National Companies and Securities Commission Regulations

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1980 No. 5

REGULATIONS UNDER THE NATIONAL COMPANIES AND SECURITIES COMMISSION ACT 1979*

WHEREAS it is provided by sub-section (4) of section 53 of the National Companies and Securities Commission Act 1979 that the power of the Governor-General to make regulations under that Act shall be exercised only in accordance with advice that is consistent with resolutions of the Ministerial Council for Companies and Securities established under the Agreement made on 22 December 1978 between the Commonwealth and the States:

AND WHEREAS the making of the following Regulations is in accordance with advice that is consistent with those resolutions:

NOW THEREFORE I, the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the National Companies and Securities Commission Act 1979.

Dated this sixteenth day of January 1980.

Governor-General ZELMAN COWEN

By His Excellency’s Command,

R.V. GARLAND

Minister of State for Business and Consumer Affairs

NATIONAL COMPANIES AND SECURITIES COMMISSION REGULATIONS

Citation

1. These Regulations may be cited as the National Companies and Securities Commission Regulations.

* Notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 23 January 1980.

14488/79 Cat. No. —Recommended retail price 20c 13/21.12.1979


Commencement

2. These Regulations shall come into operation on 1 February 1980.

Interpretation

3. (1) In these Regulations, “ the Act ” means the National Companies and Securities Commission Act 1979.

(2) In these Regulations, a reference to a form by number shall be read as a reference to the form so numbered in Schedule 1.

Relevant interest for the purposes of section 19 of Act

4. A person has a relevant interest in securities for the purposes of section 19 of the Act if that person has any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in those securities.

Register of Financial Interests

5. For the purposes of sub-section 19 (3) of the Act, the Register of Financial Interests shall be in accordance with Form 1.

Relevant interest for the purposes of section 49 of Act

6. A person has a relevant interest in securities for the purposes of section 49 of the Act if that person has any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in those securities.

Associated persons for the purposes of section 49 of Act

7. For the purposes of section 49 of the Act, a person is associated with a person or body if—

(a) the first-mentioned person is a partner of the second-mentioned person;

(b) that body is a body corporate and the first-mentioned person is an officer of that body corporate; or

(c) that body is a body corporate and the first-mentioned person has a controlling interest in that body corporate.

Related corporations for the purposes of section 49 of Act

8. (1) For the purposes of section 49 of the Act, where a body corporate—

(a) is the holding company of another body corporate;

(b) is a subsidiary of another body corporate; or

(c) is a subsidiary of the holding company of another body corporate,

that first-mentioned body corporate and that other body corporate are related to each other.


(2) For the purposes of this regulation, a body corporate shall, subject to sub-regulation (4), be deemed to be a subsidiary of another body corporate if—

(a) that other body corporate—

(i) controls the composition of the board of directors of the first-mentioned body corporate;

(ii) is in a position to cast, or control the casting of, more than one-half of the maximum number of votes that might be cast at a general meeting of the first-mentioned body corporate; or

(iii) holds more than one-half of the issued share capital of the first-mentioned body corporate (excluding any part of that issued share capital that carries no right to participate beyond a specified amount in a distribution of either profits or capital); or

(b) the first-mentioned body corporate is a subsidiary of any body corporate that is that other body corporate’s subsidiary (including a body corporate that is that other body corporate’s subsidiary by another application or other applications of this, paragraph).

(3) For the purposes of sub-regulation (2), the composition of a body corporate’s board of directors shall be deemed to be controlled by another body corporate if that other body corporate, by the exercise of some power exercisable by it without the consent or concurrence of any other person, can appoint or remove all or a majority of the directors, and for the purposes of this provision that other body corporate shall be deemed to have power to make such an appointment if—

(a) a person cannot be appointed as a director without the exercise in his favour by that other body corporate of such a power; or

(b) a person’s appointment as a director follows necessarily from his being a director or other officer of that other body corporate.

(4) In determining whether one body corporate in a subsidiary of another body corporate—

(a) any shares held or power exercisable by that other body corporate in a fiduciary capacity shall be treated as not held or exercisable by it;

(b) subject to paragraphs (c) and (d), any shares held or power exercisable—

(i) by any person as a nominee for that other body corporate (except where that other body corporate is concerned only in a fiduciary capacity); or


(ii) by, or by a nominee for, a subsidiary of that other body corporate, not being a subsidiary that is concerned only in a fiduciary capacity,

shall be treated as held or exercisable by that other body corporate;

(c) any shares held or power exercisable by any person by virtue of the provisions of any debentures of the first-mentioned body corporate, or of a trust deed for securing any issue of such debentures, shall be disregarded; and

(d) any shares held or power exercisable by, or by a nominee for, that other body corporate or its subsidiary (not being held or exercisable as mentioned in paragraph (c)) shall be treated as not held or exercisable by that other body corporate if the ordinary business of that other body corporate or its subsidiary, as the case may be, includes the lending of money and the shares are held or the power is exercisable by way of security only for the purposes of a transaction entered into in the ordinary course of that business.

(5) A reference in this regulation to the holding company of a body corporate shall be read as a reference to a body corporate of which that first-mentioned body corporate is a subsidiary.

Allowances and expenses payable to witnesses

9. For the purposes of sub-section 38 (3) of the Act, the allowances and expenses to which a person who attends at a hearing before the Commission is entitled are such allowances and expenses as the Chairman allows in accordance with the scale in Schedule 2 to these Regulations.

Summons to witness

10. (1) A summons under sub-section 37 (1) of the Act shall be in accordance with Form 2.

(2) A summons under sub-section 37 (1) of the Act shall be served on a person by—

(a) delivering a copy of the summons to the person personally; or

(b) leaving a copy of the summons at the last known place of residence or business of the person with a person apparently resident or employed at that place and apparently over the age of 16 years.

SCHEDULE 1         Regulation 3

FORM 1

National Companies and Securities Commission Act 1979

REGISTER OF FINANCIAL INTERESTS

Name of member having interest.......................................................................................

Address of member................................................................................................

Date of appointment of member........................................................................................

Date of entry

Company directorships

Description of securities (other than government or semi-government)

Nature of interest in relevant securities

Acquisition or change (including disposal) of interest

Date of change

Particulars of change in interest

Consideration (all types)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 1—continued

FORM 2

National Companies and Securities Commission Act 1979

NATIONAL COMPANIES AMD SECURITIES COMMISSION SUMMONS TO WITNESS

(Description of Hearing)

To

(full name and address of witness)

1. You are  hereby summoned to appear before the National Companies and Securities Commission at                                                                       on                                                                       19                , at                                           o’clock in the                                                         noon, and  thereafter  to attend  from day to day until the hearing in relation to the abovementioned matter is completed or you are excused or released from further attendance.

2. You are required to appear before the Commission for the purposes of giving evidence at the hearing.

*3. You are required to produce the following documents at the hearing:

(here set out the documents required)

Dated this      day of      19 .

(Signature of person authorized to issue summons)

* Insert if applicable

SCHEDULE 2     Regulation 9

Witnesses’ Fees and Travelling Expenses

1. A person who attends at a hearing before the Commission to give evidence because of his professional, scientific or other special skill or knowledge shall be paid a fee of not less than $45 and not more than $250, for each day on which he so attends.

2. A person, other than a person referred to in Item 1 of this Schedule, who attends at a hearing before the Commission to give evidence or to produce documents shall be paid—

(a) if he is remunerated by wages, salary or fees—

(i) a fee equal to the amount of wages, salary or fees lost by reason of his so attending; or

(ii) a fee of $50 for each day on which he so attends, whichever is the less; or

(b) if he is not so remunerated—a fee of $30 for each day on which he so attends.

3. A person attending at a hearing before the Commission to give expert evidence shall be paid, in addition to any other fee payable to him under Item 1 or 2 of this Schedule, a reasonable amount for qualifying to give that evidence.

4. A person attending at a hearing before the Commission to give evidence or to produce documents shall be paid a reasonable amount—

(a) in respect of his conveyance to and from the place at which he so attends; and

(b) if he is required to be absent overnight from his usual place of residence-for meals and accommodation.

Printed by Authority by the Commonwealth Government Printer

Overview

The National Companies and Securities Commission Regulations 1980 were introduced to provide a framework for the administration of the National Companies and Securities Commission Act 1979. Enacted by the Governor-General under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia, these regulations were made in accordance with advice consistent with resolutions of the Ministerial Council for Companies and Securities, as required by the Act. The primary objective of these regulations is to ensure the effective oversight and regulation of companies and securities in Australia, providing a clear structure for the governance and compliance mechanisms within corporate entities. By establishing detailed procedures for the registration of financial interests, the definition of relevant interests, and the criteria for associated persons and related corporations, the regulations aim to enhance transparency and accountability in corporate governance, thereby protecting investors and maintaining the integrity of the financial markets. The regulations provide specific forms and procedures, such as the Register of Financial Interests and the summons to witnesses, to streamline the enforcement of the Act and ensure that the National Companies and Securities Commission can efficiently manage and oversee compliance with securities laws. This comprehensive approach helps to address any gaps in the legislative framework by offering practical guidelines and standardised processes for the administration of corporate governance and securities regulation.

Scope and Application

The National Companies and Securities Commission Regulations, made under the National Companies and Securities Commission Act 1979, apply to the Commonwealth of Australia and cover a range of topics related to financial interests, associations, and transactions. These regulations primarily apply to individuals and entities that have direct or indirect pecuniary interests in securities, as well as those who are associated with other persons or bodies corporate. The regulations establish the criteria for determining relevant interests, associations, and related corporations under the Act, and also outline the process for maintaining the Register of Financial Interests. Additionally, these regulations govern the allowances and expenses payable to witnesses attending hearings before the Commission and specify the manner in which summons to witnesses must be issued. The scope of these regulations extends to all relevant parties across the Commonwealth, ensuring consistency in the application of the National Companies and Securities Commission Act 1979. Any further specification or extension of the application of these regulations may be made through subordinate instruments, such as additional forms or schedules, as required.

Key Provisions

The National Companies and Securities Commission Regulations (the Regulations) under the National Companies and Securities Commission Act 1979 provide various definitions and requirements related to financial interests and the conduct of proceedings before the National Companies and Securities Commission (the Commission). Section 3 defines 'the Act' as the National Companies and Securities Commission Act 1979, and a reference to a form by number refers to the form numbered in Schedule 1. Section 4 defines 'relevant interest' for the purposes of section 19 of the Act, stating that a person has a relevant interest in securities if they have any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in those securities. Section 5 outlines that the Register of Financial Interests shall be in accordance with Form 1. Section 6 similarly defines'relevant interest' for the purposes of section 49 of the Act, stating that a person has a relevant interest if they have any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in those securities. Section 7 defines 'associated persons' for the purposes of section 49 of the Act, specifying the conditions under which one person is associated with another person or body. Section 8 provides definitions for 'related corporations' for the purposes of section 49 of the Act, detailing the relationships that constitute related corporations, including holding and subsidiary relationships. The Regulations impose certain obligations and requirements on the parties or entities they govern. Under Section 5, it is mandatory for members with a relevant interest in securities to record such interests in the Register of Financial Interests in accordance with Form 1. This includes providing details such as the name of the member, their address, the date of appointment, and the nature and details of their interest in the securities. Additionally, under Section 10, summonses to witnesses for hearings before the Commission must be issued in accordance with Form 2 and served on the witness either personally or by leaving a copy at their last known residence or business address with a person over the age of 16. The Regulations also outline the penalties and consequences for breaches. While specific offences and penalties are not explicitly stated within the Regulations themselves, breaches of the National Companies and Securities Commission Act 1979, which the Regulations are made under, can result in significant civil and criminal penalties. For instance, misleading or deceptive conduct under the Act can lead to fines and imprisonment, with the severity of the penalty depending on the nature and extent of the offence. Additionally, failure to comply with reporting requirements or provide accurate financial information can result in fines and other enforcement actions by the Commission.

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Area of Law
Corporate Law & Governance
Instrument
Regulation
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Commencement Provisions
Licensing & Registration
Reporting & Disclosure Obligations

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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.