Australian Capital Territory Current Acts Australian Capital Territory Current Acts(see s 2)
Note 1 The Legislation Act
contains definitions and other provisions relevant to this Act.
Note 2 For example, the Legislation Act
, dict, pt 1, defines the following terms:
• ACT
• civil partner
• civil partnership
• civil union
• civil union partner
• domestic partner (see s 169 (1))
• estate
• interest
• judge
• land
• person
• public notice
• public trustee and guardian.
"personal property" includes leasehold property, and a share or interest in personal property.
"real property" includes an estate, right or interest in real property.
"registrar" means the registrar of the Supreme Court.
"will" includes—
(a) for this Act generally—a codicil; and
(b) for part 4 (Miscellaneous)—see section 17.
Amending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the amendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law but are set out in the endnotes.
Not all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001
, part 11.3 are annotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be obtained from the Parliamentary Counsel's Office.
Uncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details of these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are underlined in the legislation history and amendment history.
If all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered provisions gives details of previous and current numbering.
The endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.
|
A = Act |
NI = Notifiable instrument |
|
AF = Approved form |
o = order |
|
am = amended |
om = omitted/repealed |
|
amdt = amendment |
ord = ordinance |
|
AR = Assembly resolution |
orig = original |
|
ch = chapter |
par = paragraph/subparagraph |
|
CN = Commencement notice |
pres = present |
|
def = definition |
prev = previous |
|
DI = Disallowable instrument |
(prev...) = previously |
|
dict = dictionary |
pt = part |
|
disallowed = disallowed by the Legislative |
r = rule/subrule |
|
Assembly |
reloc = relocated |
|
div = division |
renum = renumbered |
|
exp = expires/expired |
R[X] = Republication No |
|
Gaz = gazette |
RI = reissue |
|
hdg = heading |
s = section/subsection |
|
IA = Interpretation Act 1967 |
sch = schedule |
|
ins = inserted/added |
sdiv = subdivision |
|
LA = Legislation Act 2001 |
SL = Subordinate law |
|
LR = legislation register |
sub = substituted |
|
underlining = whole or part not commenced |
|
|
mod = modified/modification |
or to be expired |
The Wills Act 1968 was originally the Wills Ordinance 1968
. It became an ACT Act on self-government (11 May 1989).
Before 11 May 1989, ordinances commenced on their notification day unless otherwise stated (see Seat of Government (Administration) Act 1910
(Cwlth), s 12).
After 11 May 1989 and before 10 November 1999, Acts commenced on their notification day unless otherwise stated (see Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988
(Cwlth) s 25).
Legislation before self-government
Wills Act 1968 A1968-11
notified 13 June 1968
commenced 13 June 1968
as amended by
Ordinances Revision Ordinance 1977
Ord1977-65
notified 22 December 1977
commenced 22 December 1977
Ordinances Revision Ordinance 1978
Ord1978-46
notified 28 December 1978
commenced 28 December 1978
Wills (Amendment) Ordinance 1983
Ord1983-46
notified 6 October 1983
commenced 6 October 1983
Wills (Amendment) Ordinance 1989
Ord1989-16
notified 22 March 1989
commenced 24 March 1989 (s 2 and Cwlth Gaz 1989 No S101)
Legislation after self-government
Wills (Amendment) Act 1991
A1991-67
notified 7 Nov 1991 (Gaz 1991 No S120)
commenced 7 Nov 1991
Statutory Offices (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1994
A1994-97 sch pt 1
notified 15 Dec 1994 (Gaz 1994 No S280)
s 1, s 2 commenced 15 December 1994 (s 2 (1))
sch pt 1 commenced 15 December 1994 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1994 No S293)
Wills (Amendment) Act 1997
A1997-114
notified 24 December 1997 (Gaz 1997 No S420)
ss 1-3 commenced 24 December 1997 (s 2 (1))
remainder commenced 24 June 1998 (s 2 (3))
Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1999
A1999-66 sch 3
notified 10 November 1999 (Gaz 1999 No 45)
sch 3 commenced 10 November 1999 (s 2)
Statute Law Amendment Act 2000
A2000-80 amdt 3.39
notified 21 December 2000 (Gaz 2000 No 69)
commenced 21 December 2000 (s 2)
Legislation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001
A2001-44 pt 416
notified 26 July 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 30)
s 1, s 2 commenced 26 July 2001 (IA s 10B)
pt 416 commenced 12 September 2001 (s 2 and Gaz 2001 No S65)
A2006-22 sch 1 pt 1.29
notified LR 19 May 2006
s
1, s 2 commenced 19 May 2006 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt
1.29 never commenced
Note Act repealed by disallowance 14 June 2006 (see Cwlth Gaz 2006 No S93)
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2006
A2006-40 sch 2 pt 2.32
notified LR 28 September 2006
s 1, s 2 commenced 28 September 2006 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 2 pt 2.32 commenced 29 September 2006 (s 2 (1))
Statute Law Amendment Act 2007
A2007-3 sch 3 pt 3.111
notified LR 22 March 2007
s 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 1 July 2006 (LA s 75 (2))
sch 3 pt 3.111 commenced 12 April 2007 (s 2 (1))
Statute Law Amendment Act 2007 (No 2)
A2007-16 sch 3 pt 3.34
notified LR 20 June 2007
s 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 12 April 2007 (LA s 75 (2))
sch 3 pt 3.34 commenced 11 July 2007 (s 2
(1))
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2008
A2008-7 sch 1 pt 1.22
notified LR 16 April 2008
s 1, s 2 commenced 16 April 2008 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.22 commenced 7 May 2008 (s 2)
Civil Partnerships Act 2008
A2008-14 sch 1 pt 1.25
notified LR 15 May 2008
s 1, s 2 commenced 15 May 2008 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.25 commenced 19 May 2008 (s 2 and CN2008-8
)
Statute Law Amendment Act 2009
A2009-20 sch 3 pt 3.80
notified LR 1 September 2009
s 1, s 2 commenced 1 September 2009 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 3 pt 3.80 commenced 22 September 2009 (s 2)
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2010
A2010-13 sch 1 pt 1.9
notified LR 31 March 2010
s 1, s 2 commenced 31 March 2010 (LA s 75 (1))
s 3 commenced 1 April 2010 (LA s 75AA)
sch 1 pt 9 commenced 28 April 2010 (s 2 (4))
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2012
A2012-13 sch 1 pt 1.11
notified LR 11 April 2012
s 1, s 2 commenced 11 April 2012 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.11 commenced 11 April 2014 (s 2 (4))
A2012-40 sch 3 pt 3.26
notified LR 4 September 2012
s 1, s 2 commenced 4 September 2012 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 3 pt 3.26 commenced 11 September 2012 (s 2)
Marriage Equality (Same Sex) Act 2013
A2013-39 sch 2 pt 2.24
notified LR 4 November 2013
s 1, s 2 commenced 4 November 2013 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 2 pt 2.24 commenced 7 November 2013 (s 2 and CN2013-11
)
Note The High Court held this Act to be of no effect (see Commonwealth v Australian Capital Territory [2013] HCA 55)
Red Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Act 2015
A2015-33 sch 1 pt 1.76
notified LR 30 September 2015
s 1, s 2 commenced 30 September 2015 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.76 commenced 14 October 2015 (s 2)
Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2016
A2016-7 sch 1 pt 1.13
notified LR 29 February 2016
s 1, s 2 commenced 29 February 2016 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.13 commenced 29 August 2016 (s 2 and LA s 79)
Protection of Rights (Services) Legislation Amendment Act 2016 (No 2)
A2016-13 sch 1 pt 1.39
notified LR 16 March 2016
s 1, s 2 commenced 16 March 2016 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.39 commenced 1 April 2016 (s 2 and see Protection of Rights (Services) Legislation Amendment Act 2016
A2016-1 s 2)
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2021
A2021-3 pt 20
notified LR 19 February 2021
s 1, s 2 commenced 19 February 2021 (LA s 75 (1))
pt 20 commenced 26 February 2021 (s 2 (1))
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2021 (No 2)
A2021-33 pt 18
notified LR 10 December 2021
s 1, s 2 commenced 10 December 2021 (LA s 75 (1))
pt 18 commenced 17 December 2021 (s 2 (1))
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2023 (No 3)
A2023-57 pt 19
notified LR 11 December 2023
s 1, s 2 commenced 11 December 2023 (LA s 75 (1))
ss 51-53, s 55, s 56 commenced 12 December 2023 (s 2 (1))
pt 19 remainder awaiting
commencement
Name of
Act
s 1 sub A2007-3
amdt 3.547
Dictionary
s
2 om Ord1977-65
sch
2
ins A2007-3
amdt 3.550
Notes
s
3 om A2001-44
amdt
1.4338
ins A2007-3
amdt 3.550
Definitions for
Act
s 4 defs reloc to dict A2007-3
amdt
3.549
om A2007-3
amdt 3.550
Application of
Act
s 5 am A2007-3
amdt 3.551
Administration of
ordinance
s 6 om Ord1978-46
sch 2
Children—testamentary
capacity
s 8 hdg sub A2007-3
amdt
3.552
s 8 sub A1991-67
s 3
am
A2006-22
amdts 1.120-1.124 (A2006-22
rep before commenced by disallowance (see Cwlth Gaz 2006 No S93)); A2007-3
amdt 3.553; A2012-40
amdts 3.104-3.106; A2013-39
amdts 2.59-2.61 (A2013-39
never effective (see Commonwealth v Australian Capital Territory [2013] HCA 55))
Supreme Court enabling will by
child
s 8A ins A1991-67
s 3
am
A2007-3
amdt 3.553
Supreme Court enabling revocation of will by
child
s 8B ins A1991-67
s 3
am
A2006-22
amdt 1.125 (A2006-22
rep before commenced by disallowance (see Cwlth Gaz 2006 No S93)); A2007-3
amdt 3.553; A2012-40
amdt 3.107; A2013-39
amdt 2.61 (A2013-39
never effective (see Commonwealth v Australian Capital Territory [2013] HCA 55))
Will to be in writing and signed before 2
witnesses
s 9 am A1991-67
s 4
Appointments by
will
s 11 am A1991-67
Validity of will etc not executed with
required formalities
s 11A ins A1991-67
s 6
Alteration in
will
s 12 am A1991-67
Rectification
s
12A ins A1991-67
s 8
am
A2007-3
amdts 3.554-3.558; A2008-7
amdt 1.80; A2009-20
amdt 3.230; A2015-33
amdt 1.261, amdt 1.262; A2016-13
amdt 1.145; A2021-33
Extrinsic
evidence
s 12B ins A1991-67
Certain appointments and trusts not
void
s 14A ins A1991-67
Will attested by beneficiary or domestic
partner of beneficiary
s 15 hdg sub A2008-14
amdt
1.85
s 15 sub A1991-67
s 10
am
A2006-22
amdt 1.126, amdt 1.28, amdt 1.29 (A2006-22
rep before commenced by disallowance (see Cwlth Gaz 2006 No S93)); A2008-14
amdt 1.86; A2012-40
amdt 3.108
Formal validity of
wills
pt 2A ins Ord1983-46
Definitions for pt
2A
s 15A ins Ord1983-46
s 2
def
country ins Ord1983-46
s 2
def
internal law ins Ord1983-46
s 2
def
made ins Ord1983-46
s 2
def
place ins Ord1983-46
s 2
def
testator ins Ord1983-46
s 2
def
will ins Ord1983-46
System of law to be
applied
s 15B ins Ord1983-46
General rule as to formal
validity
s 15C ins Ord1983-46
Additional rules as to formal
validity
s 15D ins Ord1983-46
Relevance of formal requirements for
making
s 15E ins Ord1983-46
Certain requirements to be treated as
formal
s 15F ins Ord1983-46
Construction of will not affected by later
change of domicile
s 15G ins Ord1983-46
Application of pt
2A
s 15H ins Ord1983-46
Wills of soldiers
etc
s 16 am R3 LRA; A1999-66
sch 3; pars renum R4 LA
Court authorised wills for people without
testamentary capacity
pt 3A hdg ins A2010-13
amdt 1.36
Court may authorise will to be made, altered
or revoked for person without testamentary
capacity
s 16A ins A2010-13
amdt
1.36
am A2023-57
s 51
Information required in support of
application for leave
s 16B ins A2010-13
amdt 1.36
Hearing of application for
leave
s 16C ins A2010-13
amdt 1.36
Hearing of application for
order
s 16D ins A2010-13
amdt 1.36
Court must be satisfied about certain
matters
s 16E ins A2010-13
amdt 1.36
Execution of will made under
order
s 16F ins A2010-13
amdt 1.36
Retention of
will
s 16G ins A2010-13
amdt
1.36
am A2023-57
s 52, s 53
Separate representation of person without
testamentary capacity
s 16H ins A2010-13
amdt 1.36
Recognition of statutory
wills
s 16I ins A2010-13
amdt 1.36
International
wills
pt 3B hdg ins A2012-13
amdt 1.44
Definitions—pt
3B
s 16J ins A2012-13
amdt
1.44
def convention ins A2012-13
amdt
1.44
def international will
ins A2012-13
amdt 1.44
Application of
convention
s 16K ins A2012-13
amdt 1.44
Persons authorised to act in connection with
international wills
s 16L ins A2012-13
amdt 1.44
Application of Act to international
wills
s 16M ins A2012-13
amdt 1.44
Creditor to be admitted as
witness
s 18 am A2006-22
amdt 1.127, amdt 1.30, amdt 1.31 (A2006-22
rep before commenced by disallowance (see Cwlth Gaz 2006 No S93)); A2008-14
amdt 1.87
Revocation of will by testator's
marriage or civil partnership
s 20
hdg sub A2006-22
amdt 1.132 (A2006-22
rep before commenced by disallowance (see Cwlth Gaz 2006 No S93)); A2008-14
amdt 1.88; A2012-40
amdt 3.109; A2013-39
amdt 2.62 (A2013-39
never effective (see Commonwealth v
Australian Capital Territory [2013]
HCA 55))
s 20 am 1991 No. 67 s 11; A2006-22
amdts 1.133-1.137 (A2006-22
rep before commenced by disallowance (see Cwlth Gaz 2006 No S93)); A2007-3
amdt 3.559; A2008-14
amdts 1.89-1.91; A2012-40
amdts 3.110-3.115; A2013-39
amdts 2.63-2.68 (A2013-39
never effective (see Commonwealth v Australian Capital Territory [2013] HCA 55))
Effect of termination of marriage, civil
union or civil partnership
s 20A
hdg sub A2006-22
amdt 1.138 (A2006-22
rep before commenced by disallowance (see Cwlth Gaz 2006 No S93)); A2008-14
amdt 1.92; A2012-40
amdt
3.116
s 20A ins A1991-67
s 12
am
A2006-22
amdts 1.139-1.144 (A2006-22
rep before commenced by disallowance (see Cwlth Gaz 2006 No S93)); A2006-40
amdt 2.211; A2008-14
amdts 1.93-1.98; A2012-40
amdts 3.117-3.122; ss renum R12 LA; A2013-39
amdt 2.69, amdt 2.70 (A2013-39
never effective (see Commonwealth v Australian Capital Territory [2013] HCA 55))
Revocation of
will
s 21 am A1991-67
s 13; A2010-13
amdt 1.37
Devises to people who have altered their
sex
s 28A hdg sub A2016-7
amdt
1.26
s 28A ins A1997-114
s 4
am
A2016-7
amdts 1.27-1.29
Intermediate income on future and contingent
bequests and devises
s 30A ins A1991-67
Gifts to
issue
s 31 sub A1991-67
s 15
am
A2007-3
amdt 3.560
Legitimacy of
issue
s 31A ins Ord1989-16
Distribution to
issue
s 31B ins A1991-67
Beneficiary not surviving
testator
s 31C ins A1991-67
s
16
sub A2021-3
s 43
Transitional
pt
5 ins A2000-80
amdt 3.39
Application of amendments and
provisions
s 35 ins A2000-80
amdt 3.39
Transfer of wills deposited with
registrar
s 36 ins A2023-57
s
55
exp when A2023-57
s 54 commences (s 36 (4))
Annex to Convention providing a Uniform Law
on the Form of an International Will
1973
sch 1 ins A2012-13
amdt 1.45
Dictionary
dict ins
A2007-3
amdt
3.561
am A2008-14
amdt 1.99; A2009-20
amdt 3.231; A2012-40
amdt 3.123; A2013-39
amdt 2.71 (A2013-39
never effective (see Commonwealth v Australian Capital Territory [2013] HCA 55)); A2015-33
amdt 1.263, amdt 1.264; A2016-13
amdt 1.146; A2023-57
s
56
def personal property
reloc from s 4 A2007-3
amdt 3.549
def real property
reloc from s 4 A2007-3
amdt 3.549
def
registrar sub A1994-97
sch pt 1; A2006-40
amdt 2.210
reloc from s 4 A2007-3
amdt
3.549
def will sub A2007-3
amdt
3.548
reloc from s 4 A2007-3
amdt
3.549
sub A2007-16
amdt 3.140
Some earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to the publication order.
Since 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in electronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised republications have also been published in printed format. These republications are marked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an authorised republication are identical.
|
Republication No |
Amendments to |
Republication date |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Ord1989-16 |
28 February 1991
2
A1991-67
31 October 1992
3
A1997-114
31 March 1999
4 (RI) †
A2001-44
6 June 2008
5 (RI) †
A2006-40
6 June 2008
6 (RI) †
A2007-3
6 June 2008
7 (RI) †
A2007-16
6 June 2008
8 (RI) †
A2008-7
6 June 2008
9 (RI) †
A2008-14
6 June 2008
10
A2009-20
22 September 2009
11
A2010-13
28 April 2010
12
A2012-40
11 September 2012
13
A2013-39
(never effective)
7 November 2013
13 (RI) ††
A2013-39
(never effective)
24 February 2014
14
A2013-39
(never effective)
11 April 2014
15
A2015-33
14 October 2015
16
A2016-13
1 April 2016
17
A2016-7
29 August 2016
18
A2021-3
26 February 2021
19
A2021-33
17 December 2021
† includes numbering correction in pt 5
†† reissued because of High Court decision in relation to A2013-39
© Australian
Capital Territory 2023