Australia has a national regulatory scheme for genetically modified organisms. The legislation was developed in consultation with all jurisdictions across Australia. The scheme is supported by the Intergovernmental Gene Technology Agreement between the Australian Government and each state and territory.
Acts and regulations
The Commonwealth gene technology legislation took effect on 21 June 2001. It consists of the following:
- Gene Technology Act 2000 (current compilation)
- Gene Technology Regulations 2001 (current compilation)
- Gene Technology (Consequential Amendments) Act 2000
- Gene Technology (Licence Charges) Act 2000
Amendments
The legislation incorporates the following amendments:
- Gene Technology Amendment Act 2015 (commencement 11 March 2016)
- Gene Technology Amendment Act 2007 (commencement 1 July 2007)
- Gene Technology Amendment (2019 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2019 (commencement 8 October 2019, 1 July 2020 and 8 October 2020)
- Gene Technology Amendment Regulations 2011 (commencement 1 September 2011)
- Gene Technology Amendment Regulations 2009 (commencement 2 May 2009)
- Gene Technology Amendment Regulations 2007 (commencement 1 July 2007)
- Gene Technology Amendment Regulations 2006 (commencement 31 March 2007)
Explanatory guides, memoranda and statements
These documents are produced during the development of the Act, the Regulations and the ongoing reviews:
- Explanatory Memorandum to the Gene Technology Bill 2000 (including Regulation Impact Statement)
- Explanatory Memorandum for the Gene Technology Amendment Bill 2015
- Explanatory Memorandum for the Gene Technology Amendment Bill 2007
- Explanatory Memorandum to the Gene Technology (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2000
- Explanatory Memorandum to the Gene Technology (Licence Charges) Bill 2000
- Explanatory Statement for the Gene Technology Amendment Regulations 2019
- Explanatory Statement for the Gene Technology Amendment Regulations 2011
- Explanatory Statement for the Gene Technology Amendment Regulations 2009
- Explanatory Statement for the Gene Technology Amendment Regulations 2007
- Explanatory Statement for the Gene Technology Amendment Regulations 2006
- Explanatory Statement to the Gene Technology Regulations 2001
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