Notice varying conditions on authorisation to carry on insurance business - Optus Insurance Services Pty Limited

Administered by Department of the Treasury

Legislation au C2013G00520 In force Gazette

Legislation content

Notice varying conditions on Authorisation to carry on insurance business

Insurance Act 1973

 

 

To:  Optus Insurance Services Pty Limited ABN 12 005 711 928 (the general insurer)

 1 Lyonpark Rd, MACQUARIE PARK, New South Wales

 

 

SINCE

 

A APRA issued to the general insurer an Authorisation to carry on insurance business in Australia under subsection 12(1) of the Insurance Act 1973 (the Act), on 25 June 2002 (the Authorisation); and

B the Authorisation is subject to the conditions which are set out in the Schedule attached to this Notice;

 

 

I, Brandon Khoo, a delegate of APRA, under paragraph 13(1)(b) of the Act, VARY the conditions imposed on the Authorisation in the manner set out in the Schedule attached to this Notice and from the date this Variation takes effect, the conditions which apply to the Authorisation are those set out in the Schedule of conditions attached to this Notice.

 

This Variation takes effect from the date it is executed. 

 

 

Dated: 25 March 2013

 

[Signed]

 

Brandon Khoo

Executive General Manager

Specialised Institutions Division

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interpretation

In this Notice

APRA means the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.

insurance business has the meaning given in section 3 of the Act.

prudential standard has the meaning given in section 3 of the Act.

 

Note 1         Under subsection 13(1) of the Act, APRA may, at any time, by written notice to the general insurer impose conditions or additional conditions or vary or revoke conditions imposed on the insurer’s authorisation under section 12 of the Act. The conditions must relate to prudential matters.

Note 2         Under subsection 13(2) of the Act, a condition may be expressed to have effect despite anything in the prudential standards.

Note 3         Under subsection 13(4) of the Act, if APRA varies conditions on a general insurer’s authorisation, APRA must give written notice to the insurer and ensure that notice that the action has been taken is published in the Gazette.

Note 4         Under subsection 14(1) of the Act, a general insurer commits an offence if:

(a)           the insurer does an act or fails to do an act; and

(b)           doing the act or failing to do the act results in a contravention of a condition of the insurer’s authorisation under section 12 of the Act; and

(c)           there is no determination in force under subsection 7(1) of the Act, that subsection 14(1) of the Act does not apply to the insurer.

The maximum penalty is 300 penalty units. Under subsection 14(1A) of the Act, where an individual commits an offence against subsection 14(1) of the Act, because of Part 2.4 of the Criminal Code or commits an offence under Part 2.4 of the Criminal Code in relation to an offence against subsection 14(1) of the Act, the individual is punishable, on conviction, by a fine not exceeding 60 penalty units. Under subsection 14(2) of the Act, an offence against section 14 of the Act, is an offence of strict liability.

Note 5 Under subsection 13(6) of the Act, a decision to impose conditions, or additional conditions, or to vary the conditions on the Authorisation is a reviewable decision to which Part VI of the Act applies. If you are dissatisfied with this decision, you may seek reconsideration of the decision by APRA in accordance with subsection 63(2) of the Act. The request for reconsideration must be in writing, must state the reasons for the request, and must be given to APRA within 21 days after the decision first comes to your notice or within such further period as APRA allows. If dissatisfied with APRA’s reconsidered decision confirming or varying the first decision, you may, subject to the Administrative Appeals Act 1975, apply to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for review of the reconsidered decision.

The address where written notice may be given is Level 26, 400 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000.

Schedule-the conditions on the Authorisation

 

Optus Insurance Services Pty Limited is not to carry on insurance business other than in connection with the provision of insurance for mobile phone equipment and services.


Schedule-the conditions which are being varied

 

The existing condition(s) which are to be varied:

 

Optus Insurance Services Pty Limited is not to carry on insurance business other than in connection with the provision of insurance for mobile phone equipment and services.

 

The condition(s) as varied are:

 

Optus Insurance Services Pty Limited (OIS) is not to carry on insurance business other than in connection with the provision of insurance for telecommunications, internet or computing equipment or services that are provided, sold, distributed or leased by:

 

(i)                  OIS or any related body corporate of OIS or any other person acting on their behalf (Optus Group); or

 

(ii)               any other person where an Optus Group entity has agreed to provide telecommunications or internet services in respect of such equipment or services.

 

 


Schedule- the conditions which apply when this Variation takes effect.

 

Optus Insurance Services Pty Limited (OIS) is not to carry on insurance business other than in connection with the provision of insurance for telecommunications, internet or computing equipment or services that are provided, sold, distributed or leased by:

 

(i)                  OIS or any related body corporate of OIS or any other person acting on their behalf (Optus Group); or

 

(ii)               any other person where an Optus Group entity has agreed to provide telecommunications or internet services in respect of such equipment or services.

 

Overview

The Insurance Act 1973, enacted by the Australian Parliament, governs the authorisation and operation of insurance businesses in Australia. This legislation was introduced to address the need for regulation of the insurance industry to protect policyholders and maintain financial stability. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) plays a crucial role under this Act, having the authority to impose, vary, or revoke conditions on an insurer’s authorisation to operate. The policy objective of the Act is to ensure that insurance businesses maintain adequate financial resources and operate prudently, thereby safeguarding the interests of policyholders and the broader financial system. The Act includes provisions for strict liability offences and penalties for non-compliance, emphasising the importance of adherence to the prescribed standards and conditions.

Scope and Application

The Insurance Act 1973, as varied by the Notice dated 25 March 2013, applies specifically to Optus Insurance Services Pty Limited, a general insurer authorised to carry on insurance business in Australia. The Act, administered by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), imposes certain conditions on the insurer’s authorisation to operate. This variation alters the conditions imposed on the authorisation, restricting Optus Insurance Services Pty Limited to conducting insurance business exclusively in relation to telecommunications, internet, or computing equipment and services. This includes those provided, sold, distributed, or leased by Optus Insurance Services Pty Limited, any related body corporate of Optus Insurance Services Pty Limited, or any other person acting on their behalf (Optus Group), or by any other person where an Optus Group entity has agreed to provide such services. The variation is effective from the date it is executed, and APRA must ensure that notice of this action is published in the Gazette. This jurisdictional reach applies nationally within Australia, as the Act operates under Commonwealth law, but the specific conditions vary to reflect the insurer's scope of operations as determined by APRA.

Key Provisions

Under the Insurance Act 1973, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has the authority to impose conditions on an authorisation to carry on insurance business in Australia (sections 12 and 13). In the case of Optus Insurance Services Pty Limited, the variation of conditions (section 13) on their authorisation has been altered, effective from the date this notice is executed. The initial condition restricting the insurer to only providing insurance for mobile phone equipment and services has been modified. The new conditions now permit the insurer to offer insurance for telecommunications, internet, or computing equipment or services provided, sold, distributed, or leased by Optus Insurance Services Pty Limited or any related entity (Optus Group), or any other person where an Optus Group entity has agreed to provide telecommunications or internet services in respect of such equipment or services. The obligations imposed by this variation require Optus Insurance Services Pty Limited to adhere strictly to the new conditions set forth. Specifically, they are mandated to confine their insurance business activities to those outlined in the revised conditions. This means they must only offer insurance for telecommunications, internet, or computing equipment or services as specified, and any deviation from these conditions could lead to regulatory repercussions. Failure to comply with the conditions set by APRA can result in serious legal consequences. According to subsection 14(1) of the Act, a general insurer like Optus Insurance Services Pty Limited commits an offence if they perform or omit to perform an act that results in a contravention of a condition of their authorisation. The maximum penalty for such an offence is 300 penalty units. If an individual within the insurer commits an offence under this section, they are subject to a fine of up to 60 penalty units. Furthermore, any offence under section 14 of the Act is considered an offence of strict liability, meaning the insurer does not need to have had any intent or knowledge to be found guilty. This variation and the accompanying conditions are reviewable under Part VI of the Act, and any dissatisfied party may seek reconsideration or appeal as per the Administrative Appeals Act 1975.

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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.