Z Zoe Where to start with an Australian legal problem: plain-English guides, with the legislation and case law behind them.
Section full-source-retrieval-0001 - Crimes Act 1914 - Document excerpt 1 | Zoe
Home / Legislation / Crimes Act 1914 / full-source-retrieval-0001 CTH In Force Act
Crimes Act 1914
full-source-retrieval-0001Document excerpt 1 Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia
Crimes Act 1914
No. 12, 1914
Compilation No. 165
Compilation date: 18 February 2026
Includes amendments: Act No. 1, 2026
This compilation is in 3 volumes
Volume 1: sections 1‑15F
Volume 2: sections 15G‑23W
Volume 3: sections 23WA‑91
Schedule
Endnotes
Each volume has its own contents
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Crimes Act 1914 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 18 February 2026 (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If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.
Contents
Part I—Preliminary
1 Short title
3 Interpretation
3AA State offences that have a federal aspect
Previous section 15F Civil rights not affected
Next section full-source-retrieval-0002 Document excerpt 2
ZoeLaw is not a law firm. Picks are our opinion; we don't share your details.
3B Arrangements with States, Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory
3BA Application of the Criminal Code
Part IAA—Search, information gathering, arrest and related powers (other than powers under delayed notification search warrants)
3CA Nature of functions of magistrate
Division 2—Search warrants
3E When search warrants can be issued
3F The things authorised by a search warrant—general
3FA The things authorised by a search warrant—additional things for digital assets
3G Availability of assistance and use of force in executing a warrant
3H Details of warrant to be given to occupier etc.
3J Specific powers available to constables executing warrant
3JA Extension of time to re‑enter premises in emergency situations
3K Use of equipment to examine or process things
3L Use of electronic equipment at premises
3LAA Use of electronic equipment at other place
3LA Person with knowledge of a computer or a computer system to assist access etc.
3LB Accessing data held on certain premises—notification to occupier of that premises
3M Compensation for damage to equipment
3N Copies of seized things to be provided
3P Occupier entitled to be present during search
3Q Receipts for things seized under warrant or moved
3R Warrants by telephone or other electronic means
3S Restrictions on personal searches
3SA Relationship of this Division to parliamentary privileges and immunities
Division 3—Stopping and searching conveyances
3T Searches without warrant in emergency situations
3U How a constable exercises a power under section 3T
Division 3A—Powers in relation to terrorist acts and terrorism offences
Subdivision A—Definitions
3UB Application of Subdivision
3UC Requirement to provide name etc.
3UD Stopping and searching
3UE Seizure of terrorism related items and serious offence related items
3UEA Emergency entry to premises without warrant
3UEB Emergency entry to premises without warrant—post‑entry warrants
3UH Relationship of Subdivision to other laws
Subdivision C—Prescribed security zones
3UI Applications for declarations
3UJ Minister may make declarations
Subdivision CA—Reporting on exercise of powers under this Division
3UJA Report after powers are exercised
3UJB Annual report on exercise of powers
Subdivision CB—Matters relating to post‑entry warrants
3UJE Nominated ART members
Subdivision D—Sunset provision
Division 3B—Identity information requirements, and move‑on powers, at airports
3UL Definitions—Division 3B
3UM Meaning of major airport
3UN Meaning of public order and safe operation
3UO Determination of airports
3UP Identity information at airports
3UQ Move‑on directions at airports
3UR Move‑on directions at airports—alternative constitutional scope
3US Stop and directions powers at airports
3UT Constables’ and protective service officers’ duties at airports
3UU Directions at airports—offences
Division 4—Arrest and related matters
3V Requirement to furnish name etc.
3W Power of arrest without warrant by constables
3WA Constables’ power of arrest without warrant for a terrorism offence or offence of advocating terrorism
3X Arrest of prisoner unlawfully at large
3Y Power of arrest without warrant of person on bail
3Z Power of arrest without warrant by other persons
3ZB Power to enter premises to arrest offender
3ZC Use of force in making arrest
3ZD Persons to be informed of grounds of arrest
3ZE Power to conduct a frisk search of an arrested person
3ZF Power to conduct an ordinary search of an arrested person
3ZG Power to conduct search of arrested person’s premises
3ZH Power to conduct an ordinary search or a strip search
3ZI Rules for conduct of strip search
3ZJ Taking fingerprints, recordings, samples of handwriting or photographs
3ZK Destruction of identification material
3ZL Offence of refusing to allow identification material to be taken
3ZM Identification parades
3ZN Identification parades for suspects under 18 etc.
3ZO Identification by means of photographs
3ZP Identification procedures where there is more than one suspect
Division 4A—Determining a person’s age
Subdivision A—Preliminary
Subdivision B—Determination of age during investigation
3ZQB Circumstances where investigating official may seek authority to carry out a prescribed procedure
3ZQC Obtaining of consents for the carrying out of a prescribed procedure
3ZQD Withdrawal of consent
3ZQE Recording of giving of information about carrying out a prescribed procedure and relevant responses
Subdivision C—Determination of age during proceedings
3ZQF Circumstances where judge or magistrate may order carrying out of a prescribed procedure on own initiative
Subdivision D—Communication of orders by judges or magistrates
3ZQG Orders made by judges or magistrates concerning carrying out of a prescribed procedure
Subdivision E—Matters relating to the carrying out of prescribed procedures
3ZQH Appropriate medical or other standards to be applied
3ZQI Reasonable and necessary force
Subdivision F—Disclosure and destruction of age determination information
3ZQJ Disclosure of age determination information
3ZQK Destruction of age determination information
Division 4B—Power to obtain information and documents
Subdivision A—Definitions
Subdivision B—Power to request information or documents about terrorist acts from operators of aircraft or ships
3ZQM Power to request information or documents about terrorist acts from operators of aircraft or ships
Subdivision C—Power to obtain documents relating to serious terrorism and non‑terrorism offences
3ZQN Power to obtain documents relating to serious terrorism offences
3ZQO Power to obtain documents relating to serious offences
3ZQP Matters to which documents must relate
3ZQQ Powers conferred on Judges of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) in their personal capacity
3ZQR Documents must be produced
3ZQS Offence for failure to comply with notice under section 3ZQN or 3ZQO
3ZQT Offence for disclosing existence or nature of notice
Division 4C—Using, sharing and returning things seized and documents produced
Subdivision A—Using and sharing things seized and documents produced
3ZQU Purposes for which things and documents may be used and shared
3ZQV Operating seized electronic equipment
3ZQW Compensation for damage to electronic equipment
Subdivision B—Returning things seized and documents produced
3ZQX When things seized or documents produced under Division 2, 4 or 4B must be returned
3ZQY When things seized under Division 3 must be returned
3ZQZA When things seized under Division 3A must be returned
3ZQZB Magistrate may permit a thing seized or document produced under this Part to be retained, forfeited etc.
3ZR Conduct of ordinary searches and frisk searches
3ZS Announcement before entry
3ZT Offence for making false statements in warrants
3ZU Offences relating to telephone warrants
3ZW Delegation by Commissioner
3ZX Law relating to legal professional privilege not affected
Part IAAA—Delayed notification search warrants
3ZZAA Object of this Part
3ZZAB Application of Part
3ZZAD Eligible issuing officers
3ZZAF Nominated ART members
Division 2—Issue of delayed notification search warrants
Subdivision A—The normal process for applying for and issuing delayed notification search warrants
3ZZBA Eligible officer may seek authorisation to apply for a delayed notification search warrant
3ZZBB Authorisation to apply for a delayed notification search warrant
3ZZBC Applying for a delayed notification search warrant
3ZZBD Issuing a delayed notification search warrant
3ZZBE Contents of a delayed notification search warrant
Subdivision B—Delayed notification search warrants by telephone, fax etc.
3ZZBF Delayed notification search warrants by telephone, fax etc.
3ZZBG Authority of delayed notification search warrant by telephone, fax etc.
Subdivision C—Offences relating to applying for warrants etc.
3ZZBH Offence for making false statement in application for delayed notification search warrant
3ZZBI Offence relating to delayed notification search warrant by telephone, fax etc.
Subdivision D—Interaction with other provisions under which search warrants may be issued
3ZZBJ Issue of warrants under other provisions as well as or instead of delayed notification search warrants
Division 3—Exercise of powers under delayed notification search warrants
3ZZCA What is authorised by a delayed notification search warrant
3ZZCB Specific powers available to person executing warrant
3ZZCC Extension of time to re‑enter premises left in emergency situation or to avoid discovery of law enforcement officer
3ZZCD Executing a warrant—assistance, use of force and related matters
3ZZCE Use of equipment to examine or process things
3ZZCF Use of electronic equipment at warrant premises
3ZZCG Use of moved electronic equipment at other place
3ZZCH Operating seized or moved electronic equipment
3ZZCI Compensation for damage to electronic equipment
Division 4—Notice to occupiers
3ZZDA Warrant premises occupier’s notice must be prepared and given
3ZZDB Adjoining premises occupier’s notice must be prepared and given
3ZZDC Time for giving warrant premises occupier’s notice or adjoining premises occupier’s notice
Division 5—Using, sharing and returning things seized
Subdivision A—Using and sharing things seized
3ZZEA Purposes for which things may be used and shared
Subdivision B—Returning things seized
3ZZEB When things seized must be returned
3ZZEC Eligible issuing officer may permit a thing seized to be retained, forfeited etc.
Division 6—Reporting and record‑keeping
3ZZFA Reporting on delayed notification search warrants
3ZZFB Annual reports to Minister
3ZZFC Regular reports to Ombudsman
3ZZFD Keeping documents connected with delayed notification search warrants
3ZZFE Register of delayed notification search warrants
Division 7—Inspections by Ombudsman
3ZZGA Appointment of inspecting officers
3ZZGB Inspection of records by the Ombudsman
3ZZGC Power to obtain relevant information
3ZZGE Ombudsman to be given information etc. despite other laws
3ZZGF Exchange of information between Ombudsman and State or Territory inspecting authorities
3ZZGG Ombudsman not to be sued
3ZZGH Report on inspection
Division 8—Unauthorised disclosure of information
3ZZHA Unauthorised disclosure of information
3ZZIB Law relating to legal professional privilege not affected
Part IAAB—Monitoring of compliance with Part 5.3 supervisory orders etc.
3ZZJA Simplified outline of this Part
3ZZJC Prescribed connection with premises
3ZZJD Privileges not abrogated
3ZZJE Application of Part
Division 2—Powers of constables in relation to premises
Subdivision A—Monitoring powers
3ZZKA Entering premises by consent or under a warrant
3ZZKB General monitoring powers
3ZZKC Operating electronic equipment
3ZZKD Securing electronic equipment to obtain expert assistance
Subdivision B—Powers to ask questions and seek production of documents
3ZZKE Asking questions and seeking production of documents
Subdivision C—Other powers
3ZZKG Availability of assistance and use of force in executing a warrant
Division 3—Powers of constables in relation to persons subject to Part 5.3 supervisory orders
3ZZLA Searching a person by consent or under a warrant
3ZZLD Availability of assistance and use of force in executing a warrant
Division 4—Obligations and incidental powers of constables
3ZZNA Consent of occupier of premises
3ZZNB Consent to search of a person
3ZZNC Announcement before entry under warrant
3ZZND Constable to be in possession of warrant
3ZZNE Details of warrant etc. to be given to occupier
3ZZNF Compensation for damage to electronic equipment
3ZZNG Occupier entitled to be present during search
3ZZNH Person subject to a Part 5.3 supervisory order is entitled to be present during search
Division 5—Monitoring warrants
3ZZOA Monitoring warrant in relation to premises
3ZZOB Monitoring warrant in relation to a person
3ZZOC Restrictions on personal searches
3ZZOD Monitoring warrant must not be executed if the relevant Part 5.3 supervisory order is revoked etc.
Division 6—Monitoring warrants by telephone or other electronic means
3ZZPA Monitoring warrants by telephone or other electronic means
3ZZPB Offences relating to telephone warrants
Division 7—Extension of periods in which things secured
3ZZQA Extension of periods in which things secured
Division 8—Things seized, documents produced, and answers given, under this Part
3ZZRA Receipts for things seized under this Part
3ZZRB Using, sharing and returning things seized under this Part
3ZZRC Using, sharing and returning documents produced under section 3ZZKE
3ZZRD Answers to questions asked under section 3ZZKE
Division 9—Powers of issuing officers
3ZZSA Powers of issuing officers
3ZZTA Conduct of ordinary searches and frisk searches
3ZZTB Protection of persons—control order declared to be void
3ZZTC Dealing with things, information or documents obtained under a monitoring warrant—control order declared to be void
3ZZTD Commissioner to keep documents connected with issue of monitoring warrants
3ZZTE Commissioner to notify Ombudsman in relation to monitoring warrants
Division 11—Inspections by Ombudsman
3ZZUA Appointment of inspecting officers
3ZZUB Inspection of records by the Ombudsman
3ZZUC Power to obtain relevant information
3ZZUE Ombudsman to be given information etc. despite other laws
3ZZUF Exchange of information between Ombudsman and State or Territory inspecting authorities
3ZZUG Ombudsman not to be sued
Part IAABA—Monitoring of compliance with community safety supervision orders etc.
3ZZUHA Simplified outline of this Part
3ZZUHC Application of Part IAAB to community safety supervision orders
Part IAAC—Account takeover warrants
3ZZUJ Simplified outline of this Part
3ZZUL When a person takes control of an online account
3ZZUM Appropriate authorising officer
Division 2—Account takeover warrants
3ZZUN Application for account takeover warrant
3ZZUP Determining the application
3ZZUQ What must an account takeover warrant contain?
3ZZUR What an account takeover warrant authorises
3ZZUS Variation of account takeover warrant
3ZZUT Revocation of account takeover warrant
3ZZUU Discontinuance of execution of account takeover warrant
3ZZUV Restoration of online account
3ZZUW Relationship of this Division to parliamentary privileges and immunities
Division 3—Emergency authorisations
3ZZUX Emergency authorisation—serious risks to person or property
3ZZUY Record of emergency authorisations to be made
3ZZUZ Attributes of emergency authorisations
3ZZVA Application for approval of emergency authorisation
3ZZVB Consideration of application
3ZZVC Magistrate may approve giving of an emergency authorisation
3ZZVD Admissibility of evidence