{"id":"status-of-children-regulations-1996","name":"STATUS OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS 1996","slug":"status-of-children-regulations-1996","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nt","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":177153,"registerId":"nt-status-of-children-regulations-1996-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"STATUS OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS 1996","content":"NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\nSTATUS OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS 1996\nAs in force at 1 March 2011\nTable of provisions\nPart 1 General\n1 Citation ............................................................................................ 1\n2 Interpretation ................................................................................... 1\n3 Parentage testing procedures.......................................................... 2\n4 Compliance with Regulations .......................................................... 2\nPart 2 Collection, storage and testing of samples\n5 Samplers ......................................................................................... 2\n6 Provision of information by donor .................................................... 3\n7 Collection of blood samples ............................................................. 3\n8 Collection of bodily samples for DNA typing .................................... 4\n9 Container to be sealed and labelled ................................................ 4\n10 Statement by sampler ...................................................................... 5\n11 Packing and storage requirements .................................................. 6\n12 Testing bodily samples .................................................................... 6\nPart 3 Reports\n13 Reports ............................................................................................ 7\nPart 4 Miscellaneous\n14 Notification of accredited laboratories and nominated reporters ...... 7\n15 Fee for instruments filed with Registrar ........................................... 7\n16 Repeal ............................................................................................. 7\nSchedule\nENDNOTES\n\n\n\nNORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\n____________________\nAs in force at 1 March 2011\n____________________\nSTATUS OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS 1996\nRegulations under the Status of Children Act 1978\nPart 1 General\n1 Citation\nThese Regulations may be cited as the Status of Children\nRegulations 1996.\n2 Interpretation\n(1) In these Regulations, unless the contrary intention appears:\nbodily sample is not limited to a sample of blood.\ndonor means the person required to provide a bodily sample for\nthe purposes of a parentage testing procedure.\nHLA means human leucocyte antigen.\nNATA means the National Association of Testing Authorities of the\nCommonwealth.\nnominated reporter means the person nominated by a laboratory\nto prepare a report relating to the information obtained as a result of\ncarrying out a parentage testing procedure at that laboratory.\nreport means a report in accordance with regulation 13.\nsample means a sample taken from a donor for the purposes of a\nparentage testing procedure.\nsampler means a person who takes a bodily sample from a donor\nfor the purposes of a parentage testing procedure.\ntesting means the implementation, or a part of the implementation,\nof a parentage testing procedure.\n(2) In these Regulations, a reference to a form by number is a\nreference to the form so numbered in the Schedule.\n\nPart 2 Collection, storage and testing of samples\nStatus of Children Regulations 1996 2\n3 Parentage testing procedures\nFor the purposes of the definition of parentage testing procedure\nin section 3 of the Act, the following medical procedures are\nprescribed:\n(a) red cell antigen blood grouping;\n(b) red cell enzyme grouping;\n(c) HLA tissue typing;\n(d) testing for serum markers;\n(e) DNA typing.\n4 Compliance with Regulations\nA parentage testing procedure is taken to be carried out in\naccordance with these Regulations if:\n(a) it is carried out:\n(i) in compliance with Part 2;\n(ii) at a laboratory that is accredited by NATA for the\npurpose of carrying out parentage testing procedures;\nand\n(iii) in accordance with standards of practice that entitle the\nlaboratory to be so accredited; and\n(b) it is supplemented by a report under Part 3.\nPart 2 Collection, storage and testing of samples\n5 Samplers\nA person shall not take a bodily sample from a donor for the\npurposes of a parentage testing procedure unless:\n(a) the person is a medical practitioner; or\n(b) the person is employed by a hospital, a pathology practice, a\nparentage testing practice or a medical practitioner for the\npurpose of taking a bodily sample from a donor.\n\nPart 2 Collection, storage and testing of samples\nStatus of Children Regulations 1996 3\n6 Provision of information by donor\n(1) A sampler shall not take a bodily sample from a donor before the\ndonor or, if appropriate, a person described in subregulation (3),\nhas:\n(a) completed an affidavit in accordance with Form 1; and\n(b) either:\n(i) provided to the sampler a recent photograph of the\ndonor, measuring approximately 45 millimetres by 35\nmillimetres, that shows a full face view of the donor's\nhead and the donor's shoulders against a plain\nbackground; or\n(ii) made a written arrangement with the sampler for a\nphotograph of that kind to be taken.\n(2) Immediately before the sampler takes the bodily sample from the\ndonor, the donor shall complete a declaration in accordance with\nForm 2.\n(3) The affidavit referred to in subregulation (1)(a) and the declaration\nreferred to in subregulation (2):\n(a) where the donor is a person under the age of 18 years – may\nbe completed by a person who is responsible for the long-term\ncare, welfare and development of that person; or\n(b) where the donor is a person who is suffering from a mental\ndisability – shall be completed by:\n(i) a trustee or manager in relation to the person under a\nlaw of the State or Territory of the Commonwealth\nwhose laws apply to the person; or\n(ii) a person who is responsible for the care, welfare and\ndevelopment of the person suffering from a mental\ndisability.\n7 Collection of blood samples\n(1) A sampler may take a sample of blood from a donor only with a\nneedle or syringe that:\n(a) has not been used for any purpose;\n(b) has been sterilised; and\n\nPart 2 Collection, storage and testing of samples\nStatus of Children Regulations 1996 4\n(c) is disposable.\n(2) Before taking a sample of blood from a donor, the sampler shall\nensure that the area of the donor's skin into which the needle is to\nbe inserted to withdraw the blood has been cleaned with an\nantiseptic.\n8 Collection of bodily samples for DNA typing\n(1) This regulation applies to the taking of a bodily sample (except a\nsample of blood) from a donor for the purposes of a parentage\ntesting procedure that is DNA typing.\n(2) A sampler shall not take a bodily sample from a donor with a swab\nunless the swab:\n(a) has not been used for any purpose, and\n(b) has been sterilised.\n(3) A sampler shall not take a body sample from a donor that is a skin\nscraping or a hair root unless the implement used by the sampler to\ntake the sample has been sterilised before use.\n9 Container to be sealed and labelled\n(1) If a bodily sample is taken from a donor, the sampler shall ensure\nthat:\n(a) the sample is placed in a container:\n(i) immediately after it is taken; and\n(ii) in the presence of the donor;\n(b) the container has not previously been used for any purpose;\n(c) the container is sealed in a way that, if it were opened after\nbeing sealed, that fact would be evident on inspection of the\ncontainer;\n(d) the container is labelled in a way that:\n(i) if the label, or part of the label, were removed; or\n(ii) if writing on the label were impaired by alteration or\nerasure,\nthe removal of the label or the impairment would be evident on\ninspection of the container;\n\nPart 2 Collection, storage and testing of samples\nStatus of Children Regulations 1996 5\n(e) the particulars on the label are inscribed in ink and include:\n(i) the full name of the donor;\n(ii) the date of birth and sex of the donor; and\n(iii) the date and time at which the sample was taken; and\n(f) when paragraph (e) is complied with – the sampler and the\ndonor sign the label in ink.\n(2) If the donor is a person under the age of 18 years, the procedures\nspecified in subregulation (1)(a) and (f) may be completed in the\npresence of the person who is responsible for the long-term care,\nwelfare and development of the person under the age of 18 years.\n(3) If the donor is a person who is suffering from a mental disability:\n(a) the procedure specified in subregulation (1)(a) shall be\ncompleted in the presence of:\n(i) a trustee or manager in relation to the person under a\nlaw of a State or Territory of the Commonwealth whose\nlaws apply to the person; or\n(ii) a person who is responsible for the care, welfare and\ndevelopment of the person suffering from a mental\ndisability; and\n(b) the procedure specified in subregulation (1)(f) is taken to be\ncomplied with only if the label is signed:\n(i) by a trustee or manager in relation to the person under a\nlaw of a State or Territory of the Commonwealth whose\nlaws apply to the person; or\n(ii) by a person who is responsible for the care, welfare and\ndevelopment of the person suffering from a mental\ndisability.\n10 Statement by sampler\nAfter taking a bodily sample from a donor, the sampler shall:\n(a) complete a statement in accordance with Form 3;\n(b) affix the photograph of the donor referred to in\nregulation 6(1)(b)(i) to the statement; and\n\nPart 2 Collection, storage and testing of samples\nStatus of Children Regulations 1996 6\n(c) sign his or her name partly on the photograph and partly on\nthe statement in a way that, if the photograph were later\nremoved from the statement, the removal would be evident\nfrom inspection of the statement.\n11 Packing and storage requirements\n(1) A bodily sample shall be packed, stored and transported to a\nlaboratory for testing in a manner that:\n(a) will preserve the integrity of the sample; and\n(b) ensures that the testing of the sample will produce the same\nresults as would have been obtained if the sample had been\ntested immediately after collection.\n(2) The sampler shall ensure that the following documents are sent to\nthe laboratory with the sample:\n(a) the affidavit completed under regulation 6(1)(a);\n(b) the declaration completed under regulation 6(2);\n(c) the statement completed under regulation 10.\n12 Testing bodily samples\n(1) A laboratory to which a bodily sample has been sent for testing\nshall ensure that the testing is completed, where the proposed\nparentage testing procedure is:\n(a) red cell antigen blood grouping, red cell enzyme blood\ngrouping or testing for serum markers – within 6 days after the\nsample is taken;\n(b) HLA tissue typing – within 3 days after the sample is taken; or\n(c) DNA typing – within a reasonable time after the sample is\ntaken.\n(2) If the proposed parentage testing procedure is red cell enzyme\nblood grouping or testing for serum markers, subregulation (1)(a) is\ncomplied with if a dried sample of the bodily sample to be tested is\nprepared within 6 days after the sample is taken from the donor.\n\nPart 4 Miscellaneous\nStatus of Children Regulations 1996 7\nPart 3 Reports\n13 Reports\n(1) For the purposes of section 15 of the Act, a report shall be\nprepared, in accordance with this regulation, relating to the\ninformation obtained as a result of carrying out a parentage testing\nprocedure.\n(2) The report shall be in accordance with Form 4.\n(3) Part 1 of the report shall be completed by the nominated reporter\nidentified in the report.\n(4) Part 2 of the report shall be completed by:\n(a) the person who carried out the parentage testing procedure;\nor\n(b) the person under whose supervision the parentage testing\nprocedure was carried out.\n(5) A report completed otherwise than in accordance with this\nregulation is of no effect.\nPart 4 Miscellaneous\n14 Notification of accredited laboratories and nominated\nreporters\nThe Attorney-General shall publish in the Gazette the names of\nlaboratories accredited by NATA to carry out parentage testing\nprocedures and the nominated reporter for each accredited\nlaboratory.\n15 Fee for instruments filed with Registrar\nFor the purposes of section 10(1) of the Act, the prescribed fee is\n$50.00.\n16 Repeal\nThe Status of Children Regulations (No. 17 of 1979) are repealed.\n\nSchedule\nStatus of Children Regulations 1996 8\nSchedule\nFORM 1\nregulation 6(1)\nPARENTAGE TESTING PROCEDURE\nAFFIDAVIT BY/IN RELATION TO DONOR\nNAME OF CHILD WHOSE PARENTAGE IS IN ISSUE:\n(child's name)\n1. I, (name), of (address), (occupation), make oath and say:\nPART 1\nPart 1 must be completed if the person making the affidavit is the donor\n2. My racial background is (give details).\n3. In the last 2 years:\n(a) I *have/*have not suffered from leukaemia.\n(b) I *have/*have not received a bone marrow transplant.\n*4. The particulars of the *leukaemia/*bone marrow transplant are as\nfollows: (give particulars)\n5. I *have/*have not received a transfusion of blood or a blood product\nwithin the last 6 months.\n*6. The particulars of the transfusion of blood or blood product are as\nfollows: (give particulars)\nPART 2\nPart 2 must be completed if the person making the affidavit is the donor\n2. I am the (relationship or other status in relation to the donor) of (name\nof donor) who was born on (date of birth of donor).\n3. (name of donor) is a person whose racial background is (give details)\n4. In the last 2 years:\n(a) the donor *has/*has not suffered from leukaemia.\n(b) the donor *has/*has not received a bone marrow transplant.\n\nSchedule\nStatus of Children Regulations 1996 9\n*5. The particulars of the *leukaemia/*bone marrow transplant are as\nfollows: (give particulars)\n6. The donor *has/*has not received a transfusion of blood or a blood\nproduct within the last 6 months.\n*7. The particulars of the transfusion of blood or blood product are as\nfollows: (give particulars)\nMade at [place] ________________ on [date] ________________\nBy [signature of deponent] ___________________________________\nWitnessed by\nSignature ______________________________________\nJustice of the peace / commissioner for oaths\nName ______________________________________\nAddress or phone no. _____________________________________\n* Delete if inapplicable.\n\nSchedule\nStatus of Children Regulations 1996 10\nFORM 2\nregulation 6(2)\nPARENTAGE TESTING PROCEDURE\nDECLARATION BY/IN RELATION TO DONOR\nPART 1\nPart 1 must be completed if the person making the declaration is the donor\nI, (name), of (address), (occupation), declare that I *have/*have not received a\ntransfusion of blood or a blood product since I signed the affidavit required by\nregulation 6(1) of the Status of Children Regulations 1996 in respect of this\nparentage testing procedure.\nPART 2\nPart 2 must be completed if the person making the declaration is not the\ndonor\n1. I, (name), of (address), (occupation), declare that:\n2. I am the (state relationship or other status in relation to the donor) of\n(name of donor) who was born on (date of birth of donor).\n3. The donor *has/*has not received a transfusion of blood or a blood\nproduct since *I/*(name of person who signed the affidavit required by\nregulation 6(1) of the Status of Children Regulations 1996) signed the\naffidavit required by regulation 6(1) of the Status of Children\nRegulations 1996 in respect of this parentage testing procedure.\nDated 19 .\n(Signature of person completing declaration)\n* Delete if inapplicable.\n\nSchedule\nStatus of Children Regulations 1996 11\nFORM 3\nregulation 10\nPARENTAGE TESTING PROCEDURE\nCOLLECTION OF BODILY SAMPLES\nSTATEMENT BY SAMPLER\nNAME OF CHILD WHOSE PARENTAGE IS IN ISSUE:\n(child's name)\n1. I, (name of sampler), of (professional address), (occupation), took the\n*bodily sample/*bodily samples specified below at (time) *am/*pm on\n(date) at (place of collection) from the following *person/*persons:\n(a) (name of person, type of bodily sample and person's photograph);\n*(b) (name of person, type of bodily sample and person's photograph);\n*(c) (name of person, type of bodily sample and person's photograph);\n*(d) (name of person, type of bodily sample and person's photograph);\n2. When I took the *bodily sample/*bodily samples specified above, I\nstrictly observed the procedures provided under the Status of Children\nRegulations 1996.\n3. I placed the *bodily sample/*each of the bodily samples specified\nabove in a container that was immediately sealed and then labelled in\naccordance with regulation 9 of the Status of Children\nRegulations 1996.\nDated 19 .\n(Signature of sampler)\n* Delete if inapplicable.\n\nSchedule\nStatus of Children Regulations 1996 12\nFORM 4\nregulation 13\nPARENTAGE TESTING PROCEDURE\nREPORT\nNAME OF CHILD WHOSE PARENTAGE IS IN ISSUE:\n(child's name)\nPART 1\n1. I, (name of nominated reporter), of (address), (occupation), am a\nperson nominated by the laboratory specified below to prepare a report\nfor the purposes of section 15 of the Status of Children Act 1978.\n2. I report that *a parentage testing procedure/ *parentage testing\nprocedures being:\n*(a) red cell antigen blood grouping;\n*(b) red cell enzyme blood grouping;\n*(c) testing for serum markers;\n*(d) HLA tissue typing;\n*(e) DNA typing,\n*has/*have been carried out on the bodily *sample/ *samples contained\nin the sealed *container/ *containers bearing the *name/*names of the\nfollowing *donor/*donors:\n(a) (donor's name, date of birth and relationship to child whose\nparentage is in issue);\n*(b) (donor's name, date of birth and relationship to child whose\nparentage is in issue);\n*(c) (donor's name, date of birth and relationship to child whose\nparentage is in issue);\n*(d) (donor's name, date of birth and relationship to child whose\nparentage is in issue).\n3. Each bodily sample referred to in item 2 is the same bodily sample as\nthe bodily sample specified in the statement completed on (date) by\n(name of sampler) in accordance with Form 3 in the Status of Children\nRegulations 1996.\n\nSchedule\nStatus of Children Regulations 1996 13\n4. The parentage testing *procedure was/*procedures were carried out at\n(name of *laboratory/ *laboratories).\n5. The results of the parentage testing *procedure/ *procedures are set\nout in Part 2 of this report.\n*6. I report that the results of the parentage testing *procedure/*procedures\ncarried out on the bodily *sample/*samples of the donors specified\nabove show that (name of putative parent) is not excluded from\nidentification as the *father/*mother of (name of child whose parentage\nis in issue).\n*7 I further report that the probability that (name of putative parent) is the\ngenetic *father/*mother of (name of child whose parentage is in issue)\nhas been calculated as follows:\n*Paternity/*Maternity Index (figure) to 1\nRelative chance of *Paternity/*Maternity\n(percentage) %\n*6. I report that the results of the parentage testing *procedure/*procedures\ncarried out on the bodily *sample/*samples of the donors specified\nabove show that (name of putative parent) is excluded from\nidentification as the *father/*mother of (name of child whose parentage\nis in issue).\n*7. I further report that the exclusion is based on contradictions of the laws\nof genetic inheritance in (amount) of the (amount) genetic markers:\n(names of the genetic markers and whether the contradictions are of\nthe first or second order).\n*8. I further report (if necessary, provide further explanation of results\ndetailed in items 6 and 7).\nDated 19 .\n(Signature of nominated reporter)\nPART 2\n1. The bodily *sample/*samples referred to in Part 1 of this report were\nreceived at (name of laboratory at which parentage testing *procedure\nwas/*procedures were carried out) on (date).\n\nSchedule\nStatus of Children Regulations 1996 14\n2. The following identification *number was/*numbers were allocated\nrespectively to the bodily *sample/*samples in the\n*container/*containers in respect of which the parentage testing\n*procedure was/*procedures were carried out:\n(a) (name of donor and identification number);\n*(b) (name of donor and identification number);\n*(c) (name of donor and identification number);\n*(d) (name of donor and identification number).\n3. The results obtained from the parentage testing\n*procedure/*procedures are: (set out the results).\nComplete this item if the parentage testing procedure carried out was red cell\nantigen blood grouping, red cell enzyme blood grouping, HLA tissue typing or\ntesting for serum markers\n*4. The results set out above in item 3 refer to the parentage testing\n*procedure/*procedures carried out *by me/*under my supervision on\n(date). The bodily *sample was/*samples were tested with the same\nreagents and in parallel with appropriate known controls. Results from\ncontrols show that all reagents were of correct specificity and normal\npotency. I am satisfied that the results obtained are true and that they\nhave been correctly transcribed from the laboratory workbooks.\nComplete this item if the parentage testing procedure carried out was DNA\ntyping\n*4. The results set out above in item 3 refer to the parentage testing\n*procedure/*procedures carried out *by me/*under my supervision on\n(date). The bodily *sample was/*samples were tested with the same\nprobes/primers and in parallel with appropriate known controls.\nFragment length and/or hybridisation patterns were in accordance with\nscientifically accepted standards. I am satisfied that the results\nobtained have been correctly coded from the fragment and/or\nhybridisation pattern and that they have been correctly transcribed from\nthe laboratory workbooks.\nDated 19 .\n(Signature of person who carried\nout parentage testing procedure\nor person under whose\nsupervision parentage testing\nprocedure was carried out)\n* Delete if inapplicable.\n\nENDNOTES\nStatus of Children Regulations 1996 15\nENDNOTES\n1 KEY\nKey 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\nStatus of Children Regulations (SL No. 29, 1996)\nNotified 1 July 1996\nCommenced 1 July 1996\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\nAct 2010 (Act No. 39, 2010) and Gaz G7, 16 February 2011,\np 4)\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: r 1 and Sch.\n4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS\nsch amd Act No. 40, 2010, s 163","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This instrument stays within the original, narrow purpose of regulating how parentage testing is carried out and reported for the Status of Children Act. Amendments noted in the endnotes (updates to oaths/affidavits and formal drafting changes) are administrative and form-related rather than materially expanding the regulatory subject matter. The Regulations continue to prescribe sample collection, chain-of-custody, accreditation and reporting rules and repeal the earlier 1979 Regulations (regulation 16)."},"complexity_factors":["16 regulations plus Schedule of 4 detailed forms (Forms 1–4).","About 9 defined or specially used terms in interpretation (regulation 2).","Multiple cross-references to the Status of Children Act (definition of parentage testing procedure and reporting regime).","Requirement of NATA accreditation and external standards (regulation 4) — cross-links to external accreditation regime.","Several conditional rules for minors and persons with mental disability (regulations 6(3), 9(2)–(3)).","Tiered timing rules for different test types (regulation 12) creating branching logic.","Detailed chain-of-custody mechanics: tamper-evident seals, labelling, photographs, sampler signatures (regulations 9–10).","Forms bifurcate responsibilities between nominated reporter and testing person (regulation 13 and Form 4).","Administrative elements: Gazette publication (regulation 14), fixed fee for Registrar filings (regulation 15)."],"plain_english_summary":"**What these Regulations do (mechanics first)**\n\n- Prescribe which medical procedures count as \"parentage testing procedures\" for the Status of Children Act: red cell antigen and enzyme grouping, HLA tissue typing, serum marker testing and DNA typing (regulation 3).\n\n- Set minimum rules for who can take samples and how samples must be collected, handled and transported so their integrity is preserved for legal parentage testing:\n  - Only a medical practitioner or someone employed by a hospital, pathology practice, parentage testing practice or medical practitioner may take samples (regulation 5).\n  - Donors must complete an affidavit (Form 1) and either give a recent passport-style photograph or agree to have one taken before sampling; immediately before sampling they must sign a short declaration (Form 2). Proxies may sign for minors and certain mentally disabled persons (regulation 6 and Forms 1–2).\n  - Blood must be taken with single-use sterilised needles/syringes and the skin cleaned before insertion (regulation 7). For non-blood DNA samples, swabs must be unused and sterilised; implements for hair roots or skin scrapings must be sterilised (regulation 8).\n  - Each sample must be placed immediately into a previously unused container in the donor’s presence, sealed in a tamper-evident way, labelled with donor particulars and signed by sampler and donor (regulation 9). Special rules apply for minors and persons with mental disability (regulation 9(2)–(3)).\n  - The sampler must complete a written statement (Form 3), attach the donor photograph and sign across the photograph and statement so removal is evident (regulation 10 and Form 3).\n  - Samples must be packed, stored and transported so that test results would be the same as if tested immediately; the affidavit (Form 1), declaration (Form 2) and sampler’s statement (Form 3) must accompany samples to the laboratory (regulation 11).\n\n- Laboratory and testing rules:\n  - Testing is valid under these Regulations only if it complies with Part 2, is done at a NATA‑accredited laboratory for parentage testing and follows the standards entitling the laboratory to that accreditation; and a report is provided under Part 3 (regulation 4).\n  - Timing requirements for completing tests: serology tests generally within 6 days, HLA within 3 days, DNA “within a reasonable time” (regulation 12).\n\n- Reporting and publication:\n  - Reports must follow Form 4 and be split between the nominated reporter (Part 1 of the Form) and the person who performed or supervised the testing (Part 2). Reports done otherwise are of no effect (regulation 13 and Form 4).\n  - The Attorney‑General publishes in the Gazette the names of NATA‑accredited laboratories and their nominated reporters (regulation 14).\n\n- Administrative items:\n  - A fee of $50 is prescribed for instruments filed with the Registrar (regulation 15).\n  - These Regulations repeal the earlier 1979 Regulations (regulation 16).\n\n**Who is affected**\n\n- Donors (people giving samples), including children and certain mentally disabled persons (regulations 6, 9). They must provide sworn information, a photograph and a declaration about recent transfusions or treatments (Forms 1–2).\n- Samplers (medical practitioners or authorised employees) who must follow detailed collection, sealing, labelling and documentation steps (regulations 5, 7–11, Form 3).\n- Laboratories: must be NATA‑accredited for parentage testing and meet associated standards; they must complete tests within the timeframes and provide Form 4 reports (regulations 4, 12–13).\n- Nominated reporters (laboratory‑nominated persons) who prepare Part 1 of legal reports (regulation 13 and Form 4).\n- The Attorney‑General and Registrar for publication and filing functions (regulations 14–15).\n\n**Why it matters (official purpose claim and practical consequences)**\n\n- The Regulations aim to create a clear chain of custody, standardise sampling and testing procedures, and produce reports that are legally recognised under the Status of Children Act (regulations 3–4, 9, 13). They thereby set the conditions under which parentage testing results will be accepted in legal proceedings.\n\n- Practical trade-offs, costs and incentives:\n  - Compliance burden: samplers and laboratories must follow multiple written steps and keep specific documents (Forms 1–4 must accompany samples) — this increases administrative time and record‑keeping (regulations 6, 10–11, 13).\n  - Accreditation requirement: only NATA‑accredited labs carry out tests for these Regulations to apply (regulation 4). That centralises testing to accredited providers, which may raise per‑test costs for users but provides a consistent standard for legal admissibility.\n  - Timing pressures: short statutory timeframes for serological and HLA tests (regulation 12) create logistical demands on laboratories; DNA is left to a reasonableness standard (regulation 12(1)(c)).\n  - Evidence integrity: sealing, labelling, signature and photograph requirements aim to reduce disputes about tampering or misidentification, at the cost of extra steps at collection (regulations 9–10).\n  - Who pays: the Regulations prescribe a $50 fee for instruments filed with the Registrar (regulation 15); the other costs (sampling, tests, transport, accreditation) are borne by donors, litigants or laboratories depending on procurement arrangements.\n\n**Implementation risks and special issues**\n\n- Substitution effects: tests with different technical and cost profiles (serology vs HLA vs DNA) remain available; parties may select DNA testing for higher probabilistic certainty, subject to laboratory capacity (regulation 3).\n- Vulnerable persons: the Regulations permit proxies for minors and some mentally disabled persons, but add procedural steps (regulation 6(3), regulation 9(2)–(3)).\n- Discretion and standards: the Regulations do not set technical testing protocols themselves but make compliance dependent on NATA accreditation and the laboratory’s standards (regulation 4). That delegates technical detail to accreditation standards and the labs’ practices.\n\n(References are to the numbered Regulations and Forms in the instrument.)"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The regulations remain focused on their original purpose of establishing procedural standards for parentage testing. The 2010 amendments were purely consequential (updating references to oaths and affidavits legislation) and did not expand the scope beyond the original intent of regulating biological parentage determination."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple defined terms in interpretation section (8 terms: bodily sample, donor, HLA, NATA, nominated reporter, report, sample, sampler)","Extensive procedural requirements with multiple conditions (e.g., regulation 9 has 6 sub-paragraphs for container sealing and labelling)","Alternative procedures for vulnerable donors (minors under 18 and persons with mental disabilities) requiring substitute decision-makers","Four prescribed forms in Schedule with detailed completion instructions and conditional fields marked with asterisks","Cross-references to parent Act (Status of Children Act 1978) for definitions like 'parentage testing procedure'","Time-sensitive testing requirements varying by test type (6 days for blood grouping, 3 days for HLA tissue typing, 'reasonable time' for DNA typing)","Dual completion requirements for reports (Part 1 by nominated reporter, Part 2 by tester/supervisor)"],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations set out the rules for DNA and blood testing to determine who a child's parents are in the Northern Territory. They cover how samples must be collected, stored, and tested to ensure the results are reliable and can be used as evidence in court.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **Children and their parents** (or alleged parents) who need to prove biological relationships\n- **Medical professionals** who collect samples (called \"samplers\")\n- **Laboratories** that perform the testing\n- **Courts** deciding family law matters like child support or custody\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Specifies who can take samples:** Only doctors or trained health workers employed by hospitals, pathology labs, or parentage testing services\n- **Sets strict collection rules:** Samples must be taken with sterile, disposable equipment; containers must be sealed and labelled with specific details; donors must provide ID photos and complete legal declarations\n- **Requires accreditation:** Testing must be done at labs accredited by NATA (the National Association of Testing Authorities)\n- **Mandates proper handling:** Samples must be stored and transported to preserve their integrity\n- **Standardises reporting:** Results must follow specific forms and include detailed scientific information\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThese rules ensure that parentage test results are accurate, tamper-proof, and legally admissible. This protects children's rights to know their biological parents, helps courts make fair decisions about parental responsibility and child support, and prevents fraudulent claims."},"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"},"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available information, there is no evidence that the scope of these regulations has shifted from their original intent. They appear to remain focused on procedural and administrative matters supporting the Status of Children Act. However, the commencement date of 01/03/2011 for regulations made in 1996 suggests significant amendments or a reprint may have occurred, which could reflect incremental scope adjustments over time — particularly given evolving laws around assisted reproduction and parentage."},"complexity_factors":["Limited substantive content visible in the extract — the actual regulatory provisions are not included, making full analysis impossible","Regulations interact with a parent Act (Status of Children Act), requiring cross-referencing between documents","Subject matter (parentage and child status law) can involve complex factual scenarios, particularly with assisted reproductive technology","Reprint history suggests the regulations have been amended over time, potentially adding interpretive layers","Jurisdictionally specific to the ACT, so readers must be aware of the federal/territory law distinction"],"plain_english_summary":"The Status of Children Regulations 1996 (ACT) sets out the practical rules supporting the Status of Children Act, governing how children’s legal parentage, birth registration and related administrative matters are handled in the Australian Capital Territory.  \n\nIt affects parents (including those by adoption or assisted reproduction) and children whose legal identity or rights are in question, and matters for inheritance, parental support and official identity documentation; the Attorney‑General’s Department administers the regulations."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/status-of-children-regulations-1996","history":"/api/acts/status-of-children-regulations-1996/history","analysis":"/api/acts/status-of-children-regulations-1996/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/status-of-children-regulations-1996/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/status-of-children-regulations-1996/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/status-of-children-regulations-1996/documents"}}