Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2025C00176:front:0:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2025C00176
Segment Type: other
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Character Range: 4–2922

Defence Act 1903

No. 20, 1903

Compilation No. 82

Compilation date: 21 February 2025

                Includes amendments: Act No. 14, 2025

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Defence Act 1903 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 21 February 2025 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.

Self‑repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

Contents
Part I—Introductory
1 Short title
3 Commencement of Act
4 Interpretation
5 Application of Act
5A Extension of Act to Territories
6 Application of the Criminal Code
7 Act does not appropriate money
Part II—Control and administration
8 The Minister
9 Command of the Defence Force
10 Administration of the Defence Force
11 Defence Instructions
12 Appointments
13 Acting appointments
14 Resignation
15 Termination of appointment
16 Remuneration and allowances
Part III—The Australian Defence Force
Division 1—Constitution of the Australian Defence Force
17 The Australian Defence Force
18 Royal Australian Navy
19 Australian Army
20 Royal Australian Air Force
21 Ranks and corresponding ranks
Division 2—Service in the Defence Force
22 Voluntary entry
23 Service in the Permanent Forces
24 Service in the Reserves
25 Training for Reserves
26 Volunteer service by Reserves
27 Service is not a civil contract
Division 3—Calling out the Reserves
28 Governor‑General may call out Reserves
29 Period of service while covered by call out order
Part IIIAAA—Calling out the Defence Force to protect Commonwealth