Statutes on ExcellentWiki - Legal Encyclopedia

The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 — Overview

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction

The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 (63 & 64 Vict, c 12) is the supreme law of the Commonwealth of Australia. Enacted as an Act of the United Kingdom Parliament, it established the Commonwealth of Australia as a federal dominion under the Crown, uniting the six self-governing British colonies of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania into a single nation. The Constitution came into force on 1 January 1901, following the proclamation of the Commonwealth by the Governor-General, Lord Hopetoun, in Centennial Park, Sydney.

The Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) — Overview

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction

The Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) (the CCA) is Australia’s principal competition and consumer protection statute. Originally enacted as the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) under the Whitlam Government, the Act was renamed in 2010 following significant amendments and the incorporation of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) as Schedule 2. The Act is administered and enforced by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), established under Part II of the Act.

The Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) — Overview

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction

The Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) is the principal statute regulating corporations and financial markets in Australia. Enacted on 15 July 2001 and effective from 1 January 2002, the Act replaced the state-based corporations legislation that had previously governed Australian companies, creating a single national corporate regulatory framework. The Act is administered by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), established under the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 (Cth).

The Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) — Overview

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction

The Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (the FW Act) is Australia’s principal workplace relations statute. Enacted by the Rudd Labor Government and effective from 1 July 2009, the Act replaced the Work Choices regime (the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) as amended in 2005) and established the current framework for the regulation of employment rights, obligations, and conditions in the federal system.

The FW Act is the product of the Australia’s Future Tax System Review (the Henry Review) and the Forward with Fairness policy, which aimed to restore the role of independent arbitration, protect minimum conditions, and promote collective bargaining. The Act is administered by the Fair Work Commission (the FWC, the national workplace relations tribunal) and enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman (the FWO).

The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction

The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) is Australia’s principal privacy and data protection statute. Enacted in 1988 and significantly amended in 2000 (to extend the Act to the private sector) and in 2012 (to introduce the Australian Privacy Principles), the Act regulates the collection, use, disclosure, storage, and disposal of personal information by Australian government agencies and private sector organisations. The Act is overseen by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), headed by the Australian Information Commissioner.