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Commonwealth act
This Act has been repealed and is no longer in force. It is retained for historical reference.
This is a short, wartime-era Commonwealth law designed to promote the physical health and fitness of Australians. Here's what it does in plain terms:
The council's job is to advise the government on things like:
The council can also investigate the causes of physical unfitness in the community and work alongside the National Health and Medical Research Council to do so.
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Direct links to the current provisions in National Fitness Act 1941.
Zoe has indexed the source text for search and analysis. Use the official register for the original document and download formats.
View on official registerSourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
The Minister can use the Fund to:
If the money comes from a private donation, it must be used according to the donor's wishes — the government can't redirect it elsewhere.
The Minister must report to Parliament every year on what has been done under the Act.
This law affects all Australians indirectly, by funding and coordinating fitness programs. It directly affects State fitness councils, schools and universities, and any organisations receiving grants from the Fund.
Enacted during World War II in 1941, this law reflects the government's concern that Australians — particularly potential military recruits — needed to be in better physical shape. It is one of Australia's earliest examples of the Commonwealth government funding public health and physical education programs at a national level.