National Measurement Guidelines 2016

Administered by Department of Industry, Science and Resources

Legislation au F2016L00538 Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

AMENDED EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

 

Issued by the Chief Metrologist

 

National Measurement Act 1960

 

National Measurement Guidelines 2016

 

Purpose and Operation

 

The principal objects of the National Measurement Act 1960 (the Act) are to:

  • establish a national system of units and standards of measurement of physical quantities;
  • provide for the uniform use of those uniform units and standards of measurement throughout Australia;
  • co-ordinate the operation of the national system of measurement; and
  • provide the legal framework for a national system of trade measurement.

The Act and the National Measurement Regulations 1999 (the Regulations) prescribe SI (International System of Units) base units of measurement and Australian legal units of measurement. They also prescribe certain additional, non-SI, legal units of measurement that may be used for particular purposes.

Section 7B of the Act provides that the Chief Metrologist may make guidelines governing the way in which Australian legal units of measurement may be combined to produce Australian legal units of measurement, and the way in which Australia legal units of measurement may be combined with a prefix for the purposes of section 7A(3) of the Act.

The purpose of the National Measurement Guidelines 2016 (the Guidelines) is to support the national measurement system by prescribing a uniform system to express Australian legal units of measurement to ensure a common and consistent understanding of measurement units used in Australia and to align the expression of measurement units in Australia with internationally accepted practice.

The Guidelines commenced on 1 April 2016.

Consultation

The Guidelines are a legislative instrument for the purposes of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003. Sections 17 and 18 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 require details of consultation undertaken to be provided in the Explanatory Statement accompanying such instruments or their exemption from it. In the case of this legislative instrument, only minor adjustments are being made and there is no change in regulatory policy and no new fee items are introduced. In these circumstances, it is not appropriate to engage in a consultation process.

Details of the Guidelines are set out in the Attachment.


ATTACHMENT

Details of the National Measurement Amendment Guidelines 2016

Clause 1 – Name of Guidelines

This specifies the name of the Guidelines as the National Measurement Guidelines 2016.

Clause 2 – Authority

This sets out the provision of the National Measurement Act 1960 under which the Guidelines are made.

Clause 3 – Commencement

This provides that the Guidelines commenced on 1 April 2016.

Clause 4 – Revocation

This provides that the Guidelines revokes the National Measurement Guidelines 1999 (the former Guidelines) on 1 April 2016.

Clause 5 – Objects of the Guidelines

This item provides that the objects of the Guidelines are to provide a uniform system to express Australian legal units of measurement by governing the way in which Australian legal units of measurement may be combined to produce an Australian legal unit of measurement, and how they may be combined with prefixes to produce Australian legal units of measurement.  

Clause 6 – Definitions

This item provides for definitions of terms used in the Guidelines.

Clause 7 – Physical quantities

Schedule 1 and 2 of the National Measurement Regulations 1999 (the Regulations) prescribes the Australian legal units of measurement for physical quantities. This item replaces the unnecessary duplication of listing physical quantities of Australian legal units of measurement mentioned under the former Guidelines to an amended provision that Australian legal units of measurement may be formed only for the physical quantities prescribed under the Regulations. The amendment removes the requirement to amend the instrument when new Australian legal units of measurement are introduced to ensure that the national measurement legislation provides for the current formation of Australian legal units of measurement.

Clause 8 – Combining Australian legal units of measurement

This item provides that if a physical quantity is formed by combining two or more physical quantities then the Australian legal unit of measurement used to describe the combined physical quantity would be the same as the relationship between the Australian legal units of measurement for those physical quantities. The resulting Australian legal unit of measurement may be then represented by either a name or symbol that is itself derived from an Australian legal unit of measurement. For example the Australian legal unit of measurement of pascal can either be represented as Pa or N/m2. See schedule 1 and 2 of the Regulations for the list of names and symbols of Australian legal units of measurement.

Clause 9 – Combining Australian legal units of measurement and SI prefix

This item provides that a decimal multiple or submultiple of an Australian legal unit of measurement must be formed using a single SI prefix, as prescribed under schedule 3 of the Regulations, with the exemption of a kilogram which due to historical reasons is the only SI base unit which already contains a prefix (kilo) as part of its name.

This item includes a typographical amendment from the former Guidelines. The amendment corrects the example annotating how a decimal multiple or submultiple of an Australian legal unit of measurement, formed using a single SI prefix, is expressed to render it consistent with the requirements in section 13(10) of the instrument. The previous wording may have caused confusion in relation to the use of a space when expressing Australian legal units of measurement.

The item also provides that an additional derived unit of measurement, as listed under part 4 of schedule 1 of the Regulations, may also be combined with another Australian legal unit of measurement to form an Australian legal unit of measurement. For example the amount of gram per mole unit may be represented as grams/mol.

In addition, this item provides that an Australian legal unit of measurement and a SI prefix may be combined with other Australian legal units of measurement symbols, as listed under schedule 1 and 2 of the Regulations, to form a symbol for a compound unit that is an Australian legal unit of measurement. For example the Australian legal unit measurement of metre (m) with the prefix of kilo (k) can be combined with the non-SI unit of time (hour), represented with the symbol (h), to form km/h for a measurement of speed.  

Clause 10 – Australian legal units of measurement that must not be combined with prefixes

This item provides the list of Australian legal units of measurement which must not be combined with SI prefixes as to avoid confusion and that as kilogram already contains a prefix a decimal multiple of sub-multiple of kilogram must be formed by attaching a prefix to gram.

Clause 11 – Australian legal units of measurement that may only be combined with prefixes that form multiples of the unit

This item provides the Australian legal units of measurement of tonne may only be combined with an SI prefix that gives a decimal multiple of tonne. For example tonne may be combined with the SI prefix of kilo to form kilotonne which is a multiple of a tonne but not with the SI prefix of milli to form millitonne as it is a decimal sub-multiple of a tonne.

Clause 12 – Combination of a prescribed SI prefix with a combination of Australian Legal units of measurement

This item provides that an Australian legal unit of measurement must be formed from a combination of Australian legal units of measurement as prescribed under section 8 of the instrument and the use of an SI prefix as prescribed under schedule 3 of the Regulations.

Clause 13 – Expression of Australian legal units of measurement

This item provides for requirements when expressing Australian legal units of measurement to align the expression of measurement units in Australia with internationally accepted practice.

This item includes the following amendments from the former Guidelines:

 (i) The use of the product symbol of a space is excluded when the symbol for an Australian legal unit of measurement is the same as an SI prefix to align the expression with internationally accepted practice. The previous wording may have caused confusion in relation to the correct expression of Australian legal units of measurement. For example the Australian legal unit of measurement of thermo-dynamic temperature (kelvin) represented with the symbol (K) and length (metre), represented with the symbol (m), may be combined with the SI derived unit of measurement of power (watt), represented with the symbol (W), to form the expressed as m·K/W (metre kelvin per watt) as a measurement for thermal resistivity which if the product symbol of a space was used to form the expression m K/W it may be confused with millikelvin per watt (which itself may be expressed as mK/W). The amendment replaces the requirement previously under section 11(8) of the instrument.

 (ii) The example annotating how an Australian legal unit of measurement derived from the division of 2 other Australian legal units of measurement may be expressed to produce an unambiguous expression has been corrected to render it consistent with the requirements in section 13(6) of the instrument. The previous wording may have caused confusion in relation to the correct expression of Australian legal units of measurement.

 (iii) The example annotating how a complex expression, negative exponents or parentheses must be used when expressing Australian legal unit of measurement has been corrected to render it consistent with the requirements in section 13(6) of the instrument. The previous wording may have caused confusion in relation to the correct expression of Australian legal units of measurement.

 (iv) An exemption to the requirements regarding the use of a space after the numerical value of an Australian legal unit of measurement and the symbol of unit of measurement has been provided for expressing angles. When expressing geographic coordinates no space must be left between the numerical values and the symbols for degrees, minutes and seconds. On consultation with Geoscience Australia the former Guidelines may have caused confusion in relation to expressing geographic coordinates.

 

STATEMENT OF COMPATIBILITY WITH HUMAN RIGHTS

 

Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011

 

National Measurement Guidelines 2016

 

 

This Legislative Instrument is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.

 

 

Overview of the Legislative Instrument

The National Measurement Guidelines 2016 support the national measurement system by prescribing a uniform system to express Australian legal units of measurement to ensure a common and consistent understanding of measurement units used in Australia and to align the expression of measurement units in Australia with internationally accepted practice.

 

Human rights implications

This Legislative Instrument does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms.

 

Conclusion

This Legislative Instrument is compatible with human rights as it does not raise any human rights issues.

 

The Chief Metrologist, Peter Fisk

 

 

Overview

The National Measurement Act 1960 was enacted to establish a national system of units and standards of measurement, ensuring uniformity in the use of measurement units across Australia. The Act provides the legal framework for a national system of trade measurement and prescribes both SI and Australian legal units of measurement. Its purpose is to coordinate the operation of the national measurement system, ensuring that measurement practices are consistent and aligned with international standards. The Parliament of Australia enacted this Act to address the need for a cohesive and standardised system of measurement across the nation. The National Measurement Guidelines 2016 were introduced to further support this system by prescribing a uniform method to express Australian legal units of measurement, aiming to create a common understanding of measurement units used in Australia and to align these units with internationally accepted practices. These Guidelines, made under the authority of the National Measurement Act, came into effect on 1 April 2016, revoking the previous National Measurement Guidelines 1999. The objectives of the Guidelines are to provide clear rules on how Australian legal units of measurement can be combined, both with each other and with SI prefixes, ensuring clarity and consistency in their expression. The Guidelines also address specific cases where certain units cannot be combined with prefixes to avoid confusion and ensure the accuracy of measurements. Importantly, they aim to prevent misinterpretation by aligning the expression of Australian units of measurement with international standards, thus supporting the integrity of trade and scientific practices across Australia.

Scope and Application

The National Measurement Act 1960 applies across Australia to establish and regulate a national system of units and standards of measurement, ensuring uniform use of these units and standards throughout the country. This encompasses various physical quantities, entities, and industries that require standard measurements for legal, commercial, and scientific purposes. The Act provides the legal framework for a national system of trade measurement, ensuring consistency and accuracy in measurements used in transactions and trade. The Act applies to all persons and entities within Australia, including businesses, manufacturers, and consumers, who require adherence to legal units of measurement. The National Measurement Guidelines 2016, made under the Act, further support the national measurement system by prescribing a uniform method to express Australian legal units of measurement and aligning them with internationally accepted practices. These Guidelines commenced on 1 April 2016, replacing the former National Measurement Guidelines 1999. They provide detailed provisions for combining Australian legal units of measurement and SI prefixes, as well as requirements for expressing these units to avoid confusion and ensure clarity. The Guidelines also specify certain units that must not be combined with SI prefixes and those that may only be combined with prefixes forming multiples of the unit. The Act’s application is comprehensive, covering all physical quantities as prescribed in the National Measurement Regulations 1999, and extends to any subordinate instruments made under the Act. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds within the Act that limit its application.

Key Provisions

The National Measurement Guidelines 2016 (Guidelines) are instrumental in establishing a uniform system for expressing Australian legal units of measurement. These guidelines were created under the authority of the National Measurement Act 1960 (the Act) and commenced on 1 April 2016, replacing the former National Measurement Guidelines 1999. They serve to ensure that the expression of measurement units in Australia aligns with internationally accepted practice, thereby promoting consistency and clarity in the use of measurement units across various sectors. The Guidelines provide specific rules on how Australian legal units of measurement can be combined, either with each other or with SI prefixes, to form new units. For example, Section 8 outlines that if a physical quantity is formed by combining two or more physical quantities, the resulting Australian legal unit of measurement must reflect the relationship between those units. Furthermore, Section 9 details that a decimal multiple or submultiple of an Australian legal unit of measurement must use a single SI prefix, except in the case of the kilogram. The Guidelines also specify which units must not be combined with prefixes, such as the kilogram, and under which circumstances certain units may only be combined with prefixes that form multiples of the unit, as detailed in Section 11. Entities and individuals governed by the Guidelines are obligated to adhere to these rules to ensure uniformity in the expression of measurement units. This includes using the correct symbols and names for units, as well as ensuring that the use of prefixes and combinations of units does not cause confusion or deviate from international standards. Failure to comply with these guidelines could result in misunderstandings, inaccuracies in measurement, and potential legal ramifications, although the Act itself does not explicitly outline civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance with the Guidelines. However, non-compliance with the Act's broader provisions or the Regulations could lead to legal consequences. Given that the Guidelines aim to support the national measurement system, their primary focus is on ensuring consistency and clarity rather than imposing penalties. However, the overarching framework provided by the National Measurement Act 1960 and the National Measurement Regulations 1999 does establish a legal structure within which these Guidelines operate. Any breaches of the Act or Regulations, which could indirectly include non-compliance with the Guidelines, could result in civil or criminal consequences. The maximum penalties for breaches of the Act can include fines and imprisonment, though the specifics would depend on the nature and severity of the breach.

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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.