Social Security (Administration) (Authorised Certifier) Determination 2019

Administered by Department of Social Services

Legislation au F2019L01643 In force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Social Security (Administration) (Authorised Certifier) Determination 2019

made under subsection 63A(9) of the

Social Security (Administration) Act 1999

Compilation No. 1

Compilation date: 10 February 2024

Includes amendments: F2024L00154

Registered: 14 February 2024

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Social Security (Administration) (Authorised Certifier) Determination 2019 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 10 February 2024 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

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

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.

Selfrepealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

Contents

1 Name

3 Authority

4 Definitions

5 Authorised certifier

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

1  Name

  This instrument is the Social Security (Administration) (Authorised Certifier) Determination 2019.

3  Authority

  This instrument is made under subsection 63A(9) of the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999.

4  Definitions

  In this instrument:

Act means the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999.

municipal authority means the local government authority, agency, corporation, department, instrumentality or other local or regional political unit which governs or administers the locality or region of the place in which the social security recipient resides.

pension agency means the agency or authority responsible for the administration and payment of pensions and benefits in the country in which the social security recipient resides.

social security recipient means a person required by section 63 of the Act to give a proof of life certificate (as defined in the Act).

5  Authorised certifier

 (1) For the purposes of subsection 63A(9) of the Act, the classes of persons specified in subsections (2) and (3) of this section are determined.

Note: A person included in a class of persons specified in this instrument is an authorised certifier for the purposes of section 63A of the Act (see subsection 63A(8) of the Act).

Persons recognised under Australian Law

 (2) The following classes of person are specified:

 (a) a person who:

 (i) is admitted to the legal profession by a Supreme Court of a State or Territory under a law of a State or Territory; and

 (ii) holds a certificate to practise as a legal practitioner under a law of a State or Territory;

 (b) a Registrar or Deputy Registrar of a federal court or of a court of a State or Territory;

 (c) a person who is the holder of:

 (i) an office of a judge, magistrate or justice of a federal court or of a court of a State or Territory; or

 (ii) an office if the holder has, under an Act of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory, the same status as a judge, magistrate or justice of a federal court or a court of a State or Territory;

 (d) a justice of the peace;

 (e) a notary public;

 (f) a police officer including:

 (i) a member of the Australian Federal Police (within the meaning of the Australian Federal Police Act 1979); or

 (ii) a special member (within the meaning of that Act); or

 (iii) a member, however described, of a police force or police service of a State or Territory who has taken an oath or made an affirmation of office as a police officer;

 (g) an Australian Consular Officer, or Australian Diplomatic Officer, within the meaning of the Consular Fees Act 1955;

 (h) a person who is:

 (i) in a place outside of Australia; and

 (ii) authorised under paragraph 3(c) or (d) of the Consular Fees Act 1955 to perform consular acts (within the meaning of that Act) at that place; and

 (i) a person who is a medical practitioner (within the meaning of the Health Insurance Act 1973).

Persons recognised in social security recipient’s place of residence

 (3) The following classes of person are specified for all social security recipients who are residents of a particular place outside of Australia:

 (a) a person who, under the law of or applying at that place, is currently authorised or entitled to practise in that place as:

 (i) a legal practitioner (however described); or

 (ii) a notary public (however described); or

 (iii) a medical practitioner (however described); or

 (iv) a police officer (however described);

 (b) a person who is the holder of any of the following offices (however described) of a court of, or having jurisdiction at, that place:

 (i) a judge, magistrate or justice;

 (ii) a registrar or deputy registrar;

 (c) an official (however described) of a municipal authority or pension agency.

 

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key 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 (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any 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 (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.

 

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

ad = added or inserted

o = order(s)

am = amended

Ord = Ordinance

amdt = amendment

orig = original

c = clause(s)

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

/subsubparagraph(s)

Ch = Chapter(s)

pres = present

def = definition(s)

prev = previous

Dict = Dictionary

(prev…) = previously

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

Pt = Part(s)

Div = Division(s)

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

ed = editorial change

reloc = relocated

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

renum = renumbered

effect

rep = repealed

F = Federal Register of Legislation

rs = repealed and substituted

gaz = gazette

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

effect

SR = Statutory Rules

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

SubCh = SubChapter(s)

cannot be given effect

SubPt = Subpart(s)

mod = modified/modification

underlining = whole or part not

No. = Number(s)

commenced or to be commenced

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Name

Registration

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Social Security (Administration) (Authorised Certifier) Determination 2019

17 Dec 2019 (F2019L01643)

20 Dec 2019 (s 2(1) item 1)

 

Social Security (Administration) (Authorised Certifier) Amendment (Additional Classes of Persons) Determination 2024

9 Feb 2024 (F2024L00154)

10 Feb 2024 (s 2(1) item 1)

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

s 2.....................

rep LA s 48D

s 4.....................

am F2024L00154

s 5.....................

am F2024L00154

 

 

Overview

The Social Security (Administration) (Authorised Certifier) Determination 2019 was enacted to address the need for a reliable and authoritative process for certifying the proof of life of social security recipients, particularly those residing overseas. This legislative instrument was made under subsection 63A(9) of the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 and was designed to ensure that the certification process is conducted by qualified and recognised individuals, thereby maintaining the integrity and reliability of the proof of life certification required by the Act. The policy objective behind this determination is to streamline and formalise the process for verifying the status of social security recipients, ensuring that only authorised persons can perform this function. The enacting body for this determination is the Parliament of Australia, which aims to uphold the administration of social security benefits in a manner that is both efficient and trustworthy.

Scope and Application

The Social Security (Administration) (Authorised Certifier) Determination 2019 specifies the classes of persons who can act as authorised certifiers for social security recipients under the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999. This determination applies to individuals who are recognised under Australian law and those recognised in the social security recipient’s place of residence. The classes of persons who can act as authorised certifiers include Australian legal practitioners, federal or state court officials, judicial officers, justices of the peace, notaries public, police officers, Australian consular and diplomatic officers, individuals authorised to perform consular acts under Australian law, and medical practitioners. For social security recipients residing outside Australia, the authorised certifiers include legal practitioners, notaries public, medical practitioners, police officers, court officials, and officials of municipal authorities or pension agencies recognised under the laws of the place of residence. The determination outlines specific criteria for these classes, ensuring that only appropriately qualified individuals can certify social security recipients' proof of life. The application of this determination is governed by the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999, and it is subject to amendment through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Social Security (Administration) (Authorised Certifier) Determination 2019, under subsection 63A(9) of the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999, specifies the classes of persons who can act as authorised certifiers for social security recipients. Section 5 of the Determination lists the classes of persons who can serve as authorised certifiers, including those recognised under Australian law, such as legal practitioners, judicial officers, notaries public, police officers, and medical practitioners. Additionally, section 5 also includes persons recognised in the social security recipient's place of residence, such as local legal practitioners, notaries public, medical practitioners, police officers, judicial officers, and officials of municipal authorities or pension agencies. These authorised certifiers are recognised based on their qualifications, roles, and positions in either Australia or the recipient's place of residence. The Act imposes specific obligations on the parties it governs. For instance, the authorised certifiers must adhere to the requirements set forth in the Determination to ensure they are qualified to certify social security documents. They must also maintain the confidentiality of the recipient's information and act in the best interest of the recipient when certifying documents. Furthermore, the Act requires that the certifiers provide accurate and truthful information in their certifications to avoid any misrepresentation or fraud. Failure to comply with these obligations can lead to serious repercussions, including legal action against the certifier. The Determination also outlines the potential offences, penalties, or consequences for breaches of the legislation. Any authorised certifier who fails to comply with the requirements, such as providing false certifications or mishandling confidential information, may face criminal charges. The penalties for such offences can include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the breach. Additionally, any party that suffers loss or damage due to the negligence or misconduct of an authorised certifier may have the right to seek civil compensation. The exact penalties and consequences are detailed within the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999, which complements the Determination.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Social Security Law
Instrument
Legislative Instrument
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Licensing & Registration
Reporting & Disclosure Obligations

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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.