Telecommunications (Interception and Access) (Emergency Service Facilities––Queensland) Instrument 2025

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Legislation au F2025L00608 In force Legislative Instrument

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Telecommunications (Interception and Access) (Emergency Service Facilities––Queensland) Instrument 2025

made under subsection 6(2D) of the

Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979

Compilation No. 2

Compilation date: 1 October 2025

Includes amendments: F2025L00611

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) (Emergency Service Facilities––Queensland) Instrument 2025 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 1 October 2025 (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If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.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

2 Commencement

3 Authority

4 Repeal

5 Forces, services and geographical regions for emergency service facilities

Schedule 1—Forces, services and geographical regions

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

1  Name

  This instrument is the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) (Emergency Service Facilities––Queensland) Instrument 2025.

2  Commencement

(1) Each provision of this instrument 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

Provisions

Commencement

Date/Details

1. The whole of this instrument

The day after this instrument is made.

28 May 2025

Note:  This table relates only to the provisions of this instrument as originally made. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this instrument.

(2) Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this instrument. Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it may be edited, in any version of this instrument.

3  Authority

  This instrument is made under subsection 6(2D) of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979.

4  Repeal

  The Telecommunications (Interception and Access) (Emergency Services Facilities – Queensland) Instrument 2015 made under subsection 6(2D) of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 is repealed.

5  Forces, services and geographical regions for emergency service facilities

  For the purposes of subsection 6(2D) of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979, each force or service operating the premises that have been declared to be an emergency service facility, and the geographical region in which those premises are located, is specified in Schedule 1.

Schedule 1—Forces, services and geographical regions

 

Item

Name of force or service operating premises

Geographical region

1

Queensland Police Service

Brisbane, Beenleigh, Broadbeach, Bundaberg, Cairns, Gladstone, Gympie, Innisfail, Mackay, Mareeba, Maroochydore, Maryborough, Rockhampton, Toowoomba, Townsville, Yamanto

2

Queensland Fire and Rescue and Rural Fire Service Queensland

Kedron, Lytton, Manunda, Rockhampton, Southport, South Townsville, Toowoomba,  Warana

3

Queensland Ambulance Service

Buderim, Coomera, Currajong, Kedron, Manunda, Parkhurst, Rockhampton, Spring Hill, Toowoomba

4

Airservices Australia 

Aeroglen, Bilinga, Brisbane Airport, Garbutt, Gladstone, Gunyarra, Hamilton Island, Mackay, Marcoola, Rockhampton

5

Concentrix Services

Brisbane

6

Royal Flying Doctor Service

Aeroglen, Brisbane Airport, Charleville, Mount Isa

 

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

Telecommunications (Interception and Access) (Emergency Service Facilities––Queensland) Instrument 2025

28 May 2025 (F2025L00608)

28 May 2025 (s 2(1) item 1)

 

Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Legislation Amendment (Emergency Service Facilities) Instrument (No. 1) 2025

29 May 2025 (F2025L00611)

sch 3 (item 1): 30 July 2025 (s 2(1) item 3)
sch 3 (item 2): 1 Oct 2025 (s 2(1) item 4)

—

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

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

rep LA s 48D

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

rep LA s 48C

Schedule 1

 

Schedule 1................

am F2025L00611

 

 

Overview

The Telecommunications (Interception and Access) (Emergency Service Facilities––Queensland) Instrument 2025, made under subsection 6(2D) of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979, was enacted to specify the emergency service facilities in Queensland that are authorised for telecommunications interception and access by authorised officers. This legislative instrument was developed in response to the need to update the list of emergency service facilities in Queensland, ensuring that the facilities authorised for surveillance under the Act reflect current operational realities. The enacting body responsible for this instrument is the relevant authority under the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979, which aims to provide a legal framework for the interception of telecommunications to assist in investigations into serious criminal offences and national security matters. The policy objective of this instrument is to maintain an up-to-date and accurate list of facilities authorised for surveillance, ensuring that law enforcement and emergency services have the necessary tools to effectively carry out their duties. The instrument came into effect on 28 May 2025 and repealed the previous Telecommunications (Interception and Access) (Emergency Services Facilities – Queensland) Instrument 2015. It includes a schedule specifying the forces, services, and geographical regions for emergency service facilities in Queensland, ensuring that authorised officers can carry out their duties in accordance with the requirements of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979. The instrument is a practical measure to address the evolving needs of emergency services and law enforcement in Queensland, facilitating the timely and effective use of surveillance tools in the pursuit of justice and public safety.

Scope and Application

The Telecommunications (Interception and Access) (Emergency Service Facilities––Queensland) Instrument 2025 applies to the specified emergency service facilities in Queensland, as listed in Schedule 1 of the instrument. These facilities are operated by various forces and services, including the Queensland Police Service, Queensland Fire and Rescue, Queensland Ambulance Service, Airservices Australia, Concentrix Services, and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The instrument specifies the geographical regions within which these facilities are located, thereby determining the scope of its jurisdictional reach. The instrument extends the application of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 to these emergency service facilities in Queensland, allowing authorised officers to intercept telecommunications and access telecommunications data for specific purposes. The instrument commenced on 28 May 2025 and repealed the previous Telecommunications (Interception and Access) (Emergency Services Facilities – Queensland) Instrument 2015, ensuring that the updated list of facilities and regions is in force.

Key Provisions

The Telecommunications (Interception and Access) (Emergency Service Facilities––Queensland) Instrument 2025 (sections 1 to 5) outlines the forces, services, and geographical regions in Queensland designated as emergency service facilities. The instrument specifies which forces and services are eligible and the areas where their premises are recognised as emergency service facilities. The instrument's commencement provisions (section 2) detail that the entire instrument took effect on 28 May 2025, the day after it was made. The authority for this instrument is provided under subsection 6(2D) of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979, and it repeals the previous Telecommunications (Interception and Access) (Emergency Services Facilities – Queensland) Instrument 2015 (section 4). Schedule 1 lists specific forces, services, and their geographical regions, including the Queensland Police Service, Queensland Fire and Rescue and Rural Fire Service Queensland, Queensland Ambulance Service, Airservices Australia, Concentrix Services, and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The obligations imposed by this instrument on the specified emergency services are primarily to ensure that their premises are recognised for the purposes of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979. These services must operate within the geographical regions listed in Schedule 1 to maintain their status as emergency service facilities. This recognition allows these entities to potentially benefit from specific provisions within the Act that pertain to intercepting and accessing telecommunications data, which can be crucial for emergency response operations. Each force or service must ensure their premises are accurately identified and maintained as per the listed geographical regions to remain compliant with the instrument’s requirements. Breaches of the provisions set out in this instrument could lead to administrative or legal consequences. While the instrument itself does not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties for non-compliance, any failure to adhere to the specified geographical regions or misidentification of premises could result in the loss of recognition as an emergency service facility. This, in turn, might impact the ability of these services to access telecommunications data legally and efficiently during emergencies. It is also important to note that broader penalties for misuse or unauthorised access to telecommunications data are governed by other sections of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979, which could include fines or imprisonment depending on the severity of the breach.

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Definitions & Interpretation
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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.