4Interpretation

### 4 Interpretation > In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears – > > > ***Administrator of Magistrates Courts*** means the person appointed as Administrator of Magistrates Courts under [section 16](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1987-045#GS16@EN) of the [Magistrates Court Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1987-045) ; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 72 of 2005, s. 128, Applied:20 Feb 2006\]*](/view/html/inforce/2006-02-20/act-2005-072#GS128@Hpa@EN) [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 69 of 2013, Sched. 1, Applied:17 Feb 2014\]*](/view/html/inforce/2014-02-17/act-2013-069#JS1@Ja22@GC1@Hpa@EN) ***approved hospital*** has the same meaning as in the [Mental Health Act 2013](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2013-002) ; > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 22 of 1999, s. 4, Applied:01 Nov 1999\]*](/view/html/inforce/1999-11-01/act-1999-022#GS4@Hpa@EN) > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 22 of 1999, s. 4, Applied:01 Nov 1999\]*](/view/html/inforce/1999-11-01/act-1999-022#GS4@Hpa@EN) [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 69 of 2013, Sched. 1, Applied:17 Feb 2014\]*](/view/html/inforce/2014-02-17/act-2013-069#JS1@Ja22@GC1@Hpb@EN) ***approved medical practitioner*** means an approved medical practitioner within the meaning of the [Mental Health Act 2013](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2013-002) ; > > > ***area restriction order*** means an order made under [Division 3](#HP9@HD3@EN) of [Part 9](#HP9@EN) ; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 72 of 2005, s. 128, Applied:20 Feb 2006\]*](/view/html/inforce/2006-02-20/act-2005-072#GS128@Hpb@EN) ***assessment order*** has the meaning given by [section 73](#GS73@EN) ; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 90 of 1999, Sched. 1, Applied:14 Aug 2000\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-08-14/act-1999-090#JS1@Ja23@GC1@EN) ***Australian driver licence*** has the same meaning as in the [Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1999-070) ; > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 76 of 2009, s. 31, Applied:01 Jan 2011\]*](/view/html/inforce/2011-01-01/act-2009-076#GS31@EN) > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 76 of 2009, s. 31, Applied:01 Jan 2011\]*](/view/html/inforce/2011-01-01/act-2009-076#GS31@EN) ***authorised person*** means – > > > > > > (a) the Director of Public Prosecutions or an Australian legal practitioner acting on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions, or > > > > > > > (b) a police officer; or > > > > > > > (c) an Australian legal practitioner employed in the responsible Department in relation to the [Police Offences Act 1935](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1935-044) ; or > > > > > > > (d) a probation officer; > > > ***breach*** includes fail to comply; > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 72 of 2005, s. 128, Applied:20 Feb 2006\]*](/view/html/inforce/2006-02-20/act-2005-072#GS128@Hpc@EN) [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 69 of 2013, Sched. 1, Applied:17 Feb 2014\]*](/view/html/inforce/2014-02-17/act-2013-069#JS1@Ja22@GC1@Hpc@EN) [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 4 of 2023, s. 176, Applied:25 Sep 2023\]*](/view/html/inforce/2023-09-25/act-2023-004#GS176@EN) > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 4 of 2023, s. 176, Applied:25 Sep 2023\]*](/view/html/inforce/2023-09-25/act-2023-004#GS176@EN) ***Chief Psychiatrist*** has the same meaning as in the [Mental Health Act 2013](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2011-999) ; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 29 of 2019, s. 20, Applied:02 Oct 2019\]*](/view/html/inforce/2019-10-02/act-2019-029#GS20@EN) [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 2 of 2023, s. 41, Applied:20 Apr 2023\]*](/view/html/inforce/2023-04-20/act-2023-002#GS41@EN) [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 17 of 2024, s. 41, Applied:01 Nov 2024\]*](/view/html/inforce/2024-11-01/act-2024-017#GS41@EN) ***child sexual offence*** means an offence, committed in relation to a person under the age of 18 years, against [section 124](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS124@EN) , [124A](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-094#JS1@GS124A@EN) , [124B](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-094#JS1@GS124B@EN) , [124C](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-094#JS1@GS124C@EN) , [125](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS125@EN) , [125A](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS125A@EN) , [125B](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS125B@EN) , [125C](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS125C@EN) , [125D](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS125D@EN) , [126](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS126@EN) , [127](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS127@EN) , [129](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS129@EN) , [130](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS130@EN) , [130A](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS130A@EN) , [133](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS133@EN) or [185](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS185@EN) of the *Criminal Code*; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 51 of 2017, s. 4, Applied:14 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-14/act-2017-051#GS4@Hpa@EN) ***community correction order*** means a community correction order made under [section 42AN](#GS42AN@EN) ; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 51 of 2017, s. 4, Applied:14 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-14/act-2017-051#GS4@Hpa@EN) ***community service*** means work or other activity in the community under the direction of a probation officer or supervisor; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 51 of 2017, s. 4, Applied:14 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-14/act-2017-051#GS4@Hpb@EN) ***community service order*** means an order of a court that the offender in respect of whom it is made must perform some work or other activity in the community under the direction of a probation officer or supervisor, but does not include a community correction order; > > > ***compensation order*** means an order made under [Division 2](#HP9@HD2@EN) of [Part 9](#HP9@EN) ; > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 72 of 2005, s. 128, Applied:20 Feb 2006\]*](/view/html/inforce/2006-02-20/act-2005-072#GS128@Hpd@EN) [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 69 of 2013, Sched. 1, Applied:17 Feb 2014\]*](/view/html/inforce/2014-02-17/act-2013-069#JS1@Ja22@GC1@Hpd@EN) > > > ***court*** means the Supreme Court, the Court of Criminal Appeal or a court of petty sessions; > > > ***DCS*** means Director of Corrective Services; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 72 of 2007, Sched. 1, Applied:28 Apr 2008\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-04-28/act-2007-072#JS1@Ja35@GC1@Hpa@EN) ***Director, MPES*** means the Director, Monetary Penalties Enforcement Service appointed under section 8 of the [Monetary Penalties Enforcement Act 2005](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2005-057) ; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 16 of 2006, s. 36, Applied:01 Nov 2006\]*](/view/html/inforce/2006-11-01/act-2006-016#GS36@Hpa@EN) ***detention period*** has the same meaning as in the [Youth Justice Act 1997](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-081) ; > > > ***DPP*** means Director of Public Prosecutions; > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 90 of 1999, Sched. 1, Applied:14 Aug 2000\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-08-14/act-1999-090#JS1@Ja24@GC1@Hpa@EN) > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 90 of 1999, Sched. 1, Applied:14 Aug 2000\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-08-14/act-1999-090#JS1@Ja24@GC1@Hpa@EN) ***driver licence*** has the same meaning as in the [Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1999-070) ; > > > ***driving disqualification order*** means an order of a court under [section 55](#GS55@EN) ; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 20 of 2016, s. 4, Applied:11 Jul 2016\]*](/view/html/inforce/2016-07-11/act-2016-020#GS4@EN) ***drug treatment order*** means a drug treatment order made under [section 27B](#GS27B@EN) ; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 16 of 2006, s. 36, Applied:01 Nov 2006\]*](/view/html/inforce/2006-11-01/act-2006-016#GS36@Hpb@EN) ***earliest release date*** has the same meaning as in the [Youth Justice Act 1997](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-081) ; > > > ***enactment*** means – > > > > > > (a) an Act; or > > > > > > > (b) any other instrument of a legislative character; or > > > > > > > (c) any provision or part of an Act or of any other instrument of a legislative character; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 72 of 2007, Sched. 1, Applied:28 Apr 2008\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-04-28/act-2007-072#JS1@Ja35@GC1@Hpb@EN) ***enforcement debtor*** means a person to whom an enforcement order has been issued under Part 5 of the [Monetary Penalties Enforcement Act 2005](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2005-057) ; > > > ***escape offence*** means an offence under [section 107](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS107@EN) of the *Criminal Code* or an offence committed by a person who has escaped from lawful custody; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 67 of 2004, Sched. 1, Applied:30 Mar 2005\]*](/view/html/inforce/2005-03-30/act-2004-067#JS1@Ja10@GC1@Hpa@EN) ***family violence offence*** means a family violence offence within the meaning of the [Family Violence Act 2004](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2004-067) ; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 2 of 2017, s. 4, Applied:31 Mar 2017\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-03-31/act-2017-002#GS4@EN) ***fine*** means the sum of money payable by an offender under an order of a court made on the offender being found guilty, or convicted, of an offence and includes a sum of money payable as costs, a restitution order and a compensation order; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 51 of 2017, s. 4, Applied:14 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-14/act-2017-051#GS4@Hpc@EN) ***home detention order*** means a home detention order made under [section 42AC](#GS42AC@EN) ; > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 21 of 1999, s. 47, Applied:01 Nov 1999\]*](/view/html/inforce/1999-11-01/act-1999-021#GS47@Hpa@EN) [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 72 of 2005, s. 128, Applied:20 Feb 2006\]*](/view/html/inforce/2006-02-20/act-2005-072#GS128@Hpe@EN) [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 22 of 1999, s. 4, Applied:01 Nov 1999\]*](/view/html/inforce/1999-11-01/act-1999-022#GS4@Hpb@EN) > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 22 of 1999, s. 4, Applied:01 Nov 1999\]*](/view/html/inforce/1999-11-01/act-1999-022#GS4@Hpb@EN) [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 69 of 2013, Sched. 1, Applied:17 Feb 2014\]*](/view/html/inforce/2014-02-17/act-2013-069#JS1@Ja22@GC1@Hpe@EN) ***mental illness*** means a mental illness within the meaning of the [Mental Health Act 2013](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2013-002) ; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 72 of 2007, Sched. 1, Applied:28 Apr 2008\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-04-28/act-2007-072#JS1@Ja35@GC1@Hpc@EN) ***monetary penalty*** means a monetary penalty as defined in section 3 of the [Monetary Penalties Enforcement Act 2005](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2005-057) ; > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 90 of 1999, Sched. 1, Applied:14 Aug 2000\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-08-14/act-1999-090#JS1@Ja24@GC1@Hpb@EN) > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 90 of 1999, Sched. 1, Applied:14 Aug 2000\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-08-14/act-1999-090#JS1@Ja24@GC1@Hpb@EN) ***motor vehicle*** has the same meaning as in the [Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1999-070) ; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 72 of 2007, Sched. 1, Applied:28 Apr 2008\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-04-28/act-2007-072#JS1@Ja35@GC1@Hpd@EN) ***MPCSO*** means a Monetary Penalty Community Service Order issued under section 33 of the [Monetary Penalties Enforcement Act 2005](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2005-057) ; > > > ***non-parole period***, in relation to a sentence of imprisonment, means – > > > > > > (a) in a case to which [section 17(2)(a)](#GS17@Gs2@Hpa@EN) or [18(1)(a)](#GS18@Gs1@Hpa@EN) applies, the whole of the period of the sentence; or > > > > > > > (b) in a case to which [section 17(2)(b)](#GS17@Gs2@Hpb@EN) or [18(1)(b)](#GS18@Gs1@Hpb@EN) applies, the period specified in the order made under that section; or > > > > > > > (c) [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 16 of 2006, s. 36, Applied:01 Nov 2006\]*](/view/html/inforce/2006-11-01/act-2006-016#GS36@Hpc@EN) in any other case, the non-parole period specified in [section 68 of the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-051#GS68@EN) [Corrections Act 1997](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-051) ; > > > ***notification*** means notification in writing; > > > ***Parole Board*** means the Parole Board established under the [Corrections Act 1997](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-059) ; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 48 of 2016, s. 4, Applied:08 Feb 2017\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-02-08/act-2016-048#GS4@EN) ***pre-sentence program*** means a program aimed at addressing the underlying causes of offending; > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 6 of 2008, Sched. 1, Applied:28 Apr 2008\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-04-28/act-2008-006#JS1@Ja8@GC1@EN) [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 76 of 2003, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Jan 2004\]*](/view/html/inforce/2004-01-01/act-2003-076#JS1@Ja69@GC1@EN) > > > ***prison offence*** means an offence specified in [Schedule 1 to the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-051#) [Corrections Act 1997](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-051) ; > > > ***probation officer*** means a probation officer within the meaning of the [Corrections Act 1997](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-059) ; > > > ***probation order*** means an order of a court that the offender in respect of whom it is made be of good behaviour during the period of the order or do or refrain from doing such things as are specified in the order; > > > ***proper officer***, in relation to a court, means the officer or officers of that court prescribed by the rules of that court for the purpose of the provision in which the term is used; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 67 of 2004, Sched. 1, Applied:30 Mar 2005\]*](/view/html/inforce/2005-03-30/act-2004-067#JS1@Ja10@GC1@Hpb@EN) ***rehabilitation program*** means a structured treatment program designed to reduce the likelihood of a person who has committed a family violence offence re-offending; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 67 of 2004, Sched. 1, Applied:30 Mar 2005\]*](/view/html/inforce/2005-03-30/act-2004-067#JS1@Ja10@GC1@Hpb@EN) ***rehabilitation program order*** means an order to attend and participate in a rehabilitation program and in doing so comply with the reasonable directions of a person employed or engaged to conduct such a program; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 21 of 1999, s. 47, Applied:01 Nov 1999\]*](/view/html/inforce/1999-11-01/act-1999-021#GS47@Hpb@EN) ***responsible medical officer*** means a person appointed as responsible medical officer under section 7 of the [Criminal Justice (Mental Impairment) Act 1999](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1999-999) ; > > > ***restitution order*** means an order made under [Division 1](#HP9@HD1@EN) of [Part 9](#HP9@EN) ; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 72 of 2005, s. 128, Applied:20 Feb 2006\]*](/view/html/inforce/2006-02-20/act-2005-072#GS128@Hpf@EN) ***restriction order*** has the meaning given by [section 77](#GS77@EN) ; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 72 of 2005, s. 128, Applied:20 Feb 2006\]*](/view/html/inforce/2006-02-20/act-2005-072#GS128@Hpf@EN) [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 69 of 2013, Sched. 1, Applied:17 Feb 2014\]*](/view/html/inforce/2014-02-17/act-2013-069#JS1@Ja22@GC1@Hpf@EN) ***secure mental health unit*** has the same meaning as in the [Mental Health Act 2013](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2013-002) ; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 72 of 2005, s. 128, Applied:20 Feb 2006\]*](/view/html/inforce/2006-02-20/act-2005-072#GS128@Hpf@EN) ***supervision order*** has the meaning given by [section 77A](#GS77A@EN) ; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 69 of 2013, Sched. 1, Applied:17 Feb 2014\]*](/view/html/inforce/2014-02-17/act-2013-069#JS1@Ja22@GC1@Hpg@EN) ***supervisor*** means a supervisor within the meaning of the [Corrections Act 1997](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-059) ; > > > [*\[Section 4 Amended by No. 69 of 2013, Sched. 1, Applied:17 Feb 2014\]*](/view/html/inforce/2014-02-17/act-2013-069#JS1@Ja22@GC1@Hph@EN) ***treatment order*** has the meaning given by [section 76](#GS76@EN) .