Social Security (Administration) (Recognised State or Territory – Northern Territory) Determination 2023

Administered by Department of Social Services

Legislation au F2023L01273 In force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Social Security (Administration) (Recognised State or Territory – Northern Territory) Determination 2023

made under the

Social Security (Administration) Act 1999

Compilation No. 1

Compilation date: 27 June 2026

Includes amendments: F2026L00828

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Social Security (Administration) (Recognised State or Territory – Northern Territory) Determination 2023 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 27 June 2026 (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. The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au).

Application, saving and transitional provisions

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.

Presentational changes

The Legislation Act 2003 provides for First Parliamentary Counsel to make presentational changes to a compilation. Presentational changes are applied to give a more consistent look and feel to legislation published on the Register, and enable the user to more easily navigate those documents.

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. Any modifications affecting the law are accessible on the Register.

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If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.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

5 Definitions

7 Recognised State or Territory

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) (Recognised State or Territory – Northern Territory) Determination 2023.

3  Authority

  This instrument is made under section 123TGAB of the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999.

5  Definitions

  In this instrument:

Act means the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999.

7  Recognised State or Territory

  The Northern Territory is a recognised State or Territory for the purposes of Part 3B of the Act.

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

orig = original

am = amended

p = page(s)

amdt = amendment

para = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

/sub‑subparagraph(s)

ch = Chapter(s)

pres = present

cl = clause(s)

prev = previous

cont. = continued

(prev…) = previously

def = definition(s)

pt = Part(s)

Dict = Dictionary

r = regulation(s)/Court rule(s)

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

reloc = relocated

div = Division(s)

renum = renumbered

ed = editorial change

rep = repealed

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

rs = repealed and substituted

effect

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

gaz = gazette

/rule(s)/subrule(s)/order(s)/suborder(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

sch = Schedule(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given

SR = Statutory Rules

effect

sub ch = Sub‑Chapter(s)

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

sub div = Subdivision(s)

cannot be given effect

sub pt = Subpart(s)

mod = modified/modification

underlining = whole or part not

No. = Number(s)

commenced or to be commenced

Ord = Ordinance

 

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Name

Registration

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Social Security (Administration) (Recognised State or Territory – Northern Territory) Determination 2023

21 Sept 2023 (F2023L01273)

22 Sept 2023 (s 2(1) item 1)

 

Social Security (Administration) Legislation Amendment (Income Management and Enhanced Income Management) Instrument 2026

26 June 2026 (F2026L00828)

27 June 2026 (s 2(1) item 1)

—

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

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

rep LA s 48D

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

rep F2026L00828

s 6.....................

rep LA s 48C

Schedule 1................

rep LA s 48C

 

 

Overview

The Social Security (Administration) (Recognised State or Territory – Northern Territory) Determination 2023 was enacted in 2023 under the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999, aiming to address the gap in the administration of social security services by recognising the Northern Territory as a recognised state or territory. This determination was made by the relevant legislature to ensure that the administration of social security services in the Northern Territory aligns with the broader national framework, facilitating more consistent and effective service delivery across different regions. The policy objective of this legislation is to improve the efficiency and uniformity of social security services by integrating the Northern Territory into the recognised state or territory framework, thereby enhancing the administration and delivery of social security benefits. The determination is a legislative instrument designed to streamline the administration of social security in the Northern Territory, ensuring it meets the standards set by the federal government. This legislative measure was necessary to fill a gap in the existing framework where the Northern Territory was not explicitly recognised, potentially leading to inconsistencies in service provision. By recognising the Northern Territory as a recognised state or territory, the legislation aims to provide a clearer and more structured pathway for the administration of social security services in that region, ultimately benefiting the residents by ensuring they receive consistent and reliable support.

Scope and Application

The Social Security (Administration) (Recognised State or Territory – Northern Territory) Determination 2023 applies to the administration of social security laws within the Northern Territory, recognising it as a state or territory for the purposes of Part 3B of the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999. This legislation identifies the Northern Territory as a jurisdiction that can administer social security programs, aligning with the federal framework but allowing for state-specific implementation and oversight. The application of this determination extends to entities and individuals involved in the delivery and management of social security services in the Northern Territory, including government agencies, service providers, and beneficiaries. The scope includes various social security transactions and conduct pertinent to the administration of these services within the territory's borders. This determination does not explicitly state exclusions or thresholds but operates under the broader provisions of the parent Act, which may include subordinate instruments that further define or limit its application. Any modifications or extensions of the determination's application are made through subordinate legislation, ensuring that the administration of social security in the Northern Territory remains within the legal and operational framework set by the Commonwealth.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Social Security (Administration) (Recognised State or Territory – Northern Territory) Determination 2023 (the Determination) are Section 1, which names the instrument, and Section 7, which designates the Northern Territory as a recognised State or Territory for the purposes of Part 3B of the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 (the Act) (sections 1 and 7). This designation allows for the implementation of specific administrative measures in the Northern Territory concerning social security services and benefits. The Determination imposes obligations on the parties involved, including the Commonwealth, the Northern Territory government, and social security recipients and providers within the Northern Territory. These obligations involve ensuring that the administrative provisions outlined in the Act are applied appropriately within the Northern Territory context. It also includes the requirement for the Commonwealth to work in collaboration with the Northern Territory government to implement and manage social security services effectively. There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences detailed within the Determination itself. However, any breaches of the Act, which the Determination supports, could result in civil or criminal penalties as stipulated in the Act. The Act includes various provisions that outline the potential penalties for non-compliance, which may include fines and imprisonment depending on the severity and nature of the breach. The maximum penalties for offences under the Act are detailed within the Act itself and could range from fines to imprisonment terms.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Social Security Law
Instrument
Legislative Instrument
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Commencement Provisions
Regulatory Standards

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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.