{"id":"nsw:act-1998-015","name":"Saint Andrew’s College Act 1998","slug":"saint-andrew-s-college-act-1998","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"15 of 1998","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":175495,"registerId":"nsw-nsw:act-1998-015-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Part 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary","content":"# Part 1 Preliminary\n\nPart 1 Preliminary","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name of Act","content":"#### 1 Name of Act\n\n1 Name of Act\n\n> This Act is the [Saint Andrew’s College Act 1998](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1998-015).","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"#### 2 Commencement\n\n2 Commencement\n\n> This Act commences on a day or days to be appointed by proclamation.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"#### 3 Definitions\n\n3 Definitions\n\n> In this Act:\n> \n> approved church means any of the following:\n> \n> > (a) the Presbyterian Church of Australia,\n> \n> > (b) the Anglican Church of Australia,\n> \n> > (c) any Protestant church that is part of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches.\n> \n> by-laws means the by-laws made by the Council under section 17 and in force for the time being.\n> \n> College means Saint Andrew’s College, University of Sydney.\n> \n> Council means the Council of Saint Andrew’s College constituted by this Act.\n> \n> elected member means a member of the Council other than the Principal.\n> \n> exercise a function includes perform a duty.\n> \n> function includes a power, authority or duty.\n> \n> Principal means the Principal of the College.\n> \n> repealed Act means the Act repealed by section 18.\n> \n> University means the University of Sydney.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Objects of Saint Andrew’s College","content":"#### 4 Objects of Saint Andrew’s College\n\n4 Objects of Saint Andrew’s College\n\n> The objects of the College are as follows:\n> \n> > (a) to provide residential accommodation for students of the University, and such other classes of persons as the by-laws may prescribe, in association with academic and other forms of assistance,\n> \n> > (b) to provide assistance to those students in their studies and educational development,\n> \n> > (c) to provide those students with the opportunity to receive systematic religious instruction in accordance with the principles of any approved church.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"Part 2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Council of Saint Andrew’s College","content":"# Part 2 Council of Saint Andrew’s College\n\nPart 2 Council of Saint Andrew’s College","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Constitution of Council","content":"#### 5 Constitution of Council\n\n5 Constitution of Council\n\n> > (1) This Act constitutes a corporation with the corporate name of the Council of Saint Andrew’s College.\n> \n> > (2) The Council is a statutory body and a statutory corporation for the purposes of the [Interpretation Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1987-015), but does not represent the State.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Membership and procedure of Council","content":"#### 6 Membership and procedure of Council\n\n6 Membership and procedure of Council\n\n> > (1) The Council consists of 13 members (being 12 elected members and the Principal) each of whom must be a member, as determined by the Council, of an approved church.\n> \n> > (2) The elected members must be elected in accordance with the by-laws.\n> \n> > (3) At least 3 of the elected members must be ordained ministers of an approved church.\n> \n> > (4) A person who is employed by the Council as a member of the staff of the College is not entitled to be elected as a member.\n> \n> > (5) The quorum for a meeting of the Council is 5 members.\n> \n> > (6) A meeting at which a quorum is present is competent to transact any business of the Council.\n> \n> > (7) A decision supported by a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of the Council at which a quorum is present is a decision of the Council.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Functions of Council","content":"#### 7 Functions of Council\n\n7 Functions of Council\n\n> > (1) The functions of the Council are as follows:\n> > \n> > > (a) to control and direct the affairs of the College,\n> > \n> > > (b) to employ staff, including the Principal, for any purpose connected with the conduct of the College,\n> > \n> > > (c) to determine the fees, or other charges, for residential accommodation or for any other amenity or service provided at the College, or that are otherwise payable by residents of the College in connection with the College,\n> > \n> > > (d) to determine from time to time the basis on which a person is considered to be a member of an approved church for the purposes of this Act,\n> > \n> > > (e) to determine the nature and extent of educational assistance (including tutorial services) and other assistance relating to academic life to be provided by the College,\n> > \n> > > (f) such other functions as are conferred or imposed on it by or under this Act, the by-laws or any other law.\n> \n> > (2) Without limiting subsection (1) (f), the Council has the functions conferred on it by section 50 of the [Interpretation Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1987-015).\n> \n> > (3) The Council may do and perform all acts and things that are necessary or convenient for giving effect to its functions or to the objects of the College.\n> \n> > (4) The Council may suspend or remove:\n> > \n> > > (a) any member of staff (including the Principal) from office, or\n> > \n> > > (b) any resident of the college from residency at the College,\n> > \n> > for such reasons as the Council thinks fit.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Power to accept gifts","content":"#### 8 Power to accept gifts\n\n8 Power to accept gifts\n\n> > (1) The Council has power to acquire by gift, bequest or devise any property for the purposes of this Act or the repealed Act and to agree to carry out the conditions of the gift, bequest or devise.\n> \n> > (2) The rule of law against remoteness of vesting does not apply to or in respect of any condition of a gift, bequest or devise to which the Council has agreed.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Dealings with Crown land","content":"#### 9 Dealings with Crown land\n\n9 Dealings with Crown land\n\n> The Council may transfer an interest or estate in, or otherwise deal with, Crown land (within the meaning of the [Crown Land Management Act 2016](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2016-058)) transferred to it or otherwise under its control or management, only if the Council first obtains the Minister’s written approval.\n> \n> **s 9:** Am 2017 No 17, Sch 4.89.","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Delegation of functions","content":"#### 10 Delegation of functions\n\n10 Delegation of functions\n\n> The Council may delegate any of its functions (other than this power of delegation) to:\n> \n> > (a) the Principal, or\n> \n> > (b) any other person or body prescribed by the by-laws.","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"Part 3","sectionType":"part","heading":"College office holders","content":"# Part 3 College office holders\n\nPart 3 College office holders","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Principal of College","content":"#### 11 Principal of College\n\n11 Principal of College\n\n> > (1) The Council may appoint a person who is a member, as determined by the Council, of an approved church to hold office as the Principal of the College for such period as is specified in the instrument of appointment.\n> \n> > (2) The Principal is a member of the Council by reason of holding the office of Principal.\n> \n> > (3) The Principal is, as the head of the College, responsible for the day to day administration of the College. This includes responsibility for the general supervision and control of the students residing at the College.\n> \n> > (4) The Principal has such other functions as may be conferred or imposed on the Principal by or under this Act or the by-laws, or as may be specified by the Council.\n> \n> > (5) The Principal is, in the exercise of the Principal’s functions, subject to such limits or directions as may be provided in or under the by-laws.\n> \n> > (6) The employment of the Principal, as a member of the staff of the College, may be subject to performance reviews by the Council.","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"12","sectionType":"section","heading":"College Chaplain","content":"#### 12 College Chaplain\n\n12 College Chaplain\n\n> > (1) If the person holding office as the Principal is not an ordained minister of an approved church, the Council must appoint an ordained minister of an approved church as Chaplain to the College.\n> \n> > (2) The person holding office as College Chaplain cannot be a member of the Council.","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Vice-Principal","content":"#### 13 Vice-Principal\n\n13 Vice-Principal\n\n> > (1) The Council may appoint a person to hold office as the Vice-Principal of the College for such period as is specified in the instrument of appointment.\n> \n> > (2) The Vice-Principal may, in the absence of the Principal from the College for any extended period (such period being determined by the by-laws), exercise the functions of the Principal, and is taken to be the Principal during any such period.\n> \n> > (3) However, subsection (2) does not confer membership of the Council on the Vice-Principal.","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"14","sectionType":"section","heading":"Visitor","content":"#### 14 Visitor\n\n14 Visitor\n\n> > (1) The Chancellor of the University is the Visitor of the College.\n> \n> > (2) The Visitor has the following functions only:\n> > \n> > > (a) to visit the College for the purposes of examining the manner in which the College is conducted,\n> > \n> > > (b) to report to the Council on any matter relating to the conduct of the College,\n> > \n> > > (c) such ceremonial functions as may be determined by the Council.\n> \n> > (3) Accordingly, the Visitor has no functions or jurisdiction with respect to the resolution of disputes, or the hearing of appeals, concerning staff, student or other matters.","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"Part 4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Administrative provisions","content":"# Part 4 Administrative provisions\n\nPart 4 Administrative provisions","sortOrder":17},{"sectionNumber":"15","sectionType":"section","heading":"Eligibility for residency at College","content":"#### 15 Eligibility for residency at College\n\n15 Eligibility for residency at College\n\n> > (1) A student of the University who is engaged in any course of study is eligible for residency at the College regardless of that person’s religion.\n> \n> > (2) The by-laws may prescribe other classes of persons who are eligible for residency at the College.","sortOrder":18},{"sectionNumber":"16","sectionType":"section","heading":"Protection from personal liability","content":"#### 16 Protection from personal liability\n\n16 Protection from personal liability\n\n> > (1) Anything done or omitted to be done by the Council, a member of the Council, or any person acting under the direction of the Council does not subject a member or person so acting personally to any action, liability, claim or demand if the thing was done or omitted to be done in good faith for the purposes of executing this Act or the by-laws.\n> \n> > (2) The Council may indemnify a member of the Council for any costs, expenses or liabilities incurred by the person as a member of the Council, other than those arising out of conduct involving a lack of good faith.","sortOrder":19},{"sectionNumber":"17","sectionType":"section","heading":"By-laws","content":"#### 17 By-laws\n\n17 By-laws\n\n> > (1) The Council may make by-laws, not inconsistent with this Act, for or with respect to the following matters in connection with the College:\n> > \n> > > (a) the student and staff membership,\n> > \n> > > (b) residency, including matters relating to student and staff admission, room allocation and discipline,\n> > \n> > > (c) student and staff associations,\n> > \n> > > (d) student facilities and instruction,\n> > \n> > > (e) scholarships and bursaries,\n> > \n> > > (f) the appointment and employment of the following:\n> > > \n> > > > (i) the Principal,\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) the Vice-Principal,\n> > > \n> > > > (iii) the Secretary to the Council,\n> > > \n> > > > (iv) College Fellows and Tutors,\n> > > \n> > > > (v) other staff of the College,\n> > \n> > > (g) the election of the elected members of the Council (including eligibility of persons entitled to vote in an election) and their tenure of office,\n> > \n> > > (h) the functions of the Council,\n> > \n> > > (i) the procedure for meetings of the Council (including voting rights) and for the conduct of business at those meetings,\n> > \n> > > (j) the functions of the Secretary of the Council,\n> > \n> > > (k) such other matters as the Council may determine are relevant to the proper conduct of the College.\n> \n> > (2) A certificate under the seal of the Council, or signed by the Secretary of the Council, to the effect that a by-law specified in the certificate was in force on a day specified in the certificate, is evidence that the by-law was in force on that day unless proved otherwise.\n> \n> > (3) A by-law may be amended or repealed by a later by-law made under this section.\n> \n> > (4) A by-law takes effect on the day it is made or on a later day specified for that purpose in the by-law.","sortOrder":20},{"sectionNumber":"Part 5","sectionType":"part","heading":"Miscellaneous provisions","content":"# Part 5 Miscellaneous provisions\n\nPart 5 Miscellaneous provisions","sortOrder":21},{"sectionNumber":"18","sectionType":"section","heading":"Repeal of Saint Andrew’s College Incorporation Act 1867","content":"#### 18 Repeal of Saint Andrew’s College Incorporation Act 1867\n\n18 Repeal of [Saint Andrew’s College Incorporation Act 1867](/view/pdf/asmade/act-1867-sac)\n\n> The Act entitled “An Act to incorporate Saint Andrew’s College as a College within the University of Sydney”, assented to on 12 December 1867, is repealed.","sortOrder":22},{"sectionNumber":"19","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"#### 19\n\n19 (Repealed)","sortOrder":23},{"sectionNumber":"20","sectionType":"section","heading":"Savings and transitional provisions","content":"#### 20 Savings and transitional provisions\n\n20 Savings and transitional provisions\n\n> Schedule 1 has effect.","sortOrder":25},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 1","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Savings and transitional provisions","content":"# Schedule 1 Savings and transitional provisions\n\nSchedule 1 Savings and transitional provisions\n\n(Section 20)","sortOrder":26}],"analysis":{"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available information, the Act appears to have remained focused on its original purpose of providing a legal framework for Saint Andrew's College. The limited amendment history (only two amendments in 26 years) suggests the scope has not meaningfully changed from its original intent."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow, single-institution focus limits complexity","Standard enabling/incorporation legislation — a well-established and straightforward legislative form","Limited substantive content visible in the provided text — primarily metadata and status information rather than operative provisions","Only three versions over 26 years suggests minimal amendment history","No cross-referencing to complex regulatory schemes apparent from the available text"],"plain_english_summary":"Saint Andrew’s College Act 1998 (NSW) is an enabling law that gives the residential college affiliated with the University of Sydney formal legal existence, authority to operate, hold assets, enter contracts and govern itself. \n\nIt affects the College’s students, staff and management, the University of Sydney and NSW government oversight—ensuring the institution can function lawfully and manage its affairs under state authority."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose: reconstituting the governance of Saint Andrew's College. The 1998 Act replaced the 1867 incorporation but did not expand the College's objects or operations beyond residential accommodation, academic support, and religious instruction. The scope is essentially identical to the original 1867 Act's intent, merely modernised for contemporary corporate governance standards."},"complexity_factors":["Straightforward structure with 5 Parts plus a Schedule, totalling around 20 operative sections","Only 11 defined terms in the interpretation section (section 3), most being institutional labels rather than complex legal concepts","Minimal cross-referencing - primarily references to the Interpretation Act 1987 for standard statutory interpretation rules","Simple conditional logic (e.g., 'if the Principal is not ordained, appoint a Chaplain' in section 12)","No nested exceptions or highly conditional operative provisions","Schedule 1 contains standard 'successor corporation' transfer language (common in reconstitution statutes) with protective clauses against triggering contractual defaults","One amendment noted (section 9 regarding Crown land) showing minimal legislative churn since enactment"],"plain_english_summary":"This law sets up the rules for running Saint Andrew's College, a residential college at the University of Sydney.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Establishes a governing body** called the Council of Saint Andrew's College, made up of 13 members (12 elected plus the Principal). All members must belong to specific Protestant churches (Presbyterian, Anglican, or other Reformed churches).\n- **Sets the College's purpose**: providing student housing, academic support, and optional religious instruction based on Protestant principles.\n- **Gives the Council powers** to hire staff (including the Principal), set fees, make rules (by-laws), accept donations, and manage property.\n- **Creates key positions**: Principal (head of the College), Vice-Principal (deputy), Chaplain (required if the Principal isn't an ordained minister), and Visitor (the University Chancellor, who has a ceremonial oversight role).\n- **Protects Council members** from personal legal liability when acting in good faith.\n- **Repeals the old 1867 law** that originally set up the College, and smoothly transfers all assets, debts, and legal matters from the old corporation to the new one.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Students living at or wanting to live at Saint Andrew's College\n- Staff employed by the College\n- Members of the Presbyterian, Anglican, and certain other Protestant churches who want to serve on the Council\n- The University of Sydney\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis modernises the governance of one of Australia's oldest university residential colleges. It keeps the College's religious character (all Council members must be church members, and religious instruction is part of the mission) while ensuring students of any faith can live there. It also ensures the College can continue owning property and operating legally after the old 19th-century corporate structure was wound up."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act replaces the 1867 incorporation Act (s 18) but, by operation of the transitional Schedule, preserves the former Council’s assets, rights, liabilities, existing by‑laws and current membership until new elections (Schedule cls 3, 5, 6). The text therefore reconstitutes governance and restates powers and objects without, on its face, expanding or narrowing the College’s substantive scope beyond continuing and modernising its corporate form and internal governance."},"complexity_factors":["Statutory reconstitution and corporate status of the Council (s 5) combined with continuity from a repealed 1867 Act (s 18, Schedule clauses).","Detailed membership criteria and composition rules, including religious-qualification requirements and a minimum number of ordained ministers (s 6).","Broad functional powers for the Council including fee‑setting, employment, suspension/removal of staff and residents, and discretion to determine membership of an approved church (ss 7, 11, 16).","By‑laws framework granting the Council wide regulatory authority over admissions, elections, staff appointments and internal procedure, plus evidentiary provisions for by‑laws (s 17).","Transitional provisions vesting assets, rights and liabilities in the new Council without further conveyance and preserving existing by‑laws and memberships (Schedule cl 3, 5, 6).","Property constraints: Crown land dealings require Minister's written approval (s 9), creating an external approval gate.","Liability and indemnity rules limiting personal exposure for council members and agents, subject to good faith (s 16).","Delegation rules allowing the Council to delegate functions to the Principal or persons prescribed by by‑laws, but excluding the power of delegation itself (s 10)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Act recreates Saint Andrew’s College as a statutory corporation, sets its objects (providing University student residence, academic support and religious instruction), and prescribes how the College is governed. It establishes a Council with membership rules, powers to set fees, hire staff and make by-laws, and includes protections, delegation rules and property rules. It transfers assets, rights and liabilities from the old corporate body to the new Council. Affected parties include Council members, staff, residents, donors and the University community."},"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"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/saint-andrew-s-college-act-1998","history":"/api/acts/saint-andrew-s-college-act-1998/history","analysis":"/api/acts/saint-andrew-s-college-act-1998/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/saint-andrew-s-college-act-1998/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/saint-andrew-s-college-act-1998/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/saint-andrew-s-college-act-1998/documents"}}