Military Forces of the Commonwealth Regulations (Amendment) (Provisional)

Legislation au C1913L00237 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

STATUTORY RULES.

1913. No. 237.

 

PROVISIONAL REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT 1903-1912.

Regulations (Provisional) for the Military Force of the Commonwealth—Regulations 112 to 119—Amendment.

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby certify that, on account of urgency the following Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1912 should come into immediate operation and make the Regulations to come into operation forthwith as Provisional Regulations.

Dated this third day of September, One thousand nine hundred and thirteen.

DENMAN,

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

E. D. MILLEn.

 

REGULATIONS (PROVISIONAL) FOR THE MILITARY FORCES OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

Amendments.

Regulations 112 to 119 are cancelled, and the following substituted therefor:—

112. An establishment of Chaplains will be laid down and published in Military Orders as may be necessary.

112a. The Chaplain’s Department will consist of Chaplains serving on the—

(a) Authorized establishment.

(b) Unattached List.

112b. A clergyman of any recognised religious body may be appointed a Chaplain.

112c. Nominations may be received for appointment as Chaplains from clergymen of any recognised denomination, and will be sent through the Senior Chaplain of the denomination to the Commandant, and will be forwarded by him to the Chaplain-General of the denomination concerned for transmission to the Military Board.

In other cases nominations will be sent by the Head of the denomination, or the recognised governing body, direct to the Commandant for submission to the Military Board.

 

 

 

C.11191—Price 3d.


113. Chaplains will be divided into four classes, viz.:—

4th Class, with relative rank of Captain.

3rd Class, with relative rank of Major.

2nd Class, with relative rank of Lieut-Colonel.

1st Class, with relative rank of Colonel.

114. Four Chaplains-General will be appointed, one for each of the following denominations:—

Anglican.

Roman Catholic.

Presbyterian

Methodist.

to be the head of each denomination concerned, or a clergyman recommended by the recognised governing or consultative body of such denomination.

114a. A Senior Chaplain for each of the denominations referred to in Regulation 114 will be appointed in each Military District to administer the Chaplains of his own denomination.

115. Promotions of Chaplains will be governed by length of service as follows:—

(i) to the 3rd Class, after ten years’ service as Chaplain.

(ii) to the 2nd Class, after fifteen years’ service as Chaplain, including five years in the 3rd Class.

(iii) to the 1st Class, after twenty years’ service as Chaplain, five of which must have been in the 2nd Class.

provided that a clergyman appointed Chaplain-General or Senior Chaplain may be appointed 1st or 2nd Class Chaplains without having previously served as a Chaplain.

116. Transfers of Chaplains from one Military District to another will receive the sanction of the Senior Chaplains of the Military Districts concerned, or, in the case of other denominations, by the Head of the denomination or governing body in each of the Military Districts.

If a Chaplain on the establishment of the Military District is removed to a position in which he is unable to continue to perform the duties of a Chaplain, he will be placed on the Unattached List.

116a. A Chaplain leaving the Military District in which he is resident or changing his address, will at once notify the Senior Chaplain of his denomination, who will report the same to the Commandant.

116b. On intimation being received by the Military Board from the Head of a denomination that a Chaplain has ceased to be in the service of the denomination, or is considered to be unsuitable to carry out the duties of a Chaplain, his appointment will be cancelled.


A Chaplain on the establishment who has not per-performed any duty for two years in succession, will be retired, provided that in special cases this period may be extended on the recommendation of the Senior Chaplain of his denomination and the Commandant.

In the event of a Chaplain on the establishment retiring, the fact shall be notified by the Senior Chaplain of his denomination to the Commandant, and a new nomination will be submitted to fill the vacancy.

116c. Chaplains for whom vacancies do not exist on the authorised establishment will be transferred to the Unattached List, and whilst serving thereon are liable for duty.

117. Chaplains will not be subject to the regulation governing the age for retirement laid down in Commonwealth Military Regulation 134.

118 Chaplains are required to perform duty with the troops as may be arranged by their Senior Chaplains.

All arrangements for Divine service will be made by the Senior Chaplain of each denomination for the service of his denomination, but this shall not prevent two or more Chaplains agreeing to hold combined services at any time with the concurrence of their Senior Chaplains.

Chaplains detailed for duty at Camps of Continuous Training should, if possible, attend for the whole period, and will be granted allowances as laid down in Financial and Allowance Regulations.

119. Chaplains are to be treated with those marks of respect which are due to their rank and profession, and Commandants and Officers Commanding are to render them every possible assistance in carrying out their duties.

 

Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.

Overview

The Provisional Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1912, issued in 1913, were enacted by the Governor-General in Council to address the urgent need to establish a structured and efficient system for the appointment, classification, and administration of Chaplains within the Commonwealth Military Forces. These regulations sought to fill a critical gap in ensuring that spiritual and moral support was adequately provided to military personnel during this period. The regulations outline the establishment of Chaplains, their classification into four distinct ranks, the nomination and appointment process, and the conditions under which Chaplains may be transferred or retired. The overarching policy objective is to maintain a disciplined and organised Chaplaincy Department, ensuring that Chaplains are respected and supported in their roles, while also providing clear guidelines for their professional conduct and duties within the military framework.

Scope and Application

The Provisional Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1912, as detailed in Statutory Rules 1913 No. 237, govern the establishment and administration of the Chaplain’s Department within the Military Force of the Commonwealth. These regulations apply to all Chaplains serving within the military establishment, including those on the authorized establishment and those on the Unattached List. They detail the appointment, classification, and promotion of Chaplains, as well as the administrative processes governing their transfers, retirements, and conduct. The regulations apply nationally across all military districts, ensuring uniformity in the management of Chaplains. Notably, Chaplains are exempt from certain retirement age regulations applicable to other military personnel. These provisional regulations come into immediate effect, underscoring their urgency and necessity in the administration of military spiritual care. Subordinate instruments may further elaborate on specific aspects of Chaplain conduct and duties.

Key Provisions

The provisional regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1912 establish the structure and duties of Chaplains within the Military Forces of the Commonwealth. Regulation 112 outlines the establishment of Chaplains, detailing that their number and distribution will be published in Military Orders as needed. Regulation 112a clarifies that the Chaplain’s Department includes both those on the authorized establishment and those on the Unattached List. Regulation 112b allows for the appointment of clergymen from any recognized religious body as Chaplains, with nominations for such appointments being submitted either through the Senior Chaplain of the denomination or directly by the Head of the denomination or governing body. The classifications of Chaplains are further detailed in Regulation 113, which divides them into four classes with corresponding ranks: Captain for 4th Class, Major for 3rd Class, Lieutenant-Colonel for 2nd Class, and Colonel for 1st Class. Regulation 114 mandates the appointment of four Chaplains-General, one for each of the Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, and Methodist denominations. The obligations of these Chaplains are further outlined in subsequent regulations. Regulation 115 governs promotions among the ranks of Chaplains, stipulating that promotions to higher classes are contingent on the length of service, with specific requirements for each class. Regulation 116 details the procedures for the transfer of Chaplains between Military Districts and the conditions under which a Chaplain may be placed on the Unattached List or removed from service. Chaplains are required to notify the Senior Chaplain of their denomination of any change in their address or residential Military District (Regulation 116a). Furthermore, if a Chaplain ceases to serve their denomination or is deemed unsuitable, their appointment is to be cancelled (Regulation 116b). Chaplains who have not performed duties for two years may be retired, although this period may be extended in special cases (Regulation 116c). Chaplains not on the authorized establishment are transferred to the Unattached List and remain liable for duty (Regulation 116c). Regulations 117 and 118 address additional obligations and requirements for Chaplains. Regulation 117 exempts Chaplains from the age-based retirement regulations that apply to other military personnel. Regulation 118 requires Chaplains to perform duties with the troops as arranged by their Senior Chaplains and mandates that arrangements for Divine services are made by the Senior Chaplain of each denomination, though combined services may be held with mutual consent. Chaplains detailed for duty at Camps of Continuous Training are expected to attend for the entire period and are granted allowances as specified in Financial and Allowance Regulations. Finally, Regulation 119 stipulates that Chaplains are to be treated with respect befitting their rank and profession, and that Commandants and Officers Commanding are to provide all necessary assistance in the execution of their duties.

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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.