Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Act 1982
27 March 2026
Compilation information and notes on amendments.
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.1
Classifies the text of the law as amended and in force.
The compilation shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 27 March 2026.
The compilation is a representation of the law at that time.
Includes information about amending laws and amendment history.
The notes include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions.
The notes provide additional context on amendments.
Provides details on uncommenced amendments and their effect.
The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law.
Uncommenced amendments are accessible on the Register.
Includes details on applications, saving, and transitional provisions.
If the operation of a provision or amendment is affected by an application, saving, or transitional provision.
Provides information on editorial changes and presentational changes.
For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.
Presentational changes are applied to give a more consistent look and feel.
Includes details on modifications and self-repealing provisions.
If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compilation does not show the text as modified.
Modifications affecting the law are accessible on the Register.
1 Short title
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.7
2 Commencement
Commencement date fixed by proclamation.
3 Interpretation
Definitions and interpretations for the Act.
4 Establishment of Centre
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.9
4(1) Establishment of Centre
4(2) Establishment of Centre
4A The Chief Executive Officer
Establishment of Chief Executive Officer
5 Functions of the CEO
The CEO must formulate programs and policies for agricultural research.
5A Power of Minister to give directions
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.10
5A(1) Power of Minister to give directions
The Minister may give directions to the CEO.
5A(2) Power of Minister to give directions
A direction given under subsection (1) is not a legislative instrument.
6 Functions of the staff of the Centre
7 Establishment of Commission
Establishes Commission for International Agricultural Research
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.11
8 Constitution of the Commission
9 Functions of the Commission
The Commission must provide advice on certain matters to the Minister.
10 Appointment of Commissioners
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.12
10(1) Appointment of Commissioners
Commissioner must be appointed by Governor-General
10(2) Appointment of Commissioners
Commissioner must hold office for a specified period not exceeding 3 years.
10(3) Appointment of Commissioners
Cannot be appointed as a Commissioner if a member of the Council
11 Appointments to be part-time
Commissioner must hold office on a part-time basis.
12 Terms and conditions—general
13 Remuneration and allowances
13(1) Remuneration and allowances
Commissioner must be paid remuneration determined by the Remuneration Tribunal or prescribed by regulations.
13(2) Remuneration and allowances
Commissioner must be paid allowances prescribed by regulations.
(2) A Commissioner is to be paid the allowances that are prescribed by the regulations.
The Commissioner must be paid the allowances prescribed by the regulations.
The Commissioner must be paid within a specific time frame.
The Commissioner must be paid if the allowances are prescribed by the regulations.
The obligation to pay allowances spreads to other agents.
The Commissioner requires a specific action to be taken.
13(3) Remuneration and allowances
Subject to the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973.
14 Acting Commissioner
The Minister may appoint a person to act as a Commissioner.
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.13
15 Leave of absence
15(1) Leave of absence
Grant leave of absence on terms and conditions determined by the Chair.
15(2) Leave of absence
16 Resignation
A Commissioner may resign by giving a written resignation to the Governor-General.
16A Termination of appointment
16A(1) Termination of appointment
The Governor-General may terminate the appointment of a Commissioner.
16A(2) Termination of appointment
Termination of appointment under certain conditions.
Prohibits termination if the Commissioner becomes bankrupt or applies to take benefit of law for debtors.
(2) The Governor-General must terminate the appointment of a Commissioner if:
Relates termination to bankruptcy or application.
16B Disclosure of interests
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.14
16B(1) Disclosure of interests
Disclosure of interests by Commissioner to Minister
16B(2) Disclosure of interests
Rules made for purposes of section apply in addition to subsection (1)
16B(3) Disclosure of interests
The Commissioner is not obligated to comply with section 29 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 if they do not comply with this section.
16C Times and places of meetings
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.15
16C(1) Times and places of meetings
The Commission must hold meetings as necessary for efficient performance of its functions.
16C(2) Times and places of meetings
Meetings must be held at times and places determined by the Commission.
Duty to hold meetings at specified times and places.
(2) Meetings are to be held at the times and places determined by the Commission.
Meetings must be held at those times and places.
Temporal relationship between meetings and Commission's determination.
Meetings meet at those specified times and places.
Inference from meeting requirements to their fulfillment.
If meetings are to be held, they must meet at those specified times and places.
Spread of meeting requirements to relevant entities.
The requirement to hold meetings spreads to all relevant entities.
Artificial agent's role in meeting requirements.
The artificial agent requires all relevant entities to hold meetings at those specified times and places.
16C(3) Times and places of meetings
The Chair may call a meeting at any time.
The Chair has the power to call a meeting.
16C(4) Times and places of meetings
Chair must ensure at least 4 meetings are held each financial year.
Ensure at least 4 meetings are held each financial year.
...at least 4 meetings are held each financial year.
Chair is obligated to hold at least 4 meetings each financial year.
The obligation to hold at least 4 meetings is between the start and end of the financial year.
16D Notice of meetings
Entitlement to receive reasonable notice of Commission meetings
16E Who presides at meetings
16E(1) Who presides at meetings
Chair presides at meetings when present.
16E(2) Who presides at meetings
Commissioner must preside at meeting if Chair is not present.
16F Quorum
Quorum requirement for Commission meetings
16G Voting at meetings
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.16
16G(1) Voting at meetings
Majority vote required for decisions at meetings
(1) A question arising at a meeting of the Commission is to be decided by a majority of the votes of the Commissioners present and voting.
A majority of votes are required for decisions
The rule applies to decisions at meetings
Applies to artificial agents (Commissioners)
The rule applies to artificial agents (Commissioners)
16G(2) Voting at meetings
Commissioner has a deliberative vote and casting vote at meetings.
16H Conduct of meetings
16H(1) Conduct of meetings
Regulate proceedings at meetings as considered appropriate
16H(2) Conduct of meetings
16J Delegation by Commission
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.17
16J(1) Delegation by Commission
Commission may delegate functions or powers to a Commissioner.
Describes the delegation as a power granted by the Commission.
16J(2) Delegation by Commission
Delegate must comply with Commission's written directions.
16J(3) Delegation by Commission
Delegation continues despite constitution change
16J(4) Delegation by Commission
Commission may vary or revoke delegation by resolution.
16J(5) Delegation by Commission
Certificate from Chair is prima facie evidence of delegation matter.
Prima facie evidence of delegation matter
16J(6) Delegation by Commission
Document purporting to be a certificate is taken as such unless proven otherwise.
16K Directions by the Minister
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.18
16K(1) Directions by the Minister
The Minister may give directions to the Commission.
16K(2) Directions by the Minister
Minister must consider relevant advice from Council when giving direction.
Minister has an obligation to consider relevant advice.
The Minister must have regard to any relevant advice.
Direction starts at a point where consideration of advice begins.
The direction must be given after the relevant advice has been considered.
Direction ends at a point where consideration of advice ends.
The direction must be given before the relevant advice has been considered.
16K(3) Directions by the Minister
Minister must give a copy of direction to CEO.
The Minister must give a copy of the direction.
A copy of the direction must be given to the CEO.
17 Establishment of Council
Establishment of Policy Advisory Council
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.19
18 Function of Council
18(1) Function of Council
Provide advice on agricultural problems and research programs
(1) The function of the Council is to provide advice...
18(2) Function of Council
The Council must provide advice on occasions as it thinks fit and on request by the Minister.
18(3) Function of Council
The Minister must provide a copy of Council advice to the Commission.
19 Constitution of Council
The Council must consist of a President, Director-General, and at least 9 other members.
19A Remuneration and allowances
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.20
19A(1) Remuneration and allowances
An appointed member of the Council must be paid remuneration.
19A(2) Remuneration and allowances
Member of Council must be paid allowances prescribed by regulations.
19A(3) Remuneration and allowances
Remuneration and allowances subject to the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973.
20 President to keep Council informed
The President must inform the Council about Centre affairs.
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.21
21 Termination of appointment
21(1) Termination of appointment
Minister may terminate appointment by reason of misbehaviour or incapacity
21(2) Termination of appointment
(2) If an appointed member of the Council...
The Minister shall terminate the appointment of that member.
Overlaps with bankruptcy or absence conditions
(a) becomes bankrupt, applies to take the benefit of any law...
Eventually terminates appointment under certain conditions
(b) is absent, except on leave granted by the Council...
Diffuses termination conditions to creditors
Recognizes termination conditions in bankruptcy or absence
22 Resignation
Member must resign by writing signed and delivered to the Minister.
23 Meetings of Council
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.22
23(1) Meetings of Council
Convene meetings of Council as necessary and on request from 6 members.
23(2) Meetings of Council
Convene a meeting of the Council at any time.
23(3) Meetings of Council
The President must preside at all meetings of the Council when present.
The President has a duty to preside at all meetings of the Council when present.
23(4) Meetings of Council
Presidential absence at Council meeting requires election of a presider.
Presidential absence imposes an obligation on Council members.
...the members present shall elect one of their number to preside at that meeting.
Council's obligation implies a requirement for presidential presence.
Council's obligation overlaps with presidential absence.
23(5) Meetings of Council
23(6) Meetings of Council
Majority vote required for decisions at Council meetings.
23(7) Meetings of Council
Motion cannot be passed in case of equality of votes.
23(8) Meetings of Council
Council may regulate meeting proceedings as it thinks fit.
Regulation of meeting proceedings is permitted.
24 Appointment of CEO
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.23
24(1) Appointment of CEO
The CEO must be appointed by the Governor-General.
24(2) Appointment of CEO
CEO must hold office for a specified period not exceeding 5 years.
(2) The CEO holds office for the period specified in the instrument of appointment.
The CEO must hold office for a specified period not exceeding 5 years.
24(3) Appointment of CEO
A person may be appointed as both CEO and Commissioner
24(4) Appointment of CEO
Minister may determine performance standard for CEO.
24(5) Appointment of CEO
The performance standard is not a legislative instrument.
(5) The performance standard is not a legislative instrument.
The performance standard is an obligation.
Temporal relationship between the performance standard and legislative instruments
The performance standard does not exist during the existence of legislative instruments.
Absence of diffusion from the performance standard to legislative instruments
The performance standard does not diffuse to legislative instruments.
Absence of cognitive agency in the performance standard regarding legislative instruments
The performance standard does not exhibit cognitive agency towards legislative instruments.
25 Appointment to be full-time
The CEO must hold office on a full-time basis.
Obligation to hold office on a full-time basis.
26 Terms and conditions—general
Governor-General determines terms and conditions for CEO's office
The text mentions the Governor-General's role
27 Remuneration and allowances
CEO must be paid remuneration determined by the Remuneration Tribunal.
28 Other paid work
CEO must not engage in paid work outside duties without Minister's approval.
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.24
Prohibition of paid work outside CEO duties.
CEO must not engage in paid work outside the duties of the CEO without the Minister's approval.
Paid work outside CEO duties overlaps with other work.
The CEO must not engage in paid work outside the duties of the CEO without the Minister's approval.
Minister's approval implies CEO's right to engage in paid work outside duties.
If Minister approves, then CEO can engage in paid work outside duties.
Minister's approval implies diffusion of information about CEO's right to engage in paid work outside duties.
If Minister approves, then information about CEO's right to engage in paid work outside duties diffuses.
Minister's approval implies CogAI's ability to reason about CEO's right to engage in paid work outside duties.
If Minister approves, then CogAI can reason about CEO's right to engage in paid work outside duties.
29 Acting CEO
The Minister may appoint a person to act as CEO under certain circumstances.
29A Leave of absence
29A(1) Leave of absence
Recreation leave entitlements determined by the Remuneration Tribunal.
Remuneration Tribunal determines entitlements
Leave entitlements apply during CEO's term
29A(2) Leave of absence
The Minister may grant leave of absence to the CEO.
29B Resignation
The CEO may resign by giving written notice to the Governor-General.
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.25
29BA Suspension of appointment
29BA(1) Suspension of appointment
The Minister has an obligation to suspend the appointment of the CEO if it is in the interests of the Centre.
The Minister may suspend the appointment.
29BA(2) Suspension of appointment
The appointment must be suspended for a period specified in the notice.
29BA(3) Suspension of appointment
Entitlement to remuneration and allowances unaffected by suspension of appointment
CEO has right to remuneration and allowances
29BA(4) Suspension of appointment
Minister may extend period of suspension upon notice.
29BA(5) Suspension of appointment
The Minister must specify a period of suspension in the notice.
The Minister must specify a period of suspension.
29BA(6) Suspension of appointment
(6) The period of suspension, as extended...
(a) if subsection (7) applies—12 months; or (b) otherwise—3 months
The period of suspension, as extended, equals 12 months or 3 months
29BA(7) Suspension of appointment
Minister must extend period of suspension for certain conditions to apply.
Minister must extend period of suspension.
(7) For the purposes of paragraphs (4)(b) and (6)(a), this subsection applies if:
29C Termination of appointment
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.27
29C(1) Termination of appointment
Governor-General may terminate CEO appointment for misbehaviour, incapacity, or misconduct.
Governor-General may terminate appointment
29C(1A) Termination of appointment
Termination of appointment under certain circumstances.
(1A) Without limiting the circumstances in which the CEO’s conduct or behaviour amounts to serious misconduct by the CEO...
The Minister must terminate the CEO's appointment.
Class inclusion for 'serious misconduct'
(a) both: (i) the conduct or behaviour constitutes a breach of the APS Code of Conduct; and (ii) the Minister is satisfied that the breach is serious enough to justify termination of the CEO’s appointment;
The CEO's conduct or behaviour amounts to serious misconduct if it breaches the APS Code of Conduct.
Temporal overlap between investigation report and CEO's conduct
(c) an investigation report (within the meaning of the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022) includes a finding or opinion that the CEO has engaged, is engaging or will engage in:...
The CEO's conduct overlaps with the investigation report's findings.
Permission to terminate appointment under certain conditions
(b) the conduct or behaviour constitutes unlawful discrimination (within the meaning of the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986);
The Minister may terminate the CEO's appointment if it is unlawful discrimination.
Class inclusion for 'unlawful discrimination'
The CEO's conduct is a type of unlawful discrimination.
Obligation to investigate and report on corrupt conduct
The Minister must investigate and report on the CEO's corrupt conduct.
29C(2) Termination of appointment
Governor-General must terminate CEO appointment under certain conditions.
The Governor-General must terminate the appointment of the CEO.
(2) The Governor-General must terminate the appointment of the CEO if...
The termination occurs during bankruptcy, application for debt relief, or compounding with creditors.
The termination occurs until bankruptcy, application for debt relief, or compounding with creditors.
The termination is conditional on bankruptcy, application for debt relief, or compounding with creditors.
The AI system recommends termination under bankruptcy, application for debt relief, or compounding with creditors.
29E CEO not subject to direction by the Commission on certain
The CEO is not subject to direction by the Commission in relation to certain matters.
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.28
Exclusion of direction by the Commission
by the Commission in relation to certain matters.
30 Staff
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.29
30(1) Staff
Staff must be persons engaged under the Public Service Act 1999.
30(2) Staff
CEO and APS employees constitute a Statutory Agency.
31 Arrangements relating to staff
31(1) Arrangements relating to staff
CEO may arrange for services of officers or employees to be made available.
Relation between CEO's functions and services of officers or employees.
(1) The CEO may arrange with an Agency Head (within the meaning of the Public Service Act 1999) or with a body (other than a company or an association) established for a public purpose by or under a law of the Commonwealth
Tracing CEO's functions and services of officers or employees.
Flow of information from CEO to Agency Head or public body.
Representation of CEO's functions and services in knowledge base.
31(2) Arrangements relating to staff
CEO may enter into arrangement with authority for services of officers or employees.
CEO has permission to enter into arrangement.
32 Consultants
The CEO may engage consultants on behalf of the Commonwealth.
32A Application of the finance law
Defines the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research as a listed entity and specifies its officials.
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.30
Defines the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research as a listed entity.
33 Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.31
33(1) Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
Continuation of Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Account
Continues existence of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Account
Continues existence from the Financial Management Legislation Amendment Act 1999
33(2) Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
The Account is a special account for the purposes of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.
(2) The Account is a special account for the purposes of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.
Account is during the period of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013
The Account is during the period of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013
34 Credits to the Account
Must credit specified amounts to the Account
35 Purposes of the Account
35(1) Purposes of the Account
35(2) Purposes of the Account
39 Annual report
Annual report must include particulars of directions given by Minister to CEO and Commission.
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.33
41 Delegation by Minister
The Minister may delegate functions or powers.
42 Regulations
The Governor-General may make regulations not inconsistent with this Act.
Governor-General has the power to make regulations.
Regulations must be consistent with the Act.
x is a regulation made by the Governor-General.
30 Mar
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.37
3 June 1982 (see Gazette
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 1)
20 June
Prohibition on Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2)
Prohibits Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2)
22 Nov
25 June
Public Service and Statutory Authorities Amendment Act 1985
11 Dec
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1987
18 Dec
Royal Assent required for certain sections.
27 June
Conditional commencement of ss. 4(1), 10(b) and 15–20.
10 Dec 1991 (see
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.38
11 Dec 1992
25 Oct
Conditional commencement of Audit (Transitional and Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 1997
24 Oct
11 Nov
Abolition of Compulsory Age Retirement (Statutory Officeholders) Act 2001
1 Oct 2001
29 Oct 2001
Sch. 1 (item 97) Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Act 2005
22 Feb
28 June
1 July 2007
3 July 2008
Conditional commencement of Acts Interpretation Amendment Act 2011
30 June
Conditional commencement of certain schedules
australian-centre-for-international-agricultural-research-act-1982.pdf, p.39
13 Apr
Conditional commencement of Schedule 2 (items 7-9) and Schedule 7.
14 Apr 2015 (s 2)
Amendment by Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act
10 Sept
Conditional commencement of legislation amendment act
26 Mar
26(1) Mar
Commencement provision Commencement of Act Conditional commencement of the Act
Starts on the day it receives Royal Assent
(1) Subject to this section, this Act shall come into operation...
The Act comes into operation on the day it receives Royal Assent.
During the period from Royal Assent to commencement
The provision is in effect during the period from Royal Assent to commencement.
The provision applies to the day of Royal Assent.
26(4) Mar
Conditional commencement of remaining provisions
Requires a relation between identifiable temporal intervals for conditional commencement
The text mentions 'such day as is, or on such respective days as are, fixed by Proclamation'
Classifies the legal effect as Undertaking
The text does not impose a duty, ban conduct, grant permission, or create a right
Requires an ordered or recurring trace for conditional commencement
26(7) Mar
The commencement is dependent on the day of Royal Assent
The text describes a conditional commencement