Legal Research
Legislations
Radiocommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1992

Radiocommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1992

Administered by Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Legislation au C2004A04458 In force Act

Select Document

No. 167, 1992 as amended

Compilation start date: 17 October 2014

Includes amendments up to: Act No. 109, 2014

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Radiocommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1992 as in force on 17 October 2014. It includes any commenced amendment affecting the legislation to that date.

This compilation was prepared on 29 October 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

Part 1—Preliminary

1 Short title

2 Commencement

Part 2—Transitional provisions

3 Interpretation

4 Saving of instruments under the old Act

5 Instruments subject to suspension

6 Authorities under transmitter licences

7 Frequency reservation certificates

11 Regulations under the Radiocommunications Act

Part 3—Repeal and consequential amendments

14 Consequential amendments of Acts

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]

An Act to repeal the Radiocommunications Act 1983 and certain related Acts, and to make transitional provisions and certain amendments consequential upon the enactment of the Radiocommunications Act 1992

Part 1—Preliminary

1 Short title

This Act may be cited as the Radiocommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1992.

2 Commencement

This Act commences on 1 July 1993.

Part 2—Transitional provisions

3 Interpretation

(1) In this Part, unless the contrary intention appears:

old Act means the Radiocommunications Act 1983.

new Act means the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), terms and expressions used in this Part have the same meaning as they have in the new Act.

(3) Terms and expressions used in this Part that relate to the old Act or anything done under the old Act have the same meaning as they have in the old Act.

4 Saving of instruments under the old Act

Subject to section 5, if an instrument is made by the Minister that:

(a) is an instrument of a kind referred to in column 2 of the following table; and

(b) was in force immediately before the commencement of this Act;

then the instrument:

(c) continues in force immediately after that commencement as if, at the time it had been made, it had been made, in the same terms, by the SMA as an instrument of the kind referred to in the corresponding item in column 3 of the following table; and

(d) is taken, for all purposes, to have been issued by the SMA as such an instrument.

TABLE
Column 1 Item No.	Column 2 Instrument made under the old Act	Column 3 Instrument made under the new Act
1.	Appointment of a person under paragraph 3(5)(a) or (b) to be an inspector.	Appointment of a person under paragraph 267(1)(a) or (b) to be an inspector.
2.	A standard made under subsection 9(1).	A standard made under section 162.
3.	A test permit granted under section 10.	A permit issued under section 167.
4.	A permission given under subparagraph 11(2)(b)(i).	A permission given under subsection 174(1).
5.	A compliance statement certificate issued under subsection 12(1).	A compliance certificate issued under section 184.
6.	An advisory guideline made under subsection 16(1).	An advisory guideline made under section 262.
7.	An assignment of a part of the spectrum to the ABA under subsection 18(3).	A referral of that part of the spectrum to the ABA under section 31.
8.	A frequency band plan prepared under section 19.	A frequency band plan prepared under section 32.
9.	A transmitter licence granted under section 24.	A transmitter licence issued under section 100.
10.	A transmitter licence granted under section 24B.	A transmitter licence issued under section 102.
11.	A certificate of proficiency issued under section 31.	A certificate of proficiency issued under section 121.
12.	An approval of an examination under subsection 31(4).	An approval of an examination under section 122.
13.	A declaration, under subsection 31(4), of a prescribed age for the purposes of section 31 in relation to a class of certificates of proficiency.	A declaration, under subsection 122(2), of a minimum age for the purposes of section 122 in relation to that class of certificates of proficiency.
14.	A notice under subsection 32(1).	A request under subsection 123(1).
15.	A temporary permit granted under section 35.	A transmitter licence issued under section 100.
16.	A receiver licence granted under section 38.	A receiver licence issued under section 100.
17.	A declaration of a period of emergency under section 40.	A declaration of a period of emergency under section 219.
18.	An order made under section 41.	A restrictive order made under section 222.
19.	Guidelines made under section 42.	Guidelines made under section 230.
20.	A permission given under paragraph 65(5)(a).	A permission given under subsection 193(1).
21.	A permission given under paragraph 65(12)(a).	A permission given under subsection 195(1).
22.	A declaration under section 66A in relation to a device.	A declaration under subsection 190(1) in relation to the device.
23.	An identity card issued under section 68.	An identity card issued under section 268.
24.	A determination of a price-based allocation system under section 92A.	A determination of a price-based allocation system under section 106.

5 Instruments subject to suspension

If, immediately before the commencement of this Act:

(a) a compliance statement certificate issued under section 12 of the old Act is the subject of suspension under section 13 of the old Act; or

(b) a transmitter licence granted under section 24 or 24B of the old Act is the subject of suspension under section 28 of the old Act;

section 4 of this Act does not apply to the certificate or licence until the suspension ceases to have effect (otherwise than because of the expiry or cancellation of the certificate or licence).

6 Authorities under transmitter licences

An authority given by a person, under section 26 of the old Act, that was in force immediately before the commencement of this Act continues in force immediately after that commencement as if it had been an authorisation given by that person under section 114 of the new Act.

7 Frequency reservation certificates

(1) Subject to subsection (4), despite the repeal of the old Act by section 13 of this Act, a frequency reservation certificate granted under section 21 of the old Act that was in force immediately before the commencement of this Act remains in force after that commencement for the period for which it would have remained in force if the old Act were not repealed.

(2) If an unallocated frequency is reserved in the name of a person in accordance with a frequency reservation certificate in force under subsection (1), the SMA must not issue to a person other than that person a permit or transmitter licence authorising the operation of a transmitter in a manner inconsistent with that reservation.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), issuing a permit or transmitter licence that authorises the operation of a transmitter for a period not exceeding 14 days is taken to be not inconsistent with a reservation.

(4) The SMA has the same power to cancel a frequency reservation certificate to which subsection (1) applies as the Minister had, immediately before the commencement of this Act, to cancel frequency reservation certificates.

11 Regulations under the Radiocommunications Act

(1) Subject to subsection (3), any regulations made under the old Act and in force immediately before the commencement of this Act continue in force as if made under the new Act.

(2) A reference in a regulation so continued in force to a provision of the old Act is taken to be a reference to the corresponding provision in the new Act.

(3) This section does not apply to a regulation the making of which would not be authorised by the new Act.

Part 3—Repeal and consequential amendments

14 Consequential amendments of Acts

(2) References in subsection 362(4) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 as amended by this Act, and in section 108A of the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984 as so amended, to contraventions of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 are taken to include references to contraventions of the Radiocommunications Act 1983 that took place before the commencement of this Act.

(3) Without limiting the application of section 4 of this Act:

(a) a reference in subparagraphs 91(a)(iii) and (c)(iii) of the Copyright Act 1968, as amended by this Act, to a transmitter licence issued under the Radiocommunications Act 1992;

is taken to include:

(b) a reference to a transmitter licence or a temporary permit that, although not in force immediately before the commencement of this Act, was in force at the time when the broadcast in question was made.

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

Act	Number and year	Assent	Commencement	Application, saving and transitional provisions
Radiocommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1992	167, 1992	11 Dec 1992	1 July 1993 (s 2)
Omnibus Repeal Day (Autumn 2014) Act 2014	109, 2014	16 Oct 2014	Sch 2 (items 190–192): 17 Oct 2014 (s 2(1) item 2)	—

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Provision affected	How affected
Pt 2
s 8.....................	rep No 109, 2014
s 9.....................	rep No 109, 2014
s 10....................	rep No 109, 2014
s 12....................	rep No 109, 2014
Pt 3
s 13....................	rep No 109, 2014
s 14....................	am No 109, 2014
Schedule.................	rep No 109, 2014

Endnote 5—Uncommenced amendments [none]

Endnote 6—Modifications [none]

Endnote 7—Misdescribed amendments [none]

Endnote 8—Miscellaneous [none]

Overview

The Radiocommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1992 was enacted to facilitate the repeal of the Radiocommunications Act 1983 and related Acts, and to establish transitional and consequential amendments in light of the enactment of the Radiocommunications Act 1992. This Act was introduced to ensure a seamless transition from the old regulatory framework to the new one, maintaining continuity in radiocommunications regulation. The Act was passed by the Australian Parliament and commenced on 1 July 1993. Its policy objective was to provide a structured approach to phasing out the old legislation while ensuring that ongoing operations and rights under the old regime were protected until the new Act was fully operational. This was achieved through provisions that saved the validity of certain instruments, continued authorities under transmitter licences, and maintained the force of frequency reservation certificates granted under the old Act.

Scope and Application

The Radiocommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1992 applies to various instruments, authorities, and certificates under the repealed Radiocommunications Act 1983, ensuring a smooth transition to the Radiocommunications Act 1992. This Act applies to instruments made by the Minister that were in force immediately before the commencement of the Act, such as appointments of inspectors, standards, test permits, permissions, certificates, advisory guidelines, and more. These instruments continue in force as if they were made under the new Act. Furthermore, authorities under transmitter licenses granted under the old Act continue in force as if they had been given under the new Act, and frequency reservation certificates remain in effect unless they are cancelled. The Act also addresses regulations made under the old Act, ensuring they continue in force as if they were made under the new Act, with appropriate modifications. This transitional legislation ensures that existing legal frameworks and authorisations are effectively carried over to the new regulatory environment. The Act has a national jurisdictional reach within Australia, applying Commonwealth-wide to ensure consistency and continuity in the regulation of radiocommunications. The transitional provisions are designed to maintain the legal status and operational continuity of various instruments and authorities under the old Act, facilitating an orderly transition to the new legislative regime. However, certain instruments remain subject to suspension if they were under suspension immediately before the Act's commencement. Additionally, the Act includes consequential amendments to other legislation, ensuring that references to the repealed Radiocommunications Act 1983 are appropriately updated to reflect the new Act. The Act thus serves to mitigate any legal discontinuities that might arise from the repeal of the old Act and the enactment of the new Radiocommunications Act 1992.

Key Provisions

The Radiocommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1992 (Cth) provides for the repeal of the Radiocommunications Act 1983 (Cth) and makes transitional provisions and consequential amendments in light of the new Radiocommunications Act 1992 (Cth). The Act includes specific provisions to ensure a smooth transition from the old Act to the new one, while also addressing consequential changes necessitated by the new legislative framework. Sections 3 to 11 of the Act detail the transitional provisions that allow certain instruments and authorities to continue in force despite the repeal of the old Act. For example, Section 4 ensures that any instrument made by the Minister under the old Act, such as appointments, standards, permits, certificates, and guidelines, continues in force as if it had been made by the Spectrum Management Authority (SMA) under the new Act. Section 5 provides that instruments subject to suspension under the old Act remain suspended until the suspension ceases to have effect. Section 6 ensures that authorities given under transmitter licences under the old Act continue in force as if they had been given under the new Act. Section 7 allows frequency reservation certificates to remain in force, and Section 11 ensures that regulations made under the old Act continue in force as if made under the new Act. The Act imposes several obligations and requirements on the parties and entities it governs. For instance, Section 4 requires the SMA to respect existing frequency reservations and not issue conflicting permits or licences. Section 7 grants the SMA the same cancellation powers over frequency reservation certificates as the Minister had under the old Act. Section 11 mandates that references in continued regulations be interpreted as references to corresponding provisions in the new Act. The Act also outlines potential offences, penalties, and consequences for breaches. While specific penalties are not detailed within the Act itself, breaches of the new Radiocommunications Act 1992 (Cth) may attract penalties under that Act. The transitional and consequential amendments ensure that references to contraventions of the old Act are included in other legislation, such as the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Cth) and the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), as provided in Sections 14(2) and 14(3). This ensures that any actions taken under the old Act before the commencement of the new Act are still considered under the new legislative regime.

Area of Law: Telecommunications Law
Instrument: Act
Concepts: Commencement Provisions; Transitional Provisions; Repeal & Amendment; Savings Provisions; Delegated & Subordinate Legislation; Regulatory Standards

Interactions

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.

Legislation content

Overview

Scope and Application

Key Provisions

Legal classification tags

Interactions

Authorises

All Versions