Australian Federal Police, the Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department, SES employees within that department, the Director-General of Security, and a Deputy Director-General of Security. The obligations and requirements imposed by this Determination are primarily on the designated competent authorities. These authorities are tasked with determining whether to refuse or revoke passports based on the criteria set out in the Act. This includes conducting assessments related to the potential for harmful conduct, international law enforcement cooperation, and Australian law enforcement matters. The competent authorities must follow the procedures outlined in the Act and any relevant guidelines issued by the responsible ministers to ensure that their decisions are consistent with the legislative framework. There are several consequences and penalties for breaches of the provisions set out in the Determination. While specific penalties are not detailed in the text, breaches of the Foreign Passports (Law Enforcement and Security) Act 2005 generally may result in civil or criminal penalties, depending on the nature of the breach. The Act empowers courts to impose fines and, in some cases, imprisonment for serious offences. Additionally, refusal or revocation of a passport may lead to significant personal consequences for the individual affected, including difficulties in international travel and potential legal issues in other jurisdictions.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Immigration & Refugee Law
Instrument
Legislative Instrument
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Commencement Provisions
Repeal & Amendment

Interactions

Authorises

All Versions

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.