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
- Gene Technology Regulations 2001
- 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 (Minor Measures) Regulations 2025 (commenced 26 February 2025)
- 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
You can download explanatory material for the gene technology legislation, including each amendment, from the Federal Register of Legislation links above.
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