Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

TRANSPORT SAFETY INVESTIGATION ACT 2003 - NOTES

No. 18, 2003

Compilation No. 10

Compilation date: 20 March 2024

Includes amendments: Act No. 74, 2023

Registered: 5 April 2024

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 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If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.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 Definitions

4 Act binds the Crown

5 External Territories

6 Application outside Australia

8 Application of Criminal Code

10 Relationship with other laws

11 Constitutional limitations on powers and functions

Part 2--Australian Transport Safety Bureau

Division 1--Establishment, functions and powers of Bureau

12 Establishment of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB)

12A Constitution of the ATSB

12AA Functions of the ATSB

12AB Independence of the ATSB and Chief Commissioner

12AC Minimal disruption to transport services

12AD International obligations

12AE Minister may give the ATSB notices about its strategic direction

Division 2--Appointment of Commissioners

13 Appointment

13A Term of appointment

13AA Remuneration and allowances

13AB Leave of absence

13AC Outside employment

13AD Resignation

13AE Disclosure of interests

13AF Other terms and conditions

13AG Termination of appointment

13AH Acting Chief Commissioner

Division 3--ATSB procedures

Subdivision A--Meetings

14 Times and places of meetings

14A Conduct of meetings

Subdivision B--Decisions without meetings

14AB Decisions without meetings

14AC Record of decisions

Division 4--Chief Executive Officer

15 Chief Executive Officer

15A Functions of the Chief Executive Officer

Division 5--Staff and consultants

16 Staff

16A Staff to be made available to the ATSB

16B Consultants

Part 3--Reporting of accidents etc.

Division 1--Compulsory reporting

18 Immediate reports

19 Written reports within 72 hours

20 Nominated officials for receiving reports

Division 2--Voluntary reporting

20A Voluntary reporting scheme

Part 4--Investigations and reports

Division 1--Investigations

21 Investigations

21A State or Territory Minister may request investigation of certain transport safety matters

22 Restriction on investigations of transport safety matters

23 Transport safety matters

24 Offence to hinder etc. an investigation

Division 2--Investigation reports

25 Reports on investigations

25A Responses to reports of, or containing, safety recommendations

26 Draft reports

27 Reports not admissible in evidence

Part 5--Investigation powers

Division 1--Preliminary

28 Powers only exercisable in relation to an investigation

29 Identity cards

30 Obligations of Chief Commissioner before entering premises

31 Powers conferred on magistrates

Division 2--Requirement to attend before ATSB

32 ATSB may require persons to attend and answer questions etc.

Division 3--Powers in relation to premises

33 Power to enter special premises without consent or warrant

34 Power to enter any premises with occupier's consent

35 Power to enter any premises with warrant

36 Powers after entering premises

37 Occupier to provide Chief Commissioner with facilities and assistance

38 Occupier entitled to be present during search

39 Power to stop and detain transport vehicles

Division 4--Investigation warrants

40 Issue of investigation warrants

41 Investigation warrants by telephone, fax etc.

42 False statements etc. in application for warrant etc.

Division 5--Protection orders

43 Protection orders by Chief Commissioner

Division 6--Securing accident sites

44 Securing accident sites

Division 7--Miscellaneous

45 Retention, testing etc. of evidential material

46 Compensation for damage to electronic equipment

47 Self-incrimination not an excuse

Part 6--Protection of OBR information and restricted information

Division 1--OBR information

48 Definition of OBR or on-board recording

49 OBR ceasing to be an OBR under declaration of ATSB

50 ATSB certificate about disclosure of OBR information

51 Release of OBR information in the interests of transport safety

52 ATSB may authorise persons to have access to OBR information

53 Copying or disclosing OBR information

54 OBR information no ground for disciplinary action

55 OBR information not admissible in criminal proceedings against crew members

56 Admissibility of OBR information in civil proceedings

57 Examination by a court of OBR information under subsection 56(3)

58 Where a court makes an order under subsection 56(3)

59 Use of OBR information in coronial inquiries

Division 2--Restricted information

60 Limitations on disclosure etc. of restricted information

61 Release of restricted information in the interests of transport safety

62 ATSB may authorise persons to have access to restricted information

Division 3--Miscellaneous

63 Powers of Parliament and Royal Commissions not affected

Part 6A--Reporting requirements

63A Annual report

Part 7--Miscellaneous

63B Delegation by the ATSB

63C Delegation by the Chief Commissioner

63D Delegation by the Chief Executive Officer

63E Special investigators

64 Immunity

65 Certification of involvement in investigation

66 Staff members etc. not compellable as witnesses

67 Attendance fees where staff members etc. attend coronial inquiry

68 Legal representation for staff members etc. at coronial inquiry

69 Exercise of powers under State and Territory laws

70 Compensation for acquisition of property

71 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 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
Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003	18, 2003	11 Apr 2003	s 3-71: 1 July 2003 (s 2(1) item 2) Remainder: 11 Apr 2003 (s 2(1) item 1)
Transport Safety Investigation Amendment Act 2009	20, 2009	26 Mar 2009	Sch 1 (items 1-67, 104-109) and Sch 2: 1 July 2009 (s 2(1) items  2-5)	Sch 1 (items 104-109)
Aviation Legislation Amendment (2008 Measures No. 2) Act 2009	26, 2009	26 Mar 2009	Sch 1 (items 12-24): 1 July 2009 (s 2(1) item 4) Sch 1 (items 27-29): 26 Mar 2009 (s 2(1) item 5)	Sch 1 (items 27-29)
Acts Interpretation Amendment Act 2011	46, 2011	27 June 2011	Sch 2 (items 1165-1169) and Sch 3 (items 10, 11): 27 Dec 2011 (s 2(1) items  11, 12)	Sch 3 (items 10, 11)
Navigation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2012	129, 2012	13 Sept 2012	Sch 2 (item 111): 1 July 2013 (s 2(1) item 2)	--
Transport Safety Investigation Amendment Act 2012	134, 2012	21 Sept 2012	Sch 1: 18 Dec 2012 (s 2(1) item 2)	Sch 1 (item 6)
Statute Law Revision Act 2012	136, 2012	22 Sept 2012	Sch 3 (item 9): 22 Sept 2012 (s 2(1) item 35)	--
Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2014	62, 2014	30 June 2014	Sch 6 (items 75, 76), Sch 12 (items 250-253) 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 Revision Act (No. 1) 2016	4, 2016	11 Feb 2016	Sch 4 (items 1, 326, 439): 10 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 6)	--
Statute Law Amendment (Prescribed Forms and Other Updates) Act 2023	74, 2023	20 Sept 2023	Sch 1 (items 130, 131): 20 Mar 2024 (s 2(1) item 2)	Sch 1 (item 131)

Endnote 4--Amendment history

 

Provision affected	How affected
Part 1
s 3.....................	am Nos 20 and 26, 2009; No 136, 2012
s 7.....................	rep No 20, 2009
s 9.....................	rep No 26, 2009
s 11....................	am No 20, 2009; No 134, 2012
Part 2
Part 2...................	rs No 20, 2009
Division 1
s 12....................	rs No 20, 2009
	am No 62, 2014
s 12A...................	ad No 20, 2009
s 12AA..................	ad No 20, 2009
s 12AB..................	ad No 20, 2009
s 12AC..................	ad No 20, 2009
s 12AD..................	ad No 20, 2009
s 12AE..................	ad No 20, 2009
Division 2
s 13....................	rs No 20, 2009
s 13A...................	ad No 20, 2009
	am No 46, 2011
s 13AA..................	ad No 20, 2009
s 13AB..................	ad No 20, 2009
s 13AC..................	ad No 20, 2009
s 13AD..................	ad No 20, 2009
s 13AE..................	ad No 20, 2009
	rs No 62, 2014
s 13AF..................	ad No 20, 2009
s 13AG..................	ad No 20, 2009
	am No 62, 2014
s 13AH..................	ad No 20, 2009
	am No 46, 2011
Division 3
Subdivision A
s 14....................	rs No 20, 2009
s 14A...................	ad No 20, 2009
s 14AA..................	ad No 20, 2009
	rep No 62, 2014
Subdivision B
s 14AB..................	ad No 20, 2009
s 14AC..................	ad No 20, 2009
Division 4
s 15....................	rs No 20, 2009
s 15A...................	ad No 20, 2009
Division 5
s 16....................	rs No 20, 2009
s 16A...................	ad No 20, 2009
s 16B...................	ad No 20, 2009
s 17....................	rep No 20, 2009
Part 3
Part 3 heading.............	rs No 20, 2009
Division 1
Division 1 heading..........	ad No 20, 2009
s 18....................	am No 26, 2009; No 129, 2012
s 19....................	am Nos 20 and 26, 2009; No 129, 2012
Division 2
Division 2................	ad No 20, 2009
s 20A...................	ad No 20, 2009
Part 4
Division 1
s 21....................	am No 20, 2009
s 21A...................	ad No 134, 2012
s 22....................	am No 20, 2009
s 24....................	am Nos 20 and 26, 2009; No 4, 2016
Division 2
s 25....................	am No 20, 2009
s 25A...................	ad No 20, 2009
s 26....................	am Nos 20 and 26, 2009
Part 5
Division 1
s 29....................	am Nos 20 and 26, 2009; No 4, 2016; No 74, 2023
s 30....................	am No 20, 2009
Division 2
Division 2 heading..........	rs No 20, 2009
s 32....................	am Nos 20 and 26, 2009
Division 3
s 33....................	am No 20, 2009
s 34....................	am No 20, 2009
s 35....................	am No 20, 2009
s 36....................	am Nos 20 and 26, 2009; No 4, 2016
s 37....................	am Nos 20 and 26, 2009
s 39....................	am No 20, 2009
Division 4
s 40....................	am No 20, 2009
s 41....................	am No 20, 2009
s 42....................	am Nos 20 and 26, 2009
Division 5
s 43....................	am Nos 20 and 26, 2009
Division 6
s 44....................	am Nos 20 and 26, 2009; No 4, 2016
Division 7
s 45....................	am No 20, 2009
Part 6
Division 1
s 49....................	am No 20, 2009
s 50....................	am No 20, 2009
s 51....................	am No 20, 2009
s 52....................	am No 20, 2009
s 53....................	am Nos 20 and 26, 2009; No 134, 2012; No 4, 2016
s 56....................	am No 20, 2009
s 59....................	am Nos 20 and 26, 2009
Division 2
s 60....................	am Nos 20 and 26, 2009; No 134, 2012
s 61....................	am No 20, 2009
s 62....................	am No 20, 2009
Part 6A
Part 6A..................	ad No 20, 2009
s 63A...................	ad No 20, 2009
	rs No 62, 2014
Part 7
s 63B...................	ad No 20, 2009
	am No 46, 2011
s 63C...................	ad No 20, 2009
	am No 46, 2011
s 63D...................	ad No 20, 2009
s 63E...................	ad No 20, 2009
s 65....................	rs No 20, 2009
s 66....................	am No 20, 2009
s 67....................	am No 20, 2009
s 68....................	rs No 20, 2009
s 69....................	rs No 20, 2009