Statutory Rules
1974 No. 181
REGULATIONS UNDER THE PASSPORTS ACT 1938-1973.*
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL of Australia, acting with the advice of the Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Passports Act 1938-1973.
Dated this first day of October, 1974.
John R. Kerr
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
CLYDE R. CAMERON
Minister of State for Labor and Immigration.
Amendments or the Passport Regulations†
Certificates of Identity.
1. Regulation 9 of the Passport Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (1) the words “ the Commonwealth or any Territory of the Commonwealth ” and substituting the words “ Australia or a Territory ”.
Fees.
2. Regulation 13 of the Passport Regulations is amended by omitting from paragraph (a) of sub-regulation (2) the word “ Commonwealth ” (wherever occurring) and substituting the word “ Australian ”.
Schedule.
3. The Schedule to the Passport Regulations is amended—
(a) by omitting the words “ THE SCHEDULE ” and substituting the word “ SCHEDULE ”;
* Notified in the Australian Government Gazette on 8 October 1974.
† Statutory Rules 1939, No. 47, as amended by Statutory Rules 1945, No. 183; 1948, No. 52; 1949, Nos. 7 and 41; 1952, No. 67; 1956, No. 45; 1966, No. 100; and 1969, No. 80.
16773/74—Price 5c 10/5.9.1974
(b) by omitting Part I and substituting the following Part:—
“ PART I
For the issue of an Australian passport... | $10 |
For the renewal of a British passport.... | $2.50 for each year of renewal |
For the endorsement of a British passport made after the issue of the passport | $2.50 |
For the issue of a certificate of identity... | $10 |
For the issue of a document of identity... | $5 |
For the renewal of a certificate of identity. | $2.50 for each year or part of a year of renewal |
For the renewal of a document of identity. | $2.50 for each year or part of a year of renewal ”; |
and
(c) by omitting from Part II the words “ Twenty cents ” and “ Eighty cents ” and substituting the words and figures “ 20 cents ” and “ 80 cents ” respectively.
Application.
4. The amendment of the Schedule to the Passport Regulations effected by paragraph 3 (b) applies in relation to the issue of an Australian passport, the renewal or endorsement of a British passport and the issue or renewal of a certificate of identity or document of identity for which application is made on or after 2 December 1974.
Printed by Authority by the Government Printer of Australia
Overview
Statutory Rules 1974 No. 181, known as the Passport Regulations, were enacted to amend the Passport Regulations under the Passports Act 1938-1973. These regulations were introduced to address the need for updated and streamlined processes in the issuance and renewal of passports and related documents. The enacting body was the Australian Parliament, with the Governor-General of Australia making the regulations on advice from the Executive Council. The policy objective of these regulations was to ensure that the fees and procedures for passport-related applications were clearly defined and updated to reflect the current administrative needs and economic context of the time. The changes sought to harmonise the terminology and fees associated with the application for Australian passports, certificates of identity, and documents of identity, thereby ensuring consistency and clarity in the application process for those seeking travel documents.
Scope and Application
The Passport Regulations, as amended by Statutory Rules 1974 No. 181, apply to individuals and entities involved in the issuance, renewal, endorsement, and application of Australian passports, British passports, certificates of identity, and documents of identity within Australia and its territories. The regulations set out the fees associated with each of these services and specify the application of these fees to applications made on or after 2 December 1974. The scope of the regulations is national, covering all states and territories within Australia. The amendments to the regulations ensure consistency and clarity in the application of fees, removing previous references to the Commonwealth or specific territories and replacing them with references to Australia or a Territory. These regulations do not explicitly exclude any persons or entities, but the fees and provisions apply only to applications made after the specified date. The application of the regulations can be extended or further defined through subordinate instruments as necessary.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of these Regulations under the Passports Act 1938-1973 pertain to amendments of the Passport Regulations (Regulations 1-4). Regulation 1 amends the definition of where a passport or certificate of identity is issued, changing "the Commonwealth or any Territory of the Commonwealth" to "Australia or a Territory" (sub-regulation 9(1)). Regulation 2 adjusts the terminology in the fees schedule from "Commonwealth" to "Australian" (sub-regulation 13(2)(a)). Regulation 3 updates the Schedule to reflect new fees for the issuance and renewal of passports and identity documents, applicable to applications made on or after 2 December 1974. Regulation 4 specifies the application of these amendments to relevant passport and identity document services.
These Regulations impose specific obligations on applicants for passports, certificates of identity, and documents of identity. Applicants must adhere to the updated fee structure outlined in the amended Schedule, which includes fees for Australian passports, British passport renewals or endorsements, and certificates or documents of identity. The changes necessitate updated applications and payment of specified fees according to the new rates, effective from 2 December 1974.
Breach of these Regulations could potentially lead to administrative penalties or refusal of services. Although the specific penalties are not detailed within the text of these Regulations, general provisions under the Passports Act 1938-1973 may apply. For instance, providing false or misleading information when applying for a passport or identity document could result in criminal charges under the Act. The maximum penalties for such offences can vary, but typically include substantial fines and/or imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offence and any prior convictions.