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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This Act has been repealed and is no longer in force. It is retained for historical reference.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 amending Act — it doesn't create a new scheme but instead makes targeted changes to the existing Commonwealth public service superannuation (retirement savings) framework. Here's what it actually does:
The Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Act 1973 had just been created, establishing a new retirement scheme specifically for Australian Defence Force members. This Act updates the older public service superannuation scheme (dating back to 1922) to properly connect with — and avoid conflicts with — that new Defence Force scheme.
Updates a name: Changes a reference from the "Canberra Community Hospital Board" to the "Canberra Hospital Management Board" — a simple administrative fix reflecting a renamed body.
Broadens ministerial delegation: Allows a minister to authorise someone else (in writing) to exercise certain powers over employees of approved authorities — a practical administrative flexibility measure.
Defers (pauses) superannuation contributions for Defence Force members: If a public servant joins the Defence Force and starts contributing to the Defence Force retirement scheme, their contributions to the public service superannuation fund are until they leave the Defence Force or stop being a public servant. When that happens, all the accumulated deferred contributions are paid into the superannuation fund in one go.
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Direct links to the current provisions in Superannuation Act (No. 2) 1973.
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.
Prevents double-dipping on children's pensions: If a child is already receiving a pension under the Defence Force scheme because their parent contributed to that scheme, they cannot also receive a pension under the public service scheme for the same parent. This stops the same child getting paid twice from two government schemes.
Coordinates invalidity (disability) pensions: If a public servant who is also a Defence Force member becomes disabled, complex rules ensure they aren't unfairly disadvantaged. If their entitlement under one scheme is reduced or cancelled (under specific sections of the Defence Force Act), the public service superannuation board can top up their pension to make up the difference. The board also has power to pay equivalent benefits in cases where someone would otherwise fall through the cracks.
Links transfer value rules to the new Defence Force scheme: When calculating what someone is owed if they move between employment schemes (called a "transfer value"), the new Defence Force scheme is now formally recognised alongside the old one.
Backdates some changes: Several of the above amendments are backdated to 1 October 1972 — meaning they apply as if they had always been law from that date, ensuring people who were affected during that period are not disadvantaged.
Without this Act, the creation of the new Defence Force retirement scheme would have left gaps and inconsistencies — people could have been required to contribute to two schemes simultaneously, children could have received double pensions, and disabled veterans moving between schemes could have lost entitlements. This Act tidies up those loose ends.