102 Regulation-making power
The Executive may make regulations for this Act.
Section 1.1
(see s 41 and s 80)
1.1 Application—sch 1
This schedule applies to a search of a person conducted, or authorised
to be conducted, by a police officer under section 41 (Search of
person taken into custody under preventative detention order) or
section 80 (Power to search people under special powers).
1.2 Definitions—sch 1
(1) In this Act:
frisk search, of a person, means—
(a) a search of the person conducted by quickly running the hands
over the person’s outer clothing or by passing an electronic
metal detection device over or close to the person’s outer
clothing; and
(b) an examination of anything worn or carried by the person that is
conveniently and voluntarily removed by the person, including
an examination conducted by passing an electronic metal
detection device over or close to the thing.
ordinary search, of a person, means a search of the person or of
anything in the person’s possession, and may include—
(a) requiring the person to remove only the person’s overcoat, coat,
jacket or a similar article of clothing and any footwear, gloves
or headwear; and
(b) an examination of them.
Section 1.3
strip search, of a person, means a search of the person or of anything
in the person’s possession, and may include—
(a) requiring the person to remove the person’s clothes; and
(b) an examination of the person’s body (but not of the person's
body cavities) and of the person’s clothes.
(2) In this section:
electronic metal detection device means an electronic device that can
detect the presence of metallic objects.
1.3 Frisk searches and ordinary searches
(1) A police officer who is authorised to search a person may conduct a
frisk search or an ordinary search of the person for any purpose for
which the search may be conducted.
(2) In conducting a frisk search, a police officer may, if the officer has
asked the person to remove an overcoat, coat, jacket or similar article
of clothing, treat the person’s outer clothing as being the person’s
outer clothing after that article of clothing has been removed.
1.4 Strip searches
(1) A police officer who is authorised to search a person may conduct a
strip search of the person if the officer suspects, on reasonable
grounds, that—
(a) the person is a target person; and
(b) it is necessary to conduct a strip search of the person to find and
seize something; and
(c) the thing can only be found and seized by conducting a strip
search of the person.
(2) If a police officer conducts a strip search, the officer must record the
reasons for conducting the search.
Section 1.5
1.5 Preservation of privacy and dignity during search etc
(1) A police officer who conducts a search of a person must—
(a) comply with this section as far as practicable; and
(b) if not practicable to comply with this section in any respect—
record the noncompliance and the reasons for it.
(2) The police officer must tell the person—
(a) whether the person will be required to remove clothing during
the search; and
(b) if so, why it is necessary to remove the clothing.
(3) If the person asks for the reasons for the search being conducted in a
particular way, the police officer must tell the person the reasons.
(4) The police officer must ask for the person’s cooperation.
(5) The police officer must conduct the search—
(a) in a way that provides reasonable privacy for the person; and
(b) as quickly as is practicable.
(6) The police officer must conduct the least invasive kind of search
practicable.
(7) The police officer must not search the genital area of the person
searched or, for a female, the person’s breasts unless the officer
suspects, on reasonable grounds, that it is necessary to do so for the
purposes of the search.
(8) If the person searched is of the opposite sex to the police officer, the
officer may conduct the search only if the officer believes, on
reasonable grounds, that the seriousness and urgency of the
circumstances require the officer to conduct the search.
(9) If the police officer acts under subsection (8), the officer must record
the reasons for acting under that subsection.
Section 1.6
(10) Subject to subsection (8), a search must be conducted by—
(a) a police officer of the same sex as the person searched; or
(b) another person of the same sex as the person searched, under the
direction of a police officer.
(11) A search of the person must not be carried out while the person is
being questioned.
(12) If questioning has not been completed before the search is carried out,
it must be suspended while the search is carried out.
(13) If clothing is seized because of the search, the police officer must
ensure the person searched is left with or given reasonably
appropriate clothing.
(14) In this section:
questioning, of a person, means questioning the person or carrying
out an investigation (in which the person participates).
1.6 Rules for conduct of strip searches
(1) A police officer who conducts a strip search of a person must—
(a) comply with this section as far as practicable; and
(b) if not practicable to comply with this section in any respect—
record the noncompliance and the reasons for it.
(2) The search must be conducted in a private area or an area that
provides reasonable privacy for the person searched.
(3) Subject to subsection (9), the search must not be conducted in the
presence or view of a person who is of the opposite sex to the person
searched.
(4) Except as provided by this section, the search must not be conducted
in the presence or view of a person whose presence is not necessary
for the search or the safety of everyone present.
Section 1.6
(5) If the police officer suspects, or has grounds to suspect, that the
person searched is a child or a person with impaired decision-making
ability, the search must be conducted in the presence of a parent or
guardian of the person.
(6) However, if the presence of a parent or guardian is not acceptable to
the person searched, the search must be conducted in the presence of
someone else who—
(a) is not a police officer; and
(b) can support and represent the interests of the person; and
(c) is acceptable to the person.
(7) The search must not involve—
(a) the removal of more clothes than is reasonably necessary to
conduct the search; or
(b) the removal of more clothes at any time than is reasonably
necessary to conduct the search; or
(c) without limiting paragraph (b), both the upper and lower parts
of the person’s body being uncovered at any time.
(8) The search must not involve more visual inspection of the person’s
body than is reasonably necessary to conduct the search and, in
particular, any visual inspection of the person’s genital area, anal
area, buttocks and, for a female, breasts must be kept to a minimum.
(9) The search may be conducted in the presence of a doctor or nurse,
including a doctor or nurse of the opposite sex to the person searched,
if the person has no objection to the doctor or nurse being present.
(10) The person searched must be allowed to dress in private as soon as
the search is finished.
(11) This section is additional to the other requirements of this Act about
searches.
Section 1.7
1.7 Search of transgender or intersex person
(1) If a transgender or intersex person is searched, the person may require
that the search be conducted by either a male or a female.
(2) If the transgender or intersex person requires that the search be
conducted by a male, the person is taken, for this schedule, to be male.
(3) If the transgender or intersex person requires that the search be
conducted by a female, the person is taken, for this schedule, to be
female.
(see s 3)
Note 1 The Legislation Act contains definitions and other provisions relevant to
this Act.
Note 2 For example, the Legislation Act, dict, pt 1, defines the following terms:
• Australian citizen
• chief police officer
• child
• Commonwealth Criminal Code
• Criminal Code
• exercise
• function
• home address
• human rights commission
• human rights commissioner
• in relation to
• integrity commissioner
• intersex person (see s 169B)
• legal aid commission
• public advocate
• transgender person (see s 169A (1) and (2)).
corresponding preventative detention law—see section 9.
corresponding preventative detention order—see section 9.
death—see the Criminal Code, dictionary.
engage in conduct means—
(a) do an act; or
(b) omit to do an act.
frisk search—see schedule 1, section 1.2.
harm, to a person—see the Criminal Code, dictionary.
identification material, for a person—see section 9.
impaired decision-making ability—see the Guardianship and
Management of Property Act 1991, section 5.
interim preventative detention order (or interim order)—see
section 9.
investigative authorisation—see section 63.
nominated senior police officer, in relation to a preventative
detention order made for a person—see section 36.
ordinary search—see schedule 1, section 1.2.
part 2 application—see section 9.
physical harm, to a person, includes unconsciousness, pain,
disfigurement, infection with a disease and any physical contact with
the person that the person might reasonably object to in the
circumstances (whether or not the person was aware of it at the time).
possession, of a thing, includes—
(a) having control over the disposition of the thing; and
(b) having joint possession of the thing.
premises includes—
(a) land; and
(b) a structure, building or vehicle; and
(c) any part of a structure, building or vehicle; and
(d) any place whether built on or not.
preventative authorisation—see section 63.
preventative detention order—see section 9.
prohibited contact order—see section 9.
senior police officer means the chief police officer or another police
officer of or above the rank of superintendent.
serious harm —see the Criminal Code, dictionary.
serious offence means an offence punishable by imprisonment for
life or for a term of 5 years or longer.
special powers authorisation—see section 63.
strip search—see schedule 1, section 1.2.
target area, in relation to a special powers authorisation—see
target person, in relation to a special powers authorisation—see
target vehicle, in relation to a special powers authorisation—see
terrorist act—see section 6.
torture—see section 96.
vehicle—see section 63.
About the endnotes 1
1 About the endnotes
Amending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the
amendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law
but are set out in the endnotes.
Not all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are
annotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be
obtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.
Uncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details
of these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are
underlined in the legislation history and amendment history.
If all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered
provisions gives details of previous and current numbering.
The endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.
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
Terrorism (Extraordinary Temporary Powers) Act 2006 A2006-21
notified LR 19 May 2006
s 1, s 2 commenced 19 May 2006 (LA s 75 (1))
remainder commenced 19 November 2006 (s 2 and LA s 79)
Note This Act expires on 19 November 2027 (s 101)
as amended by
Statute Law Amendment Act 2009 (No 2) A2009-49 sch 3 pt 3.74
notified LR 26 November 2009
s 1, s 2 commenced 26 November 2009 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 3 pt 3.74 commenced 17 December 2009 (s 2)
Administrative (One ACT Public Service Miscellaneous Amendments)
Act 2011 A2011-22 sch 1 pt 1.152
notified LR 30 June 2011
s 1, s 2 commenced 30 June 2011 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.152 commenced 1 July 2011 (s 2 (1))
Terrorism (Extraordinary Temporary Powers) Amendment Act 2011
A2011-39
notified LR 1 November 2011
s 1, s 2 commenced 1 November 2011 (LA s 75 (1))
remainder commenced 2 November 2011 (s 2)
Statute Law Amendment Act 2014 A2014-18 sch 3 pt 3.22
notified LR 20 May 2014
s 1, s 2 commenced 20 May 2014 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 3 pt 3.22 commenced 10 June 2014 (s 2 (1))
Terrorism (Extraordinary Temporary Powers) Amendment Act 2016
A2016-6
notified LR 25 February 2016
s 1, s 2 commenced 25 February 2016 (LA s 75 (1))
remainder commenced 26 February 2016 (s 2)
Legislation history 3
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2017
A2017-5 sch 1 pt 1.9
notified LR 23 February 2017
s 1, s 2 commenced 23 February 2017 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.9 commenced 2 March 2017 (s 2 (3))
Integrity Commission Act 2018 A2018-52 sch 1 pt 1.22 (as am by
A2019-18 s 4)
notified LR 11 December 2018
s 1, s 2 commenced 11 December 2018 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.22 commenced 1 December 2019 (s 2 (2) (a) as am by
A2019-18 s 4)
Integrity Commission Amendment Act 2019 A2019-18 s 4
notified LR 14 June 2019
s 1, s 2 commenced 14 June 2019 (LA s 75 (1))
s 3, s 4 commenced 15 June 2019 (s 2 (1))
Note This Act only amends the Integrity Commission Act 2018
A2018-52.
COVID-19 Emergency Response Legislation Amendment Act 2020
A2020-14 sch 1 pt 1.30
notified LR 13 May 2020
s 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 30 March 2020 (LA s 75 (2))
sch 1 pt 1.30 commenced 14 May 2020 (s 2 (1))
Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2021 (No 2) A2021-18 pt 7
notified LR 11 August 2021
s 1, s 2 commenced 11 August 2021 (LA s 75 (1))
pt 7 commenced 12 August 2021 (s 2 (1))
Terrorism (Extraordinary Temporary Powers) Amendment Act 2022
A2022-16
notified LR 28 October 2022
s 1, s 2 commenced 28 October 2022 (LA s 75 (1))
remainder commenced 29 October 2022 (s 2)
Statute Law Amendment Act 2025 A2025-29 sch 3 pt 3.93, sch 4
pt 4.174
notified LR 6 November 2025
s 1, s 2 commenced 6 November 2025 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 3 pt 3.93, sch 4 pt 4.174 commenced 26 November 2025
(s 2 (3), (9))
Amendment history 4
4 Amendment history
Commencement
s 2 om LA s 89 (4)
No preventative detention orders for children
s 11 am A2011-39 s 4, s 5; ss renum R4 LA
Rights in relation to hearing of part 2 applications
s 13 am A2014-18 amdt 3.104
Setting aside or amending preventative detention orders
s 31 am A2011-22 amdt 1.439; A2011-39 s 6
Power to require name and address
s 38 am A2009-49 amdt 3.190
Detention arrangements
s 43 am A2011-22 amdt 1.436, amdt 1.439
Restriction on contact with other people
s 49 am A2018-52 amdt 1.106; A2022-16 s 4; pars renum R11 LA
Contact with diplomatic representative etc
s 50A ins A2022-16 s 5
Contact with human rights commissioner, ombudsman and integrity
commissioner
s 51 hdg sub A2018-52 amdt 1.107
s 51 am A2018-52 amdt 1.108
Contact with lawyer etc
s 52 am A2022-16 s 6
Special contact rules for people with impaired decision-making ability
s 53 am A2022-16 s 7, s 8
Questioning of detained person prohibited
s 58 am A2018-52 amdt 1.109
Taking identification material
s 59 am A2022-16 s 9, s 10; ss renum R11 LA
Recording injury and illness
s 59A ins A2022-16 s 11
Using identification material
s 60 am A2022-16 s 12
Exercising authorised special powers—general provisions
s 78 am A2011-39 s 7, s 8; pars renum R4 LA
Power to require personal details under special powers
s 79 am A2014-18 amdt 3.105
4 Amendment history
Power to give directions to directorates etc for special powers
s 89 sub A2011-22 amdt 1.437
Disposal of seized property on application to court
s 91 am A2014-18 amdt 3.106
Evidence obtained from torture inadmissible
s 96 am A2014-18 amdt 3.107
Delegation by chief police officer
s 97 am A2011-22 amdt 1.438
Annual report on use and effectiveness of Act
s 98 am A2011-22 amdt 1.439; A2017-5 amdt 1.19
Transitional provision—references to correctional centre
s 99 exp 19 November 2006 (s 99 (2) (a))
Review of Act before expiry
s 100 sub A2011-39 s 9; A2016-6 s 4
am A2020-14 amdt 1.135
sub A2022-16 s 13
Expiry of Act etc
s 101 am A2011-39 s 10; A2016-6 s 5; A2021-18 s 17; A2022-16
s 14
Regulation-making power
s 102 am A2025-29 amdt 4.176
dict am A2009-49 amdt 3.191; A2017-5 amdt 1.20; A2018-52
amdt 1.110; A2022-16 s 15; A2025-29 amdt 3.337
def Commonwealth Criminal Code om A2025-29 amdt 3.338
def impaired decision-making ability am A2014-18
amdt 3.108
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.
Republication
No and date
Effective Last
amendment
made by
Republication
for
19 Nov 2006
19 Nov 2006–
16 Dec 2009
not amended new Act
17 Dec 2009
17 Dec 2009–
A2009-49 amendments by
A2009-49
1 July 2011–
1 Nov 2011
A2011-22 amendments by
A2011-22
2 Nov 2011
2 Nov 2011–
A2011-39 amendments by
A2011-39
10 June 2014–
25 Feb 2016
A2014-18 amendments by
A2014-18
26 Feb 2016
26 Feb 2016–
1 Mar 2017
A2016-6 amendments by
A2016-6
2 Mar 2017
2 Mar 2017–
30 Nov 2019
A2017-5 amendments by
A2017-5
1 Dec 2019
1 Dec 2019–
A2019-18 amendments by
A2018-52
as amended by
A2019-18
14 May 2020–
11 Aug 2021
A2020-14 amendments by
A2020-14
12 Aug 2021
12 Aug 2021–
28 Oct 2022
A2021-18 amendments made
by A2021-18
29 Oct 2022
29 Oct 2022–
25 Nov 2025
A2022-16 amendments by
A2022-16