2 Abbreviation key
A = Act NI = Notifiable instrument
AF = Approved form o = order
am = amended om = omitted/repealed
amdt = amendment ord = ordinance
AR = Assembly resolution orig = original
ch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph
CN = Commencement notice pres = present
def = definition prev = previous
DI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously
dict = dictionary pt = part
disallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule
Assembly reloc = relocated
div = division renum = renumbered
exp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No
Gaz = gazette RI = reissue
hdg = heading s = section/subsection
IA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule
ins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision
LA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law
LR = legislation register sub = substituted
LRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced
mod = modified/modification or to be expired
Legislation history 3
3 Legislation history
Gene Technology Act 2003 A2003-57
notified LR 5 December 2003
s 1, s 2 commenced 5 December 2003 (LA s 75 (1))
remainder commenced 5 June 2004 (s 2 and LA s 79)
as amended by
Criminal Code (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences)
Amendment Act 2004 A2004-15 sch 1 pt 1.20
notified LR 26 March 2004
s 1, s 2 commenced 26 March 2004 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.20 commenced 5 June 2004 (LA s 79A)
Health Legislation Amendment Act 2006 (No 2) A2006-46 sch 2 pt 2.7
notified LR 17 November 2006
s 1, s 2 commenced 17 November 2006 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 2 pt 2.7 commenced 18 November 2006 (s 2 (1))
Gene Technology Amendment Act 2008 A2008-10
notified LR 21 April 2008
s 1, s 2 commenced 21 April 2008 (LA s 75 (1))
remainder commenced 1 May 2008 (s 2 and CN2008-5)
Statute Law Amendment Act 2009 A2009-20 sch 3 pt 3.35
notified LR 1 September 2009
s 1, s 2 commenced 1 September 2009 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 3 pt 3.35 commenced 22 September 2009 (s 2)
Statute Law Amendment Act 2011 (No 3) A2011-52 sch 3 pt 3.29
notified LR 28 November 2011
s 1, s 2 commenced 28 November 2011 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 3 pt 3.29 commenced 12 December 2011 (s 2)
Red Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Act 2015 A2015-33
sch 1 pt 1.33
notified LR 30 September 2015
s 1, s 2 commenced 30 September 2015 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.33 commenced 14 October 2015 (s 2)
3 Legislation history
Public Sector Management Amendment Act 2016 A2016-52 sch 1
pt 1.31
notified LR 25 August 2016
s 1, s 2 commenced 25 August 2016 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.31 commenced 1 September 2016 (s 2)
Freedom of Information Act 2016 A2016-55 sch 4 pt 4.11 (as am by
A2017-14 s 19)
notified LR 26 August 2016
s 1, s 2 commenced 26 August 2016 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 4 pt 4.11 commenced 1 January 2018 (s 2 as am by A2017-14
s 19)
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2017
(No 2) A2017-14 s 19
notified LR 17 May 2017
s 1, s 2 commenced 17 May 2017 (LA s 75 (1))
s 19 commenced 24 May 2017 (s 2 (1))
Note This Act only amends the Freedom of Information Act 2016
A2016-55.
Gene Technology Amendment Act 2017 A2017-15 pt 2
notified LR 14 June 2017
s 1, s 2 commenced 14 June 2017 (LA s 75 (1))
pt 2 commenced 15 June 2017 (s 2)
Red Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Act 2018 A2018-33
sch 1 pt 1.18
notified LR 25 September 2018
s 1, s 2 commenced 25 September 2018 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.18 commenced 23 October 2018 (s 2 (4))
Health Legislation Amendment Act 2025 A2025-16 sch 1 pt 1.1
notified LR 26 May 2025
s 1, s 2 commenced 26 May 2025 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.1 commenced 2 June 2025 (s 2)
Legislation history 3
Statute Law Amendment Act 2025 A2025-29 sch 3 pt 3.45, sch 4
pt 4.85
notified LR 6 November 2025
s 1, s 2 commenced 6 November 2025 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 3 pt 3.45, sch 4 pt 4.85 commenced 16 November 2025 (s 2 (1),
(9))
Commencement
s 2 om LA s 89 (4)
External Territories
s 7 am A2025-16 amdt 1.1
Review of certain decisions
s 19 am A2025-16 amdts 1.2-1.6
Ministerial council may issue policy principles
s 21 am A2025-29 amdt 4.85
Ministerial council may issue policy guidelines
s 23 am A2025-29 amdt 4.85
Ministerial council may issue codes of practice
s 24 am A2025-29 amdt 4.85
Independence of regulator
s 30 am A2017-15 s 4
Simplified outline—pt 4
s 31 am A2008-10 s 4
Person not to deal with GMO without licence
s 32 sub A2008-10 s 5
Person not to deal with GMO without licence—strict liability offence
s 33 am A2008-10 s 6, s 7
Person must not breach conditions of GMO licence
s 34 am A2008-10 s 8, s 9
Person must not breach conditions of emergency dealing determination
s 35A ins A2008-10 s 10
Person must not breach conditions of emergency dealing determination—
strict liability offence
s 35B ins A2008-10 s 10
Licences relating to inadvertent dealings
s 40A ins A2008-10 s 11
Regulator may require applicant to give further information
s 42 am A2008-10 s 12
Regulator must consider applications except in certain circumstances
s 43 am A2008-10 s 13, s 14
Division does not apply to an application relating to inadvertent dealings
s 46A ins A2008-10 s 15
am A2017-15 s 5
Division does not apply to an application relating to inadvertent dealings
s 49 sub A2008-10 s 16
am A2017-15 s 6
Regulator must prepare risk assessment and risk management plan
s 50 am A2008-10 s 17, s 18
Limited and controlled release applications
s 50A ins A2008-10 s 19
Matters regulator must take into account in preparing risk assessment and
risk management plan
s 51 am A2008-10 ss 20-22
Public notification of risk assessment and risk management plan
s 52 am A2008-10 ss 23-25; A2015-33 amdt 1.104; A2025-29 amdt
4.85
Regulator must not issue the licence unless satisfied as to risk management
s 56 am A2008-10 s 26, s 27
Other circumstances in which regulator must not issue the licence
s 57 am A2008-10 s 28
Period of licence
s 60 am A2008-10 s 29
Protection of persons who give information
s 67 am A2008-10 s 30
Variation of licence
s 71 am A2008-10 ss 31-35; A2017-15 s 7
s 72 am A2008-10 s 36
GMO licence—annual charge
s 72AA (prev s 72A) renum as s 72AA R4 LA (see A2008-10 s 37)
Emergency dealing determinations
pt 5A hdg ins A2008-10 s 38
Application of Commonwealth emergency dealing determinations
s 72A orig s 72A
renum as s 72AA
pres s 72A
ins A2008-10 s 38
Minister may make emergency dealing determination
s 72B ins A2008-10 s 38
Period of effect of emergency dealing determination
s 72C ins A2008-10 s 38
Effect and conditions of emergency dealing determination
div 5A.3 hdg ins A2008-10 s 38
om A2009-20 amdt 3.83
Period of effect of emergency dealing determination
s 72D ins A2008-10 s 38
Variation, suspension and revocation of emergency dealing determination
div 5A.4 hdg ins A2008-10 s 38
om A2009-20 amdt 3.83
Variation, suspension and revocation of emergency dealing determination
s 72E ins A2008-10 s 38
Notifiable low risk dealings
s 74 am A2017-15 s 8
Regulator may include dealings with GMOs on GMO register
s 78 am A2008-10 s 39
Variation of GMO register
s 80 am A2025-29 amdt 3.152
Simplified outline—pt 7
s 82 am A2008-10 s 40
Application for certification
s 83 am A2008-10 s 41
s 89 am A2008-10 s 42
Transfer of certification
s 89A ins A2008-10 s 43
Application for accreditation
s 91 am A2008-12 s 44
Regulator may accredit organisations
s 92 am A2008-10 s 45, s 46
s 97 am A2008-10 s 47
pt 8 hdg sub A2008-10 s 48
Simplified outline—pt 8
s 99 am A2008-10 s 49
Gene technology ethics and community consultative committee
div 8.3 hdg sub A2008-10 s 50
Gene technology ethics and community consultative committee
s 106 hdg sub A2008-10 s 51
s 106 am A2008-10 s 52
Function of ethics and community committee
s 107 sub A2008-10 s 53
Membership
s 108 am A2008-10 s 54
Remuneration
s 109 am A2008-10 s 54
Regulations
s 110 am A2008-10 s 55
s 110A om A2008-10 s 56
s 111 om A2008-10 s 58
ins A2008-10 s 57
Expert advisers
s 112 om A2008-10 s 58
ins A2008-10 s 57
Gene technology ethics committee
div 8.4 hdg om A2008-10 s 58
Expert advisers
s 113 om A2008-10 s 58
Remuneration
s 114 om A2008-10 s 58
Members and procedures
s 115 om A2008-10 s 58
s 116 om A2008-10 s 58
Simplified outline—pt 9
s 117 am A2017-15 s 9
Annual Report
s 136 am A2017-15 s 10
Quarterly reports
s 136A am A2008-10 s 59
om A2017-15 s 11
Record of GMO dealings
div 9.6 hdg sub A2017-15 s 12
Record of GMO dealings
s 138 hdg sub A2017-15 s 13
s 138 am A2008-10 s 60, s 61; A2017-15 ss 14-16
Simplified outline—pt 10
s 145 am A2008-10 s 62, s 63
Regulator may give directions
s 146 am A2008-10 ss 64-67; A2011-52 amdt 3.103
Simplified outline—pt 11
s 149 am A2008-10 s 68
Powers available to inspectors for monitoring compliance
s 152 am A2008-10 s 69, s 70
Powers available to inspectors for dealing with dangerous situations
s 158 am A2011-52 amdt 3.104
Acts and omissions of representatives
div 12.4 hdg sub A2004-15 amdt 1.24
Monitoring warrants
s 172 am A2006-46 amdt 2.22
Offence-related warrants by telephone, fax etc
s 174 hdg sub A2018-33 amdt 1.33
s 174 am A2018-33 amdt 1.34
Pt 11 does not limit power to impose conditions
s 177 sub A2008-10 s 71
Meaning of reviewable decision and eligible person
s 179 am A2008-12 ss 72-74
Deadlines for making reviewable decisions
s 182 am A2008-10 s 75, s 76
Review of decisions by Commonwealth administrative review tribunal
s 183 hdg sub A2025-16 amdt 1.7
s 183 am A2025-16 amdt 1.8, amdt 1.9
Regulator may declare information is confidential commercial information
s 185 am A2008-10 s 77
Confidential commercial information must not be disclosed
s 187 am A2016-55 amdt 4.13
Acts and omissions of representatives
s 188 sub A2004-15 amdt 1.24
Meaning of terms in s 188
s 189 om A2004-15 amdt 1.24
Transitional provisions
div 12.5 hdg exp 5 June 2006 (s 191A (1))
Transitional provision—dealings covered by genetic manipulation advisory
committee advice to proceed
s 190 exp 5 June 2006 (s 191A (1) (LA s 88 declaration applies))
Regulations may relate to transitional matters
s 191 exp 5 June 2006 (s 191A (1))
Expiry of div 12.5
s 191A exp 5 June 2006 (s 191A (1))
Interference with dealings with GMOs
s 192A am A2008-10 s 78, s 79
Cloning of human beings is prohibited
s 192B om A2025-16 amdt 1.10
Certain experiments involving animal eggs prohibited
s 192C om A2025-16 amdt 1.10
Certain experiments involving putting human and animal cells into human
uterus prohibited
s 192D om A2025-16 amdt 1.10
Approved forms
s 192E am A2025-16 amdt 1.11; am R15 LA
Regulation-making power
s 193 am A2025-29 amdt 4.85
Review of operation of Act
s 194 am A2006-46 amdt 2.23, amdt 2.24; ss renum R3 LA
exp 5 June 2009 (s 194 (6))
Transitional—Gene Technology Amendment Act 2017
pt 13 hdg ins A2017-15 s 17
Meaning of commencement day—pt 13
s 200 ins A2017-15 s 17
Inadvertent dealings applications—s 46A (a) and s 49 (a)
s 201 ins A2017-15 s 17
Variation of licence applications—s 71 (2B)
s 202 ins A2017-15 s 17
Record of GMO dealings—s 138
s 203 ins A2017-15 s 17
Expiry—pt 13
s 204 ins A2017-15 s 17
dict am A2016-52 amdt 1.94
def Commonwealth administrative appeals tribunal om
A2025-16 amdt 1.12
def Commonwealth Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act
om A2025-16 amdt 1.12
def Commonwealth administrative review tribunal ins
A2025-16 amdt 1.13
def consultative committee om A2008-10 s 80
def deal with am A2008-10 s 81
def ethics and community committee ins A2008-10 s 82
def ethics committee om A2008-10 s 83
def GM record am A2017-15 s 18
def inadvertent dealings application ins A2008-10 s 84
def institutional biosafety committee sub A2008-10 s 85
Earlier republications 5
5 Earlier republications
Some earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to
the publication order.
Since 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in
electronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised
republications have also been published in printed format. These republications are
marked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an
authorised republication are identical.
No and date
Effective Last
amendment
made by
for
5 June 2004–
A2004-15 new Act and
amendments by
A2004-15
6 June 2006–
17 Nov 2006
A2004-15 commenced expiry
18 Nov 2006
18 Nov 2006–
30 Apr 2008
A2006-46 amendments by
A2006-46
1 May 2008–
A2008-10 amendments by
A2008-10
6 June 2009–
21 Sept 2009
A2008-10 commenced expiry
22 Sept 2009
22 Sept 2009-
11 Dec 2011
A2009-20 amendments by
A2009-20
12 Dec 2011
12 Dec 2011-
13 Oct 2015
A2011-52 amendments by
A2011-52
14 Oct 2015
14 Oct 2015-
31 Aug 2016
A2015-33 amendments by
A2015-33
1 Sept 2016
1 Sept 2016-
A2016-52 amendments by
A2016-52
15 June 2017-
31 Dec 2017
A2017-15 amendments by
A2017-15
1 Jan 2018
1 Jan 2018–
22 Oct 2018
A2017-15 amendments by
A2016-55 as
amended by
A2017-14
6 Expired transitional or validating provisions
No and date
Effective Last
amendment
made by
for
23 Oct 2018
23 Oct 2018–
A2018-33 amendments by
A2018-33
16 June 2019–
A2018-33 expiry of
transitional
provisions (pt 13)
2 June 2025–
15 Nov 2025
A2025-16 amendments by
A2025-16
6 Expired transitional or validating provisions
This Act may be affected by transitional or validating provisions that have expired.
The expiry does not affect any continuing operation of the provisions (see
Legislation Act 2001, s 88 (1)).
Expired provisions are removed from the republished law when the expiry takes
effect and are listed in the amendment history using the abbreviation ‘exp’ followed
by the date of the expiry.
To find the expired provisions see the version of this Act before the expiry took
effect. The ACT legislation register has point-in-time versions of this Act.