Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Rules 2020
made under the
Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Act 2020
Compilation No. 5
Compilation date: 2 December 2025
Includes amendments: F2025L01463
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Rules 2020 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 2 December 2025 (the compilation date).
The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.
Uncommenced amendments
The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au).
Application, saving and transitional provisions
If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.
Editorial changes
For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.
Presentational changes
The Legislation Act 2003 provides for First Parliamentary Counsel to make presentational changes to a compilation. Presentational changes are applied to give a more consistent look and feel to legislation published on the Register, and enable the user to more easily navigate those documents.
Modifications
If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. Any modifications affecting the law are accessible on the Register.
Self‑repealing provisions
If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.
5A......... Entities prescribed to be foreign entities—universities in Russia or Belarus...........
2
Part 2A— Negotiating and entering core foreign arrangements
2
Division 1—Negotiating core foreign arrangements
2
5C......... Information to be included in notices to the Minister about negotiations................
2
Division 2—Entering core foreign arrangements
3
5D......... Information to be included in notices to the Minister before entering core foreign arrangements and documents to accompany notices..............................................................
3
5E......... Information to be included in notices to the Minister about entering core foreign arrangements and documents to accompany notices..............................................................
3
Part 2B— Entering non-core foreign arrangements
4
5F......... Information to be included in notices to the Minister about proposals to enter non‑core foreign arrangements and documents to accompany notices...................................
4
5G........ Information to be included in notices to the Minister about entering non‑core foreign arrangements and documents to accompany notices..................................................
4
Part 3—The Public Register
5
6............ Information that must be included on the Public Register.......................................
5
Part 4—Application, saving and transitional provisions
5
Division 1—Transitional requirements relating to pre‑existing foreign arrangements
5
7............ Information to be included in notice of pre‑existing foreign arrangement..............
5
8............ Time for giving notices to Minister about pre‑existing core foreign arrangements.
This instrument is the Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Rules 2020.
3 Authority
This instrument is made under the Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Act 2020.
4 Definitions
In this instrument:
Act means the Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Act 2020.
school means a school that provides any of the following kinds of education:
(a) preschool education;
(b) primary education;
(c) secondary education.
Part 2—Exempt arrangements
5 Exempt arrangements
(1) For the purposes of the definition of exempt arrangement in section 4 of the Act, the following kinds of arrangements are exempt arrangements:
(a) core foreign arrangements which:
(i) solely deal with the sharing of information or resources for the management of an emergency in Australia which has been declared (however described) by the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; and
(ii) are negotiated, proposed to be entered or entered, while that emergency is declared;
(b) foreign arrangements solely dealing with minor administrative or logistical matters (including, for example, flights, accommodation, submitting paperwork or visa applications or the timing of conferences or conference sessions);
(c) foreign arrangements solely dealing with child protection.
(2) For the purposes of subsection 13(4) of the Act, a variation of an arrangement is an exempt arrangement if:
(a) the arrangement is a foreign arrangement; and
(b) the State/Territory entity that is party to the arrangement has given the Minister notice under the Act that the State/Territory entity has entered the arrangement; and
(c) the variation is a minor variation that does not alter the substance of the arrangement (including, for example, a variation that alters the number of students involved in a student exchange under an arrangement from 6 to 5).
Note: Under subsection 13(1) of the Act, the Act applies in relation to a variation of an arrangement in the same way it applies in relation to an arrangement.
Part 2AA—Foreign entities
5A Entities prescribed to be foreign entities—universities in Russia or Belarus
For the purposes of paragraph 8(1)(j) of the Act, a university that is located in Russia or Belarus is prescribed.
Part 2A—Negotiating and entering core foreign arrangements
Division 1—Negotiating core foreign arrangements
5C Information to be included in notices to the Minister about negotiations
For the purposes of paragraph 16(2)(c) of the Act, the following information is to be included in a notice given to the Minister under subsection 16(1) of the Act about a proposal to negotiate an arrangement:
(a) the title of the arrangement proposed to be negotiated;
(b) the parties to the arrangement proposed to be negotiated;
(c) a brief statement summarising the subject matter and effect of the arrangement proposed to be negotiated;
(d) whether the arrangement proposed to be negotiated will be legally binding under an Australian law, legally binding under a foreign law or not legally binding;
(e) for each proposed subsidiary arrangement, of the arrangement proposed to be negotiated, that is known to the State/Territory entity at the time the notice is given to the Minister—the information in paragraphs (a) to (d) in relation to the proposed subsidiary arrangement.
Division 2—Entering core foreign arrangements
5D Information to be included in notices to the Minister before entering core foreign arrangements and documents to accompany notices
(1) For the purposes of paragraph 23(2)(e) of the Act, the following information is to be included in a notice given to the Minister under subsection 23(1) of the Act about a proposal to enter an arrangement:
(a) the title of the proposed arrangement;
(b) the parties to the proposed arrangement;
(c) a brief statement summarising the subject matter and effect of the proposed arrangement;
(d) whether the proposed arrangement will be legally binding under an Australian law, legally binding under a foreign law or not legally binding;
(e) details of any information that the State/Territory entity requests the Minister not to include on the Public Register under paragraph 53(3)(a) of the Act and the reasons for the request;
(f) for each proposed subsidiary arrangement, of the proposed arrangement, that is known to the State/Territory entity at the time the notice is given to the Minister—the information in paragraphs (a) to (e) in relation to the proposed subsidiary arrangement.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph 23(2)(f) of the Act, if the State/Territory entity has a copy of a proposed subsidiary arrangement mentioned in paragraph (1)(f) of this section, the notice must be accompanied by a copy of the proposed subsidiary arrangement.
5E Information to be included in notices to the Minister about entering core foreign arrangements and documents to accompany notices
(1) For the purposes of paragraph 29(2)(c) of the Act, the following information is to be included in a notice given to the Minister under subsection 29(1) of the Act about an arrangement:
(a) the title of the arrangement;
(b) the parties to the arrangement;
(c) a brief statement summarising the subject matter and effect of the arrangement;
(d) the day the arrangement was entered and the duration of the arrangement;
(e) whether the arrangement is legally binding under an Australian law, legally binding under a foreign law or not legally binding;
(f) details of any information that the State/Territory entity requests the Minister not to include on the Public Register under paragraph 53(3)(a) of the Act and the reasons for the request;
(g) for each subsidiary arrangement or proposed subsidiary arrangement, of the arrangement, that is known to the State/Territory entity at the time the notice is given to the Minister—the information in paragraphs (a) to (f) in relation to the subsidiary arrangement or proposed subsidiary arrangement.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph 29(2)(d) of the Act, if the State/Territory entity has a copy of a subsidiary arrangement or proposed subsidiary arrangement mentioned in paragraph (1)(g) of this section, the notice must be accompanied by a copy of the subsidiary arrangement or proposed subsidiary arrangement.
Part 2B—Entering non‑core foreign arrangements
5F Information to be included in notices to the Minister about proposals to enter non‑core foreign arrangements and documents to accompany notices
(1) For the purposes of paragraph 34(2)(d) of the Act, the following information is to be included in a notice given to the Minister under subsection 34(1) of the Act about a proposal to enter an arrangement:
(a) the title of the proposed arrangement;
(b) the parties to the proposed arrangement;
(c) a brief statement summarising the subject matter and effect of the proposed arrangement;
(d) whether the proposed arrangement will be legally binding under an Australian law, legally binding under a foreign law or not legally binding;
(e) details of any information that the State/Territory entity requests the Minister not to include on the Public Register under paragraph 53(3)(a) of the Act and the reasons for the request;
(f) for each proposed subsidiary arrangement, of the proposed arrangement, that is known to the State/Territory entity at the time the notice is given to the Minister—the information in paragraphs (a) to (e) in relation to the proposed subsidiary arrangement.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph 34(2)(e) of the Act, if the State/Territory entity has a copy of a proposed subsidiary arrangement mentioned in paragraph (1)(f) of this section, the notice must be accompanied by a copy of the proposed subsidiary arrangement.
5G Information to be included in notices to the Minister about entering non‑core foreign arrangements and documents to accompany notices
(1) For the purposes of paragraph 38(2)(c) of the Act, the following information is to be included in a notice given to the Minister under subsection 38(1) of the Act about an arrangement:
(a) the title of the arrangement;
(b) the parties to the arrangement;
(c) a brief statement summarising the subject matter and effect of the arrangement;
(d) the day the arrangement was entered and the duration of the arrangement;
(e) whether the arrangement is legally binding under an Australian law, legally binding under a foreign law or not legally binding;
(f) details of any information that the State/Territory entity requests the Minister not to include on the Public Register under paragraph 53(3)(a) of the Act and the reasons for the request;
(g) for each subsidiary arrangement or proposed subsidiary arrangement, of the arrangement, that is known to the State/Territory entity at the time the notice is given to the Minister—the information in paragraphs (a) to (f) in relation to the subsidiary arrangement or proposed subsidiary arrangement.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph 38(2)(d) of the Act, if the State/Territory entity has a copy of a subsidiary arrangement or proposed subsidiary arrangement mentioned in paragraph (1)(g) of this section, the notice must be accompanied by a copy of the subsidiary arrangement or proposed subsidiary arrangement.
Part 3—The Public Register
6 Information that must be included on the Public Register
For the purposes of paragraph 53(2)(d) of the Act, the following information is to be included on the Public Register for each foreign arrangement and subsidiary arrangement covered by subsection 53(1) of the Act:
(a) for each decision made by the Minister in relation to the arrangement—the date of the decision;
(b) if the arrangement has been entered—the date the arrangement was entered.
Part 4—Application, saving and transitional provisions
Division 1—Transitional requirements relating to pre‑existing foreign arrangements
7 Information to be included in notice of pre‑existing foreign arrangement
For the purposes of paragraphs 2(5)(c) and 3(3)(e) of Schedule 1 to the Act, the following information is to be included in a notice about a pre‑existing foreign arrangement given to the Minister under subclause 2(3) or 3(2) of Schedule 1 to the Act:
(a) the title of the arrangement;
(b) the parties to the arrangement;
(c) a brief statement summarising the subject matter and effect of the arrangement;
(d) the day the arrangement was entered and the duration of the arrangement;
(e) whether the arrangement is legally binding under an Australian law, legally binding under a foreign law or not legally binding;
(f) details of any information that the State/Territory entity requests the Minister not to include on the Public Register under paragraph 53(3)(a) of the Act and the reasons for the request;
(g) for each subsidiary arrangement of the arrangement—the information in paragraphs (e) and (f) in relation to the subsidiary arrangement.
8 Time for giving notices to Minister about pre‑existing core foreign arrangements
For the purposes of paragraph 2(3)(d) of Schedule 1 to the Act, the period of 6 months is prescribed for a pre‑existing foreign arrangement if:
(a) a core State/Territory entity that is a school is a party to the arrangement; or
(b) a core foreign entity that is a school located in a foreign country is a party to the arrangement.
Part 5—Repeal
9 Repeal
This instrument is repealed on 10 December 2026.
Endnotes
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.
The following endnotes are included in every compilation:
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Endnote 4—Amendment history
Abbreviation key—Endnote 2
The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.
Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4
Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.
The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.
The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.
Editorial changes
The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.
If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.
Misdescribed amendments
A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.
If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
ad = added or inserted
orig = original
am = amended
p = page(s)
amdt = amendment
para = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)
C[x] = Compilation No. x
/sub‑subparagraph(s)
ch = Chapter(s)
pres = present
cl = clause(s)
prev = previous
cont. = continued
(prev…) = previously
def = definition(s)
pt = Part(s)
Dict = Dictionary
r = regulation(s)/Court rule(s)
disallowed = disallowed by Parliament
reloc = relocated
div = Division(s)
renum = renumbered
exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have
rep = repealed
effect
rs = repealed and substituted
gaz = gazette
s = section(s)/subsection(s)
LA = Legislation Act 2003
/rule(s)/subrule(s)/order(s)/suborder(s)
LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003
sch = Schedule(s)
(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment
SLI = Select Legislative Instrument
cannot be given effect
SR = Statutory Rules
mod = modified/modification
sub ch = Sub‑Chapter(s)
No. = Number(s)
sub div = Subdivision(s)
Ord = Ordinance
sub pt = Subpart(s)
underlining = whole or part not
commenced or to be commenced
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Name
Registration
Commencement
Application, saving and transitional provisions
Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Rules 2020