Other states and territories legislation

Online resources

The following online resources are available for finding legislation from states and territories.

Multiple jurisdictions

Links to legislation from the Commonwealth and all states and territories can be found by choosing the relevant jurisdiction at the top of AusLII’s home page.

State and territory government legislation websites

black and white photo of old buildings with old cars in the street out the front

Fairfax Corporation, New South Wales State Parliament House with automobiles parked outside, Sydney, ca. 1930, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-162790401

Fairfax Corporation, New South Wales State Parliament House with automobiles parked outside, Sydney, ca. 1930, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-162790401

Print resources

The printed collections at the National Library contain substantial collections of older legislation in print, though these may not be complete sets. Use the online catalogue to find and retrieve material using your Library login.

Examples of subject searches you can try are:

Alternatively, try the GovPubs database to help locate legislation we hold:

  • Visit GovPubs
  • Go to the menu on the homepage and select 'Browse by publication'
  • Choose 'Acts/Ordinances/Statutes' and then the relevant jurisdiction.
  • Click on a relevant title and then click on NLA under ‘Locate a copy of this publication’.
  • Cut and paste the ‘Amicus number’ into the Library’s catalogue to find the relevant record and to request the item for use in the Reading Room using your Library login.

You can also try contacting the relevant state library with your enquiry.

black and white photo of swearing in of first Legislative Assembly in Darwin in 1974

Michael Jensen, Swearing in of the first Legislative Assembly, Darwin, 20 November 1974, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-137086388

Michael Jensen, Swearing in of the first Legislative Assembly, Darwin, 20 November 1974, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-137086388

Disclaimer

Staff at the National Library of Australia are not able to provide legal advice.

Every effort is made to provide accurate and relevant information, but this does not constitute qualified legal advice.

In this guide

Photo of Old Parliament House, Canberra, with pink blossoms on surrounding trees

William James Mildenhall, Parliament House, Canberra, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-141452790

Australian legislation research guide

This guide will help you find information about Commonwealth and State/Territory law, both at the National Library and online.

Research guide
Books on Australian legislation

Books on legal research. Image: National Library of Australia

The legal system

Legislation, also known as statutes or Acts of Parliament, is the written law made by Parliament. In any year the Parliament may vote on new Acts of Parliament to create new laws or vote to change, or amend, older Acts of Parliament. 

Research guide
Black and white photo of a white building surrounded by trees and roads

R. C. Strangman, Canberra buildings, West Block, 1930s, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-140358666

Commonwealth legislation

The Federal Register of Legislation (the Legislation Register) is the authorised whole-of-government website for Commonwealth legislation and related documents.

Research guide
Canberra coat of arms

William James Mildenhall, Canberra Coat of Arms, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-141452193

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) legislation

From 1911 until self-government in May 1989, the laws of the Australian Capital Territory were made by Acts of the federal Parliament or by ordinances made by the Governor-General. From 1974 to 1986 these ordinances were passed after consultation with the House of Assembly and Legislative Assembly.

Research guide
Black tile
Bills and explanatory memoranda

A bill is a proposal for a law or a change to an existing law. A Commonwealth bill can be introduced into either house of Parliament, unless it is a money bill which must be introduced in the lower house.

Research guide
Blue tile
Subordinate legislation

Regulations are the most common form of subordinate legislation. These are the guidelines that dictate how the provisions of a specific Act are applied.

Research guide
Page published: 04 Jul 2022

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