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Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984

Version 134 — incorporating amendments as at 1 May 2026

Endnotes — general information, the Table of Amendments, explanatory details

Part I - Preliminary

1 Short title
2 Commencement
3 Definitions
4 Application, construction and repeal provisions
5 Act to bind Crown

Part II - Provisions applicable to Acts

6 Construction of Acts
7 Sections to be substantive enactments
8 Amendment or repeal in same session
9 Citation of Acts by number
10 Citation of Acts by title
10A Construction of power to fix commencement of Act
11 Time of commencement and date of passing of Acts
12 Time of expiry of temporary Acts
13 Exercise of powers between passing and commencement of Act
14 Provision as to effect of repeal etc. of Acts
15 Effect of repeal etc. of amending Act
16 Repeal and re-enactment
17 Construction of references in Acts to other enactments
18 References in Acts to provisions of subordinate instruments
19 Citation of references in Acts
20 Construction of references in Acts to portions of Acts or subordinate instruments
21 Meaning of certain expressions in Acts
21A Incorporation of amendments

Part III - Provisions applicable to subordinate instruments

22 Subordinate instruments to be construed subject to legislative power of the State and to empowering Act
23 Construction of subordinate instruments
24 Time of commencement of subordinate instruments
25 Time of expiry of temporary subordinate instruments
26 Exercise of powers between making and commencement of subordinate instruments
27 Implied power to repeal or amend subordinate instruments
28 Provisions as to effect of repeal etc. of subordinate instruments
29 Effect of repeal etc. of amending subordinate instrument
30 Repeal and re-making
31 Construction of references in subordinate instruments to other enactments
32 Prescribing matters by reference to other documents1
33 Citation of references in regulations, rules, by-laws and local laws
34 Construction of references in subordinate instruments to portions of subordinate instruments or Acts

Part IV - Provisions applicable to Acts and subordinate instruments

35 Principles of and aids to interpretation
36 Headings, Schedules, marginal notes and footnotes
36A Examples
36B Location of penalties, examples and notes
37 Gender and number
38 Definitions
38AAA References to Departments
38AA References to Australian Standards, etc.
38A References to Corporations legislation
38AB References to National Electricity Law
38B References to Financial Institutions legislation
38BA References to National Gas Law
38D References to Friendly Societies legislation
38E References to Health Practitioner Regulation National Law
38EA Definition of registered medical practitioner
38F References to Australian Consumer Law
38FA References to Rail Safety National Law
38G References to Education and Care Services National Law
38H References to Electronic Conveyancing National Law
38I References to Heavy Vehicle National Law
38J References to Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law
38K References to Co-operatives National Law
38L References to the Legal Profession Uniform Law
38M Satisfying print newspaper publication requirements
38N Minister may approve alternative publications Internet site
38O Minister may make and publish guidelines
38P Entities to have regard to guidelines
39 Parts of speech and grammatical forms
39A Definitions inserted by amending Act or subordinate instrument
39B Numbering consequential on insertion of new provisions
40 Exercise of powers and performance of duties
41 Power to appoint
41AA Acting appointments
41A Power to make instrument includes power to revoke or amend
42 Exercise of delegated powers
42A Construction of power to delegate
42C Procedural defect or irregularity
43 Measurement of distances
44 Time
45 Construction of "may" and "shall"
46 References to the Sovereign
46A Construction of provisions relating to entities representing, or not representing, the Crown
47 Reference to officer in general terms
48 References to officers, localities etc.
49 Service by post
50 Rules of court
51 Provisions as to offences under two or more laws
52 Summary proceedings
53 Strict compliance with prescribed forms not necessary
54 Construction of references to Acts
54A Style changes
55 Construction of references to British subjects etc.
56 Construction of provisions relating to bankrupt or insolvent members of public bodies
57 Application of laws of Victoria in certain off-shore areas4
58 Declaration of validity of certain laws
59 Transitional provision—Interpretation of Legislation (Further Amendment) Act 2006

Part V - Authorised versions

60 Definitions
61 Effect of Part
62 Authorisation of electronic version
63 Printed copy of authorised electronic version
64 Evidentiary provisions

Part VI - General

64A Appointment of non-citizens to public office
64B Validation—appointment of non-citizens to public office
65 Regulations
Schedule 1 - Style changes