Cites this Act as the Crimes (Currency) Act 1981.
1 Short title
Requesting countries must notify each other of their methods for transmitting letters of request.
1 This expression has the same meaning as “letters rogatory”.
The method or methods of transmission mentioned above which it will recognise for the letters of request of the latter High Contracting Party.
Temporal interval for notification is required.
Until such notification is made by a High Contracting Party, its existing procedure in regard to letters of request shall remain in force.
Requesting countries must notify each other.
Each High Contracting Party shall notify to each of the other High Contracting Parties...
Requesting countries have permission to use their own procedures.
Recurring trace is required for notification.
1 July 1988 (s 2(2))
1 July 1998 (s 2(2))
Prohibition on importing or exporting counterfeit money or securities.
10 Import and export of counterfeit money or counterfeit securities
Includes amendments up to Act No. 31, 2018
11 May 2018
11 Instruments and material used for counterfeiting
Making, selling, or possessing certain instruments for counterfeiting is prohibited.
11(1) Instruments and material used for counterfeiting
Prohibition of making, selling, or possessing certain instruments for counterfeiting.
Buying, selling, or possessing materials used for counterfeiting is prohibited.
11(2) Instruments and material used for counterfeiting
Prohibits buying, selling, or possessing materials used for counterfeiting.
A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (3)
11(3) Instruments and material used for counterfeiting
No person shall import or export instruments for counterfeiting.
12 Persons shall not import or export instruments for counterfeiting
13 Conveying instruments or materials from premises
Conveying prohibited items from premises where currency is produced.
13(1) Conveying instruments or materials from premises
Prohibition of conveying prohibited items.
(1) A person shall not intentionally convey...
A reasonable excuse excuses non-compliance with subsection (1)
13(2) Conveying instruments or materials from premises
The excuse is a temporal interval that must be met
Subsection (1) does not apply if the person has a reasonable excuse
The defendant is exempt from subsection (1)
Reasonable excuse excused non-compliance
Subsection (1) does not apply if the person has a reasonable excuse.
The defendant must provide evidence for their excuse
A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (2)
The excuse is a recurring condition that must be met
14 February 1966; or
14 Information with respect to counterfeit money or counterfeit
Giving or offering information about counterfeit money or securities is prohibited.
14(1) Information with respect to counterfeit money or counterfeit
Prohibition of giving or offering information
14(2) Information with respect to counterfeit money or counterfeit
Excuse as a justification for exemption.
Belief in a reasonable excuse justifies exemption.
The defendant believes they have a reasonable excuse.
Definition of current coin or paper money
14(2) February 1966; or
Lawfully current in Australia or in a country other than Australia
(2) For the purposes of this Act, a coin or paper money shall be taken to be a current coin, or current paper money if it is lawfully current in Australia or in a country other than Australia by virtue of a law in force in Australia or in that country, as the case may be.
a coin or paper money shall be taken to be a current coin, or current paper money
Definition of genuine coin or paper money
14(3) February 1966; or
...in any country (whether or not the country concerned is still in existence).
Definition of a genuine coin or paper money
(3) For the purposes of this Act, a coin or paper money shall be taken to be...
...a current coin or current paper money in any country...
...a genuine coin or genuine paper money if it is, or has been, a current coin or current paper money in any country...
A coin or paper money is taken to have been defaced if some or all of its surfaces are coated with any material.
14(4) February 1966; or
Prohibition on defacement, disfigurement or mutilation of coins and paper money
14(5) February 1966; or
Prohibits defacement, disfigurement or mutilation of coins and paper money
15 Possessing filings, clippings etc.
Reference to section 100(1)-(3) and Schedule
15 June
Possessing material obtained by dealing with genuine coin in a diminished manner is prohibited.
15(1) Possessing filings, clippings etc.
Prohibits possessing material obtained by dealing with genuine coin in a diminished manner.
Defendant bears evidential burden for reasonable excuse
15(2) Possessing filings, clippings etc.
Defendant has an obligation to provide a reasonable excuse
Defendant bears the burden of proof for the existence of a reasonable excuse
Defacing or destroying current coins or paper money is prohibited without consent.
16 Defacing or destroying current coins or current paper money
Requirement for registration of aircraft
16 Dec
Prohibition of defacing or destroying current coins or paper money.
Selling defaced coins or paper money is prohibited.
17 Selling defaced coins or paper money
Conditional commencement of statute law provisions
17 Sept
Requires temporal intervals for commencement
Prohibits selling defaced coins or paper money.
Possessing defaced coins or paper money is prohibited.
18 Possessing defaced coins or paper money
Prohibits possessing defaced coins or paper money.
Design, make, print or distribute material resembling current paper money without consent.
19 Persons not to design, make, print or distribute material of
Prohibition of design, make, print or distribute material resembling current paper money.
2 Commencement
2(1) Commencement
Conditional commencement of remaining provisions
2(2) Commencement
Describes the temporal relationship between the commencement and the remaining provisions
Import and export of certain material forbidden without consent.
20 Import and export of certain material forbidden
20 Section 20
Reservation regarding applicability of Article 9 Falsification of a stamp on a note is prohibited when it makes the note valid in a given country.
20(1) Section 20
Prohibits falsification of a stamp on a note when it makes the note valid in a given country.
Right of High Contracting Parties to regulate domestic law regarding lighter sentences, pardon, and amnesty. Chinese Government unable to accept extradition of foreigner accused of counterfeiting currency by a third State.
20(2) Section 20
High Contracting Parties have the right.
Government obligation to grant extradition
Article 10 involves general undertaking of a Government
Reserves right to address instrument of ratification to another signatory State. No modification of internal regulations establishing penalties in the event of concurrent offences.
20(3) Section 20
A temporal interval is identified for ratification.
Identifies temporal interval for ratification.
The text mentions the moment of signing and the potential for delayed ratification.
The declaration is classified as a right.
The text describes the declaration as a statement of intent and authority.
The declaration is classified as a descriptive clause.
Classifies declaration as descriptive clause.
The text describes the declaration as a statement of intent.
Execute letters of request within domestic law limits
20(4) Section 20
Amendment of Sch 9 by Australian Border Force Amendment (Protected Information) Act 2017
20 May
21 Machines etc. operated by coins or paper money
21 Dec
Making or selling articles with intent to substitute coins/paper money for operating machines is prohibited.
21(1) Machines etc. operated by coins or paper money
...for operating a machine that is designed to receive current coins or current paper money.
Temporal interval for prohibition of making or selling articles with intent to substitute coins/paper money for operating machines.
Implication of making or selling articles with intent to substitute coins/paper money for operating machines on prohibition.
Prohibition of making or selling articles with intent to substitute coins/paper money for operating machines.
Obligation to prohibit making or selling articles with intent to substitute coins/paper money for operating machines.
Recurring trace for prohibition of making or selling articles with intent to substitute coins/paper money for operating machines.
Defendant bears evidential burden in relation to a reasonable excuse.
21(1A) Machines etc. operated by coins or paper money
The defendant must provide evidence of a reasonable excuse in relation to subsection (1A).
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (1A) at some point.
The defendant must provide evidence of a reasonable excuse.
Defendant bears evidential burden in relation to subsection (1A).
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (1A) through some means.
Importing or exporting articles made for substitution of current coins or paper money is prohibited.
21(2) Machines etc. operated by coins or paper money
(2) A person shall not import into Australia or export from Australia an article that, to his or her knowledge...
References to offences against provisions of this Act include references to related crimes.
22 Interpretation
Conditional commencement of Statute Law Revision Act 2013
22 Sept
Includes related crimes in the scope of offences.
Compilation information and notes on amendments.
23 May 2018
23 Liability to prosecution
23(1) Liability to prosecution
Defines Australian aircraft and ship for liability to prosecution purposes.
23(2) Liability to prosecution
or Australian aircraft means an aircraft that is owned by, or is in the possession or control of, the Commonwealth or an authority of the Commonwealth;
Classifies entities by registration or possession
Australian aircraft means an aircraft registered or required to be registered under regulations made under the Civil Aviation Act 1988;
or Australian ship means a ship registered in Australia or an external Territory under an Act or Imperial Act relating to the registration of ships that is applicable throughout the whole of Australia and the external Territories;
Australian ship means a ship registered in Australia or an external Territory under an Act or Imperial Act relating to the registration of ships that is applicable throughout the whole of Australia and the external Territories, not being an Act or Imperial Act relating to the registration of ships;
23 Sept
24 Prosecution of offences against Act
Conditional commencement of Statute Law Revision Act 2008
Requires relation between identifiable temporal intervals for conditional commencement
An offence against this Act is an indictable offence.
24(1) Prosecution of offences against Act
Court may hear and determine proceedings for certain offences with consent.
24(2) Prosecution of offences against Act
Proceedings may be heard and determined at any time with consent.
Excerpt overlaps with AllenInterval on court's jurisdiction over time.
Court has jurisdiction to hear and determine proceedings at any time.
Court may exercise discretion in determining proceedings with consent.
Excerpt implies court's discretion in determining proceedings.
Court has jurisdiction to hear and determine proceedings.
Excerpt infers court's ability to make decisions on proceedings.
Proceedings may be heard and determined with consent.
Court permits hearing and determination of proceedings.
Offences subject to summary jurisdiction are indictable offences.
Excerpt propagates court's jurisdiction over certain offences.
Court has jurisdiction to hear and determine proceedings for certain offences.
Maximum penalty for an offence against Act
24(3) Prosecution of offences against Act
Defines temporal interval for imprisonment
(a) in the case of a person, not being a body corporate—nimprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months...
(3) Where, in accordance with subsection (2), a court of summary jurisdiction convicts a person...
Prohibits imprisonment or fine exceeding specified limits
Diffuses information about maximum penalty
(b) in the case of a person, being a body corporate—a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units.
Jurisdiction of courts with respect to offences against Commonwealth laws
25 Jurisdiction of courts
The jurisdiction has effect without limitation during this time period
Temporal interval between the limitation and the jurisdiction
Section 80 of the Constitution imposes a limitation
The jurisdiction has effect without limitation
Jurisdiction is treated as if it were not limited
Matter arising under this Act is not a matter directly under a treaty.
26 Section 38 of Judiciary Act
27 Evidence of examiners of counterfeit foreign money or
Appointment of examiners for counterfeit foreign coin
27(1) Evidence of examiners of counterfeit foreign money or
Appointment of examiners for counterfeit foreign paper money
27(2) Evidence of examiners of counterfeit foreign money or
Appointment of examiners for counterfeit foreign securities
27(3) Evidence of examiners of counterfeit foreign money or
Certificate of examiner's examination is admissible in evidence.
27(4) Evidence of examiners of counterfeit foreign money or
The certificate is admissible in evidence.
Certificate is issued by an examiner appointed under subsection (1).
Admissibility of certificate as evidence.
The certificate is issued by an examiner appointed under subsection (1).
The result of the examination is correct.
The certificate states the result of the examination.
28 Counterfeit money to be rendered incapable of use
Render counterfeit money incapable of use
28(1) Counterfeit money to be rendered incapable of use
Must render counterfeit money incapable of use
Counterfeit money rendered incapable of use
28(2) Counterfeit money to be rendered incapable of use
the officer in charge of the Mint shall cause the coin to be rendered incapable of use.
Prohibits use of counterfeit money within a specific time frame
(2) Where the Royal Australian Mint receives a counterfeit coin...
Applies reasoning to determine the effect of the prohibition
Spreads prohibition to all parties involved
ADI is prohibited from issuing counterfeit money
28(3) Counterfeit money to be rendered incapable of use
Prohibits ADI from issuing counterfeit money
(ADI is an authorized deposit-taking institution)
Classifies ADI as a financial institution
Forfeiture of counterfeit money and instruments used in counterfeiting
29 Forfeiture and seizure
29 June
Conditional commencement of section 4 item 3 on June 29, 2013.
Defines temporal interval for commencement
Prohibits the use of counterfeit money and instruments
(1) Subject to section 29A, the following articles are forfeited to the Commonwealth:
Excepted counterfeit coins not subject to forfeiture.
29A Excepted counterfeit coins not to be forfeited
Definitions and interpretation of terms used in the Act.
3 Interpretation
3 July 2008
Inclusion of external Territories in Australia
30 Regulations
Conditional commencement on July 1, 2015
30 Oct
The Governor-General may make regulations.
30(1) Regulations
The Minister administering the Australian Federal Police Act 1979 is the rule-maker for regulations.
30(2) Regulations
The Minister has an obligation to make regulations.
International Convention for the Suppression of Counterfeiting Currency
30(3) Regulations
4 Extension of Act to Territories
Statute Law Revision Act 2012, sections 136 and 2012
4 July 2008 (s 2(1)
Act extends to acts, matters and things outside Australia.
5 Extra-territorial operation of Act
Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code applies to all offences against this Act.
5A Application of the Criminal Code
Making counterfeit money or securities is prohibited.
6 Making counterfeit money or counterfeit securities
Reference to section 4(1), (2) and Schedule 13.
6 Apr 2001
Prohibits making counterfeit money or securities.
Uttering counterfeit money or securities is prohibited.
7 Uttering counterfeit money or counterfeit securities
8 Buying or selling non-excepted counterfeit money or counterfeit
Buying or selling non-excepted counterfeit money or a counterfeit prescribed security is prohibited.
8(1) Buying or selling non-excepted counterfeit money or counterfeit
Prohibits buying or selling non-excepted counterfeit money or a counterfeit prescribed security.
A reasonable excuse excuses the application of subsection (1)
8(1A) Buying or selling non-excepted counterfeit money or counterfeit
(1A) Subsection (1) does not apply if the person has a reasonable excuse.
Buying or selling non-excepted counterfeit money or counterfeit is prohibited.
8(2) Buying or selling non-excepted counterfeit money or counterfeit
Prohibition of buying or selling non-excepted counterfeit money or counterfeit.
9 Possessing counterfeit money or counterfeit securities
Amendment history for Crimes (Currency) Act 1981
9 May 2018
Possessing counterfeit money or securities is prohibited.
9(1) Possessing counterfeit money or counterfeit securities
Prohibits possessing counterfeit money or securities.
Possession of counterfeit money or securities without a reasonable excuse is prohibited.
9(1A) Possessing counterfeit money or counterfeit securities
Prohibits possession of counterfeit money or securities without a reasonable excuse.
The defendant bears the burden of proof to establish a reasonable excuse.
The exemption applies to temporal intervals where a reasonable excuse is present.
Establishes a defence for possessing counterfeit money or securities.
9(2) Possessing counterfeit money or counterfeit securities
An Act to make provision with respect to offences connected with the counterfeiting of money or of certain kinds of securities and other activities injurious to Australian currency, and for related purposes
Crimes (Currency) Act 1981