International Monetary Agreements Act 1960

Administered by Department of the Treasury

Legislation au C1960A00014 In force Act

Legislation content

International Monetary Agreements Act 1960

No. 14, 1960

Compilation No. 1

Compilation date: 9 April 2026

Includes amendments: No. 35, 2026

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the International Monetary Agreements Act 1960 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 9 April 2026 (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. The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au).

Application, saving and transitional provisions

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.

Presentational changes

The Legislation Act 2003 provides for First Parliamentary Counsel to make presentational changes to a compilation. Presentational changes are applied to give a more consistent look and feel to legislation published on the Register, and enable the user to more easily navigate those documents.

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. Any modifications affecting the law are accessible on the Register.

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If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.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

2 Commencement

3 Consent to increases in quota and subscription to capital stock

4 Appropriation

5 Issue of securities

The Schedules

First Schedule—Resolution of the Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund

Second Schedule—Resolution of the Board of Governors of the International Bank for reconstruction and development

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

An Act to provide for the use of information provided under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, and for other purposes

1  Short title

  This Act may be cited as the International Monetary Agreements Act 1960.

2  Commencement

  This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

3  Consent to increases in quota and subscription to capital stock

  The approval of the Parliament is hereby given:

 (a) to Australia consenting to the change in the quota of Australia in the International Monetary Fund referred to in the Resolution of the Board of Governors of the Fund a copy of which is set out in the First Schedule to this Act and the effective date of which is the sixth day of April, One thousand nine hundred and sixty; and

 (b) to Australia subscribing One thousand three hundred and thirty additional shares of the capital stock of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development in accordance with the conditions specified in the Resolution of the Board of Governors of the Bank a copy of which is set out in the Second Schedule to this Act and the effective date of which is the sixth day of April, One thousand nine hundred and sixty.

4  Appropriation

  The Consolidated Revenue Fund is appropriated for the purposes of any payment required to be made by Australia to the International Monetary Fund by reason of the change in the quota of Australia in the Fund referred to in paragraph 3(a).

Note: For payments required to be made by Australia in relation to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, see section 9 of the International Monetary Agreements Act 1947.

5  Issue of securities

  Section seven of the International Monetary Agreements Act 1947 applies to any payment referred to in the last preceding section as it applies to payments under that Act.

The Schedules

First Schedule—Resolution of the Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund

Section 3(a)

That the quota of Australia shall be changed to $400 million, provided that Australia consents to the change on or before June 6, 1960, and provided further that, if extraordinary circumstances are deemed by the Executive Directors to warrant an extension of the period in which consent is required pursuant to this Resolution, the Executive Directors may extend such period until such later date or dates as they may determine. Not less than 25 per cent of the increase shall be paid in gold and the balance in the currency of Australia. The change shall become effective on the date the Fund receives notice in writing that Australia consents to the change but not sooner than the date of this Resolution. Such written consent shall be signed by a competent official whose authority and signature are duly authenticated.

Second Schedule—Resolution of the Board of Governors of the International Bank for reconstruction and development

Section 3(b)

THAT, pursuant to Article II, Section 3 (b) of the Articles of Agreement of the Bank, the Board of Governors hereby authorizes the acceptance by the Bank of the subscription of Australia to 1,330 shares of the capital stock of the Bank in addition to the 4,000 shares of said capital stock heretofore subscribed by Australia, upon the following conditions:

 (a) That the subscription price per share shall be $100,000 in terms of United States dollars of the weight and fineness in effect on July 1, 1944;

 (b) That Australia’s subscription shall be received by the Bank on or before June 6, 1960, provided, however, that if extraordinary circumstances are deemed by the Executive Directors to warrant an extension of this date, the Executive Directors may extend it;

 (c) That before such subscription shall be accepted by the Bank, (i) Australia shall have taken all action which may be necessary to authorize such subscription and shall have furnished to the Bank such information thereon as the Bank may request, and (ii) Australia shall have paid to the Bank, on account of the subscription price of onehalf of such additional shares, 2% in gold or United States dollars and 18% in currency of Australia; and

 (d) With respect to the subscription price of the other onehalf of such shares, the 2% portion payable in gold or United States dollars and the 18% portion payable in the currency of Australia shall be left uncalled, as set forth in Resolution No. 129, on the same basis as the 2% and 18% portions of subscriptions made pursuant to Resolution No. 128 of the Board of Governors.

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

orig = original

am = amended

p = page(s)

amdt = amendment

para = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

/subsubparagraph(s)

ch = Chapter(s)

pres = present

cl = clause(s)

prev = previous

cont. = continued

(prev…) = previously

def = definition(s)

pt = Part(s)

Dict = Dictionary

r = regulation(s)/Court rule(s)

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

reloc = relocated

div = Division(s)

renum = renumbered

ed = editorial change

rep = repealed

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

rs = repealed and substituted

effect

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

gaz = gazette

/rule(s)/subrule(s)/order(s)/suborder(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

sch = Schedule(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given

SR = Statutory Rules

effect

sub ch = SubChapter(s)

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

sub div = Subdivision(s)

cannot be given effect

sub pt = Subpart(s)

mod = modified/modification

underlining = whole or part not

No. = Number(s)

commenced or to be commenced

Ord = Ordinance

 

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Act
(Register ID)

Number and year

Assent

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

International Monetary Agreements Act 1960 (C1960A00014)

14, 1960

14 May 1960

14 May 1960 (s 2)

 

Treasury Laws Amendment (Genetic Testing Protections in Life Insurance and Other Measures) Act 2026 (C2026A00035)

35, 2026

8 Apr 2026

sch 3 (items 23, 31, 35, 37, 38): 9 Apr 2026 (s 2(1) item 4)

sch 3 (items 31, 35, 37, 38)

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

s 4.....................

rs No 35, 2026

 

Overview

The International Monetary Agreements Act 1960 was enacted to provide a legal framework for Australia to participate in international financial organisations by consenting to changes in its quota in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and subscribing to additional shares in the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), commonly known as the World Bank. This legislation was introduced to facilitate Australia's active engagement in global financial governance and to enable the country to contribute to and benefit from these international financial institutions. The Act was passed by the Parliament of Australia, reflecting the policy objective of promoting economic stability and growth through international cooperation. The Act specifies that the approval of the Parliament is required for Australia to consent to an increase in its quota in the IMF and to subscribe to additional shares in the IBRD. It also appropriates funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for payments related to these changes, ensuring that the financial obligations are met. By providing this legislative basis, the Act supports Australia's commitments under international monetary agreements, thereby enhancing its standing and influence in global financial matters.

Scope and Application

The International Monetary Agreements Act 1960 applies to the Australian government, providing for the use of information as stipulated under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and addressing other related purposes. The Act extends its application to consent to changes in Australia's quota in the International Monetary Fund, as well as to Australia's subscription to additional shares of the capital stock of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The Act's jurisdiction is national, encompassing the entire Commonwealth of Australia, and it authorises appropriations from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for payments related to these international monetary agreements. The Act’s scope is specifically tailored to financial commitments and transactions between Australia and international financial institutions, and it does not explicitly state exclusions or thresholds beyond the outlined financial commitments. Any additional regulations or modifications to the application of the Act may be enacted through subordinate instruments, though the primary Act itself does not extend its application beyond the specified financial and transactional contexts.

Key Provisions

The International Monetary Agreements Act 1960 (C1960A00014) serves to facilitate Australia's participation in international financial arrangements. Section 3(a) of the Act gives the Parliament's consent for Australia to agree to a change in its quota in the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is detailed in the First Schedule to the Act. This change, effective as of April 6, 1960, increases Australia's quota to $400 million, with a condition that at least 25% of the increase must be paid in gold and the remainder in Australian currency. Section 3(b) of the Act consents to Australia subscribing to an additional 1,330 shares of the capital stock of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), as outlined in the Second Schedule to the Act. The subscription conditions are specified, including the payment of a portion of the subscription price in gold or US dollars and the rest in Australian currency. The Act imposes several obligations on the relevant Australian authorities. Under section 3, the authorities must ensure that Australia's consent to the quota change and subscription to additional IBRD shares is communicated to the respective international organisations in a timely manner. Section 4 of the Act appropriates funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to cover any payments required by Australia to the IMF as a result of the quota change. Additionally, section 5 applies the provisions of section 7 of the International Monetary Agreements Act 1947 to the payments covered under section 4. Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in the Act can result in various consequences. While the Act itself does not specify detailed penalties for non-compliance, breaches of obligations under international agreements can lead to diplomatic repercussions and potential financial liabilities. Under the broader framework of international law, failure to meet commitments can result in loss of credibility and influence in international financial institutions, as well as possible legal actions by affected parties. The Act's provisions are designed to ensure that Australia's commitments are met in a manner that aligns with its obligations under international agreements.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
International Law
Instrument
Act
Concepts
Commencement Provisions
Reporting & Disclosure Obligations
Enforcement Powers
Regulatory Standards

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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.