{"id":"agricultural-and-veterinary-chemicals-northern-territory-act-1994","name":"Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Northern Territory) Act 1994","slug":"agricultural-and-veterinary-chemicals-northern-territory-act-1994","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"nt","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":29830,"registerId":"nt-agricultural-and-veterinary-chemicals-northern-territory-act-1994-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Northern Territory) Act 1994","content":"NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\nAGRICULTURAL AND VETERINARY CHEMICALS (NORTHERN\nTERRITORY) ACT 1994\nAs in force at 10 February 2026\nTable of provisions\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Short title ......................................................................................... 2\n2 Commencement .............................................................................. 2\n3 Interpretation ................................................................................... 2\n4 Jervis Bay Territory.......................................................................... 4\nPart 2 Agvet Code, and Agvet Regulations, of this\njurisdiction\n5 Application of Agvet Code in this jurisdiction ................................... 5\n6 Application of Agvet Regulations in this jurisdiction ......................... 5\n7 Interpretation of Agvet Code and Agvet Regulations of this\njurisdiction........................................................................................ 5\n8 Ancillary offences (aiding, abetting, accessories, attempts,\nincitement or conspiracy) ................................................................. 6\nPart 3 Citing Agvet Codes and Agvet Regulations\nof other jurisdictions\n9 References to Agvet Codes and Agvet Regulations of other\njurisdictions ...................................................................................... 6\n10 References to Agvet Code and Agvet Regulations.......................... 7\nPart 4 Application of Agvet codes to the Crown\n11 Agvet Code of this jurisdiction ......................................................... 7\n12 Crown not liable to prosecution ....................................................... 7\n13 This Part overrides prerogative........................................................ 8\nPart 5 Application of Commonwealth\nAdministrative Laws to Agvet Code and\nAgvet Regulations of this jurisdiction\n14 Object .............................................................................................. 8\n15 Application of Commonwealth administrative laws in relation to\napplicable provisions ....................................................................... 8\n16 Functions and powers conferred on Commonwealth officers\nand authorities ................................................................................. 9\n\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Northern Territory) Act 1994 ii\n17 Reference in Commonwealth administrative law to a provision\nof another law .................................................................................. 9\nPart 6 Jurisdiction of Courts\n18 Jurisdiction of Federal Court ............................................................ 9\n19 Exercise of jurisdiction under cross-vesting provisions.................... 9\nPart 7 National Registration Authority for\nagricultural and veterinary chemicals\n20 Conferral of functions and powers on NRA.................................... 10\n21 Agreements and arrangements ..................................................... 10\n22 Conferral of other functions and powers for purposes of law in\nthis jurisdiction ............................................................................... 10\n23 Commonwealth Minister may give directions in exceptional\ncircumstances................................................................................ 11\nPart 8 Miscellaneous\n24 Orders ........................................................................................... 11\n25 Manufacturing principles ................................................................ 11\n26 Delegation ..................................................................................... 11\n27 Conferral of powers on state officers ............................................. 11\n28 Application of fees and taxes ......................................................... 12\n29 Document or substances held by previous registering authority\nmay be given to NRA ..................................................................... 12\n30 Exemptions from liability for damages ........................................... 12\n30A Eligible laws ................................................................................... 14\n31 Regulations.................................................................................... 14\nPart 9 Imposition of fees and taxes\n32 Fees (including taxes) ................................................................... 14\nPart 10 Conferral of functions on Commonwealth\nDirector of Public Prosecutions\n33 Conferral of functions on Commonwealth Director of Public\nProsecutions .................................................................................. 15\nENDNOTES\n\nNORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\n____________________\nAs in force at 10 February 2026\n____________________\nAGRICULTURAL AND VETERINARY CHEMICALS (NORTHERN\nTERRITORY) ACT 1994\nAn Act to apply certain laws of the Commonwealth relating to\nagricultural and veterinary chemical products as laws of the Northern\nTerritory, and for other purposes\nRECOGNISING:\n(a) that the protection of the health and safety of human beings, animals\nand the environment is essential to the well-being of society and can be\nenhanced by putting in place a system to regulate agricultural chemical\nproducts and veterinary chemical products;\n(b) that the principle of ecologically sustainable development requires a\nregulatory system that is designed to ensure that the use of such\nproducts today will not impair the prospects of future generations;\n(c) that the furthering of trade and commerce between Australia and\nplaces outside Australia, and the present and future economic viability\nand competitiveness of primary industry and of a domestic industry for\nmanufacturing and formulating such products, are essential for the\nwell-being of the economy and require a system for regulating such\nproducts that is cost effective, efficient, predictable, adaptive and\nresponsive;\n(d) that it is desirable to establish a regulatory system that is open and\naccountable and gives opportunity for public input with respect to the\nregulation of such products;\n(e) that the system should, so far as practicable, be uniform throughout\nAustralia; and\n(f) that uniformity could best be achieved by the enactment of legislation\nby the Parliament of the Commonwealth as a law for the government of\nthe Australian Capital Territory and the adoption of that legislation by\nthe Parliaments and legislatures of the States and the Northern\nTerritory.\n\nPart 1 Preliminary\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Northern Territory) Act 1994 2\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Short title\nThis Act may be cited as the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals\n(Northern Territory) Act 1994.\n2 Commencement\nThis Act shall come into operation on a date to be fixed by the\nAdministrator by notice in the Gazette.\n3 Interpretation\n(1) In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Act means the\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Act 1993 (Cth).\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Act\nmeans the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration)\nAct 1992 (Cth).\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act means the\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1993 (Cth).\nAgvet Code of the Northern Territory means the provisions\napplying because of section 5.\nAgvet Regulations of the Northern Territory means the\nprovisions applying because of section 6.\napplicable provisions, in relation to a jurisdiction, means a\nprovision of:\n(a) the Agvet Code of that jurisdiction;\n(b) the Agvet Regulations of that jurisdiction;\n(c) a law of the Commonwealth that applies in that jurisdiction in\nrelation to a provision of or an offence against the Agvet Code\nor Agvet Regulations of that jurisdiction.\nauthority, in relation to the Commonwealth, has the meaning given\nin the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Act.\nCommonwealth administrative laws means:\n(a) the following Acts:\n(i) the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024 (Cth);\n\nPart 1 Preliminary\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Northern Territory) Act 1994 3\n(ii) the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review)\nAct 1977 (Cth);\n(iii) the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth);\n(iv) the Ombudsman Act 1976 (Cth);\n(v) the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth); and\n(b) the regulations in force under those Acts.\nCommonwealth ancillary criminal laws has the meaning given by\nsection 8.\nCommonwealth Minister means the Minister within the meaning\nof the Agvet Code of the participating Territories.\ncorresponding Act means an Act of another jurisdiction that\ncorresponds to this Act.\ncorresponding law means:\n(a) a corresponding Act;\n(b) regulations made under a corresponding Act;\n(c) the Agvet Code, Agvet Regulations, or another applicable\nprovision, of another jurisdiction; or\n(d) rules of court made under a corresponding Act.\ninstrument means any document whatever, including:\n(a) an Act or an instrument made under an Act; or\n(b) a law of this jurisdiction or an instrument made under such a\nlaw; or\n(c) an award or other industrial determination or order, or an\nindustrial agreement; or\n(d) any other order (whether executive, judicial or otherwise); or\n(e) a notice, certificate or licence; or\n(f) an agreement; or\n(g) an application made, information or complaint laid, affidavit\nmade, or warrant issued, for any purpose; or\n(h) an indictment, presentment, summons or writ; or\n\nPart 1 Preliminary\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Northern Territory) Act 1994 4\n(i) any other pleading in, or process issued in connection with, a\nlegal or other proceeding.\njurisdiction means a State or the participating Territories.\nlaw, in relation to a participating Territory, means a law of, or in\nforce in, that Territory.\nNRA means the National Registration Authority for Agricultural and\nVeterinary Chemicals established by the Agricultural and Veterinary\nChemicals (Administration) Act.\nofficer, in relation to the Commonwealth, has the meaning given in\nthe Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Act.\nparticipating Territory means:\n(a) the Australian Capital Territory; or\n(b) another Territory that is declared by regulations in force under\nsection 25 of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Act to\nbe a participating Territory.\nState includes the Northern Territory.\nTerritory means a Territory referred to in section 122 of the\nConstitution of the Commonwealth, other than the Northern\nTerritory, Norfolk Island, the Territory of Christmas Island or the\nTerritory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands.\nthis jurisdiction means the Northern Territory.\n(2) In this Act, a reference to a Commonwealth Act includes a\nreference to:\n(a) that Commonwealth Act as amended and in force for the time\nbeing; and\n(b) an Act enacted in substitution for that Act.\n4 Jervis Bay Territory\nFor the purposes of this Act, and the Agvet Code and the Agvet\nRegulations of this jurisdiction, the Jervis Bay Territory is taken to\nbe part of the Australian Capital Territory.\n\nPart 2 Agvet Code, and Agvet Regulations, of this jurisdiction\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Northern Territory) Act 1994 5\nPart 2 Agvet Code, and Agvet Regulations, of this\njurisdiction\n5 Application of Agvet Code in this jurisdiction\nThe Code set out in the Schedule to the Agricultural and Veterinary\nChemicals Code Act as in force for the time being:\n(a) applies as a law of the Northern Territory; and\n(b) as so applying, may be cited as the Agvet Code of the\nNorthern Territory.\n6 Application of Agvet Regulations in this jurisdiction\nThe regulations in force for the time being under section 6 of the\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act:\n(a) apply as regulations in force for the purposes of the Agvet\nCode of the Northern Territory; and\n(b) as so applying, may be referred to as the Agvet Regulations of\nthe Northern Territory.\n7 Interpretation of Agvet Code and Agvet Regulations of this\njurisdiction\n(1) In the Agvet Code, and the Agvet Regulations, of this jurisdiction:\nthe Minister for this Jurisdiction means the Minister.\nthis jurisdiction means the Northern Territory.\n(2) Subject to Part 1 of the Agvet Code of this jurisdiction, the Acts\nInterpretation Act 1901 (Cth), as in force for the time being, applies\nas a law of this jurisdiction to:\n(a) the Agvet Code, and the Agvet Regulations, of this jurisdiction;\nand\n(b) any instrument made, granted or issued under that Code or\nthose Regulations.\n(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), the Commonwealth Act\nmentioned in that subsection applies as if:\n(a) the Agvet Code of this jurisdiction were a Commonwealth Act;\nand\n\nPart 3 Citing Agvet Codes and Agvet Regulations of other jurisdictions\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Northern Territory) Act 1994 6\n(b) the Agvet Regulations of this jurisdiction or instruments\nmentioned in that subsection were regulations or instruments\nmade under a Commonwealth Act.\n(4) The Interpretation Act 1978 does not apply to:\n(a) the Agvet Code, or the Agvet Regulations, of the Northern\nTerritory; or\n(b) any instrument made, granted or issued under that Code or\nthose Regulations.\n8 Ancillary offences (aiding, abetting, accessories, attempts,\nincitement or conspiracy)\n(1) In this section, Commonwealth ancillary criminal laws means:\n(a) section 5, 6, 7 or 7A of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth); or\n(b) section 86(1) of that Act because of paragraph (a) of that\nsubsection.\n(2) The Commonwealth ancillary criminal laws apply as laws of this\njurisdiction in relation to an offence against the Agvet Code, or the\nAgvet Regulations, of this jurisdiction, and so apply:\n(a) as if a reference in the laws to a law of the Commonwealth\nwere a reference to that Code or those Regulations; and\n(b) to the exclusion of laws of this jurisdiction to the same or a\nsimilar effect.\n(3) In the Agvet Code, or the Agvet Regulations, of this jurisdiction, a\nreference to an offence against that Code or those Regulations\nincludes a reference to a related offence against the\nCommonwealth ancillary criminal laws.\nPart 3 Citing Agvet Codes and Agvet Regulations of\nother jurisdictions\n9 References to Agvet Codes and Agvet Regulations of other\njurisdictions\n(1) This section has effect for the purposes of an Act, a law of this\njurisdiction or an instrument made under an Act or such a law.\n(2) If a law of a jurisdiction other than this jurisdiction provides that the\nCode set out in the Schedule to the Agricultural and Veterinary\nChemicals Code Act as in force for the time being applies as a law\n\nPart 4 Application of Agvet codes to the Crown\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Northern Territory) Act 1994 7\nof that jurisdiction, the Agvet Code of that jurisdiction is the Agvet\nCode so set out, applying as a law of that jurisdiction.\n(3) If a law of a jurisdiction other than this jurisdiction provides that the\nregulations in force for the time being under section 6 of the\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act apply as\nregulations in force for the purposes of the Agvet Code of that\njurisdiction, the Agvet Regulations of that jurisdiction are those\nregulations as so applying.\n10 References to Agvet Code and Agvet Regulations\n(1) The object of this section is to help ensure that the Agvet Code of\nthis jurisdiction can operate, in appropriate circumstances, as if that\nCode, together with the Agvet Code of each other jurisdiction,\nconstituted a single national Agvet Code applying throughout\nAustralia.\n(2) Subject to this section, a reference in an instrument to the Agvet\nCodes, or to the Agvet Regulations, is taken, for the purposes of\nthe laws of this jurisdiction:\n(a) to be a reference to the Agvet Code, or to the Agvet\nRegulations, of this jurisdiction; and\n(b) to include a separate reference to the Agvet Code, or to the\nAgvet Regulations, of each other jurisdiction.\n(3) Subsection (2) has effect except so far as the contrary intention\nappears in the instrument or the context of the reference otherwise\nrequires.\nPart 4 Application of Agvet codes to the Crown\n11 Agvet Code of this jurisdiction\nThe Agvet Code of this jurisdiction binds the Crown in right of this\njurisdiction and, so far as the legislative power of the Legislative\nAssembly permits, the Crown in all its other capacities.\n12 Crown not liable to prosecution\nNothing in this Part, or in the Agvet Code of this jurisdiction, renders\nthe Crown in any capacity liable to be prosecuted for an offence.\n\nPart 5 Application of Commonwealth Administrative Laws to Agvet Code and Agvet\nRegulations of this jurisdiction\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Northern Territory) Act 1994 8\n13 This Part overrides prerogative\nIf, because of this Part, a provision of the law of another jurisdiction\nbinds the Crown in right of this jurisdiction, the Crown in that right is\nsubject to that provision despite any prerogative right or privilege.\nPart 5 Application of Commonwealth Administrative\nLaws to Agvet Code and Agvet Regulations of\nthis jurisdiction\n14 Object\nThe object of this Part is to help ensure that the Agvet Code of this\njurisdiction and the Agvet Code of each other jurisdiction are\nadministered on a uniform basis.\n15 Application of Commonwealth administrative laws in relation\nto applicable provisions\n(1) The Commonwealth administrative laws apply as laws of this\njurisdiction to any matter arising in relation to the applicable\nprovisions of this jurisdiction as if those provisions were laws of the\nCommonwealth and were not laws of this jurisdiction.\n(2) The provisions of the Agvet Code of this jurisdiction that require the\nNRA to give brief particulars of reasons for decisions do not affect\nthe obligations of the NRA under section 269 of the Administrative\nReview Tribunal Act 2024 (Cth), or section 13 of the Administrative\nDecisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) as those sections apply\nas laws of this jurisdiction under subsection (1) of this section.\n(3) The provisions of the Agvet Code of this jurisdiction that relate to\nthe disclosure of confidential commercial information do not affect\nthe operation of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) as that\nAct applies as a law of this jurisdiction under subsection (1) of this\nsection.\n(4) For the purposes of a law of this jurisdiction, a matter arising in\nrelation to the applicable provisions of this jurisdiction:\n(a) is taken to be a matter arising in relation to laws of the\nCommonwealth in the same way as if those provisions were\nlaws of the Commonwealth; and\n(b) is taken not to be a matter arising in relation to laws of this\njurisdiction.\n\nPart 6 Jurisdiction of Courts\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Northern Territory) Act 1994 9\n(5) Subsection (4) has effect for the purposes of a law of this\njurisdiction except as prescribed by regulations under section 31.\n16 Functions and powers conferred on Commonwealth officers\nand authorities\n(1) A Commonwealth administrative law applying because of\nsection 15 that confers on a Commonwealth officer or authority a\nfunction or power also confers on the officer or authority the same\nfunction or power in relation to a matter arising in relation to an\napplicable provision of this jurisdiction.\n(2) In performing a function or exercising a power conferred by\nsubsection (1), the Commonwealth officer or authority must act as\nnearly as practicable as the officer or authority would act in\nperforming or exercising the same function or power under the\nCommonwealth administrative law.\n17 Reference in Commonwealth administrative law to a provision\nof another law\nFor the purposes of section 15, a reference in a Commonwealth\nadministrative law to a provision of that or another Commonwealth\nadministrative law is taken to be a reference to that provision as\napplying because of that section.\nPart 6 Jurisdiction of Courts\n18 Jurisdiction of Federal Court\n(1) Jurisdiction is conferred on the Federal Court with respect to all civil\nmatters arising under the applicable provisions of this jurisdiction.\n(2) This section does not affect the jurisdiction of the courts of this\njurisdiction.\n19 Exercise of jurisdiction under cross-vesting provisions\nThis Act does not affect the operation of a provision of a law of this\njurisdiction relating to cross-vesting of jurisdiction.\n\nPart 7 National Registration Authority for agricultural and veterinary chemicals\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Northern Territory) Act 1994 10\nPart 7 National Registration Authority for agricultural\nand veterinary chemicals\n20 Conferral of functions and powers on NRA\n(1) The NRA has the functions and powers conferred or expressed to\nbe conferred on it under this Act or the Agvet Code of this\njurisdiction.\n(2) In addition to the powers mentioned in subsection (1), the NRA has\npower to do all things necessary or convenient to be done in\nconnection with the performance of the functions referred to in\nsubsection (1) and, in particular may:\n(a) enter into contracts;\n(b) acquire, hold and dispose of real and personal property;\n(c) occupy, use and control any land or building owned or held\nunder lease by the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory and\nmade available for the purposes of the NRA;\n(d) appoint agents and attorneys, and act as agent for other\npersons; and\n(e) do anything incidental to any of its powers.\n21 Agreements and arrangements\n(1) The Minister, or a person authorised in writing by the Minister, may\nenter into an agreement or arrangement with the Commonwealth\nMinister for the performance of functions or the exercise of powers\nby the NRA as an agent of the State.\n(2) The NRA has the functions and powers mentioned in the\nagreement or arrangement.\n22 Conferral of other functions and powers for purposes of law in\nthis jurisdiction\nThe NRA has power to do acts in this jurisdiction in the\nperformance or exercise of any function or power:\n(a) expressed to be conferred on it by a law of a jurisdiction (other\nthan this jurisdiction) that corresponds to this Act or the Agvet\nCode of this jurisdiction; or\n\nPart 8 Miscellaneous\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Northern Territory) Act 1994 11\n(b) referred to in an agreement or arrangement made under a\nprovision of an Act of a jurisdiction other than this jurisdiction\ncorresponding to section 21.\n23 Commonwealth Minister may give directions in exceptional\ncircumstances\nThe power of the Commonwealth Minister to give directions to the\nNRA under section 10 of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals\n(Administration) Act extends to giving directions in relation to\nfunctions and powers of the NRA conferred under the applicable\nprovisions of this jurisdiction, and the section applies accordingly.\nPart 8 Miscellaneous\n24 Orders\nOrders in force for the time being under section 7 of the Agricultural\nand Veterinary Chemicals Code Act have the same effect for the\npurposes of the Agvet Code of this jurisdiction as they would have if\nthey were provisions of the Agvet Regulations of this jurisdiction.\n25 Manufacturing principles\nSubject to the Agvet Code, and the Agvet Regulations, of this\njurisdiction, the manufacturing principles in force for the time being\nunder section 23 of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Act\nalso have effect for the purposes of Part 8 of that Code.\n26 Delegation\nThe power of delegation of the Commonwealth Minister under\nsection 71 of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals\n(Administration) Act extends to the powers that are expressed to be\nconferred on the Commonwealth Minister under this Act or the\nAgvet Code of this jurisdiction, and the section applies accordingly.\n27 Conferral of powers on state officers\n(1) If an officer of a Department, administrative unit or authority is\nauthorised, under section 69F of the Agricultural and Veterinary\nChemicals (Administration) Act, by the Chief Executive Officer of\nthe NRA to exercise the powers or perform the functions of an\ninspector for the purposes of a particular relevant law those powers\nand functions are conferred on that officer.\n\nPart 8 Miscellaneous\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Northern Territory) Act 1994 12\n(2) Powers and functions conferred as referred to in subsection (l) are\nto be exercised or performed in accordance with the authorisation\nbut are taken to have been validly exercised or performed despite\nany failure to comply with a condition or restriction of the\nauthorisation.\n(3) Words and expressions used in this section have the same\nmeanings as they have in section 69F of the Agricultural and\nVeterinary Chemicals (Administration) Act.\n28 Application of fees and taxes\nAll fees, taxes and other money (other than penalties and fines)\nthat, under the applicable provision of this jurisdiction, are\nauthorised or directed to be payable by or imposed on any person\nmust be paid to the Commonwealth.\n29 Document or substances held by previous registering\nauthority may be given to NRA\nDespite anything in any other law of this jurisdiction, any authority\nof this jurisdiction that, immediately before the commencement of\nthis Act, performed functions under a provision of the law of this\njurisdiction that corresponded to a provision of the Agvet Code of\nthis jurisdiction may give to the NRA any documents or substances\nin its possession or custody that were received by it in the\nperformance of those functions or otherwise relate to the\nperformance of those functions.\n30 Exemptions from liability for damages\n(1) No action, suit or other proceeding for damages lies against the\nState or a person who is or has been a co-ordinator of this\njurisdiction for any loss or injury directly or indirectly suffered as a\nresult of:\n(a) the handling of an approved active constituent for a proposed\nor existing chemical product;\n(b) the handling of a registered chemical product;\n(c) the handling of an active constituent for a proposed or existing\nchemical product, or of a chemical product, in respect of which\na permit or exemption has been issued or given by the NRA;\n(d) an inability to use, or to use in a particular manner, an active\nconstituent for a proposed or existing chemical product:\n(i) because an approval, permit or exemption permitting its\nuse, or permitting its use in that manner, has been\n\nPart 8 Miscellaneous\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Northern Territory) Act 1994 13\nrefused by the NRA or such approval, permit or\nexemption that was previously granted by the NRA has\nbeen suspended or cancelled; or\n(ii) because its use, or its use in that manner, is precluded\nby the conditions of an approval, permit or exemption;\n(e) an inability to use, or to use in a particular manner, a chemical\nproduct:\n(i) because a registration, permit or exemption permitting its\nuse, or permitting its use in that manner, has been\nrefused by the NRA or such a registration, permit or\nexemption that was previously granted by the NRA has\nbeen suspended or cancelled; or\n(ii) because its use, or its use in that manner, is precluded\nby the conditions of a registration, permit or exemption;\n(f) the carrying out of a step in the manufacture of a chemical\nproduct in respect of which a licence has been issued by the\nNRA; or\n(g) an inability to carry out, or to carry out in a particular manner\nor at particular premises, a step in the manufacture of a\nchemical product:\n(i) because a licence to carry out that step, or to carry out\nthat step in that manner or at those premises, has been\nrefused by the NRA or such a licence that was\npreviously granted by the NRA has been suspended or\ncancelled; or\n(ii) because the carrying out of that step, or the carrying out\nof that step in that manner or at those premises, is\nprecluded by the conditions of a licence.\n(2) If an action, suit or other proceeding is brought against a person\nresponsible for the importation, manufacture, supply or handling of:\n(a) an approved active constituent for a proposed or existing\nchemical product;\n(b) a registered chemical product;\n(c) an active constituent for a proposed or existing chemical\nproduct, or a chemical product, in respect of which the NRA\nhas issued a permit or given an exemption; or\n\nPart 9 Imposition of fees and taxes\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Northern Territory) Act 1994 14\n(d) a chemical product in respect of a step in the manufacture of\nwhich the NRA has issued a licence,\nin relation to any loss or injury directly or indirectly suffered because\nof the importation, manufacture, supply or handling of the\nconstituent or product, it is not a defence to that action, suit or other\nproceeding that the NRA had approved the constituent, registered\nthe product, issued a permit or given an exemption in relation to the\nconstituent or the product, or issued a licence in relation to a step in\nthe manufacture of the product.\n(3) Expressions used in this section have the same meanings as in the\nAgvet Code of this jurisdiction.\n30A Eligible laws\nThe following are declared to be eligible laws for the purposes of\nthe definition of permit in section 109 of the Agvet Code of this\njurisdiction:\n(a) Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2012;\n(b) any other law or a provision of a law declared by or under this\nor another Act to be an eligible law for the purposes of that\ndefinition.\n31 Regulations\nThe Administrator may make regulations not inconsistent with this\nAct, prescribing matters:\n(a) required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed; or\n(b) necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or\ngiving effect to this Act.\nPart 9 Imposition of fees and taxes\n32 Fees (including taxes)\nThis section imposes the fees (including fees that are taxes) that\nthe Agvet Regulations of this jurisdiction prescribe.\n\nPart 10 Conferral of functions on Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Northern Territory) Act 1994 15\nPart 10 Conferral of functions on Commonwealth\nDirector of Public Prosecutions\n33 Conferral of functions on Commonwealth Director of Public\nProsecutions\nThe Director of Public Prosecutions of the Commonwealth (the\nDirector) may:\n(a) institute prosecutions on indictment for indictable offences\nagainst the Agvet Code, or the Agvet Regulations, of this\njurisdiction;\n(b) carry on prosecutions of the kind referred to in paragraph (a)\n(except prosecutions instituted by the Attorney-General),\nwhether or not instituted by the Director;\n(c) if the Attorney-General requests the Director in writing to carry\non a prosecution of the kind referred to in paragraph (a) that\nwas instituted by the Attorney-General, carry on the\nprosecution;\n(d) institute proceedings for the commitment of persons for trial in\nrespect of indictable offences against the Agvet Code, or the\nAgvet Regulations, of this jurisdiction;\n(e) institute proceedings for the summary conviction of persons in\nrespect of offences against the Agvet Code, or the Agvet\nRegulations, of this jurisdiction;\n(f) carry on proceedings of a kind referred to in paragraph (d)\nor (e) (whether or not instituted by the Director); and\n(g) do anything incidental or conducive to the performance of any\nof the functions referred to in paragraphs (a) to (f).\n\nENDNOTES\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Northern Territory) Act 1994 16\nENDNOTES\n1 KEY Key to abbreviations\namd = amended od = order\napp = appendix om = omitted\nbl = by-law pt = Part\nch = Chapter r = regulation/rule\ncl = clause rem = remainder\ndiv = Division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired rep = repealed\nf = forms s = section\nGaz = Gazette sch = Schedule\nhdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision\nins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation\nlt = long title sub = substituted\nnc = not commenced\n2 LIST OF LEGISLATION\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Northern Territory) Act 1994 (Act No. 52, 1994)\nAssent date 22 September 1994\nCommenced 15 March 1995 (Gaz S11, 14 March 1995)\nStatute Law Revision Act (No. 2) 1995 (Act No. 42, 1995)\nAssent date 13 October 1995\nCommenced 13 October 1995\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 2004 (Act No. 35, 2004)\nAssent date 4 June 2004\nCommenced 16 May 2005 (Gaz S16, 16 May 2005)\nOaths, Affidavits and Declarations (Consequential Amendments) Act 2010 (Act No. 40,\n2010)\nAssent date 18 November 2010\nCommenced 1 March 2011 (s 2, s 2 Oaths, Affidavits and Declarations Act\n2010 (Act No. 39, 2010) and Gaz G7, 16 February 2011, p 4)\nMedicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2012 (Act No. 13, 2012)\nAssent date 27 April 2012\nCommenced 1 May 2014 (Gaz S22, 2014, p 12)\nJustice and Other Legislation Amendment (Australian Crime Commission) Act 2017\n(Act No. 9, 2017)\nAssent date 31 May 2017\nCommenced 31 May 2017\nStatute Law Revision and Repeals Act 2026 (Act No. 3, 2026)\nAssent date 9 February 2026\nCommenced 10 February 2026 (s 2)\n\nENDNOTES\nAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Northern Territory) Act 1994 17\n3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS\nGeneral amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table\nof amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation\nAmendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22, 2018) to: ss 1, 7 and 30A.\n4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS\ns 3 amd No. 40, 2010, s 118; No. 3, 2026, s 4\ns 7 amd No. 3, 2026, s 5\ns 8 amd No. 3, 2026, s 6\ns 15 amd No. 3, 2026, s 7\ns 17 amd No. 3, 2026, s 8\ns 18 amd No. 9, 2017, s 9\ns 30A ins No. 42, 1995, s 2\namd No. 35, 2004, s 141; No. 13, 2012, s 304","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose of adopting the national Agvet Code and associated administrative framework into NT law. While amendments have updated references (such as substituting the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024 for the former AAT Act) and added specific eligible laws (section 30A), these are maintenance updates rather than scope expansion. The Act has not grown beyond its core function of enabling national uniformity in agricultural and veterinary chemical regulation."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross-referencing to external Commonwealth legislation (Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1993, Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Act 1992, Crimes Act 1914, and five separate Commonwealth administrative law statutes)","Dual-application mechanics requiring the reader to understand both the 'host' NT Act and the 'imported' Commonwealth Code simultaneously","Complex Crown immunity provisions with carve-outs and exceptions (sections 11–13)","Nested conditional logic in section 30 (exemptions from liability) with seven distinct scenarios (a) through (g), each with sub-clauses","Jurisdictional complexity involving interplay between Federal Court, NT courts, and cross-vesting arrangements (Part 6)","17 defined terms in section 3, several of which themselves reference other Commonwealth statutes","Mechanism for 'dynamic' adoption where the adopted Commonwealth laws continue to update automatically in the NT as they change federally"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does:**\n\nThis Act is essentially a 'pipeline' that brings Commonwealth (federal) laws about agricultural and veterinary chemicals into force in the Northern Territory. Instead of the NT writing its own separate rules for pesticides, herbicides, and animal medicines, it adopts the national 'Agvet Code' and 'Agvet Regulations' as if they were NT laws.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n- **Farmers and primary producers** – anyone using pesticides, herbicides, or veterinary medicines in the NT\n- **Chemical manufacturers and suppliers** – companies making or selling these products in the Territory\n- **The National Registration Authority (NRA)** – the federal body that approves and registers these chemicals, which now has powers to operate in the NT\n- **NT government agencies** – which must apply Commonwealth administrative laws (like freedom of information and review tribunal rules) to decisions made under this scheme\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nThe Act creates **national uniformity**. Rather than having eight different sets of rules across Australia, the same chemical safety standards apply whether you're in Darwin or Sydney. This makes it easier for businesses to operate across state borders and ensures consistent protection for human health, animal welfare, and the environment.\n\n**Key features:**\n\n- **Adopts federal law wholesale** – The entire Agvet Code (the main rules) and Agvet Regulations (the detailed procedures) apply in the NT as if the NT Parliament wrote them (sections 5–6)\n- **Brings in Commonwealth administrative law** – Federal laws about judicial review, freedom of information, privacy, and the Ombudsman apply to NT chemical decisions (Part 5)\n- **Federal Court jurisdiction** – The Federal Court can hear disputes about these laws, alongside NT courts (Part 6)\n- **Protects the government** – The Crown (government) must follow the rules but cannot be criminally prosecuted (sections 11–12)\n- **Shields the NRA from liability** – People generally cannot sue the government or NRA coordinators for losses caused by approved chemicals, but equally, NRA approval is not a defence if someone sues a chemical company (section 30)\n- **Federal prosecution powers** – The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions can prosecute offences under these NT-adopted laws (Part 10)"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act retains its original, core purpose: to make the Commonwealth Agvet Code and associated regulations operate in the Northern Territory and to vest administration in the national regulator (the NRA). Subsequent amendments recorded in the endnotes and text (for example, updating which Commonwealth administrative Acts apply, adding ‘eligible laws’ such as the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2012, and minor machinery changes) update and modernise cross‑references and administrative detail but do not materially expand the Act’s fundamental scope beyond adopting and implementing the national agvet regulatory framework in the NT."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross‑references to Commonwealth statutes and subordinate instruments (Agvet Code, Agvet Regulations, multiple Commonwealth administrative Acts)","Large interpretation/definitions section with many technical terms (s 3)","Multiple interlocking regimes (adoption of Code and Regulations, application of Commonwealth administrative laws, NRA powers, DPP prosecutorial role)","Conditional application wording (e.g. matters taken to be Commonwealth matters for certain purposes — s 15(1), s 15(4))","Exceptions and saving provisions (Crown bound but not liable to prosecution — ss 11–12; exemptions from liability — s 30)","Delegation and authorisation pathways (Commonwealth Minister directions, NRA delegations, authorisations of state officers)","Financial flow rule separating fee collection (fees/taxes payable to Commonwealth — ss 28, 32)","References to corresponding laws and other jurisdictions creating multi‑jurisdictional operation and interpretation issues (Parts 3 and 10)","Procedural complexity from imposing Commonwealth administrative review frameworks (merits and judicial review, FOI, Ombudsman, Privacy) onto NT law","Special provisions for transfer of records/substances and compatibility with prior NT authorities (s 29)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does (mechanically)**\n\n- Adopts the Commonwealth agricultural and veterinary chemicals regulatory scheme (the “Agvet Code” and the associated Agvet Regulations) so that it operates as the law of the Northern Territory (NT) (see s 5–6).\n- Treats matters arising under those adopted provisions as if they were Commonwealth matters for the purpose of several Commonwealth administrative laws (for example, merits and judicial review, freedom‑of‑information, Ombudsman and privacy laws) so those Commonwealth processes apply to decisions under the adopted Agvet regime in the NT (see s 14–17, and s 3 definition of “Commonwealth administrative laws”).\n- Confers the National Registration Authority (NRA) the functions and powers to administer the Agvet Code in the NT, and gives the NRA standard corporate powers needed to perform that role (enter contracts, hold property, appoint agents, etc.) (see s 20–22).\n- Allows the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions to institute and conduct prosecutions for offences under the Agvet Code and Regulations as applied in the NT (see s 33).\n- Directs that fees, taxes and other monetary amounts prescribed under the applicable NT Agvet provisions are to be paid to the Commonwealth (see s 28; s 32).\n- Preserves the Agvet Code’s effect against the NT Crown (the Crown is bound) but says the Crown is not liable to be prosecuted (see s 11–12). The Part that applies Commonwealth administrative laws overrides prerogative where necessary (s 13).\n- Provides for transfer of documents or chemical samples held by a prior NT registering authority to the NRA, allows the NRA to authorise NT officers as inspectors, and sets out delegations, manufacturing principles and related machinery (see s 27, s 29, s 24–26).\n- Contains an exemption from suits for damages against the State or the NT coordinator for certain losses flowing from NRA decisions or from handling approved/registered chemical products (s 30).\n\n**Why the law exists (official purpose, attributed)**\n\n- The Act’s stated purpose is to create a uniform, nationally coordinated system for regulating agricultural and veterinary chemical products to protect health, safety and the environment and to support trade and industry competitiveness (Long title and recital). It does that by making the Commonwealth Agvet Code and Regulations operate in the NT and by giving the NRA responsibility for registration, permits, licences and enforcement in the NT (s 5–6, s 20).\n\n**How it changes who decides and who pays**\n\n- Decision‑making centralised: the NRA (a national authority) makes core regulatory decisions about approvals, registrations, permits and licences that affect NT operators (s 20–22). The Commonwealth’s administrative review and remedy mechanisms (merits review, judicial review, FOI, Ombudsman, Privacy) apply to those decisions (s 15).\n- Prosecutions and enforcement may be carried out by Commonwealth authorities: the Commonwealth DPP can prosecute offences under the adopted NT Agvet provisions (s 33). Commonwealth administrative officers exercise review and oversight powers as if the NT provisions were Commonwealth laws (s 16).\n- Money flows to Commonwealth coffers: fees and taxes prescribed under the Agvet regime in the NT are payable to the Commonwealth (s 28, s 32).\n\n**Who is affected and what behaviour will change**\n\n- Affected parties: manufacturers, importers, formulators, distributors, suppliers and users of agricultural and veterinary chemical products operating in the NT; NT government departments and officers authorised as inspectors; and any business needing permits, registrations or licences under the Agvet Code (s 3 definitions; s 20; s 27).\n- Behavioural effects: businesses must comply with the national registration, permit and licensing requirements administered by the NRA (s 20, s 25). They will face the same national administrative processes and potential criminal penalties as elsewhere in Australia; they will use Commonwealth review channels (AAT/tribunal review, judicial review) and Commonwealth FOI/Privacy mechanisms for records related to regulatory decisions (s 15–17).\n\n**Costs, incentives, tradeoffs and implementation risks (mechanisms, not judgements)**\n\n- Compliance costs: firms that import, make or use chemical products face registration, permit, licence and record‑keeping requirements set by the Agvet Code and Regulations, and associated fees (s 5–6; s 32). Those costs are direct (fees/taxes) and indirect (time and administration to meet national standards).\n- Uniformity vs local flexibility: applying the national Code aims to reduce duplicated approvals across jurisdictions (a possible efficiency). The flip side is that NT‑specific operational differences may be constrained by national decisions (mechanism: decisions made by the NRA under s 20 are applied in the NT).\n- Market effects: a national registration can lower barriers to interstate trade by giving single approvals that operate nationally, which may help larger national suppliers and could change competitive dynamics for local/formulator businesses (mechanism: a single NRA registration covers use in the NT as the Code applies there via s 5–6 and s 10). Fees collected by the Commonwealth (s 28) are a cost to operators and a revenue stream removed from NT budgeting.\n- Enforcement and discretion: the NRA and Commonwealth officers have wide powers and a degree of delegated discretion (s 20–23; s 26). The Commonwealth Minister may give directions to the NRA in exceptional circumstances (s 23), creating a potential central oversight lever.\n- Liability allocation: the State (NT) and its coordinator have statutory protection from damage claims for certain losses tied to NRA approvals, registrations, permits, exemptions or licences (s 30). That shifts loss allocation away from the NT in certain scenarios; however, private parties (manufacturers/importers/handlers) remain open to suits—approval by NRA is not a defence in private suits (s 30(2)).\n- Administrative load and coordination risk: the Act requires integration of NT processes with Commonwealth administrative law (s 15–17). Implementation needs IT, record transfer (s 29), and administrative alignment, which creates an operational risk in the short term.\n\n**Other practical notes**\n\n- The Act applies to the Jervis Bay Territory as if it were part of the Australian Capital Territory (s 4).\n- The Act contains machinery for delegations and for state officers to be authorised to act as inspectors under NRA authorisation (s 26–27), which affects how on‑the‑ground compliance checks are carried out.\n- The Act declares certain other laws (for example, the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2012) as “eligible laws” for permit purposes under the Agvet Code (s 30A).\n\n(Primary statutory references: ss 3, 4, 5–6, 10, 11–13, 14–17, 20–23, 24–29, 30–30A, 32, 33.)"},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/agricultural-and-veterinary-chemicals-northern-territory-act-1994","history":"/api/acts/agricultural-and-veterinary-chemicals-northern-territory-act-1994/history","analysis":"/api/acts/agricultural-and-veterinary-chemicals-northern-territory-act-1994/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/agricultural-and-veterinary-chemicals-northern-territory-act-1994/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/agricultural-and-veterinary-chemicals-northern-territory-act-1994/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/agricultural-and-veterinary-chemicals-northern-territory-act-1994/documents"}}