Public Order (Protection of Persons and Property) Regulations 1999

Administered by Department of Home Affairs

Legislation au F1999B00024 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Public Order(Protection of Persons and Property) Regulations 1999

Statutory Rules No. 26, 1999 as amended

made under the

Public Order (Protection of Persons and Property) Act 1971

Compilation start date:   1 January 2014

Includes amendments up to: SLI No. 260, 2013

 

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Public Order (Protection of Persons and Property) Regulations 1999 as in force on 1 January 2014. It includes any commenced amendment affecting the legislation to that date.

This compilation was prepared on 1 January 2014.

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of each amended provision.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not reflected in the text of the compiled law but the text of the amendments is included in the endnotes.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Modifications

If a provision of the compiled law is affected by a modification that is in force, details are included in the endnotes.

Provisions ceasing to have effect

If a provision of the compiled law has expired or otherwise ceased to have effect in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

 

Contents

1 Name of regulations

2 Commencement

3 Definitions

4 Investigative authorities

5 Proof of authority

6 Frisk searches

7 Returning identity card

8 Disclosing information

9 Recording information electronically

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Endnote 5—Uncommenced amendments [none]

Endnote 6—Modifications [none]

Endnote 7—Misdescribed amendments [none]

Endnote 8—Miscellaneous [none]

 

 

 

1  Name of regulations

  These regulations are the Public Order (Protection of Persons and Property) Regulations 1999.

2  Commencement

  These regulations commence on gazettal.

3  Definitions

 (1) In these regulations:

Act means the Public Order (Protection of Persons and Property) Act 1971.

Integrity Commissioner has the same meaning as in the Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner Act 2006.

 (2) Unless the contrary intention appears, a word or expression used in these regulations and Part IIA of the Act has the same meaning in these regulations as in that Part.

Note 1: The following expressions used in these regulations are defined in the Act (see sections 4 and 13A):

  •       authorised officer
  •       constable
  •       court.

Note 2: Court is defined to mean a federal court, and to include a tribunal, authority or person having power under a law of the Commonwealth to require the production of documents or the answering of questions.

4  Investigative authorities

  The following are prescribed for Part IIA of the Act:

 (a) the Australian Crime Commission;

 (b) the Integrity Commissioner.

5  Proof of authority

 (1) Before exercising a power under section 13C or 13D of the Act in relation to a person, an authorised officer must, if practicable:

 (a) tell the person that the officer is an authorised officer for Part IIA of the Act; and

 (b) in the case of a constable—disclose the officer’s identification as a constable; and

 (c) in any other case—disclose the officer’s identity card.

 (2) For this regulation, an authorised officer’s identity card is a card of a durable nature, that:

 (a) displays a recent photograph of the officer; and

 (b) states that the holder of the card is an authorised officer for Part IIA of the Act; and

 (c) identifies, by office, the person on whose authority the card is issued.

6  Frisk searches

  Before an authorised officer conducts a frisk search of a person under section 13D of the Act, the officer must, if practicable, tell the person:

 (a) about the procedure for the frisk search; and

 (b) the effect of subsections 13D(4), (5) and (7) of the Act.

7  Returning identity card

  If a person in possession of an identity card mentioned in regulation 5 ceases to be an authorised officer, the person must, as soon as practicable, return the card, or the part of the card identifying the person as an authorised officer, to:

 (a) the person who issued the card; or

 (b) if that person is unavailable—another person authorised to receive the card.

8  Disclosing information

 (1) If an authorised officer obtains information under section 13C of the Act, the officer may disclose that information to any of the following organisations:

 (b) the Australian Federal Police;

 (c) the police force of a State or Territory.

 (5) An authorised officer for the Australian Crime Commission (the ACC) may also disclose the information to the Chief Executive Officer of the ACC.

 (5B) An authorised officer in relation to the Integrity Commissioner may also disclose the information to the Integrity Commissioner.

 (6) However, an authorised officer may disclose information to an organisation or person under this regulation only if the officer believes on reasonable grounds that it is necessary in the interests of security to do so.

Note: For the application of the Privacy Act 1988 to an act or practice of the Australian Crime Commission or the Integrity Commissioner, see paragraphs 7(1)(a) and (b) of that Act.

9  Recording information electronically

  Information obtained under section 13C of the Act may be recorded electronically.

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide details of the history of this legislation and its provisions. The following endnotes are included in each compilation:

 

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Endnote 5—Uncommenced amendments

Endnote 6—Modifications

Endnote 7—Misdescribed amendments

Endnote 8—Miscellaneous

 

If there is no information under a particular endnote, the word “none” will appear in square brackets after the endnote heading.

 

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key in this endnote sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

 

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

 

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended the compiled law. The information includes commencement information for amending laws and details of application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

 

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision level. It also includes information about any provisions that have expired or otherwise ceased to have effect in accordance with a provision of the compiled law.

 

Uncommenced amendments—Endnote 5

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not reflected in the text of the compiled law but the text of the amendments is included in endnote 5.

Modifications—Endnote 6

If the compiled law is affected by a modification that is in force, details of the modification are included in endnote 6.

 

Misdescribed amendments—Endnote 7

An amendment is a misdescribed amendment if the effect of the amendment cannot be incorporated into the text of the compilation. Any misdescribed amendment is included in endnote 7.

 

Miscellaneous—Endnote 8

Endnote 8 includes any additional information that may be helpful for a reader of the compilation.

 

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

 

ad = added or inserted

pres = present

am = amended

prev = previous

c = clause(s)

(prev) = previously

Ch = Chapter(s)

Pt = Part(s)

def = definition(s)

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

Dict = Dictionary

Reg = Regulation/Regulations

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

reloc = relocated

Div = Division(s)

renum = renumbered

exp = expired or ceased to have effect

rep = repealed

hdg = heading(s)

rs = repealed and substituted

LI = Legislative Instrument

s = section(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

mod = modified/modification

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

No = Number(s)

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

o = order(s)

SR = Statutory Rules

Ord = Ordinance

Sub-Ch = Sub-Chapter(s)

orig = original

SubPt = Subpart(s)

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)
/sub-subparagraph(s)

 

 

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Number and year

FRLI registration

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

1999 No. 26

2 Mar 1999

2 Mar 1999

 

2001 No. 10

13 Feb 2001

13 Feb 2001

2002 No. 326

20 Dec 2002

1 Jan 2003 (see r. 2)

2004 No. 221

22 July 2004

22 July 2004

2006 No. 266

19 Oct 2006 (see F2006L03384)

20 Oct 2006

2008 No. 92

2 June 2008 (see F2008L01776)

3 June 2008

51, 2013

11 Apr 2013 (see F2013L00649)

Schedule 1 (item 107): (a)

260, 2013

16 Dec 2013 (see F2013L02112)

Sch 1 (items 2–4):1 Jan 2014

(a) Section 2 (item 2) of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia Legislation (Consequential Amendments) Regulation 2013 (No. 1) provides as follows:

 2 Each provision of this regulation specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.

 

Commencement information

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Provision(s)

Commencement

Date/Details

2.  Schedule 1

Immediately after the commencement of Schedules 1 and 2 to the Federal Circuit Court of Australia Legislation Amendment Act 2012.

12 April 2013

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

r. 3.....................

am. 2008 No. 92

r. 4.....................

am. 2001 No. 10; 2002 No. 326; 2006 No. 266; 2008  No. 92; No. 51, 2013

 

rs No 260, 2013

r. 8.....................

am. 2001 No. 10; 2002 No. 326; 2004 No. 221; 2006 No. 266; 2008 No. 92; No. 51, 2013; No 260, 2013

Note 1 to r. 8..............

am. 2001 No. 10

 

rs. 2006 No. 266

 

rep. 2008 No. 92

Note 2 to r. 8..............

rs. 2002 No. 326

 

rep. 2008 No. 92

Note to r. 8...............

ad. 2008 No. 92

 

am. No. 51, 2013

 

rs No 260, 2013

 

Endnote 5—Uncommenced amendments [none]

Endnote 6—Modifications [none]

Endnote 7—Misdescribed amendments [none]

Endnote 8—Miscellaneous [none]

 

Overview

The Public Order (Protection of Persons and Property) Regulations 1999 were enacted to provide additional detail and operational guidelines under the Public Order (Protection of Persons and Property) Act 1971. These regulations address the need for clear procedures and standards to be followed by authorised officers when exercising their powers, particularly in relation to investigative authorities, proof of authority, frisk searches, returning identity cards, disclosing information, and recording information electronically. They were made under the authority of the Commonwealth Parliament and aim to ensure that the activities of authorised officers are conducted lawfully and transparently. The regulations provide a framework for the conduct of authorised officers and support the policy objective of maintaining public order while respecting individual rights and freedoms.

Scope and Application

The Public Order (Protection of Persons and Property) Regulations 1999 apply to authorised officers and prescribed investigative authorities, such as the Australian Crime Commission and the Integrity Commissioner, operating under the Public Order (Protection of Persons and Property) Act 1971. These regulations govern the conduct of authorised officers in carrying out their duties, including the procedures for frisk searches, the disclosure of information, and the use of identity cards. The regulations apply across Australia, as they are made under a Commonwealth Act, thereby having a national jurisdictional reach. Notably, the regulations allow for the electronic recording of information obtained during investigations. Any amendments or modifications to the regulations are detailed in the endnotes, providing transparency regarding changes and their effective dates. This compilation, last updated on 1 January 2014, reflects all amendments up to that date, ensuring that the regulations are kept current with legislative changes.

Key Provisions

The Public Order (Protection of Persons and Property) Regulations 1999 establish the framework for how certain provisions of the Public Order (Protection of Persons and Property) Act 1971 are implemented and enforced. These regulations, which commence on gazettal, set out the specific procedures and requirements that authorised officers must follow when exercising their powers under the Act. Definitions such as 'Act' and 'Integrity Commissioner' are specified, and these terms carry the same meanings as those in the Act and Part IIA of the Act unless otherwise specified. For example, the term 'authorised officer' is defined in the Act, while 'court' includes federal courts, tribunals, authorities, or persons empowered to require the production of documents or answers to questions under Commonwealth law. Authorised officers under these regulations have specific obligations, particularly when exercising their powers. Before conducting a frisk search or obtaining information under section 13C of the Act, officers must inform the person involved about the procedure and its legal effects, such as those outlined in subsections 13D(4), (5), and (7) of the Act. Furthermore, officers must prove their authority by disclosing their identity and, if applicable, their identification card, which must meet certain criteria, including displaying a recent photograph and identifying the officer as an authorised officer. If an officer ceases to hold their position, they must return their identity card to the issuing authority or another authorised recipient. The regulations also impose specific requirements on authorised officers concerning the disclosure of information. Officers may share information obtained under section 13C with certain organisations, such as the Australian Federal Police, state or territory police forces, and, in some cases, the Australian Crime Commission or the Integrity Commissioner. However, disclosure is permissible only if the officer believes it is necessary for security reasons. Additionally, information obtained under the Act may be recorded electronically, facilitating efficient record-keeping and data management. The regulations outline the consequences for non-compliance. While specific offences and penalties are not detailed within the regulations themselves, the Act provides a framework for potential penalties. Authorised officers who fail to adhere to the procedural requirements, such as not properly identifying themselves or conducting searches without adequate notice, could face legal repercussions under the Act. These might include fines or other penalties as prescribed by the Act. Additionally, misuse of information or failure to return identity cards when no longer authorised could also result in legal consequences, reflecting the serious nature of the duties and responsibilities assigned to authorised officers under these regulations.

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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.