{"id":"tas:sr-2026-041","name":"Coroners (Fees, Expenses and Allowances) Regulations 2026","slug":"coroners-fees-expenses-and-allowances-regulations-2026","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"tas","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"41 of 2026","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":488969,"registerId":"tas-tas:sr-2026-041-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-06-22","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Short title","content":"### 1 Short title\n\n> These regulations may be cited as the [Coroners (Fees, Expenses and Allowances) Regulations 2026](/view/html/inforce/2026-10-02/sr-2026-041) .","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"### 2 Commencement\n\n> These regulations take effect on 22 June 2026.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Interpretation","content":"### 3 Interpretation\n\n> In these regulations –\n> \n> > ***Act*** means the [Coroners Act 1995](/view/html/inforce/2026-10-02/act-1995-073) ;\n> \n> > ***Chief Magistrate*** has the same meaning as in the [Magistrates Court Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/2026-10-02/act-1987-045) ;\n> \n> > ***GST*** has the same meaning as in the *A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999* of the Commonwealth;\n> \n> > ***motor vehicle*** has the same meaning as in the [Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999](/view/html/inforce/2026-10-02/act-1999-070) ;\n> \n> > ***Tasmanian State Service Award*** means the Tasmanian State Service Award made under the [Industrial Relations Act 1984](/view/html/inforce/2026-10-02/act-1984-021) in respect of State Service employees and State Service officers;\n> \n> > ***witness*** means a witness in an inquest.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Fees","content":"### 4 Fees\n\n> For the purposes of the Act, the fees specified in [Part 1](#JS1@HS1@EN) of [Schedule 1](#JS1@EN)  –\n> \n> > > (a) are prescribed as the fees that are payable under the Act in respect of the matters to which they relate; and\n> > \n> > > (b) are GST inclusive.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Expenses and allowances payable to witnesses","content":"### 5 Expenses and allowances payable to witnesses\n\n> > (1)  In this regulation –\n> > \n> > > ***CPI figure for Hobart*** means the Consumer Price Index (All Groups) Number for Hobart published by the Australian Statistician under the authority of the *Census and Statistics Act 1905* of the Commonwealth;\n> > \n> > > ***miscellaneous allowance*** means an allowance specified in [Division 2](#JS1@HS2@HT2@EN) of [Part 2](#JS1@HS2@EN) of [Schedule 1](#JS1@EN) ;\n> > \n> > > ***percentage change***, in relation to a financial year, means the percentage change between –\n> > > \n> > > > > (a) the average of the CPI figures for Hobart in respect of the 4 quarters ending on 31 December immediately preceding the financial year; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (b) the average of the CPI figures for Hobart in respect of the 4 quarters ending on 31 December immediately preceding the 4 quarters referred to in [paragraph (a)](#GS5@Gs1@Nd204720@Hpa@EN) ;\n> > \n> > > ***specified expense and allowance*** means an expense and allowance specified in [Division 1](#JS1@HS2@HT1@EN) of [Part 2](#JS1@HS2@EN) of [Schedule 1](#JS1@EN) ;\n> > \n> > > ***subsequent financial year*** means a financial year after the financial year that ends on 30 June 2027.\n> \n> > (2)  For the purposes of the Act and subject to [subregulation (4)](#GS5@Gs4@EN) , an amount of a specified expense and allowance that is payable under the Act to a witness is –\n> > \n> > > > (a) for the financial year ending on 30 June 2026, the amount specified in [Division 1](#JS1@HS2@HT1@EN) of [Part 2](#JS1@HS2@EN) of [Schedule 1](#JS1@EN) in respect of the specified expense and allowance; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) for the financial year ending on 30 June 2027, the amount specified in [Division 1](#JS1@HS2@HT1@EN) of [Part 2](#JS1@HS2@EN) of [Schedule 1](#JS1@EN) in respect of the specified expense and allowance; and\n> > > \n> > > > (c) for a subsequent financial year –\n> > > > \n> > > > > > (i) the amount calculated by increasing the amount of the specified expense and allowance for the immediately preceding financial year by the percentage change for the subsequent financial year; or\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (ii) if an amount calculated under [subparagraph (i)](#GS5@Gs2@Hpc@Hqi@EN) for a financial year is less than the amount of the specified expense and allowance for the immediately preceding financial year, the amount of the specified expense and allowance for that immediately preceding financial year.\n> \n> > (3)  For the purposes of the Act and subject to [subregulation (4)](#GS5@Gs4@EN) , an amount of a miscellaneous allowance that is payable under the Act to a witness is the amount specified in [Division 2](#JS1@HS2@HT2@EN) of [Part 2](#JS1@HS2@EN) of [Schedule 1](#JS1@EN) in respect of the miscellaneous allowance.\n> \n> > (4)  For the purposes of the Act, the Chief Magistrate may –\n> > \n> > > > (a) determine that a professional or expert witness is to be –\n> > > > \n> > > > > > (i) paid an expense and allowance that is equal to or greater than the specified expense and allowance calculated under [subregulation (2)](#GS5@Gs2@EN) ; or\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (ii) paid a miscellaneous allowance that is equal to or greater than the miscellaneous allowance calculated under [subregulation (3)](#GS5@Gs3@EN) ; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) determine the amount that is to be paid to the witness.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"State Service employees and officers not entitled to additional remuneration","content":"### 6 State Service employees and officers not entitled to additional remuneration\n\n> [Regulation 5](#GS5@EN) does not apply to a State Service employee or State Service officer who is entitled to full pay under any of the following while the employee or officer attends as a witness:\n> \n> > > (a) the [State Service Act 2000](/view/html/inforce/2026-10-02/act-2000-085) ;\n> > \n> > > (b) an award or industrial agreement;\n> > \n> > > (c) the person’s instrument of appointment.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"SCHEDULE 1 - Fees, Expenses an","sectionType":"part","heading":"SCHEDULE 1 - Fees, Expenses and Allowances","content":"# SCHEDULE 1 - Fees, Expenses an SCHEDULE 1 - Fees, Expenses and Allowances\n\n[Regulations 4](#GS4@EN) and [5](#GS5@EN)","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"Part 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Fees","content":"# Part 1 Fees\n\n|  | Action | Fee (Fee units) |\n| 1. | A copy of a coroner’s findings | 1 (per page) |\n| 2. | A copy of a post-mortem report | 1 (per page) |\n| 3. | A copy of any other document relating to an investigation | 1 (per page) |\n| 4. | A copy of a transcript where transcript required by direction of the court | 1 (per page) |\n| 5. | A copy of an audio recording of proceedings | 20 |\n| 6. | A copy of a post-mortem photograph | 2 (per photograph) |\n| 7. | A copy of a scene photograph | 2 (per photograph) |\n| 8. | A copy of an audio-visual exhibit | 20 |","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"Part 2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Expenses and Allowances Payable to Witnesses","content":"# Part 2 Expenses and Allowances Payable to Witnesses","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"Division 1","sectionType":"division","heading":"Expenses and allowances","content":"## Division 1 Expenses and allowances\n\n|  | Expense / allowance | Amount ($) |\n| 1. | Professional or expert witness – |  |\n|  | (a) 4 hours or less | 103 |\n|  | (b) more than 4 hours | 103 + 26.70 for each additional hour or part of an hour |\n|  | (c) maximum payable per day (exclusive of any other expenses or allowances payable) | 205.65 |\n|  | (d) travelling expenses (other than in own vehicle) | Actual expenses incurred |\n| 2. | Other witnesses, if employed – |  |\n|  | (a) per day or part of day | 77.70 |\n|  | (b) travelling expenses (other than in own motor vehicle) | Actual expenses incurred |","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"Division 2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Miscellaneous allowances","content":"## Division 2 Miscellaneous allowances\n\n|  | Allowance | Amount ($) |\n| 1. | Professional or expert witness travelling allowance (in own motor vehicle) | As set by the Tasmanian State Service Award, Part IV, Clause 3(d)(ii) and (iii), Occasional user |\n| 2. | Other witnesses, if employed, travelling allowance (in own motor vehicle) | As set by the Tasmanian State Service Award, Part IV, Clause 3(d)(ii) and (iii), Occasional user |\n| 3. | Meal and accommodation allowances | As set by the Tasmanian State Service Award |\n\nDisplayed and numbered in accordance with the *[Rules Publication Act 1953](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1953-050)*.\n\nNotified in the *Gazette* on 17 June 2026\n\nThese regulations are administered in the Department of Justice.","sortOrder":10}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the header and metadata supplied, the substantive clauses and schedules of the 2026 regulations are not available here, so I cannot definitively say the instrument has grown beyond its original purpose. Regulations of this type normally operationalise the Coroners Act by setting fees and processes. If the 2026 version were to add new categories of pay, broaden eligibility, introduce large indexation increases, or insert significant ministerial discretion, that would constitute a material change of scope. To determine whether such changes occurred, I need the full text or a schedule of amendments to compare the 2026 regulations with the prior instrument."},"complexity_factors":["Instrument type normally includes multiple fee items and at least one schedule or table listing rates, increasing line items and administrative detail","Frequent cross-references to the Coroners Act and to other procurement/treasury rules (payment authority, approvals, and audit) tend to increase conditional logic","Possible indexation or review clause (adds recurring, time-dependent mechanics)","Potential exceptions and discretionary clauses (depart-from-rate approvals) create nested decision points","Multiple beneficiary categories (coroners, witnesses, experts, interpreters, pathologists) each with distinct rules increases branch complexity","Administrative conditions (receipt requirements, claim forms, time limits for claims) add procedural complexity"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument is (plain English)\n\n**\n- The Coroners (Fees, Expenses and Allowances) Regulations 2026 are a set of rules that specify the money-related details that support the functioning of the coroner system in Tasmania.  \n\n**What it typically does (mechanics)\n\n**\n- Sets the amounts payable for specific items (for example: fees for expert reports, witness allowances, travel and accommodation reimbursements, hearing fees, and payments to coroners and staff).  \n- Explains who is eligible to receive particular payments (for example: coroners, court officers, witnesses, interpreters, medical experts, or other contractors).  \n- May set conditions for payment (for example: receipts required, maximum daily rates, kilometre rates for travel, and when an expense is claimable).  \n- May contain a schedule or table that lists each fee or allowance and the exact dollar amount, and may include an indexation mechanism (automatic annual increases tied to a price index) or a mechanism for periodic review.  \n\n**Who is affected\n\n**\n- Coroners and coroner’s staff who receive remuneration or allowances under the Coroners Act.  \n- People and organisations who provide services to coronial investigations (medical experts, pathologists, forensic specialists, interpreters, and private investigators) because the regulations determine the rates they can claim.  \n- Witnesses and family members who may be reimbursed for travel or other expenses to attend hearings.  \n- The Tasmanian Government budget and the Treasury, because payments authorised here are met from public funds.  \n\n**Why it matters (purpose claims and testing them)\n\n**\n- Stated purpose (typical): to put detail into the primary law (the Coroners Act) so coronial payments are transparent, administrable and predictable.  \n- Costs and who pays: the cost of higher fees or broader allowances is borne by the State (taxpayer-funded). Narrow, capped fees lower government outlays but may shift costs onto suppliers (experts) who then may decline to provide services or charge private fees outside the scheme.  \n- Incentives and behaviour: the level and timeliness of fees influence whether private experts are willing to take coronial work, how quickly reports are produced, and whether witnesses attend. Low or administratively onerous reimbursements risk delaying investigations or requiring ad hoc commercial arrangements.  \n- Trade-offs and opportunity cost: higher fees increase government spending; lower fees reduce operational budgets for coronial investigations and may increase delays if suppliers opt out. A generous travel/attendance allowance reduces out-of-pocket costs for families and witnesses but raises recurrent budget lines.  \n- Implementation risk and bureaucratic discretion: if the regulations give a departmental official discretion to approve fees above the published rates, that creates decision-making points that require internal guidance and audit to control inconsistency and capture risk.  \n- Compliance burden: claimants need to retain receipts and complete claim forms; agencies need processes to verify and pay claims. The greater the number of distinct fee items and exceptions, the greater the administrative cost.  \n- Effects on private choice and markets: regulated fee ceilings can limit what private experts charge to the State (which can keep public costs down) but may push providers to refuse work or to prioritise private clients if public fees are regularly below market.  \n\n**Practical signals for readers (what to look for in the text)\n\n**\n- Check the schedules for exact dollar amounts and whether they are indexed.  \n- Look for any clauses that permit departure from the listed rates (exceptions or ministerial discretion).  \n- Check cross-references to the Coroners Act and any payment approval processes — these determine who signs off and how disputes about payment are resolved.  \n- Note whether particular categories (e.g. pathologists, interpreters) are assigned different rates — concentrated beneficiaries can emerge where a small supplier group captures favourable rates.  \n\n**Limits of this summary\n\n**\n- The text supplied with your request is the instrument header and metadata. I do not have the regulation clauses and schedules themselves. The points above describe what instruments of this type normally do and the practical consequences to watch for. To give section-specific statements (for example, \"Section 4 says coroners are paid X\"), I need the full regulation text or a link to it. If you paste the schedules/clauses or provide a link, I will: (1) extract and summarise the exact fees and mechanisms, (2) identify any unusual clauses (indexation, discretion to vary rates, special categories), and (3) map concrete winners, losers and compliance steps with section citations."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/coroners-fees-expenses-and-allowances-regulations-2026","history":"/api/acts/coroners-fees-expenses-and-allowances-regulations-2026/history","analysis":"/api/acts/coroners-fees-expenses-and-allowances-regulations-2026/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/coroners-fees-expenses-and-allowances-regulations-2026/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/coroners-fees-expenses-and-allowances-regulations-2026/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/coroners-fees-expenses-and-allowances-regulations-2026/documents"}}