Commonwealth Coat of Arms

AusCheck Act 2007

No. 53, 2007 as amended

Compilation start date:  1 December 2014

Includes amendments up to: Act No. 116, 2014

 

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the AusCheck Act 2007 as in force on 1 December 2014. It includes any commenced amendment affecting the legislation to that date.

This compilation was prepared on1 December 2014.

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of each amended provision.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not reflected in the text of the compiled law but the text of the amendments is included in the endnotes.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Modifications

If a provision of the compiled law is affected by a modification that is in force, details are included in the endnotes.

Provisions ceasing to have effect

If a provision of the compiled law has expired or otherwise ceased to have effect 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 Act

4 Definitions

5 Definition of background check

6 Crown to be bound

7 Extension to external Territories

Part 2—Establishment of AusCheck scheme

8 Establishment of AusCheck scheme

9 Matters covered by AusCheck scheme—background checks required or permitted other than under regulations made under this Act

10 Matters covered by AusCheck scheme—background checks required or permitted under regulations made under this Act

10A Matters covered by AusCheck scheme—online verification service

11 Secretary may give directions under AusCheck scheme

12 Delegation by Secretary

Part 3—Information management

Division 1—Collection, retention, use and disclosure of information

13 Authorisation of information collection, use and disclosure

14 Authorisation of retention and subsequent use and disclosure of information

14A Special rule relating to collection, retention, use and disclosure of identity verification information by AusCheck staff members

Division 2—Protection of information

15 Protection of information

Part 4—Transitional provision in relation to information collected before commencement

16 Authorisation of use and disclosure of personal information collected for specified purposes

Part 5—Other matters

17 Use of the name AusCheck

18 Regulations

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Endnote 5—Uncommenced amendments [none]

Endnote 6—Modifications [none]

Endnote 7—Misdescribed amendments [none]

Endnote 8—Miscellaneous [none]

An Act to provide a regulatory framework for coordinating and conducting centralised criminal, security and other background checking, and for related purposes

Part 1Preliminary

 

1  Short title

  This Act may be cited as the AusCheck Act 2007.

2  Commencement

  This Act commences on the day after it receives the Royal Assent.

3  Object of Act

  The object of this Act is to provide a regulatory framework for coordinating and conducting certain criminal, security and other background checking.

4  Definitions

 (1) In this Act:

ASIC (short for aviation security identification card) has the same meaning as in the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005.

AusCheck database means the database referred to in section 14.

AusCheck scheme means the scheme prescribed for the purposes of section 8.

AusCheck scheme personal information means personal information:

 (a) that is obtained under the AusCheck scheme; or

 (b) that relates to the administration of the AusCheck scheme.

AusCheck staff member means:

 (a) an APS employee who performs functions relating to, or for the purposes of, the AusCheck scheme; or

 (b) a person engaged as a consultant or contractor to perform functions relating to, or for the purposes of, the AusCheck scheme.

Note: For the definition of APS employee, see section 2B of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

aviationsecurityrelevant offence has the same meaning as in the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005.

charged: an individual is charged with a serious offence if an information is laid against the individual for the offence, whether or not:

 (a) a summons to require the attendance of the individual to answer the information has been issued; or

 (b) a warrant for the arrest of the individual has been issued.

Commonwealth authority means a body corporate established for a public purpose by or under a law of the Commonwealth.

identity verification information, in relation to an individual, means personal information consisting of the individual’s fingerprints or other biometric data about the individual, but does not include a photograph of the individual.

issuing body means:

 (a) an issuing body within the meaning of the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005; or

 (b) an issuing body within the meaning of the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Regulations 2003.

maritimesecurityrelevant offence has the same meaning as in the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Regulations 2003.

MSIC (short for maritime security identification card) has the same meaning as in the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Regulations 2003.

national security background check, in relation to an individual, means a background check conducted in relation to the individual under an Act or legislative instrument referred to in subparagraph 8(1)(b)(i) or (ii) for a purpose referred to in paragraph 8(2)(a), (b), (c), or (d).

permanent resident means a person:

 (a) who is not an Australian citizen; and

 (b) whose normal place of residence is situated in Australia; and

 (c) whose presence in Australia is not subject to any limitation as to time imposed by law; and

 (d) who is not an unlawful noncitizen.

personal information has the same meaning as in the Privacy Act 1988.

resolved: for when a charge for a serious offence is resolved in relation to an individual, see subsection (3).

Secretary means the Secretary of the Department.

serious offence:

 (a) in relation to an applicant for, or holder of, an ASIC—means an aviationsecurityrelevant offence of a kind specified in the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph; and

 (b) in relation to an applicant for, or holder of, an MSIC—means a maritimesecurityrelevant offence of a kind specified in the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph.

Transport Secretary means the Secretary of the Department administered by the Minister who administers the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004.

unlawful noncitizen has the same meaning as in the Migration Act 1958.

Meaning of personal information

 (2) To avoid doubt:

personal information, in relation to an individual, includes the following:

 (a) the number of an ASIC or MSIC issued to the individual;

 (b) any other identifier assigned to the individual;

 (c) a photograph of the individual.

When a charge is resolved

 (3) For the purposes of this Act, a charge for a serious offence is resolved in relation to an individual if the charge is finally dealt with in any of the following ways:

 (a) the charge is withdrawn;

 (b) the charge is dismissed by a court;

 (c) the individual is discharged by a court following a committal hearing;

 (d) the individual is acquitted of the offence by a court;

 (e) the individual is found guilty of the offence and a court:

 (i) sentences the person for the offence; or

 (ii) makes an order relating to the offence under section 19B of the Crimes Act 1914, or a corresponding provision of a law of a State or Territory.

5  Definition of background check

  A background check, in relation to an individual, is an assessment of information relating to one or more of the following:

 (a) the individual’s criminal history;

 (aa) if required or permitted under a regulation made under subsection 8(3):

 (i) whether the individual has been charged with a serious offence; or

 (ii) whether a charge for a serious offence has been resolved in relation to the individual;

 (b) matters relevant to a security assessment (as defined in subsection 35(1) of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979) of the individual;

 (c) the individual’s citizenship status, residency status or the individual’s entitlement to work in Australia, including but not limited to, whether the person is an Australian citizen, a permanent resident or an unlawful noncitizen;

 (d) the identity of the individual.

6  Crown to be bound

 (1) This Act binds the Crown in each of its capacities.

 (2) This Act does not make the Crown liable to be prosecuted for an offence.

7  Extension to external Territories

  This Act extends to every external Territory.

Part 2Establishment of AusCheck scheme

 

8  Establishment of AusCheck scheme

 (1) The regulations may provide for the establishment of a scheme (the AusCheck scheme) relating to the conduct and coordination of background checks of individuals if:

 (a) any of the following laws requires or permits a background check to be conducted of an individual for specified purposes:

 (i) the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 or regulations under that Act;

 (ii) the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 or regulations under that Act; or

 (b) any other Act (other than this Act) expressly:

 (i) requires or permits a background check of an individual to be conducted under the AusCheck scheme for purposes specified in the Act; or

 (ii) provides for the making of a legislative instrument requiring or permitting a background check of an individual to be conducted under the AusCheck scheme for purposes specified in the Act; or

 (c) a regulation made under subsection (3) requires or permits a background check to be conducted of an individual.

National security background checks

 (2) If paragraph (1)(b) applies, the background check must be conducted for purposes related to:

 (a) Australia’s national security; or

 (b) the defence of Australia; or

 (c) a national emergency; or

 (d) the prevention of conduct to which Part 5.3 or 5.5 of Chapter 5 of the Criminal Code (which deal with terrorism, foreign incursions and recruitment) applies.

Background checks required or permitted under the regulations—charges for serious offences

 (3) The regulations may require or permit a background check covering a matter referred to in paragraph 5(a), (aa) or (d) to be conducted in relation to an individual if:

 (a) one of the following applies:

 (i) the individual has applied to an issuing body for an ASIC or MSIC, and the issuing body has neither issued, nor refused to issue, the ASIC or MSIC;

 (ii) the individual or an issuing body has applied to the Transport Secretary for approval to issue an ASIC or MSIC to the individual, and the application has not been determined;

 (iii) the individual is the holder of an ASIC or MSIC;

 (iv) the individual or an issuing body has applied to the Transport Secretary to set aside the cancellation of an ASIC or MSIC issued to the individual;

 (v) the individual has applied to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for review of a decision by an issuing body, the Secretary or the Transport Secretary relating to the issue, suspension or cancellation of an ASIC or MSIC, and the application has not been determined; and

 (b) the Secretary considers on reasonable grounds that:

 (i) the individual has been charged with a serious offence; or

 (ii) a charge for a serious offence has been resolved in relation to the individual.

Note: The matters referred to in paragraphs 5(a), (aa) and (d) cover the individual’s criminal history, whether the individual has been charged with a serious offence or has had a charge for such an offence resolved, and the individual’s identity.

 (4) A regulation made under subsection (3) may only require or permit a background check to be conducted for purposes related to determining whether it is appropriate for the individual to enter any area or zone to which access is restricted under:

 (a) the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 or regulations under that Act; or

 (b) the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 or regulations under that Act.

9  Matters covered by AusCheck scheme—background checks required or permitted other than under regulations made under this Act

 (1) The AusCheck scheme may, for the purposes of paragraphs 8(1)(a) and (b), make provision for and in relation to the following:

 (a) the making of applications for a background check by the individual to whom the background check relates;

 (b) the making of applications for a background check by a person other than the individual to whom the background check relates, with the consent of the individual to whom the background check relates;

 (c) the information that is to be contained in an application for a background check;

 (d) the criteria against which an application for a background check is to be assessed;

 (e) the decision or decisions that may be made as a result of an application for a background check;

 (f) the form of advice to be given to the applicant for a background check;

 (g) the form of advice to be given to an individual in respect of whom a background check is conducted;

 (h) the form of advice to be given to other persons about the outcome of a background check.

 (2) The matters referred to in subsection (1) may relate to:

 (a) all background checks to be conducted for the purposes of paragraphs 8(1)(a) and (b); or

 (b) a specified class of background checks.

 (3) Without limiting the way in which a class of background checks may be described for the purposes of subsection (2), a class may be described by reference to a specified legislative or nonlegislative scheme, a specified law of the Commonwealth, specified provisions of a law of the Commonwealth or specified purposes.

 (4) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), an individual is taken to have given consent to another person making an application for a background check in relation to the individual if:

 (a) the individual has applied for:

 (i) an ASIC or MSIC; or

 (iii) any other card, licence, permit or authorisation; and

 (b) before making the application referred to in paragraph (a), the individual was advised by the person to whom that application was made, in accordance with the requirements (if any) specified in the regulations, that a background check was a precondition to:

 (i) the issuing of the card, licence, permit or authorisation; or

 (ii) if the background check is required or permitted to be conducted as referred to in paragraph 8(1)(a) in a particular circumstance—the individual’s continuing eligibility to hold the card in that circumstance.

10  Matters covered by AusCheck scheme—background checks required or permitted under regulations made under this Act

 (1) The AusCheck scheme may, for the purposes of paragraph 8(1)(c), make provision for and in relation to the following:

 (a) the giving to the Secretary of information, relating to an individual in respect of whom a background check is conducted, that is directly necessary for the purpose of conducting the background check;

 (b) the criteria against which a background check is to be assessed;

 (c) the decision or decisions that may be made as a result of a background check;

 (d) the form of advice to be given to an individual in respect of whom a background check is conducted;

 (e) the form of advice to be given to other persons about the outcome of a background check.

 (2) The matters referred to in subsection (1) may relate to:

 (a) all background checks to be conducted for the purposes of paragraph 8(1)(c); or

 (b) a specified class of background checks.

 (3) The AusCheck scheme may, for the purposes of paragraph 8(1)(c), make provision for and in relation to an individual or an issuing body notifying the Secretary or the Transport Secretary of specified matters if:

 (a) one of the following applies:

 (i) the individual has applied to an issuing body for an ASIC or MSIC, and the issuing body has neither issued, nor refused to issue, the ASIC or MSIC;

 (ii) the individual or an issuing body has applied to the Transport Secretary for approval to issue an ASIC or MSIC to the individual, and the application has not been determined;

 (iii) the individual is the holder of an ASIC or MSIC;

 (iv) the individual or an issuing body has applied to the Transport Secretary to set aside the cancellation of an ASIC or MSIC issued to the individual;

 (v) the individual has applied to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for review of a decision by an issuing body, the Secretary or the Transport Secretary relating to the issue, suspension or cancellation of an ASIC or MSIC, and the application has not been determined; and

 (b) the individual has been charged with a serious offence, or a charge for a serious offence has been resolved in relation to the individual; and

 (c) in the case of an issuing body:

 (i) the individual applied to the issuing body for the ASIC or MSIC; or

 (ii) the issuing body issued the ASIC or MSIC to the individual.

10A  Matters covered by AusCheck scheme—online verification service

  The AusCheck scheme may make provision for and in relation to matters relating to the establishment and provision of an online verification service that will enable verification:

 (a) that an ASIC or MSIC has been issued to a particular individual and is in effect at a particular time; or

 (b) that an individual who is in possession of an ASIC or MSIC is the person to whom the card was issued; or

 (c) that a national security background check has been conducted in relation to a particular individual; or

 (d) that an individual who is in possession of a card, licence, permit or other authorisation in relation to which a national security background check has been conducted is the individual to whom the card, licence, permit or authorisation was issued.

11  Secretary may give directions under AusCheck scheme

 (1) The AusCheck scheme may empower the Secretary to give directions to an applicant for a background check, or to a person who is required or permitted to take action relating to matters connected with a background check.

Directions about advising whether licence etc. has been issued to individual

 (2) Without limiting subsection (1), the AusCheck scheme may empower the Secretary to direct a person to advise the Secretary whether or not a licence, permit or other authorisation has been issued to an individual in respect of whom a background check has been conducted.

Directions in connection with background checks required or permitted under the regulations—charges for serious offences

 (3) Without limiting subsection (1), the AusCheck scheme may empower the Secretary to give one or more of the following kinds of direction if the Secretary considers on reasonable grounds that an individual has been charged with a serious offence:

 (a) a direction to an issuing body to delay considering an application for an ASIC or MSIC to be issued to the individual until further direction from the Secretary in accordance with subsection (4);

 (b) a direction to the Transport Secretary to delay considering an application for approval to issue an ASIC or MSIC to the individual until further direction from the Secretary in accordance with subsection (4);

 (c) a direction to an issuing body to suspend an ASIC or MSIC issued by the issuing body to the individual until further direction from the Secretary in accordance with subsection (4);

 (d) a direction to the Transport Secretary to delay considering an application to set aside the cancellation of an ASIC or MSIC issued to the individual until further direction from the Secretary in accordance with subsection (4).

Giving further directions referred to in subsection (3)

 (4) The Secretary:

 (a) must give the further direction referred to in subsection (3) to the relevant person as soon as practicable after the Secretary considers that:

 (i) all charges for serious offences have been resolved in relation to the individual; and

 (ii) a background check has been conducted covering the matter referred to in paragraph 5(a) (criminal history) after subparagraph (i) is satisfied, whether or not the background check also covers other matters; and

 (b) may give the further direction at any time before paragraph (a) applies.

Directions under subsection (3) to suspend ASICs or MSICs—other cards also taken to be suspended

 (5) If an ASIC or MSIC is suspended as referred to in paragraph (3)(c), then any other card issued to the individual under the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005 or the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Regulations 2003 is taken also to be suspended.

Other matters connected with giving directions under subsection (3)

 (6) The AusCheck scheme may make provision for matters connected with the giving of a direction under subsection (3), including the following:

 (a) preventing the individual from making any other application under the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005 or the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Regulations 2003, or entering any area or zone to which access is restricted under those regulations, until after the further direction referred to in subsection (3) has been given;

 (b) preventing an issuing body or other person from issuing any card to the individual under those regulations until after the further direction referred to in subsection (3) has been given;

 (c) preventing a person from escorting the individual in any area or zone to which access is restricted under those regulations until after the further direction referred to in subsection (3) has been given;

 (d) returning a suspended card issued to the individual under those regulations to a specified person;

 (e) updating registers of cards and other records kept by an issuing body;

 (f) an issuing body or the Secretary notifying other persons of matters in connection with the giving of the direction, for the purpose of preventing:

 (i) an unlawful interference with aviation (within the meaning of the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004); or

 (ii) an unlawful interference with maritime transport or offshore facilities (within the meaning of the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003); or

 (iii) the commission of an offence against a law of the Commonwealth or a State or Territory; or

 (iv) an incident that poses a threat to national security.

12  Delegation by Secretary

 (1) The Secretary may, by writing, delegate any or all of the Secretary’s functions and powers under the AusCheck scheme:

 (a) to an SES employee, or acting SES employee, in the Department; or

 (b) to an APS employee who holds, or is acting in, an Executive Level 2, or equivalent, position in the Department.

Note: The expressions APS employee, SES employee and acting SES employee are defined in section 2B of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

 (2) In exercising powers or functions under a delegation, the delegate must comply with any directions of the Secretary.

Part 3Information management

Division 1Collection, retention, use and disclosure of information

13  Authorisation of information collection, use and disclosure

Collection, use and disclosure of personal information other than identity verification information

 (1) The collection, use and disclosure of personal information (other than identity verification information) about an individual is taken to be authorised by this Act for the purposes of the Privacy Act 1988 if:

 (aa) the collection, use or disclosure is for the purposes of, or for purposes directly relating to, determining whether a background check under the AusCheck scheme is required or permitted to be conducted in respect of a particular individual; or

 (a) the collection, use or disclosure is for the purposes of, or for purposes directly relating to, conducting a background check or advising on the outcome of a background check in respect of the individual under the AusCheck scheme; or

 (b) the collection, use or disclosure is for the purposes of updating information held by the Secretary in respect of an individual in respect of whom a background check has been conducted under the AusCheck scheme; or

 (c) the collection, use or disclosure is for the purposes of providing an online verification service that will enable verification:

 (i) that an ASIC or MSIC has been issued to a particular individual and is in effect at a particular time; or

 (ii) that an individual who is in possession of an ASIC or MSIC is the person to whom the card was issued; or

 (iii) that a national security background check has been conducted under the AusCheck scheme in relation to a particular individual; or

 (iv) that an individual who is in possession of a card, licence, permit or other authorisation in relation to which a national security background check has been conducted under the AusCheck scheme is the individual to whom the card, licence, permit or authorisation was issued.

Collection, use and disclosure of identity verification information

 (2) The collection, use and disclosure of identity verification information about an individual is taken to be authorised by this Act for the purposes of the Privacy Act 1988 if:

 (a) the collection, use or disclosure is directly necessary for the purpose of verifying the identity of an individual in respect of whom a background check is being or has been conducted under the AusCheck scheme; and

 (b) for a use or disclosure—the information is only used or disclosed to the extent necessary for the purpose mentioned in paragraph (a).

14  Authorisation of retention and subsequent use and disclosure of information

Establishment of AusCheck database

 (1) The Secretary may establish and maintain a database (the AusCheck database) of information (other than identity verification information) that relates to the AusCheck scheme.

Use and disclosure of AusCheck personal information other than identity verification information

 (2) AusCheck scheme personal information about an individual (other than identity verification information):

 (a) may be included in the AusCheck database; and

 (b) may be used or disclosed for the following purposes:

 (i) carrying out a subsequent background check in relation to the individual under the AusCheck scheme;

 (ia) monitoring and enforcing compliance with a requirement under the AusCheck scheme, the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005 or the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Regulations 2003 to notify the Secretary or the Transport Secretary of a specified matter;

 (ii) responding to an incident that poses a threat to national security;

 (iii) the collection, correlation, analysis or dissemination of criminal intelligence or security intelligence by the Commonwealth, or by a Commonwealth authority that has functions relating to law enforcement or national security, for purposes relating to law enforcement or national security;

 (iv) without limiting subparagraph (iii)—determining whether any individual referred to in paragraph 8(3)(a) has been charged with a serious offence, or whether a charge for a serious offence has been resolved in relation to any such individual.

 (2A) AusCheck scheme personal information about an individual (other than identity verification information) may also be used or disclosed for the purpose of verifying:

 (a) that an ASIC or MSIC has been issued to a particular individual and is in effect at a particular time; or

 (b) that an individual who is in possession of an ASIC or MSIC is the person to whom the card was issued; or

 (c) that a national security background check has been conducted in relation to a particular individual; or

 (d) that an individual who is in possession of a card, licence, permit or other authorisation in relation to which a national security background check has been conducted is the individual to whom the card, licence, permit or authorisation was issued.

Use and disclosure of AusCheck scheme personal information that is identity verification information

 (2AB) AusCheck scheme personal information about an individual that is identity verification information may be used or disclosed for the purpose of verifying the identity of the individual if a subsequent background check is being conducted in respect of the individual under the AusCheck scheme.

 (2B) AusCheck scheme personal information used or disclosed for the purpose mentioned in subsection (2A) or (2AB) must be limited to personal information of a kind directly necessary for that purpose, and must only be used or disclosed to the extent necessary for that purpose.

 (3) AusCheck scheme personal information included in the AusCheck database may be used in such a way that deidentified information derived from the AusCheck scheme personal information can be used and disclosed for the following purposes:

 (a) research;

 (b) government planning;

 (c) industry planning.

14A  Special rule relating to collection, retention, use and disclosure of identity verification information by AusCheck staff members

  Despite sections 13 and 14, those sections only authorise the collection, retention, use and disclosure by the Secretary or an AusCheck staff member of identity verification information about an individual in relation to whom a background check is being or has been conducted, if the collection, retention, use or disclosure is directly necessary for the purpose of:

 (a) passing the information to a Commonwealth, State or Territory body, agency or organisation that is responsible for, or deals with, law enforcement, criminal intelligence, criminal investigation, fraud or security intelligence in, or in a part of, Australia for the purpose of that body, agency or organisation verifying the identity of the individual for the purposes of the background check; or

 (b) providing the information to the individual.

Division 2Protection of information

15  Protection of information

 (1) A person commits an offence if:

 (a) the person is or was an AusCheck staff member; and

 (b) when the person is or was an AusCheck staff member, the person obtained information relating to the AusCheck scheme; and

 (c) the person discloses the information to someone else.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.

 (1A) A person commits an offence if:

 (a) the person obtains information; and

 (b) the information is AusCheck scheme personal information; and

 (c) the person discloses the information to someone else.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.

 (2) Each of the following is an exception to subsection (1) or (1A):

 (a) a disclosure for the purposes of the AusCheck scheme;

 (b) if the information is AusCheck scheme personal information—a disclosure with the consent of the individual to whom the AusCheck scheme personal information relates;

 (c) if the information is AusCheck scheme personal information—a disclosure to the individual to whom the AusCheck scheme personal information relates;

 (ca) if the information is AusCheck scheme personal information—a disclosure that is:

 (i) taken to be authorised under section 13; or

 (ii) authorised under section 14; or

 (iii) required or authorised by or under another law;

 (d) a disclosure to the Australian Federal Police for the purposes of the AusCheck scheme.

Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to a matter in subsection (2) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code).

 (3) If a disclosure of information is covered by subsection (2), the disclosure is authorised by this section.

 (4) A person who is or was an AusCheck staff member is not to be required to disclose information relating to the AusCheck scheme to a court, except:

 (a) where it is necessary to do so for the purposes of giving effect to this Act or the AusCheck scheme; or

 (b) for the purposes of a criminal proceeding for an offence against this Act or regulations under this Act (including a proceeding to determine whether a person should be tried for an offence).

For this purpose, court includes any tribunal, authority or person having power to require the production of documents or the answering of questions.

 (5) In this section:

information includes, but is not limited to, AusCheck scheme personal information.

Part 4Transitional provision in relation to information collected before commencement

 

16  Authorisation of use and disclosure of personal information collected for specified purposes

 (1) This section applies to personal information about an individual that was collected before the commencement of this section by an agency or organisation (within the meaning of the Privacy Act 1988) for the purposes of conducting background checking under:

 (a) the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 or regulations under that Act; or

 (b) the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 or regulations under that Act.

 (2) The disclosure of the personal information to an AusCheck staff member, and the use and disclosure of the personal information by an AusCheck staff member, is taken to be authorised by this Act for the purposes of the Privacy Act 1988 if the disclosure or use is for the purposes of the AusCheck scheme.

Part 5Other matters

 

17  Use of the name AusCheck

 (1) The Commonwealth is entitled to use the name “AusCheck” for the purposes of the AusCheck scheme.

 (2) If the operation of this section would result in an acquisition of property from a person otherwise than on just terms, the Commonwealth is liable to pay a reasonable amount of compensation to the person.

 (3) If the Commonwealth and the person do not agree on the amount of the compensation, the person may institute proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction for the recovery from the Commonwealth of such reasonable amount of compensation as the court determines.

 (4) In this section:

acquisition of property has the same meaning as in paragraph 51(xxxi) of the Constitution.

just terms has the same meaning as in paragraph 51(xxxi) of the Constitution.

18  Regulations

 (1) The GovernorGeneral may make regulations prescribing matters:

 (a) required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed; or

 (b) necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.

 (2) The regulations may provide for the following:

 (a) the charging and recovery of fees and other charges in respect of matters specified in the regulations, being matters in relation to which expenses are incurred by the Commonwealth under this Act or under the regulations, but not that would otherwise amount to taxation;

 (b) the review of decisions under the regulations;

 (c) the imposition of penalties, not exceeding 100 penalty units, for a contravention of the regulations;

 (d) the making of guidelines about matters relating to background checking;

 (e) the establishment and conduct of a review of the AusCheck scheme.

 

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide details of the history of this legislation and its provisions. The following endnotes are included in each compilation:

 

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Endnote 5—Uncommenced amendments

Endnote 6—Modifications

Endnote 7—Misdescribed amendments

Endnote 8—Miscellaneous

 

If there is no information under a particular endnote, the word “none” will appear in square brackets after the endnote heading.

 

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key in this endnote 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 the compiled law. The information includes commencement information for amending laws and details of 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 level. It also includes information about any provisions that have expired or otherwise ceased to have effect in accordance with a provision of the compiled law.

 

Uncommenced amendments—Endnote 5

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not reflected in the text of the compiled law but the text of the amendments is included in endnote 5.

Modifications—Endnote 6

If the compiled law is affected by a modification that is in force, details of the modification are included in endnote 6.

 

Misdescribed amendments—Endnote 7

An amendment is a misdescribed amendment if the effect of the amendment cannot be incorporated into the text of the compilation. Any misdescribed amendment is included in endnote 7.

 

Miscellaneous—Endnote 8

Endnote 8 includes any additional information that may be helpful for a reader of the compilation.

 

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

 

ad = added or inserted

pres = present

am = amended

prev = previous

c = clause(s)

(prev) = previously

Ch = Chapter(s)

Pt = Part(s)

def = definition(s)

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

Dict = Dictionary

Reg = Regulation/Regulations

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

reloc = relocated

Div = Division(s)

renum = renumbered

exp = expired or ceased to have effect

rep = repealed

hdg = heading(s)

rs = repealed and substituted

LI = Legislative Instrument

s = section(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

mod = modified/modification

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

No = Number(s)

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

o = order(s)

SR = Statutory Rules

Ord = Ordinance

SubCh = SubChapter(s)

orig = original

SubPt = Subpart(s)

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)
/subsubparagraph(s)

 

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Act

Number and year

Assent

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

AusCheck Act 2007

53, 2007

12 Apr 2007

13 Apr 2007

 

AusCheck Amendment Act 2009

123, 2009

7 Dec 2009

7 Dec 2009

Sch. 1 (item 7)

Statute Law Revision Act 2010

8, 2010

1 Mar 2010

Schedule 1 (items 3, 4): Royal Assent

Acts Interpretation Amendment Act 2011

46, 2011

27 June 2011

Schedule 2 (items 84, 85) and Schedule 3 (items 10, 11): 27 Dec 2011

Sch. 3 (items 10, 11)

Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act 2012

197, 2012

12 Dec 2012

Sch 5 (items 11, 12): 12 Mar 2014

Customs and AusCheck Legislation Amendment (Organised Crime and Other Measures) Act 2013

52, 2013

28 May 2013

Schedule 2: Royal Assent

Sch. 2 (items 31, 32)

Statute Law Revision Act (No. 1) 2014

31, 2014

27 May 2014

Sch 1 (item 5): 24 June 2014

CounterTerrorism Legislation Amendment (Foreign Fighters) Act 2014

116, 2014

3 Nov 2014

Sch1 (items 9, 10): 1 Dec 2014 (s 2(1) item 2)

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

Part 1

 

Subhead. to s. 4(2)...........

ad. No. 52, 2013

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

am. No. 123, 2009; No. 46, 2011; No. 52, 2013

s. 5.....................

am. No. 123, 2009; No. 52, 2013; No 31, 2014

Part 2

 

Subhead. to s. 8(2)...........

ad. No. 52, 2013

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

rs. No. 123, 2009

 

am. No. 52, 2013; No 116, 2014

Heading to s. 9.............

am. No. 52, 2013

s. 9.....................

am. No. 123, 2009; No. 52, 2013

s. 10....................

ad. No. 52, 2013

s. 10A...................

ad. No. 52, 2013

Subhead. to s. 11(2)..........

ad. No. 52, 2013

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

am. No. 52, 2013

Note to s. 12(1).............

am. No. 46, 2011

Part 3

 

Division 1

 

Heading to Div. 1 of
Part 3

rs. No. 123, 2009

Subhead. to s. 13(1)..........

ad. No. 123, 2009

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

am. No. 123, 2009; No 197, 2012; No 52, 2013

Heading to s. 14............

am. No. 123, 2009

Subhead. to s. 14(1)..........

ad. No. 123, 2009

Subhead. to s. 14(2)..........

ad. No. 123, 2009

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

am. No. 123, 2009; No. 52, 2013

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

ad. No. 123, 2009

Division 2

 

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

am. No. 123, 2009

Note 1 to s. 15(2)
Renumbered Note...........


No. 8, 2010

Note 2 to s. 15(2)...........

rep. No. 8, 2010

Part 4

 

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

am No 197, 2012

Part 5

 

s. 18....................

am. No. 52, 2013

 

Endnote 5—Uncommenced amendments [none]

Endnote 6—Modifications [none]

Endnote 7—Misdescribed amendments [none]

Endnote 8—Miscellaneous [none]