What it does
The Public Health Act 1997 is the principal public health statute of the Australian Capital Territory. It creates the legal architecture for protecting community health through four main mechanisms: regulating activities that pose public health risks (licensing and registration), addressing insanitary conditions, managing notifiable diseases and conditions, and responding to public health emergencies.
The Act has been significantly updated over its life and the current version is Republication No 45, effective 26 November 2025. It works alongside ACT health regulations and other ACT legislation. The overarching objectives (section 4) include protecting the public from public health risks not adequately controlled by other laws, providing health monitoring and population health information, and ensuring an appropriate relationship between individuals and the state in health matters.