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NATIONAL HEALTH SECURITY ACT 2007 - NOTES

No. 174, 2007

Compilation No. 17

Compilation date: 1 September 2021

Includes amendments up to: Act No. 13, 2021

Registered: 25 October 2021

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the National Health Security Act 2007 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 1 September 2021 (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 Legislation 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 series page on the Legislation 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 series page on the Legislation 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If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.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 Definitions

4 Binding the Crown

5 Application of laws to external Territories

Part 2--Public health surveillance

Division 1--Objects of Part

6 Objects of Part

Division 2--National Health Security Agreement

7 National Health Security Agreement

Division 3--Permissible purposes

8 Permissible purposes

Division 4--National Focal Point

9 Meaning of National Focal Point

10 Functions of the National Focal Point

Division 5--National Notifiable Disease List

11 National Notifiable Disease List

12 Temporary additions to the National Notifiable Disease List

Division 6--Notification, sharing information and liaising in relation to public health events of national significance and listed human diseases

13 Notification, sharing information and liaising in relation to public health events of national significance and listed human diseases

14 Receipt of information or recommendation from the World Health Organization

15 Non-personal information

Division 7--Public health observation

16 National Focal Point notified of incoming traveller who is under public health observation

17 Incoming travellers who are placed under public health observation

Division 8--Confidentiality of information

18 Definition of protected information for the purposes of Part  2

19 Authorisation to use information for permissible purposes

20 Authorisation to use information for purposes of proceedings

21 Offence relating to protected information

22 Defence for use of information in good faith

23 Defence for use of information also received from another source and use of information by prescribed agencies

24 Defence for use of information required by another law

25 Defence for disclosure to person to whom information relates or if person to whom information relates consents

26 Defence for disclosure to person who provided the information

Division 9--Miscellaneous

27 Notice to other countries about further use of information

28 Delegation

29 Annual report

Part 3--Regulation of security-sensitive biological agents

Division 1--Preliminary

30 Object of Part

Division 2--The List of Security-sensitive Biological Agents

31 Establishment of the List of Security-sensitive Biological Agents

32 Variation of the List of Security-sensitive Biological Agents

33 Minister must obtain and have regard to expert advice

34 List to be available on the Department's website

Division 3--Standards relating to security-sensitive biological agents

35 Minister may determine standards relating to security-sensitive biological agents

Division 4--The National Register

36 National Register of Security-sensitive Biological Agents

37 Content of National Register

38 Variation of the National Register

Division 4A--Requirements relating to suspected security-sensitive biological agents

Subdivision A--Application

38A Application of Division

Subdivision B--Carrying out confirmatory testing or destruction

38B Initial tester must have confirmatory testing or destruction done

38C Offence--failure to have confirmatory testing or destruction done

Subdivision C--Compliance with SSBA standards

38D Compliance with SSBA Standards in handling biological agent

38E Offence--failure to comply with SSBA Standards in handling biological agent

Subdivision D--Further provisions relating to confirmatory testing

38F Initial tester must report transfer of biological agent or sample for confirmatory testing

38G Offence--failure by initial tester to report transfer

38H Initial tester must report results of confirmatory testing to Secretary

38J Offence--failure to report results of confirmatory testing to Secretary

38K Reporting if biological agent disposed of after confirmatory testing shows it is a security-sensitive biological agent

38L Offence--failure to report disposal

Subdivision E--Further provisions relating to destruction

38M Initial tester must report destruction of biological agent

38N Offence--failure to report destruction

38P Direction to dispose of biological agent for failure to comply with section 38B

38Q Offence--failure to dispose of biological agent as directed

Division 5--Requirements for entities that handle security-sensitive biological agents

Subdivision A--Application and definitions

39 Application of Division

40 Meaning of exempt entity

41 Meaning of legitimate purpose

Subdivision B--Reporting requirements

42 Entity that handles security-sensitive biological agents must give a report to the Secretary

43 Offence--failure to give a report to the Secretary

44 Secretary must consider report and decide whether or not to include entity on the National Register

45 Secretary may direct entity to dispose of security-sensitive biological agents

46 Offence--failure to comply with direction to dispose of security-sensitive biological agent

47 Secretary not satisfied entity handling security-sensitive biological agent for a legitimate purpose

48 Registered entity must report any changes to the Secretary

48A Registered entity must report certain reportable events to police

48B Offence--failure to report reportable event to police

49 Secretary must consider report of changes and decide whether or not to vary the National Register

50 Secretary may direct entity to dispose of security-sensitive biological agents

51 Offence--failure to comply with direction to dispose of security-sensitive biological agent

52 Secretary not satisfied entity handling security-sensitive biological agent for a legitimate purpose

53 Failure to report changes to the Secretary

54 Offence--failure to comply with direction to dispose of security-sensitive biological agent

55 Application of reporting requirements in relation to individuals

55AA Entity that needs to undertake emergency maintenance may give a report to the Secretary

55AB Emergency maintenance period

55AC Secretary may declare exemption from this Division etc. during emergency maintenance period

55AD Offence--breaching condition of exemption

55A Cancellation of entity's registration on application

Subdivision C--Compliance with SSBA Standards

56 Entity must comply with SSBA Standards

57 Failure to comply with SSBA Standards

58 Offence--failure to comply with direction to dispose of security-sensitive biological agent

Subdivision D--Directions not to handle security-sensitive biological substances

59 Secretary may direct individual not to handle security-sensitive biological agents

60 Offence--failure to comply with direction not to handle security-sensitive biological agents

Division 5AA--Entities that temporarily handle security-sensitive biological agents

Subdivision A--Reporting by entities that temporarily handle security-sensitive biological agents

60AA Entity that temporarily handles a security-sensitive biological agent may give a report to the Secretary

60AB Temporary handling period

60AC Application of Division 5 to an entity that gives a temporary handling report

60AD Entity that gives a temporary handling report must give a temporary handling disposal report

60AE Offence--failure to give a report to the Secretary

60AF Entity that gives a temporary handling report must report any changes to the Secretary

60AG Offence--failure to give a report to the Secretary

60AH Entity that gives a temporary handling report must report certain events to police

60AI Offence--failure to report event to police

Subdivision B--Compliance with temporary handling Standards

60AJ Temporary handling Standards

60AK Entity must comply with temporary handling Standards

60AL Offence--failure to comply with temporary handling Standards

Subdivision C--Conditions in relation to the temporary handling of security-sensitive biological agents

60AM Secretary may impose conditions

60AN Entity must comply with conditions

60AO Failure to comply with conditions

60AP Offence--failure to comply with direction to dispose of sample

Division 5A--Suspension of Divisions 4A, 5 and 5AA to deal with threats

60A Minister may suspend Divisions 4A, 5 and 5AA to deal with threats

60B Variation or revocation of suspension

60C Offence--failure to comply with conditions on suspension

Division 6--Enforcement

61 Secretary may arrange for disposal of security-sensitive biological agents

62 Injunctions

Division 7--Powers of inspection

Subdivision A--Appointment of inspectors and identity cards

63 Appointment of inspectors

64 Identity card

Subdivision B--Monitoring compliance

65 Powers available to inspectors for monitoring compliance

66 Monitoring powers

67 Power to operate equipment

69 Application for monitoring warrant

Subdivision C--Offence-related powers

70 Inspector may enter premises by consent or under a warrant

70A Offence-related powers of inspectors

70B Persons assisting inspectors

70C Use of force in executing a warrant

70D Inspector may ask questions and seek production of documents

70E Inspector to be in possession of warrant

70F Occupier to provide inspector with facilities and assistance

70G Copies of seized things to be provided

70H Receipts for things seized

70J Return of seized things

70K Magistrate may permit a thing to be retained

70L Disposal of things

70M Issue of offence-related warrants

70N Offence-related warrants by telephone, fax etc.

70P Offence relating to warrants by telephone, fax etc.

Subdivision D--Expert assistance

71 Expert assistance to operate a thing

72 Expert assistance from scientific or technical expert

Subdivision E--Emergency powers

73 Powers available to inspectors for dealing with dangerous situations

Subdivision F--Obligations and incidental powers of inspectors

74 Inspector must produce identity card on request

75 Consent

76 Details of warrant etc. to be given to occupier

77 Announcement before entry

Subdivision G--Other matters

78 Occupier entitled to be present during search

79 Division not to abrogate privilege against self-incrimination

79A Compensation for damage to electronic equipment

Division 8--Review of decisions

80 Meaning of reviewable decision

81 Notification of decision and review rights

82 Internal review

83 Review of decisions by Administrative Appeals Tribunal

Division 9--Confidentiality of information

84 Definition of protected information for the purposes of Part  3

85 Secretary may give report to certain agencies

86 Authorisation to use information in performing duties or exercising powers under Division 6, 7 or 8 of Part  2 or this Part

87 Authorisation to use information for certain purposes

88 Secretary may authorise use of information

89 Authorisation to use information for purposes of certain proceedings

90 Offence relating to protected information

91 Defence for disclosure to person who provided the information

92 Defence for use of information under particular laws

93 No other exceptions under other laws

Division 10--Delegation

94 Secretary may delegate powers and functions under this Part

Part 4--Miscellaneous

95 Regulations

Endnotes

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

Endnote 3--Legislation history

Endnote 4--Amendment history

 

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 the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation "(md)" added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the abbreviation "(md not incorp)" is added to the details of the amendment included in 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 Security Act 2007

174, 2007

28 Sept 2007

s 6-29: 28 Mar 2008 (s 2(1) item 2)
s 30-94: 31 Jan 2009 (s 2(1) item 3)
Remainder: 28 Sept 2007 (s 2(1) items 1, 4)

 

National Health Security Amendment Act 2009

100, 2009

7 Oct 2009

Sch 1 (items 1, 28-39): 8 Oct 2009 (s 2(1) items 2, 4 )
Sch 1 (items 2-27, 40-55): 31 Jan 2010
(s 2(1) items 3, 5-8)
Remainder: 7 Oct 2009 (s 2(1) item 1)

--

Statute Law Revision Act 2010

8, 2010

1 Mar 2010

Sch 5 (item 72): 1 Mar 2010 (s 2(1) item 35)

--

National Health Security Amendment (Background Checking) Act 2010

15, 2010

11 Mar 2010

11 Mar 2010 (s 2)

--

Territories Law Reform Act 2010

139, 2010

10 Dec 2010

Sch 1 (item 75): 11 Dec 2010 (s 2(1) item 2)

--

Acts Interpretation Amendment Act 2011

46, 2011

27 June 2011

Sch 2 (items 811, 812) and Sch 3 (items 10, 11): 27 Dec 2011 (s 2(1) items  5, 12)

Sch 3 (items 10, 11)

National Health Security Amendment Act 2012

182, 2012

10 Dec 2012

Sch 1 and 2: 31 Mar 2013 (s 2(1) item 2 and F2013L00474)
Remainder: 10 Dec 2012

Sch 1 (items 12, 17, 26)

Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act 2012

197, 2012

12 Dec 2012

Sch 5 (item 64) and Sch 6 (items 15-19): 12 Mar 2014 (s 2(1) items 3, 19)
Sch 6 (item 1): 12 Dec 2012 (s 2(1) item 16)

Sch 6 (items 1, 15-19)

Federal Circuit Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments) Act 2013

13, 2013

14 Mar 2013

Sch 2 (item 2): 12 Apr 2013 (s 2(1) items 2, 3)

--

Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Foreign Fighters) Act 2014

116, 2014

3 Nov 2014

Sch 1 (items 134, 135): 1 Dec 2014 (s 2(1) item 2)

--

Norfolk Island Legislation Amendment Act 2015

59, 2015

26 May 2015

Sch 1 (items 146-149) and Sch 2 (items 356-396): 18 June 2015 (s  2(1) items 2, 6)
Sch 1 (items 184-203): 27 May 2015 (s 2(1) item 3)
Sch 2 (items 272-275): 1 July 2016 (s 2(1) item 5)

Sch 1 (items 184-203) and Sch 2 (items 356-396)

as amended by

 

 

 

 

Territories Legislation Amendment Act 2016

33, 2016

23 Mar 2016

Sch 2: 24 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)

--

Biosecurity (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2015

62, 2015

16 June 2015

Sch 2 (items 37-42) and Sch 4: 16 June 2016 (s 2(1) items 2, 4)
Sch 3: 16 June 2015 (s 2(1) item 3)

Sch 3 and Sch 4

as amended by

 

 

 

 

Statute Update (Winter 2017) Act 2017

93, 2017

23 Aug 2017

Sch 2 (item 9): 20 Sept 2017 (s 2(1) item 4)

--

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

126, 2015

10 Sept 2015

Sch 1 (items 402, 403): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)

--

National Emergency Declaration (Consequential Amendments) Act 2020

129, 2020

15 Dec 2020

Sch 1 (items 31-33): 16 Dec 2020 (s 2(1) item 2)

--

Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2021

13, 2021

1 Mar 2021

Sch 2 (item 617): 1 Sept 2021 (s 2(1) item 5)

--

Endnote 4--Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

Part 1

 

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

am No 100, 2009; Nos 8 and 139, 2010; No 46, 2011; No 182, 2012; No 59, 2015; No 62, 2015 ; No 129, 2020

 

ed C16

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

am No 59, 2015

Part 2

 

Division 2

 

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

am No 59, 2015

Division 3

 

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

am No 62, 2015

Division 6

 

Division 6 heading..........

rs No 62, 2015

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

am No 62, 2015

Division 8

 

s 19....................

am No 197, 2012; No 59, 2015

s 20....................

am No 197, 2012

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

am No 59, 2015

Part 3

 

Division 1

 

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

am No 100, 2009

Division 3

 

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

am No 100, 2009; No 15, 2010

Division 4

 

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

am No 100, 2009

Division 4A

 

Division 4A...............

ad No 100, 2009

Subdivision A

 

s 38A...................

ad No 100, 2009

 

am No 182, 2012

Subdivision B

 

s 38B...................

ad No 100, 2009

s 38C...................

ad No 100, 2009

Subdivision C

 

s 38D...................

ad No 100, 2009

s 38E...................

ad No 100, 2009

Subdivision D

 

s 38F...................

ad No 100, 2009

s 38G...................

ad No 100, 2009

s 38H...................

ad No 100, 2009

 

am No 182, 2012

s 38J....................

ad No 100, 2009

s 38K...................

ad No 100, 2009

s 38L...................

ad No 100, 2009

Subdivision E

 

s 38M...................

ad No 100, 2009

s 38N...................

ad No 100, 2009

s 38P...................

ad No 100, 2009

s 38Q...................

ad No 100, 2009

Division 5

 

Subdivision A

 

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

am No 182, 2012

Subdivision B

 

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

am No 100, 2009

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

am No 100, 2009; No 197, 2012

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

am No 100, 2009

s 48A...................

ad No 100, 2009

s 48B...................

ad No 100, 2009

s 52....................

am No 197, 2012

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

am No 100, 2009

s 55....................

am No 100, 2009

s 55AA..................

ad No 182, 2012

s 55AB..................

ad No 182, 2012

s 55AC..................

ad No 182, 2012

s 55AD..................

ad No 182, 2012

s 55A...................

ad No 100, 2009

Subdivision C

 

s 57....................

am No 182, 2012

s 58....................

am No 182, 2012

Division 5AA

 

Division 5AA..............

ad No 182, 2012

Subdivision A

 

s 60AA..................

ad No 182, 2012

s 60AB..................

ad No 182, 2012

s 60AC..................

ad No 182, 2012

s 60AD..................

ad No 182, 2012

s 60AE..................

ad No 182, 2012

s 60AF..................

ad No 182, 2012

s 60AG..................

ad No 182, 2012

s 60AH..................

ad No 182, 2012

S 60AI..................

ad No 182, 2012

Subdivision B

 

s 60AJ..................

ad No 182, 2012

s 60AK..................

ad No 182, 2012

s 60AL..................

ad No 182, 2012

Subdivision C

 

s 60AM..................

ad No 182, 2012

s 60AN..................

ad No 182, 2012

s 60AO..................

ad No 182, 2012

s 60AP..................

ad No 182, 2012

Division 5A

 

Division 5A heading.........

rs No 100, 2009; No 182, 2012

Division 5A...............

ad No 100, 2009

s 60A...................

ad No 100, 2009

 

am No 100, 2009; No 182, 2012; No 126, 2015; No 129, 2020

s 60B...................

ad No 100, 2009

 

am No 100, 2009; No 182, 2012; No 126, 2015

s 60C...................

ad No 100, 2009

Division 6

 

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

am No 100, 2009; No 182, 2012

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

am No 13, 2013; No 13, 2021

Division 7

 

Subdivision B

 

s 65....................

am No 100, 2009; No 182, 2012

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

am No 100, 2009

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

rep No 100, 2009

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

am No 182, 2012

Subdivision C

 

s 70....................

rs No 100, 2009

s 70A...................

ad No 100, 2009

s 70B...................

ad No 100, 2009

s 70C...................

ad No 100, 2009

s 70D...................

ad No 100, 2009

s 70E...................

ad No 100, 2009

s 70AF..................

ad No 100, 2009

s 70G...................

ad No 100, 2009

s 70H...................

ad No 100, 2009

s 70J....................

ad No 100, 2009

s 70K...................

ad No 100, 2009

s 70JL...................

ad No 100, 2009

s 70M...................

ad No 100, 2009

s 70N...................

ad No 100, 2009

s 70P...................

ad No 100, 2009

Subdivision D

 

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

am No 100, 2009

Subdivision F

 

s 75....................

rs No 100, 2009

s 76....................

rs No 100, 2009

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

am No 100, 2009

Subdivision G

 

s 78....................

am No 100, 2009

s 79A...................

ad No 100, 2009

 

am No 13, 2013; No 13, 2021

Division 8

 

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

am No 100, 2009; No 182, 2012

Division 9

 

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

am No 100, 2009; No 182, 2012

s 85....................

am No 100, 2009; No 197, 2012

s 86....................

am No 197, 2012

s 87....................

am No 197, 2012

s 88....................

am No 197, 2012

s 89....................

am No 197, 2012; No 116, 2014

s 92....................

am No 116, 2014

 

 


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