Passports Amendment Regulations 2000 2000 No. 157
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Statutory Rules 2000 No 157
Issued by the authority of the Minister. for Trade
Passports Act 1938
Passports Amendment Regulations 2000
These Regulations amend the Passports Regulations to increase the fees charged under the Regulations for the issue of Passports and other travel documents (such as Certificates and Documents of Identity).
Regulation 1 is a declaratory provision.
Regulation 2 provides that the Regulations commence on 1 July 2000.
Regulation 3 provides that Schedule 1 amends the Passports Regulations 1939, by increasing the fees for the issue of Passports and other travel documents (such as Certificates and Documents of Identity) according to the following table:
Col 1 Item | Column 2 Matter | Column 3 Present Fee | Proposed Fee |
1 | Issue to a person (other than a prescribed minor) of an Australian passport of 36 pages | 128 | 132 |
2 | Issue to a prescribed minor of an Australian passport of 36 pages. | 64 | 66 |
3 | Issue to a person (other than a prescribed minor)of an Australian passport of 68 pages. | 192 | 198 |
4 | Issue to a prescribed minor of an Australian passport of 68 pages. | 96 | 99 |
5 | Observation made after the issue of a passport. | 10 | 10 |
6 | Issue of a certificate of identity. | 77 | 79 |
7 | Issue of a document of identity. | 28 | 28 |
8 | Renewal of a certificate of identity. | 10 | 10 |
9 | Renewal of a document of identity. | 10 | 10 |
10 | Issue of a convention travel document. | 77 | 79 |
11 | Renewal of a convention travel | 8 | 8 |
Overview
The Passports Amendment Regulations 2000 were enacted to address the need for updating the fees associated with the issuance and renewal of various travel documents, including Australian passports, certificates of identity, and documents of identity. This amendment was introduced under the authority of the Minister for Trade, as part of the Passports Act 1938. The policy objective of these regulations is to adjust the financial structure related to travel document services to reflect current economic conditions and administrative costs. The Regulations came into effect on 1 July 2000, as stated in Regulation 2, and they were issued to ensure that the fees for various types of passports and travel documents are updated as per the provisions outlined in Schedule 1. This adjustment aims to maintain the integrity and efficiency of the passport issuance process while ensuring that the fees adequately cover the costs involved.
Scope and Application
The Passports Amendment Regulations 2000 apply to individuals and entities involved in the issuance of Australian passports and other travel documents, such as Certificates and Documents of Identity. These regulations amend the existing Passports Regulations 1939 to adjust the fees for the services mentioned. The amendments are applicable to the Commonwealth of Australia and come into effect on 1 July 2000. The changes specifically affect the fees for issuing passports to both adults and minors, as well as for certificates and documents of identity, and their respective renewals. The new fee structure is outlined in Schedule 1 of the regulations, which details the increased charges for each type of travel document. This amendment does not specify any exclusions or exemptions and applies directly to all persons and entities involved in the issuance and renewal of Australian travel documents. The regulations do not extend their application beyond the Commonwealth, and there are no subordinate instruments noted that further extend or restrict the application of these amendments.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of these Regulations are Regulation 3 and Schedule 1. Regulation 3 provides that the Regulations commence on 1 July 2000 and Schedule 1 sets out the amendments to the Passports Regulations 1939 (referred to as the "old Regulations"). Specifically, Schedule 1 increases the fees for the issue of Australian passports and other travel documents. This is detailed in a table within the Schedule, which outlines the present and proposed fees for various types of documents. For instance, the fee for issuing an Australian passport of 36 pages to a person (not a prescribed minor) is set to increase from $128 to $132 (item 1), and the fee for a 68-page passport for a person (not a prescribed minor) will increase from $192 to $198 (item 3).
The Regulations impose several obligations on entities and individuals subject to them. Primarily, these Regulations require the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to adjust the fees for passports and other travel documents as specified in Schedule 1. This adjustment must be implemented from the commencement date of 1 July 2000. The entities and individuals who apply for these documents must also be aware of and comply with the new fee structure as detailed in the amended Regulations.
The Regulations do not explicitly state any offences or penalties for non-compliance. However, by virtue of the Passports Act 1938, failure to pay the correct fee or otherwise comply with the new fee structure could potentially lead to administrative penalties. These could include fines or other administrative consequences as prescribed under the Act. The exact penalties would depend on the specific breach and the provisions of the Act, but they are not detailed in the Regulations themselves.
In summary, the Passports Amendment Regulations 2000 primarily focus on updating the fee schedule for various travel documents as set out in the Passports Regulations 1939. The Regulations require the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to implement these changes from 1 July 2000 and for applicants to adhere to the new fee structure. While the Regulations do not specify penalties for non-compliance, such breaches could result in penalties under the Passports Act 1938.