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NATIONAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL ACT 1992 - NOTES

No. 225, 1992

Compilation No. 16

Compilation date: 20 March 2024

Includes amendments: Act No. 74, 2023

Registered: 3 April 2024

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 20 March 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.

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If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.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

Part 1--Preliminary

1 Short title

2 Commencement

3 Object of the Act etc.

4 Interpretation

5 Act to bind Crown

5A Application of the Criminal Code

Part 2--The National Health and Medical Research Council

5B Establishment of the NHMRC

5C Function of the NHMRC

5D Reference of matters to the CEO, Council and Principal Committees by the Minister

5E Minister may give directions to the CEO, Council and Principal Committees

Part 3--The Chief Executive Officer

Division 1--Establishment and functions

6 The Chief Executive Officer

7 Functions of the CEO

8 Timetables and procedures to assist CEO make recommendations on application of Account

Division 2--Regulatory recommendations and guidelines

Subdivision A--Regulatory recommendations made, and guidelines issued, by CEO

9 CEO to only make regulatory recommendations and issue guidelines as developed by Council

10 Human research guidelines

12 Consultation about regulatory recommendations

13 Consultation about guidelines

14 Interim regulatory recommendations and guidelines

14AA Consultation requirements do not apply to revoking guidelines

Subdivision B--Guidelines approved by CEO

14A Approval by CEO of guidelines for third parties

Subdivision C--Other provisions about consultation

14B Consultation may be dispensed with in certain circumstances

15 CEO must develop procedures

Division 3--Corporate plans

16 Corporate plan

18 Approval and tabling of corporate plan

19 Variation of corporate plan

Part 4--The Council and committees of the NHMRC

Division 1--The Council of the NHMRC

20 Establishment of the Council of the NHMRC

21 Functions of the Council

22 Meetings of the Council

Division 2--Principal Committees

35 Principal Committees

36 Constitution of the Australian Health Ethics Committee

Division 3--Working committees

39 Working committees

Division 4--CEO's determinations of Council and committee procedures etc.

40 CEO's determinations of Council and committee procedures etc.

Part 5--Appointments, terms and conditions

41 Appointments

42 Acting appointments

42A Disclosures of interests

43 Remuneration and allowances

44 Leave of absence

44A Resignations

44B Terminations of appointments

44C Other terms and conditions

Part 6--Staff, consultants and work arrangements

45 Staff of the NHMRC

46 Consultants

48 CEO may make arrangements relating to various matters

Part 7--Medical Research Endowment Account

49 Medical Research Endowment Account

50 Credit of amounts to Account

51 Purposes of the Account

52 Application of gifts or bequests

53 Money repaid to the Commonwealth

Part 8--Commissioner of Complaints

Division 1--Establishment and functions of Commissioner of Complaints

55 Commissioner of Complaints

56 Functions of Commissioner

57 Who may complain

58 Grounds for complaint

59 How to make a complaint

60 Commissioner to investigate complaints

61 Discretion not to investigate

Division 2--Procedure and powers of Commissioner

62 CEO to be informed of investigation

63 Procedure of Commissioner

64 Co-operation with Commissioner

65 Immunity from penalty

66 Reports by Commissioner

67 Recommendations

68 Annual report of Commissioner

Division 3--Administrative arrangements for Commissioner

69 Commissioner must have appropriate expertise

72 Commissioner may enter into arrangements with NHMRC

76 Disclosure of interests of Commissioner in relation to investigation

78 Commissioner to protect personal information

79 Protection from civil actions

Part 9--Miscellaneous

80 Confidential commercial information

82 Delegation

83 Annual report

85 Regulations

Endnotes

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

Endnote 3--Legislation history

Endnote 4--Amendment history

Endnote 5--Editorial changes

 

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

/sub-subparagraph(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

Sub-Ch = Sub-Chapter(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

 

Act

Number and year

Assent

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992

225, 1992

24 Dec 1992

24 June 1993

 

Health and Community Services Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 1993

76, 1993

25 Nov 1993

ss. 22 and 23: Royal Assent (a)

--

Human Services and Health Legislation Amendment Act (No. 3) 1995

149, 1995

16 Dec 1995

Schedule 1 (items 79-81): Royal Assent (b)

--

Audit (Transitional and Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 1997

152, 1997

24 Oct 1997

Schedule 2 (items 973-984): 1 Jan 1998 (see Gazette 1997, No.  GN49) (c)

--

Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999

146, 1999

11 Nov 1999

Schedule 1 (items 638-644): 5 Dec 1999 (see Gazette 1999, No.  S584) (d)

--

Health Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 2000

6, 2000

7 Mar 2000

7 Mar 2000

Sch. 1 (item 17)

Health and Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001

111, 2001

17 Sept 2001

17 Sept 2001

s. 4

Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Act 2005

8, 2005

22 Feb 2005

s 4 and Sch 1 (items 191-201): 22 Feb 2005 (s 2(1) items 1, 2)

s 4

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Amendment Act 2005

32, 2005

22 Mar 2005

Schedule 4 (items 25-29): 24 Mar 2005

Sch. 4 (item 27)

Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2006

30, 2006

6 Apr 2006

Schedule 1 (items 33-36): 7 Apr 2006

Sch. 1 (item 36)

National Health and Medical Research Council Amendment Act 2006

50, 2006

9 June 2006

Sch 1 (items 1-109, 123-143): 1 July 2006 (s 2(1) items 2, 3, 4)
 

Sch 1 (items 124-143)

Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Act 2010

51, 2010

31 May 2010

Sch 5 (items 48-51): 1 Nov 2010 (s 2(1) item 7)

--

Statute Law Revision Act 2011

5, 2011

22 Mar 2011

Schedule 7 (item 101): 19 Apr 2011

--

Acts Interpretation Amendment Act 2011

46, 2011

27 June 2011

Schedule 2 (items 807-810) and Schedule 3 (items 10, 11): 27 Dec 2011

Sch. 3 (items 10, 11)

Statute Law Revision Act (No. 1) 2014

31, 2014

27 May 2014

Sch 8 (item 33): 24 June 2014

--

Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2014

62, 2014

30 June 2014

Sch 6 (item 57), Sch 10 (items 86-102) and Sch 14: 1 July 2014 (s 2(1) items 6, 14)

Sch 14

as amended by

 

 

 

 

Public Governance and Resources Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2015

36, 2015

13 Apr 2015

Sch 2 (items 7-9) and Sch 7: 14 Apr 2015 (s 2)

Sch 7

as amended by

 

 

 

 

Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015

126, 2015

10 Sept 2015

Sch 1 (item 486): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)

--

Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015

126, 2015

10 Sept 2015

Sch 1 (item 495): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)

--

Statute Law Amendment (Prescribed Forms and Other Updates) Act 2023

74, 2023

20 Sept 2023

Sch 1 (items 78-93): 20 Mar 2024 (s 2(1) item 2)

Sch 1 (item 93)

 

(a) The National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992 was amended by sections 22 and 23 only of the Health and Community Services Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 1993, subsection 2(1) of which provides as follows:

 (1) Subject to this section, this Act commences on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

(b) The National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992 was amended by Schedule 1 (items 79-81) only of the Human Services and Health Legislation Amendment Act (No. 3) 1995, subsection 2(1) of which provides as follows:

 (1) Subject to this section, this Act commences on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

(c) The National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992 was amended by Schedule 2 (items 973-984) only of the Audit (Transitional and Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 1997, subsection  2(2) of which provides as follows:

 (2) Schedules 1, 2 and 4 commence on the same day as the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997.

(d) The National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992 was amended by Schedule 1 (items 638-644) only of the Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999 , subsections 2(1) and (2) of which provide as follows:

 (1) In this Act, commencing time means the time when the Public Service Act 1999 commences.

 (2) Subject to this section, this Act commences at the commencing time.

 

Endnote 4--Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

Part 1

 

s. 3.....................

am. No. 50, 2006

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

am No 149, 1995; No 152, 1997; No 6, 2000; No 8, 2005; No 32, 2005; No 50, 2006; No  51, 2010; No 31, 2014

 

ed C16

s. 5A....................

ad. No. 111, 2001

Part 2

 

Part 2...................

rs. No. 50, 2006

s. 5B....................

ad. No. 50, 2006

 

am No 62, 2014

s. 5C....................

ad. No. 50, 2006

s. 5D....................

ad. No. 50, 2006

s. 5E....................

ad. No. 50, 2006

Part 3

 

Heading to Part 3...........

rs. No. 50, 2006

Division 1

 

Div. 1 of Part 3.............

rs. No. 50, 2006

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

rs. No. 50, 2006

s. 7.....................

am. No. 152, 1997; No. 8, 2005

 

rs. No. 50, 2006

s. 8.....................

am. No. 6, 2000

 

rs. No. 50, 2006

Division 2

 

Div. 2 of Part 3.............

rs. No. 50, 2006

Subdivision A

 

ss. 9, 10..................

rs. No. 50, 2006

s. 11....................

rep. No. 50, 2006

s. 11A...................

ad. No. 6, 2000

 

am. No. 8, 2005

 

rep. No. 50, 2006

s 12....................

rs No 6, 2000; No 50, 2006

 

am No 74, 2023

s 13....................

rs No 6, 2000; No 50, 2006

 

am No 74, 2023

s 14....................

am No 6, 2000

 

rs No 50, 2006

 

am No 74, 2023

s 14AA..................

ad No 50, 2006

Subdivision B

 

s. 14A...................

ad. No. 6, 2000

 

rs. No. 50, 2006

Subdivision C

 

s 14B...................

ad No 6, 2000

 

rs No 50, 2006

 

am No 74, 2023

s 15....................

rs No 50, 2006

Division 3

 

hdg to Div 3 of Pt 3..........

rs No 62, 2014

s. 16....................

am. No. 6, 2000; No. 50, 2006

 

rs No 62, 2014

s. 17....................

am. No. 50, 2006

 

rep No 62, 2014

Heading to s. 18............

rs. No. 6, 2000; No 62, 2014

s 18....................

am. No. 6, 2000; No. 50, 2006

 

rs No 62, 2014

hdg to s 19................

rs No 62, 2014

s. 19....................

am. No. 6, 2000; No. 50, 2006; No 62, 2014

Part 4

 

Part 4...................

rs. No. 50, 2006

Division 1

 

s. 20....................

am. No. 6, 2000; No. 32, 2005

 

rs. No. 50, 2006

s. 21....................

am. No. 149, 1995

 

rs. No. 50, 2006

s. 22....................

am. No. 146, 1999

 

rep. No. 6, 2000

 

ad. No. 50, 2006

s. 23....................

am. No. 6, 2000

 

rep. No. 50, 2006

s. 24....................

rep. No. 50, 2006

s. 25....................

am. No. 6, 2000

 

rep. No. 50, 2006

s. 26....................

am. No. 146, 1999

 

rep. No. 50, 2006

s. 27....................

rep. No. 50, 2006

s. 28....................

am. No. 32, 2005

 

rep. No. 50, 2006

s. 29....................

rep. No. 50, 2006

s. 30....................

rep. No. 50, 2006

s. 31....................

am. No. 32, 2005

 

rep. No. 50, 2006

ss. 32-34.................

rep. No. 50, 2006

Heading to Part 5...........

rep. No. 50, 2006

Division 2

 

Heading to Div. 2 of Part 4.....

ad. No. 50, 2006

s. 35....................

am. No. 152, 1997; No. 6, 2000; No. 8, 2005; No. 50, 2006

Note to s. 35(1) ............

ad. No. 50, 2006

Notes 1, 2 to s. 35(6) .........

ad. No. 50, 2006

Note to s. 35(7) ............

ad. No. 50, 2006

Heading to s. 36............

am. No. 50, 2006

s. 36....................

am. No. 76, 1993; No. 149, 1995; No. 50, 2006

s. 37....................

am. No. 6, 2000

 

rep. No. 50, 2006

s. 37A...................

ad. No. 6, 2000

 

rep. No. 50, 2006

s. 38....................

am. No. 6, 2000

 

rep. No. 50, 2006

Division 3

 

Div. 3 of Part 4.............

ad. No. 50, 2006

s. 39....................

am. No. 6, 2000

 

rs. No. 50, 2006

Division 4

 

Div. 4 of Part 4.............

ad. No. 50, 2006

s. 40....................

rs. No. 50, 2006

Part 5

 

Part 5...................

ad. No. 50, 2006

s. 41....................

rs. No. 50, 2006

Note to s. 41(5) ............

am. No. 46, 2011

s. 42....................

am. No. 6, 2000

 

rs. No. 50, 2006

 

am. No. 46, 2011

Note to s. 42(2) ............

ad. No. 46, 2011

s. 42A...................

ad. No. 50, 2006

 

am No 62, 2014

Note to s 42A(1)............

ad No 62, 2014

Note to s 42A(3)............

ad No 62, 2014

ss. 43, 44.................

am. No. 6, 2000

 

rs. No. 50, 2006

Part 5A..................

ad. No. 6, 2000

 

rep. No. 50, 2006

s. 44A...................

ad. No. 6, 2000

 

rs. No. 50, 2006

s. 44B...................

ad. No. 6, 2000

 

rs. No. 50, 2006

 

am No 62, 2014

s. 44C...................

ad. No. 6, 2000

 

rs. No. 50, 2006

ss. 44D-44F...............

ad. No. 6, 2000

 

rep. No. 50, 2006

Part 6

 

Part 6...................

rs. No. 50, 2006

s. 45....................

am. No. 146, 1999; No. 6, 2000

 

rs. No. 50, 2006

s. 46....................

rs. No. 50, 2006

s. 47....................

rep. No. 50, 2006

s. 48....................

am. No. 146, 1999

 

rs. No. 50, 2006

Part 7

 

Heading to Part 7...........

rs. No. 152, 1997; No. 8, 2005

s. 49....................

rs. No. 152, 1997; No. 8, 2005

 

am No 62, 2014

s. 50....................

rs. No. 152, 1997; No. 8, 2005

Note to s 50...............

am No 62, 2014

Heading to s. 51............

am. No. 152, 1997; No. 8, 2005

s. 51....................

am. No. 152, 1997; No. 6, 2000; No. 8, 2005; No. 50, 2006

Note to s. 51(1) ............

ad. No. 50, 2006

 

am. No. 46, 2011

s. 52....................

am. No. 152, 1997; No. 8, 2005; No. 30, 2006; No 62, 2014

s. 53....................

rs. No. 152, 1997; No. 8, 2005

 

am.  No. 8, 2005

s. 54....................

rep. No. 50, 2006

Part 8

 

Division 1

 

s. 56....................

am. No. 6, 2000; No. 50, 2006

s. 61....................

am. No. 50, 2006; No. 51, 2010

Division 2

 

Heading to s. 62............

am. No. 50, 2006

s. 62....................

am. No. 50, 2006

s. 64....................

am. No. 50, 2006

s. 66....................

am. No. 50, 2006

s. 67....................

am. No. 6, 2000; No. 50, 2006

s. 68....................

am. No. 50, 2006

Division 3

 

Heading to Div. 3 of Part 8.....

rs. No. 50, 2006

s. 69....................

rs. No. 50, 2006

ss. 70, 71.................

rep. No. 50, 2006

Heading to s. 72............

am. No. 50, 2006

s. 72....................

am. No. 146, 1999; No. 50, 2006

ss. 73-75.................

rep. No. 50, 2006

s. 77....................

rep. No. 50, 2006

Part 9

 

s. 80....................

am. No. 50, 2006; No. 5, 2011

s. 81....................

am. No. 6, 2000

 

rep. No. 50, 2006

s. 82....................

am. No. 6, 2000; Nos. 30 and 50, 2006

s. 83....................

am. No. 50, 2006

 

rs No 62, 2014

s. 84....................

rep. No. 50, 2006

Part 10..................

rep. No. 50, 2006

ss. 86-91.................

rep. No. 50, 2006

 

Endnote 5--Editorial changes

In preparing this compilation for registration, the following kinds of editorial change(s) were made under the Legislation Act 2003.

Section 4

Kind of editorial change

Reordering of definitions

Details of editorial change

This compilation was editorially changed to move the definition of interim human research guidelines in section 4 to the correct alphabetical position.

 


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