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Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024
No. 40, 2024
In force
Administered by
Attorney-General's Department
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C2026C00202 C05
18 May 2026
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Part 1—Preliminary
1 Short title
2 Commencement
3 Simplified outline of this Act
4 Definitions
5 Other Acts can change how some provisions in this Act apply
6 Extension to external Territories
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Part 2—Establishment of Administrative Review Tribunal
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Division 1—Preliminary
7 Simplified outline of this Part
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Division 2—Establishment of Tribunal
8 Establishment
9 Objective
10 Members of Tribunal
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Part 3—Starting a review
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Division 1—Preliminary
11 Simplified outline of this Part
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Division 2—Key concepts for review of decisions
12 Reviewable decisions
13 Instruments may provide for application to Tribunal for review
14 Decision-maker
15 Organisation or association whose interests are affected by a decision
16 Decision is taken to be made if timeframe expires
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Division 3—Applying for review of decision
17 Who can apply
18 When to apply—general rule
19 Exception—Tribunal may extend period
20 Exception—no prescribed period applies
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Division 4—After an application is made
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Subdivision A—Parties to proceeding
21 Parties and potential parties to be notified of application
22 Parties to proceeding for review
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Subdivision B—Provision of reasons and documents
23 Decision-maker must give Tribunal reasons and documents—general rule
24 Decision-maker must give Tribunal additional statement if Tribunal requires—general rule
25 Decision-maker must give Tribunal additional documents within 28 days—general rule
26 Decision-maker must give Tribunal additional documents on request—general rule
27 Decision-maker must give copies of reasons and documents to other parties—general rule
28 Exceptions—Tribunal may adjust requirements
29 Exception—while resolving whether to restrict publication or disclosure of information
30 Privilege and public interest
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Subdivision C—Effect of application for review on decision
31 Decision cannot be altered outside Tribunal process
32 Reviewable decision continues to operate unless Tribunal orders otherwise
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Part 4—Proceedings
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Division 1—Preliminary
33 Simplified outline of this Part
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Division 2—Applications to Tribunal
34 How to apply
35 Applications may be made on behalf of a person
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Division 3—Practice directions
36 President may make practice directions
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Division 4—Constitution of Tribunal for a proceeding
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Subdivision A—Constituting the Tribunal
37 President may constitute Tribunal for purposes of a proceeding
38 President must consult before including Judicial Deputy President
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Subdivision B—Proceedings generally
39 General rules for constitution of Tribunal
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Subdivision C—Guidance and appeals panel
40 Exception—President refers application for review that raises issue of significance
41 Exception—President, on appeal, refers Tribunal decision that raises issue of significance
42 Exception—President, on appeal, refers Tribunal decision for material error
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Subdivision D—Reconstitution
43 Reconstitution—before hearing starts
44 Reconstitution—after hearing starts if member unavailable etc.
45 Reconstitution—involvement in dispute resolution process
46 Reconstitution—after hearing starts for conflict of interest or bias
47 Reconstitution—as guidance and appeals panel after hearing starts
48 After Tribunal is reconstituted
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Division 5—Tribunal procedure
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Subdivision A—General principles
49 Tribunal has discretion in relation to procedure
50 Tribunal is to act informally etc.
51 Tribunal to be accessible
52 Tribunal is not bound by rules of evidence
53 Tribunal controls scope of review of decision
54 Tribunal can exercise powers of decision-maker
55 Right to present case
56 Parties and their representatives to assist Tribunal
57 Sittings of Tribunal
58 Resolving disagreements between Tribunal members
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Subdivision B—Parties and representation
59 Attorney-General of the Commonwealth may become a party
60 Decision-makers may elect not to participate in kind of proceeding or Tribunal case event
61 Decision-maker who elects not to participate may be a non-participating party to proceeding or Tribunal case event
62 Tribunal may allow non-participating party to participate
63 Non-participating party may give submissions or be required to participate
64 Rules may deal with elections in relation to participation
65 Certain parties may seek to withdraw from being a party
66 Representation before Tribunal
67 Tribunal may appoint litigation supporter
68 Tribunal may appoint interpreter
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Division 6—Tribunal powers
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Subdivision A—Hearings and evidence
69 Hearings to be in public unless practice directions or Tribunal order requires otherwise
70 Tribunal may restrict publication or disclosure of information
71 Requirements for Tribunal orders about hearings, publication and disclosure
72 Tribunal must notify parties of Tribunal case event
73 How a party may appear at a Tribunal case event
74 Tribunal may summon person to give evidence or produce documents
75 Tribunal may take evidence
76 Taking evidence on oath or affirmation
77 Payment of witness fees and allowances
78 Inspection of documents produced under summons
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Subdivision B—Management of proceedings
79 Tribunal may give directions in relation to procedure for proceeding
80 Tribunal may hold directions hearing
81 Tribunal may proceed without absent party
82 Tribunal may adjourn Tribunal case event
83 Tribunal may remove party from proceeding if party fails to appear or does not comply
84 If applicant dies or is bankrupt, wound up or in liquidation or administration
85 Tribunal may remit decision to decision-maker for reconsideration
86 Tribunal may vary or revoke Tribunal order
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Subdivision C—Dispute resolution processes
87 Tribunal may refer to dispute resolution process
88 Evidence in dispute resolution process not admissible elsewhere
89 Eligibility of person conducting dispute resolution process to sit as a member
90 Engagement of persons to conduct dispute resolution processes
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Division 7—Public interest certificates and interventions
91 Disclosure of information—public interest certificate
92 Attorney-General may intervene for public interest reasons
93 Attorney-General is party to proceeding
94 Public interest decisions made by Tribunal
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Division 8—Decision
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Subdivision A—Withdrawing and dismissing applications
95 Applicant may withdraw application
96 Tribunal may dismiss application if parties consent
97 Tribunal must dismiss application if decision is not reviewable decision
98 Tribunal may dismiss application if fee is not paid
99 Tribunal may dismiss application if applicant does not appear
100 Tribunal may dismiss application if applicant fails to comply with order etc.
101 Tribunal may dismiss application if frivolous, vexatious etc.
102 Reinstatement of application
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Subdivision B—Decisions agreed by parties
103 If parties reach agreement—review of decisions only
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Subdivision C—Decision on review of reviewable decision
104 When this Subdivision applies
105 Tribunal decision on review of reviewable decision
106 Circumstances in which Tribunal may reach decision without hearing—review of decisions only
107 When Tribunal’s decision on review comes into operation
108 Effect of Tribunal decision to vary or substitute a reviewable decision
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Division 9—Tribunal guidance decisions
109 Tribunal guidance decisions
110 Tribunal must have regard to Tribunal guidance decisions
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Division 10—After proceeding ends
111 Notice of decision and statement of reasons—review of reviewable decision
112 Notice of decision and statement of reasons—other proceedings
113 Tribunal may publish decisions
114 Tribunal may correct error in decision or statement of reasons
115 Taxing costs
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Division 11—Offences
116 Offence—failure to comply with summons
117 Offence—failure to take oath, make affirmation or answer question
118 Offence—giving false or misleading evidence
119 Offence—breach of non-publication or non-disclosure order
120 Offence—contempt of Tribunal
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Part 5—Guidance and appeals panel
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Division 1—Preliminary
121 Simplified outline of this Part
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Division 2—President may refer application on own initiative
122 President may refer application for review of decision to guidance and appeals panel
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Division 3—Party may apply to refer Tribunal decision to guidance and appeals panel
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Subdivision A—Application for referral to guidance and appeals panel
123 Application may be made to refer certain Tribunal decisions to guidance and appeals panel
124 How to apply
125 When to apply to refer Tribunal decision
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Subdivision B—After application to refer decision is made
126 Parties to be notified of application
127 Tribunal decision continues to operate unless Tribunal orders otherwise
128 President decides whether to refer Tribunal decision to guidance and appeals panel
129 Notice of President’s decision
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Subdivision C—Review after Tribunal decision is referred to guidance and appeals panel
130 Application for review proceeds if President refers Tribunal decision to guidance and appeals panel
131 Tribunal may have regard to records and documents from earlier proceeding
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Part 5A—Second review for certain social services decisions
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Division 1—Preliminary
131A Simplified outline of this Part
131B How this Part applies
131C Meaning of eligible social services decision
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Division 2—General rules for second review
131D Who can apply
131E Operation of this Act and other laws
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Division 3—Modifications for second review
131F References to the decision-maker
131G Giving reasons and documents to Tribunal
131H Who can apply—claimant decisions
131J When to apply
131K Parties to proceeding
131L Limits on applying to become a party to proceeding—claimant decisions
131M Decision cannot be altered outside Tribunal process
131N No automatic election notice for decision-maker
131P Tribunal may have regard to records and documents from earlier proceeding
131Q Care percentage determinations reviewed under other Acts
131R Date of effect provisions
131S Treating events as having occurred
131T Remitting decisions for reconsideration
131U Legal or financial assistance
131V Operation and implementation of decision on second review
131W Guidance and appeals panel
131X Time and manner for making appeals
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Part 6—Proceedings in Intelligence and Security jurisdictional area
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Division 1—Preliminary
132 Simplified outline of this Part
133 How this Part applies
134 Proceedings to be conducted in Intelligence and Security jurisdictional area
135 Operation in relation to decision-maker
136 Reasons for decisions
137 Meaning of relevant body
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Division 2—Starting a review
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Subdivision A—Applications and notice of applications
138 Limits on who can apply for certain reviews
139 Additional persons to be notified of applications for review
140 Applications for decisions to be reviewed again
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Subdivision B—Information to be provided by agency head
141 Information to be provided by agency head
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Subdivision C—Provision of security clearance standards
142 When this Subdivision applies
143 Director-General of Security may provide standards
144 Disclosure of standards
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Division 3—Proceedings
145 Constitution of Tribunal—general rule
147 Parties to proceedings
148 Certain hearings must be held in private
149 Persons entitled to be present at hearings
150 Relevant bodies may adduce evidence and make submissions
151 Order of evidence and submissions
152 Opportunity for further evidence and submissions
153 Tribunal may invite person to give evidence
154 Certain processes not available
155 Guidance and appeals panel
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Division 4—Disclosure of information
156 Duty of Tribunal in relation to security and law enforcement information
157 Restricting publication or disclosure of information
158 Security certificates—responsible Minister
159 Sensitive information certificates—Director-General of Security
160 Protecting identities of persons giving evidence
161 Public interest certificates—responsible Minister
162 Non-disclosure certificates under other Acts
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Division 5—Decisions on review
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Subdivision A—Limits on certain decisions
163 Security clearance decisions
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Subdivision B—Recording and communicating decisions
165 When this Subdivision applies
166 Making and recording findings
167 Communicating decisions
168 Findings relating to procedures or practices of agency
169 Applicant may publish findings
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Part 7—Appeals and references of questions of law to Federal Court
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Division 1—Preliminary
170 Simplified outline of this Part
171 Part applies whether Tribunal’s power is conferred by Commonwealth, State or Territory law
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Division 2—Appeals on questions of law
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Subdivision A—Appeals on questions of law
172 Party may appeal
173 Decisions about standing
174 Time and manner for making appeals
175 Constitution of Federal Court
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Subdivision B—Jurisdiction and powers of Federal Court
176 Federal Court has jurisdiction
177 Court may make findings of fact
178 Operation and implementation of Tribunal’s decision
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Division 3—Transfer of appeals to Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2)
179 Transfer of appeals
180 No appeal from decision to transfer
181 Federal Court Rules
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Division 4—Matters remitted to Tribunal
182 When this Division applies
183 Constitution of Tribunal
184 Tribunal may rely on previous proceedings
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Division 5—Referring questions of law
185 Referring questions of law
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Division 6—Sending and disclosing documents
186 When this Division applies
187 Sending documents
188 Returning documents
189 Disclosure contrary to public interest
190 Disclosure of security clearance documents
191 Disclosure to officers of the court
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Part 8—Members and staff of Tribunal
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Division 1—Preliminary
192 Simplified outline of this Part
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Division 2—Members of Tribunal
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Subdivision A—Members and functions
193 Functions of President
194 Functions of Deputy Presidents
195 Functions of senior and general members
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Subdivision B—Jurisdictional areas and lists
196 Jurisdictional areas and lists
197 Jurisdictional area leaders
198 Assignment of members to lead lists
199 Assignment of members to jurisdictional areas
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Subdivision C—Performance and conduct of members
200 President may give directions to members
201 Code of conduct
202 Performance standard
203 President may investigate conduct of members
204 Protection of persons involved in investigating conduct of members etc.
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Division 3—Member appointment provisions
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Subdivision A—Appointment of members
205 Appointment of President
206 Appointment of Judicial Deputy Presidents
207 Appointment of Non-Judicial Deputy Presidents
208 Appointment of senior members and general members
209 Minister must establish assessment panel
210 Appointment of a Judge not to affect tenure etc.
211 Extension of appointment
212 Acting appointments
213 Oath or affirmation of office
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Subdivision B—Members’ terms and conditions
214 Remuneration
215 Leave
216 Other paid work
217 Appearances before Tribunal
218 Disclosure of interests
219 Register of interests
220 Resignation
221 Termination of appointment
222 President must notify Minister about grounds for termination
223 Additional terms and conditions
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Division 4—Management of Tribunal
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Subdivision A—Management functions of President
224 Management of administrative affairs of Tribunal
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Subdivision B—Appointment and functions of Principal Registrar
225 Principal Registrar
226 Functions of Principal Registrar
227 Appointment of Principal Registrar
228 Acting appointments
229 Remuneration
230 Leave
231 Other paid work
232 Disclosure of interests
233 Resignation
234 Termination of appointment
235 Additional terms and conditions
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Subdivision C—Leadership of Tribunal
236 Tribunal Advisory Committee
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Division 5—Staff and consultants
237 Appointment of registrars
238 Staff
239 APS employees and others made available
240 Consultants
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Division 6—Application of finance law and reporting requirements
241 Application of finance law
242 Report by President
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Division 7—Other matters concerning management
243 Registries
244 Proceedings arising out of management of Tribunal
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Part 9—Administrative Review Council
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Division 1—Preliminary
245 Simplified outline of this Part
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Division 2—Establishment
246 Administrative Review Council
247 Membership of Council
248 Application of finance law
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Division 3—Council functions etc.
249 Functions and powers of Council
250 Reports by Council
251 Meetings of Council
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Division 4—Appointment
252 Appointment of certain Council members
253 Appointment of Chair of Council
254 Qualification for appointment
255 Period of appointment
256 Acting appointments
257 Remuneration
258 Leave
259 Disclosure of interests
260 Resignation
261 Termination of appointment
262 Additional terms and conditions
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Division 5—Staff to assist Council
263 Arrangements relating to staff of the Department
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Division 6—Annual report
264 Annual report
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Part 10—Notice and information about administrative decision
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Division 1—Preliminary
265 Simplified outline of this Part
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Division 2—Decision-makers to give notice of decisions
266 Decision-maker to give notice of decision and review rights
267 Decision-maker must have regard to rules when giving notice of decision
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Division 3—Decision-makers to give reasons for decisions
268 Requesting reasons for reviewable decision from decision-maker
269 Decision-maker to give statement of reasons
270 Applying to Tribunal to obtain reasons for reviewable decision
271 Applying to Tribunal to obtain adequate statement of reasons
272 Public interest certificate in relation to statement of reasons
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Part 11—Miscellaneous
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Division 1—Preliminary
273 Simplified outline of this Part
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Division 2—Confidentiality
274 Protected information and documents
275 Evidence about Tribunal proceedings
276 Application of confidentiality provisions in other Acts and instruments
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Division 3—Delegation
278 Delegation by Minister
279 Delegation by President
280 Delegation by Principal Registrar
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Division 4—Performing and exercising functions and powers of Tribunal
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Subdivision A—Performance and exercise of functions and powers
281 Who may perform or exercise functions or powers
282 How functions or powers must be performed or exercised
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Subdivision B—Authorisations to perform and exercise functions and powers of Tribunal
283 Authorisations for Principal Registrar
284 Authorisations for members
285 Authorisations for registrars
286 Authorisations for staff members
287 Authorisations are subject to conditions
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Division 5—Other matters
288 Tribunal may give advisory opinion
289 Certain things required to be done in writing may be done electronically
290 Giving documents
291 Giving documents etc. to decision-maker
292 Calculation of short periods of time
293 Protection and immunity
294 Legal or financial assistance
294A Review of operation of this Act
294B Minister and Commonwealth entities to inform Council of action on systemic issues
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Division 6—Rules and regulations
295 Rules
296 Tribunal may charge fees
297 Regulations
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Endnotes
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Endnote 4—Amendment history
