Immigration (Guardianship of Children) Act 1946
No. 45, 1946
Compilation No. 14
Compilation date: 14 October 2024
Includes amendments: Act No. 38, 2024
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Immigration (Guardianship of Children) Act 1946 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 14 October 2024 (the compilation date).
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 the Register (www.legislation.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 Register 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.
Editorial changes
For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see 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 Register for the compiled law.
Self‑repealing 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If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.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 Short title
2 Commencement
3 Application of the Criminal Code
4 Definitions
4AAA Non‑citizen child
4AAB Declared States and Territories
4AAC Norfolk Island
4AA Orders for guardianship of certain children
4A Evidence
5 Delegation
6 Guardianship of non‑citizen children
6A Non‑citizen child not to leave Australia without consent
7 Custody of non‑citizen children
8 Operation of other laws
9 Offences in respect of non‑citizen child
10 False statements in applications
11 Exemption of children from Act
11A Reconsideration and review of certain decisions
12 Regulations
Endnotes
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Endnote 4—Amendment history
An Act to make provision for and in connexion with the Guardianship of certain alien children
1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Immigration (Guardianship of Children) Act 1946.
2 Commencement
This Act shall come into operation on a date to be fixed by Proclamation.
3 Application of the Criminal Code
Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code applies to all offences against this Act.
Note: Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code sets out the general principles of criminal responsibility.
4 Definitions
In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:
Australia, when used in a geographical sense, includes Norfolk Island, the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands and the Territory of Christmas Island.
custodian means a person who, by or under this Act, is the custodian of a non‑citizen child.
declared State or Territory means a State or Territory in respect of which a declaration under section 4AAB is in force.
intending adoptive parent, in relation to a person (the child), means a person who intends to:
(a) adopt the child under the laws in force in a declared State or Territory; or
(b) secure the recognition, under the laws in force in a declared State or Territory, of an adoption of the child by the person under the laws of a foreign country.
migration law means any of the following:
(a) the Migration Act 1958;
(b) regulations made under that Act;
(c) any instrument made under that Act or those regulations.
non‑citizen means a person who is not an Australian citizen.
non‑citizen child means a person who is a non‑citizen child under subsection 4AAA(1) or (4).
parent: without limiting who is a parent of anyone for the purposes of this Act, a person is the parent of another person if the other person is a child of the person within the meaning of the Family Law Act 1975.
prescribed adoption class visa means a visa under the Migration Act 1958 that is declared by the regulations to be an adoption class visa for the purposes of this Act.
regional processing country has the same meaning as in the Migration Act 1958.
relative of a person includes:
(a) a parent of the person; and
(b) anyone who is a step‑parent of the person or would be except that he or she is not legally married to his or her de facto partner (within the meaning of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901); and
(c) anyone else who would be a relative of the person if someone mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) were a relative of the person.
4AAA Non‑citizen child
(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), a person (the child) is a non‑citizen child if the child:
(a) has not turned 18; and
(b) enters Australia as a non‑citizen; and
(c) intends, or is intended, to become a permanent resident of Australia.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the child enters Australia in the charge of, or for the purposes of living in Australia under the care of:
(a) a parent of the child; or
(b) a relative of the child who has turned 21; or
(c) an intending adoptive parent of the child.
(3) Subsection (1) does not apply if:
(a) the child enters Australia in the charge of, or for the purposes of living in Australia under the care of, a person who is not less than 21 years of age (the adult); and
(b) a prescribed adoption class visa is in force in relation to the child when the child enters Australia; and
(c) the adult intends to reside with the child in a declared State or Territory.
(4) A person is a non‑citizen child if:
(a) the person has not turned 18; and
(b) a direction under section 4AA is in force in relation to the person.
4AAB Declared States and Territories
(1) The Minister may declare a State or Territory to be a declared State or Territory for the purposes of this Act.
(2) A declaration under subsection (1) is to be:
(a) made in writing; and
(b) published in the Gazette.
4AAC Norfolk Island
This Act extends to Norfolk Island.
4AA Orders for guardianship of certain children
(1) Subject to subsection (2), where:
(a) a person under the age of 18 years enters Australia as a non‑citizen in the charge of, or for the purpose of living in Australia under the care of, a relative of the person (other than a parent) not less than 21 years of age; and
(b) the person intends to become, or is intended to become, a permanent resident of Australia;
the Minister may, if the Minister is satisfied that it is necessary in the interests of the person to do so, direct, in writing, that the person shall be the Minister’s ward.
(2) The Minister shall not give a direction under subsection (1) unless the relative consents to the Minister doing so.
4A Evidence
For the purposes of this Act (including proceedings arising under this Act or in which a question arises as to the application of this Act to a person), a certificate in writing by a prescribed officer of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory that a person named in the certificate is a non‑citizen child, or was, at a date specified in the certificate, a non‑citizen child, is prima facie evidence of the fact so certified.
5 Delegation
(1) The Minister may, in relation to any matters or class of matters, or in relation to any non‑citizen child or class of non‑citizen children, by writing under his or her hand, delegate to any officer or authority of the Commonwealth or of any State or Territory all or any of his or her powers and functions under this Act (except this power of delegation) so that the delegated powers and functions may be exercised by the delegate with respect to the matters or class of matters, or the child or class of children, specified in the instrument of delegation.
(2) Where under this Act the exercise of any power or function by the Minister or the operation of any provision of this Act is dependent upon the opinion or state of mind of the Minister in relation to any matter, that power or function may be exercised by the delegate or that provision may operate (as the case may be) upon the opinion or state of mind of the delegate in relation to that matter.
(3) A delegation under this section shall be revocable at will, and no delegation shall prevent the exercise of any power or function by the Minister.
6 Guardianship of non‑citizen children
(1) The Minister shall be the guardian of the person, and of the estate in Australia, of every non‑citizen child who arrives in Australia after the commencement of this Act to the exclusion of the parents and every other guardian of the child, and shall have, as guardian, the same rights, powers, duties, obligations and liabilities as a natural guardian of the child would have, until the child reaches the age of 18 years or leaves Australia permanently, or until the provisions of this Act cease to apply to and in relation to the child, whichever first happens.
(2) Without limiting the meaning of the expression leaves Australia permanently in subsection (1), a non‑citizen child leaves Australia permanently if:
(a) the child is removed from Australia under section 198 or 199 of the Migration Act 1958; or
(b) the child is taken from Australia to a regional processing country under section 198AD of that Act; or
(c) the child is deported under section 200 of that Act; or
(d) the child is taken to a place outside Australia under paragraph 245F(9)(b) of that Act, or under Division 7 or 8 of Part 3 of the Maritime Powers Act 2013.
6A Non‑citizen child not to leave Australia without consent
(1) A non‑citizen child shall not leave Australia except with the consent in writing of the Minister.
(2) The Minister shall not refuse to grant any such consent unless he or she is satisfied that the granting of the consent would be prejudicial to the interests of the non‑citizen child.
(3) A person shall not aid, abet, counsel or procure a non‑citizen child to leave Australia contrary to the provisions of this section.
Penalty for a contravention of this subsection: Imprisonment for 6 months or 2 penalty units.
7 Custody of non‑citizen children
(1) The Minister may place a non‑citizen child in the custody of a person who:
(a) is willing to be the custodian of that child; and
(b) is, in the opinion of the Minister, a suitable person to be the custodian of that child;
and that person shall thereupon become the custodian of that child.
(2) The Minister may, at any time, if he or she considers it necessary so to do in the interests of a non‑citizen child, remove the child from the custody of his or her custodian and place the child in the custody of some other person, who shall thereupon be the custodian of that child.
8 Operation of other laws
(1) Except as prescribed, nothing in this Act shall affect the operation in relation to non‑citizen children of any provision of the laws of any State or Territory relating to child welfare.
(2) Nothing in this Act:
(a) affects the operation of the migration law; or
(b) affects the performance or exercise, or the purported performance or exercise, of any function, duty or power under the migration law or the Maritime Powers Act 2013; or
(c) imposes any obligation on the Minister or another Minister to exercise, or to consider exercising, any power conferred by or under the migration law or the Maritime Powers Act 2013.
(3) Without limiting subsection (2), nothing in this Act affects the performance or exercise, or the purported performance or exercise, of any function, duty or power relating to:
(a) the removal of a non‑citizen child from Australia under section 198 or 199 of the Migration Act 1958; or
(b) the taking of a non‑citizen child from Australia to a regional processing country under section 198AD of that Act; or
(c) the deportation of a non‑citizen child under section 200 of that Act; or
(d) the taking of a non‑citizen child to a place outside Australia under paragraph 245F(9)(b) of that Act, or under Division 7 or 8 of Part 3 of the Maritime Powers Act 2013.
9 Offences in respect of non‑citizen child
A person shall not, without lawful excuse (proof whereof shall lie upon him or her):
(a) remove any non‑citizen child, or counsel or cause any non‑citizen child to be withdrawn or to abscond, from the custody of his or her custodian; or
(b) knowing any non‑citizen child to have been so removed or withdrawn or to have so absconded, harbour or conceal the child or prevent him or her from returning to his or her custodian.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 6 months or 2 penalty units.
10 False statements in applications
For the purposes of section 136.1 of the Criminal Code, an application made for the purposes of this Act is taken to be an application for a benefit.
11 Exemption of children from Act
The Minister may, by order in writing under his or her hand, direct that the provisions of this Act shall not apply in respect of a child specified in the order, or a child included in a class of children so specified, and, while the order is in force, the provisions of this Act do not apply to or in relation to that child or to a child included in that class of children.
11A Reconsideration and review of certain decisions
(1) In this section, unless the contrary intention appears:
decision has the same meaning as in the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024.
relevant decision means a decision of a delegate of the Minister under section 4AA or 11.
reviewable decision means:
(a) a decision of the Minister under section 4AA or 11; or
(b) a decision of the Minister under subparagraph (3)(a)(ii) or subsection (4).
(2) Subject to subsection (3), a person affected by a relevant decision may request the Minister to reconsider the decision.
(3) The request shall:
(a) be made by notice in writing given to the Minister within:
(i) the period of 28 days after the decision first comes to the notice of the person; or
(ii) such further period as the Minister (whether before or after the expiration of that period of 28 days), by notice in writing served on the person, allows; and
(b) shall set out the reasons for making the request.
(4) The Minister shall, within 45 days after receipt of the request, reconsider the relevant decision and may:
(a) confirm the decision;
(b) vary the decision; or
(c) set the decision aside and make a new decision in substitution for the decision set aside.
(5) Where, pursuant to a request under subsection (2), the Minister reconsiders a relevant decision, the Minister shall, by notice in writing served on the person who made the request, inform the person of the result of the reconsideration.
(6) Applications may be made to the Administrative Review Tribunal for review of reviewable decisions.
Note: Section 266 of the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024 requires a decision‑maker to take reasonable steps to notify persons whose interests are affected by the decision of the making of the decision and their right to have the decision reviewed.
12 Regulations
The Governor‑General may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, prescribing all matters which by this Act are required or permitted to be prescribed or which are necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act, and in particular for:
(aa) prescribing principles to be observed in considering whether or not to give a direction under section 4AA;
(a) prescribing the principles to be observed in relation to the placing of non‑citizen children with custodians;
(b) regulating the placing of such children with custodians and the transfer of such children from one custodian to another;
(c) prescribing provisions to be observed by custodians in relation to the custody, control, welfare, care, education, training and employment of non‑citizen children;
(d) providing that any provision of the laws of any State or Territory relating to child welfare shall not apply in relation to non‑citizen children, and making provision in lieu of any such provision;
(da) prescribing powers, rights, duties and liabilities of or in relation to the Minister as guardian of the estate in Australia of non‑citizen children, including provisions for the receipt, disposition, management and control of property of non‑citizen children, and of property of deceased non‑citizen children from their deaths until the grant of administration;
(db) making provision for preventing non‑citizen children from leaving Australia without the consent in writing of the Minister; and
(f) prescribing penalties not exceeding 1 penalty unit, for any offence against the regulations.
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
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.
Editorial changes
The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.
If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.
Misdescribed amendments
A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.
If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
ad = added or inserted | o = order(s) |
am = amended | Ord = Ordinance |
amdt = amendment | orig = original |
c = clause(s) | par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s) |
C[x] = Compilation No. x | /sub‑subparagraph(s) |
Ch = Chapter(s) | pres = present |
def = definition(s) | prev = previous |
Dict = Dictionary | (prev…) = previously |
disallowed = disallowed by Parliament | Pt = Part(s) |
Div = Division(s) | r = regulation(s)/rule(s) |
ed = editorial change | reloc = relocated |
exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have | renum = renumbered |
effect | rep = repealed |
F = Federal Register of Legislation | rs = repealed and substituted |
gaz = gazette | s = section(s)/subsection(s) |
LA = Legislation Act 2003 | Sch = Schedule(s) |
LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003 | Sdiv = Subdivision(s) |
(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given | SLI = Select Legislative Instrument |
effect | SR = Statutory Rules |
(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment | Sub‑Ch = Sub‑Chapter(s) |
cannot be given effect | SubPt = Subpart(s) |
mod = modified/modification | underlining = whole or part not |
No. = Number(s) | commenced or to be commenced |
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Act | Number and year | Assent | Commencement | Application, saving and transitional provisions |
Immigration (Guardianship of Children) Act 1946 | 45, 1946 | 15 Aug 1946 | 30 Dec 1946 (s 2 and Gazette 1946, p. 3598) |
|
Immigration (Guardianship of Children) Act 1948 | 62, 1948 | 6 Dec 1948 | 6 Dec 1948 (s 2) | s 3(2) |
Immigration (Guardianship of Children) Act 1952 | 29, 1952 | 16 June 1952 | 16 June 1952 (s 2) | — |
Statute Law Revision (Decimal Currency) Act 1966 | 93, 1966 | 29 Oct 1966 | 1 Dec 1966 (s 2) | — |
Statute Law Revision Act 1973 | 216, 1973 | 19 Dec 1973 | 31 Dec 1973 (s 2) | s 9(1) and 10 |
Migration (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1983 | 84, 1983 | 14 Nov 1983 | Part V (s 9–20): 2 Apr 1984 (s 2 and Gazette 1984, No. S119) | s 20 |
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 1) 1985 | 65, 1985 | 5 June 1985 | s 3: 1 July 1986 (Gazette 1986, No. S311) | — |
Immigration (Guardianship of Children) Amendment Act 1994 | 45, 1994 | 15 Mar 1994 | 12 Apr 1994 | — |
Criminal Code Amendment (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences) Act 2000 | 137, 2000 | 24 Nov 2000 | Sch 2 (items 235, 418, 419): 24 May 2001 (s 2(3)) | Sch 2 (items 418, 419) |
Migration Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001 | 97, 2001 | 22 Aug 2001 | 19 Sept 2001 (s 2) | s 4 |
Statute Law Revision Act 2008 | 73, 2008 | 3 July 2008 | Sch 4 (items 334–342): 4 July 2008 (s 2(1) item 64) | — |
Same‑Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws—General Law Reform) Act 2008 | 144, 2008 | 9 Dec 2008 | Sch 10 (items 79–82): 15 Mar 2009 (s 2(1) item 29) | Sch 10 (item 82) |
Migration Legislation Amendment (Regional Processing and Other Measures) Act 2012 | 113, 2012 | 17 Aug 2012 | Sch 2: 18 Aug 2012 (s 2) | — |
Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation Amendment (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Act 2014 | 135, 2014 | 15 Dec 2014 | Sch 1 (items 32–35): 16 Dec 2014 (s 2(1) item 2) | — |
Norfolk Island Legislation Amendment Act 2015 | 59, 2015 | 26 May 2015 | Sch 2 (items 225, 226): 1 July 2016 (s 2(1) item 5) | Sch 2 (items 356–396) |
as amended by |
|
|
|
|
Territories Legislation Amendment Act 2016 | 33, 2016 | 23 Mar 2016 | Sch 2: 24 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2) | — |
Statute Update Act 2016 | 61, 2016 | 23 Sept 2016 | Sch 1 (items 289–291) and Sch 3 (item 23): 21 Oct 2016 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
Administrative Review Tribunal (Consequential and Transitional Provisions No. 1) Act 2024 | 38, 2024 | 31 May 2024 | Sch 2 (items 1, 2, 305): 14 Oct 2024 (s 2(1) item 2) | — |
Endnote 4—Amendment history
Provision affected | How affected | |
Title.................... | am No 84, 1983 | |
s 3..................... | rep No 216, 1973 | |
| ad No 97, 2001 | |
s 4..................... | am No 29, 1952; No. 216, 1973; No. 84, 1983; No. 65, 1985; No. 45, 1994; No. 144, 2008; No. 113, 2012; No 59, 2016 | |
s 4AAA.................. | ad No 45, 1994 | |
s 4AAB.................. | ad No 45, 1994 | |
s 4AAC.................. | ad No 59, 2016 | |
s 4AA................... | ad No 65, 1985 | |
s 4A.................... | ad No 29, 1952 | |
| am No 216, 1973; No. 84, 1983; No 61, 2016 | |
s 5..................... | am No 216, 1973; No. 84, 1983; No. 73, 2008 | |
s 6..................... | am No 62, 1948; No. 216, 1973; No. 84, 1983; No. 144, 2008; No. 113, 2012; No 135, 2014 | |
s 6A.................... | ad No 62, 1948 | |
| am No 93, 1966; No. 84, 1983; No. 73, 2008; No. 113, 2012; No 61, 2016 | |
s 7..................... | am No 62, 1948; No. 84, 1983; No. 73, 2008 | |
s 8..................... | am No 216, 1973; No. 84, 1983; No. 113, 2012; No 135, 2014 | |
s 9..................... | am No 93, 1966; No. 84, 1983; No. 73, 2008; No 61, 2016 | |
s 10.................... | am No 93, 1966 | |
| rs No 137, 2000 | |
s 11.................... | rs No 29, 1952 | |
| am No 73, 2008 | |
s 11A................... | ad No 65, 1985 | |
| am No 38, 2024 | |
s 11B................... | ad No 65, 1985 | |
| rep No 38, 2024 | |
s 12.................... | am No 62, 1948; No. 93, 1966; No. 216, 1973; No. 84, 1983; No. 65, 1985; No 61, 2016 | |