The Government of Western Australia

Legislation Information

Information about, rather than the text of, Acts.

Acts in force

Contains information about
  • Acts passed (both public and private)
  • Imperial Acts (UK) adopted in WA that are in force.
Does not contain information about
  • Treasury Acts (Appropriation Acts, Loan Acts, Supply Acts, Treasurer’s Advance Authorisation Acts)
  • Reserves Acts, Road Closure Acts and Railway Acts
  • Acts that have been repealed, have expired or otherwise ceased to have effect, even if the operation of some or all of the provisions continue to some extent (e.g. for saving or transitional purposes). For information about these Acts see “Acts that have ceased to be in force”.

Assent, commencement and ceasing information for Acts

Contains information about
  • All Acts that have been passed in WA, including assent dates, commencement details and, where applicable, whether repealed or otherwise ceased to have effect.
  • Imperial Acts (UK) that have been adopted in WA and the WA Acts that adopted them.
Note -

The year and number of a WA Act is shown in different ways depending on the year -

  • From 1829-1902, regnal years and numbers were used (e.g. 37 Vict. No. 13)
  • From 1903-1964, both regnal years and numbers, and calendar years and numbers, were used together (e.g. the Act 2 Geo. V No. 9 is also No. 1 of 1912). Note that the numbers do not always match
  • From 1965 onwards, only calendar years and numbers are used (e.g. No. 13 of 1984)
  • All calendar years and numbers are abbreviated to a year/number format (e.g. 1984/013 refers to Act No. 13 of 1984).

Some WA Acts do not contain short titles. These Acts are given titles editorially to reflect their subject matter and indicate their year of enactment in parentheses, without the word 'Act'. e.g. 'Abattoirs (1842)'.

If an Act has expired, the expiry date is shown.

If an Act has been repealed, the repealing Act number is shown.

A reference to an Act that repeals another Act uses a year/number format e.g. 1984/013.

Does not contain information about
  • local laws made by or on behalf of local governments
  • town planning schemes
  • proclamations, orders in council, notices, resolutions or other instruments which are of limited or temporary operation or application, or not considered to be of general interest.

Acts affected by Acts passed this year

Information about Acts that will be affected by Acts passed in the current year, listed in alphabetical order of the Act to be affected.

Current Year Acts showing list of Acts affected

Information about Acts that will be affected by the Acts passed in the current year, listed in alphabetical order of the Act passed.

Acts that have ceased to be in force

Information about Acts that have been repealed or have expired or otherwise ceased to be in force.

Contains information about
  • Principal (not amending) WA Acts
  • Imperial Acts (UK) adopted in WA
Does not contain information about
  • Treasury Acts (Appropriation Acts, Loan Acts, Supply Acts, Treasurer’s Advance Authorisation Acts)
  • Reserves Acts, Road Closure Acts and some Railway Acts.

Acts that will expire

Information about principal Acts currently in force but which contain an expiry provision relating to a future date or event (a ‘sunset provision’). It shows the relevant section number and expiry date.

Acts with administering portfolios and public sector agencies

Information about Ministers responsible for the administration of particular Acts (or part of them) and the Public Sector Agency through which they are administered.

There are 3 views of this information:

  • Act Order
  • Portfolio Order
  • Agency Order