1
//
© 2026 Zoe. All rights reserved.
Zoe is a legal information platform. Always consult the Federal Register of Legislation for authoritative text.
New South Wales act
Commonwealth Arrangements Act 1900: This Act authorises the Governor of New South Wales, acting with or by agreement with the Governor‑General, to allow Commonwealth use of specified Government Houses and public buildings and to arrange for NSW public servants, works or supplies to be temporarily provided to the Commonwealth. It permits the Governor to set payment rates and other terms. Who pays: the Commonwealth for services and supplies; who decides: the Governor (in agreement with the Governor‑General); behaviour change: temporary deployment of staff and use of facilities under agreed terms.
Want the full deep dive?
Zoe can write the in-depth analysis on top of the summary above: how it works, who it affects and what each part actually does.
Direct links to the current provisions in Commonwealth Arrangements Act 1900.
2 Power to permit use of Government House and public buildings
Subject to such terms and conditions as may be deemed expedient, the Governor may, by agreement with the Governor-General for the Commonwealth or otherwise, make arrangements:
(a) for the use and occupation, by the Governor-General, of the Government House, Sydney, and the Governor’s residence at Moss Vale, and
(b) for the use and occupation by officers of the Commonwealth and the public for the purpose of transacting Commonwealth business of any part of any public building not used exclusively in connection with any department of the public service transferred to the Commonwealth.
3 Temporary assistance by public service
Notwithstanding anything contained in any Act, it shall be lawful for any officer of the public service of New South Wales (other than a responsible Minister of the Crown) with the consent of the Governor to temporarily act within or without the Colony in any office or capacity in which he may be required to act for or on behalf of the Government of the Commonwealth.
4 Service in Commonwealth not to disqualify for State service
The fact that any person is an officer of the Commonwealth shall not disqualify him from also executing the duties of any office in the public service of New South Wales.
5 Arrangement for performance of Commonwealth duties by officer not transferred
Where an officer of the public service of New South Wales who is not transferred to the public service of the Commonwealth performs some duties for the Government of the Commonwealth, it shall be lawful for the Governor, by agreement with the Governor-General or otherwise, to make arrangements for determining:
(a) the rate of payment to be made by the Government of the Commonwealth for the services performed for the Commonwealth by such officer, and
(b) any matters which may require to be adjusted with regard to the performance of such duties by such officer.
6 Arrangement for performance of work or services and supply of articles to Government of Commonwealth
It shall be lawful for the Governor at the request of the Governor-General to authorise and cause any work or services to be performed or any articles to be supplied for or for the use of the Government of the Commonwealth; and the Governor, by agreement with the Governor-General or otherwise, may make arrangements for determining:
(a) the rate of payment to be made by the Government of the Commonwealth for the performance of such work or services or the supply of such articles, and
(b) any matters which may require to be adjusted with regard to the performance of such work or services or the supply of such articles.
Sourced from legislation.nsw.gov.au, CC BY 4.0.
1 Name of Act
This Act may be cited as the Commonwealth Arrangements Act 1900.
2 Power to permit use of Government House and public buildings
Subject to such terms and conditions as may be deemed expedient, the Governor may, by agreement with the Governor-General for the Commonwealth or otherwise, make arrangements:
(a) for the use and occupation, by the Governor-General, of the Government House, Sydney, and the Governor’s residence at Moss Vale, and
(b) for the use and occupation by officers of the Commonwealth and the public for the purpose of transacting Commonwealth business of any part of any public building not used exclusively in connection with any department of the public service transferred to the Commonwealth.
3 Temporary assistance by public service
Notwithstanding anything contained in any Act, it shall be lawful for any officer of the public service of New South Wales (other than a responsible Minister of the Crown) with the consent of the Governor to temporarily act within or without the Colony in any office or capacity in which he may be required to act for or on behalf of the Government of the Commonwealth.
4 Service in Commonwealth not to disqualify for State service
The fact that any person is an officer of the Commonwealth shall not disqualify him from also executing the duties of any office in the public service of New South Wales.
5 Arrangement for performance of Commonwealth duties by officer not transferred
Where an officer of the public service of New South Wales who is not transferred to the public service of the Commonwealth performs some duties for the Government of the Commonwealth, it shall be lawful for the Governor, by agreement with the Governor-General or otherwise, to make arrangements for determining:
(a) the rate of payment to be made by the Government of the Commonwealth for the services performed for the Commonwealth by such officer, and
(b) any matters which may require to be adjusted with regard to the performance of such duties by such officer.
6 Arrangement for performance of work or services and supply of articles to Government of Commonwealth
It shall be lawful for the Governor at the request of the Governor-General to authorise and cause any work or services to be performed or any articles to be supplied for or for the use of the Government of the Commonwealth; and the Governor, by agreement with the Governor-General or otherwise, may make arrangements for determining:
(a) the rate of payment to be made by the Government of the Commonwealth for the performance of such work or services or the supply of such articles, and
(b) any matters which may require to be adjusted with regard to the performance of such work or services or the supply of such articles.