(Last updated 24 September 2020, 9:45am)
This page is divided into a number of sections. The material in each section is inserted in reverse chronological order of enactment (this is for ease of updating given how rapidly things are changing).
The first sets out the principal legislation that confers powers upon the Commonwealth to take action to prevent the entry, establishment or spread of COVID-19 in Australia. It includes the various instruments made under that Act.
In addition to the powers of the Commonwealth to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Commonwealth plays a crucial role in regulating the economy. The legislation enacted by the Commonwealth to address the broader economic and societal consequences of COVID-19 are to be found in the second section, Amending Legislation, immediately below.
The third section, Legislative Instruments, includes legislative instruments made under the Principal Legislation, the Amending Legislation, and under existing legislative provisions relating to social security, health insurance (including Medicare) and therapeutic goods regulation.
There are various instruments that have been enacted to defer “sunset” provisions. These have not been included in the material below.
Principal Legislation
Coronavirus Economic Response Package Omnibus (Measures No. 2) Act 2020
Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Act 2020
Boosting Cash Flow for Employers (Coronavirus Economic Response Package) Act 2020
Coronavirus Economic Response Package Omnibus Act 2020
Appropriation (Coronavirus Economic Response Package) Act (No. 1) 2019-2020
Appropriation (Coronavirus Economic Response Package) Act (No. 2) 2019-2020
Structured Finance Support (Coronavirus Economic Response Package) Act 2020
Australian Business Growth Fund (Coronavirus Economic Response Package) Act 2020
Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Overseas Travel Ban Emergency Requirements) Amendment (No. 1) Determination 2020 – 16 September 2020
Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Declaration 2020 – compiled 4 September 2020
Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Variation (Extension No. 2) Instrument 2020 – 3 September 2020
Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements for Cruise Ships) Determination 2020 – compiled 2 September 2020
Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements—Retail Outlets at International Airports) Determination 2020 – compiled 31 July 2020
Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements for Remote Communities) Determination 2020 – compiled 19 June 2020
Biosecurity Repeal (Human Health Response Zone) (Swissotel Sydney) Determination 2020 – made 24 April 2020
Biosecurity (Exit Requirements) Amendment (Nauru) Determination 2020 – 2 April 2020
Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Essential Goods) Determination 2020 – 30 March 2020
Biosecurity (Exit Requirements) Determination 2020 – 26 March 2020
Biosecurity (Human Health Response Zone) (Swissotel Sydney) Determination 2020 – 25 March 2020
Biosecurity Repeal (Human Health Response Zones) Determination 2020 – 18 March 2020
Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements) Determination 2020 – 18 March 2020
Amending Legislation
Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Jobkeeper Payments) Amendment Act 2020
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Amendment (Coronavirus Economic Response Package) Act 2020
Legislative Instruments
Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Alternative Decline in Turnover Test Rules (No. 2) 2020 – 22 September 2020
CASA EX132/20 — Licensing, and Operator Training and Checking (Extensions of Time Due to COVID-19) Exemptions Amendment Instrument 2020 (No. 3) – 22 September 2020
Corporations (Coronavirus Economic Response) Determination (No. 4) 2020 – 22 September 2020
Corporations (Coronavirus Economic Response) Determination (No. 3) 2020 – 21 September 2020
Norfolk Island Continued Laws Amendment (Coronavirus Economic Response Measures) Rules (No. 2) 2020 – 18 September 2020
Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Extend Cessation Date of Temporary COVID-19 Items) Determination 2020 – 18 September 2020
Corporations and Bankruptcy Legislation Amendment (Extending Temporary Relief for Financially Distressed Businesses and Individuals) Regulations 2020 – 17 September 2020
Migration Amendment (COVID‑19 Concessions) Regulations 2020 – 17 September 2020
Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Subsidies—COVID‑19 Support Supplement and Workforce Continuity Funding Measures No. 2) Instrument 2020 – 17 September 2020
Fair Work Amendment (Jobkeeper Payments) Regulations 2020 – 17 September 2020
Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Paymentsand Benefits) (Timing of Supplies Made and Decline inTurnover Test) Rules 2020 (No. 1) – 16 September 2020
Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Higher Rate Determination 2020 – 16 September 2020
Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Alternative Reference Period Determination 2020 – 16 September 2020
Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Amendment Rules (No. 8) 2020 – 15 September 2020
Aged Care (Leave from Residential Care Services) (Situation of Emergency—Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Amendment Determination 2020 – 11 September 2020
Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Deferral of Sunsetting—ASIO Special Powers Relating to Terrorism Offences) Determination 2020 – 3 September 2020
Social Security (Coronavirus Economic Response – 2020 Measures No. 7) Determination 2020 – compiled 31 August 2020
Social Security (Coronavirus Economic Response—2020 Measures No. 14) Determination 2020 – 28 August 2020
CASA EX121/20 — Commercial Pilot Licence (Helicopter) Flight Training Requirements (COVID-19) Exemption 2020 – 21 August 2020
Child Care Subsidy Amendment (Coronavirus Response Measures No. 6) Minister’s Rules 2020 – 19 August 2020
Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Rules 2020 – compiled 15 August 2020
National Health (Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy) Amendment (COVID-19 Simplified Prescribing) Special Arrangement 2020 – 14 August 2020
Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Amendment Rules (No. 7) 2020 – 14 August 2020
Social Security (Coronavirus Economic Response—2020 Measures No. 5) Determination 2020 – compiled 11 August 2020
National Health Security (National Notifiable Disease List) Amendment (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Instrument 2020 – 10 August 2020
Social Security (Coronavirus Economic Response—2020 Measures No. 12) Determination 2020 – 7 August 2020
Defence Determination, Conditions of Service Amendment (COVID-19 response) Determination 2020 (No. 16) – 4 August 2020
Health Insurance (Section 3C Pathology Services – COVID-19) Amendment (No. 5) Determination 2020 – 2 August 2020
Social Security (Coronavirus Economic Response—2020 Measures No. 11) Determination 2020 – compiled 1 August 2020
Social Security (Coronavirus Economic Response—2020 Measures No. 13) Determination 2020 – 31 July 2020
Health Insurance (Section 3C Pathology Services – COVID-19) Determination 2020 – compiled 28 July 2020
Health Insurance (Section 3C Pathology Services – COVID-19) Amendment (No. 4) Determination 2020 – 28 July 2020
Public Health (Jervis Bay Territory) Emergency Declaration Further Extension (No. 1) 2020 – 20 July 2020
Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Amendment Rules (No. 6) 2020 – 16 July 2020
Child Care Subsidy Amendment (Coronavirus Response Measures No. 5) Minister’s Rules 2020 – 13 July 2020
Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Amendment (COVID‑19 Exemptions) Regulations 2020 – 10 July 2020
Norfolk Island Continued Laws Amendment (Coronavirus Economic Response Measures) Rules 2020 – 8 July 2020
Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Deferral of Sunsetting—Treasury Portfolio Instruments) Determination 2020 – 8 July 2020
Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Amendment Rules (No. 5) 2020 – 6 July 2020
Accounting Standard AASB 2020-4 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Covid-19-Related Rent Concessions – 3 July 2020
Child Care Subsidy Amendment (Coronavirus Response Measures No. 4) Minister’s Rules 2020 – 25 June 2020
Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices—Donor Screening) (COVID-19 Emergency) Exemption 2020 – 25 June 2020
Paid Parental Leave Amendment (Coronavirus Economic Response) Rules 2020 – 15 June 2020
ASIC Corporations (COVID-19 – Advice-related Relief) Instrument 2020/355 – compiled 13 June 2020
Statement of Principles concerning coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (Balance of Probabilities) (No. 47 of 2020) – 12 June 2020
Statement of Principles concerning coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 46 of 2020) – 12 June 2020
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Amendment (Coronavirus Economic Response Package) Regulations 2020 – 11 June 2020
Social Security (Coronavirus Economic Response—2020 Measures No. 10) Determination 2020 – 10 June 2020
Taxation Administration (Coronavirus Economic Response Package—Ancillary Funds) Amendment Guidelines 2020 – 10 June 2020
Corporations (Coronavirus Economic Response) Determination (No. 2) 2020 – 25 May 2020
Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services – COVID-19 Telehealth and Telephone Attendances) Determination 2020 – compiled 22 May 2020
Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Subsidies—COVID-19 Support) Instrument 2020 – 22 May 2020
Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Amendment Rules (No. 4) 2020 – 22 May 2020
Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Amendment Rules (No. 3) 2020 – 22 May 2020
Health Insurance (Section 3C Pathology Service – COVID-19) Amendment (No. 3) Determination 2020 – 17 May 2020
Guarantee of Lending to Small and Medium Enterprises (Coronavirus Economic Response Package) (Minister) Delegation 2020 – compiled 15 May 2020
CASA EX83/20 — Aeronautical Knowledge Examinations (Extension of Time Due to COVID-19) Exemption 2020 – 14 May 2020
Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Variation (Extension) Instrument 2020 – 14 May 2020
Structured Finance Support (Coronavirus Economic Response Package) (Delegation) Direction 2020 – compiled 9 May 2020
National Health (Continued Dispensing – Emergency Measures) Determination 2020 – 6 May 2020
Structured Finance Support (Coronavirus Economic Response Package) (Delegation) Amendment (Definition of Smaller Lender) Direction 2020 – made 6 May 2020
Corporations (Coronavirus Economic Response) Determination (No. 1) 2020 – made 5 May 2020
Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Amendment Rules (No. 2) 2020 – made 1 May 2020
Social Security (Coronavirus Economic Response—2020 Measures No. 1) Determination 2020 – compiled 1 May 2020
Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services – GP and Allied Health COVID-19 Services) Amendment (Consequential) Determination 2020– made 30 April 2020
National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Charges) Amendment (COVID-19) Determination 2020 – made 30 April 2020
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Legislation Amendment (Continuing Treatment during Coronavirus Pandemic) Instrument 2020 (PB 32 of 2020) – made 29 April 2020
Defence Determination, Conditions of service Amendment (COVID-19 response) Determination 2020 (No. 9) – 29 April 2020
National Health (Continued Dispensing – Emergency Measures) Amendment Determination 2020 (No.3) (PB 36 of 2020) – 29 April 2020
Health Insurance (Pathologist-determinable Services) Amendment Determination (No. 2) 2020 – April 2020
Child Care Subsidy Amendment (Coronavirus Response Measures No. 3) Minister’s Rules 2020 – 27 April 2020
Veterans’ Children Education Schemes (COVID-19 Supplement) Amendment Determination 2020 – 24 April 2020
ASIC Corporations (COVID-19 – Distribution of Debit Cards) Instrument 2020/401 – 24 April 2020
Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Amendment Rules (No. 1) 2020 – 24 April 2020
Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Alternative Decline in Turnover Test Rules 2020 – 23 April 2020
Social Security (Coronavirus Economic Response—2020 Measures No. 6) Determination 2020 – 23 April 2020
Social Security (Coronavirus Economic Response—2020 Measures No. 4) Determination 2020 – 23 April 2020
ASIC Corporations (Extended Reporting and Lodgment Deadlines—Unlisted Entities) Instrument 2020/395 – 22 April 2020
ASIC Corporations (Amendment) Instrument 2020/396 – 22 April 2020
Fair Work Commission Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Rules 2020 – 22 April 2020
Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Declared Goods) Order (No. 1) 2020 – 22 April 2020
Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Excluded Goods) Determination (No. 1) 2020 – 22 April 2020
Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices—Specified Articles) Instrument 2020 – 22 April 2020
Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Deferral of Sunsetting – Income Management and Cashless Welfare Arrangements) Determination 2020 – 17 April 2020
Social Security (Coronavirus Economic Response – 2020 Measures No. 9) Determination 2020 – 17 April 2020
Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services – Additional GP Bulk-billing Incentives) Determination 2020 – 17 April 2020
Torres Strait Regional Authority (Postponement of Election) Instrument 2020 – 16 April 2020
Treasury Laws Amendment (Release of Superannuation on Compassionate Grounds) Regulations 2020 – 16 April 2020
Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Amendment (Threshold Test) Regulations 2020 – 16 April 2020
Tax Agent Services (Specified BAS Services No.1) Instrument 2020 – 15 April 2020
Social Security (Coronavirus Economic Response – 2020 Measures No. 8) Determination 2020 – 15 April 2020
Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Rules Amendment Instrument 2020 (No. 1) – 9 April 2020
Advance to the Finance Minister Determination (No. 5 of 2019-2020) – 9 April 2020
Advance to the Finance Minister Determination (No. 4 of 2019-2020) – 9 April 2020
CASA EX65/20 — Extension of Airworthiness Review Certificate (COVID-19) Exemption 2020 – 9 April 2020
Public Service (Terms and Conditions of Employment) (General wage increase deferrals during the COVID-19 pandemic) Determination 2020 – 9 April 2020
Defence Determination, Conditions of service Amendment (COVID-19 response) Determination 2020 (No. 8) – 8 April 2020
Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices—Ventilators) (COVID-19 Emergency) Exemption 2020 – 8 April 2020
Social Security (Deeming Threshold Rates) Determination 2020 – 6 April 2020
National Health (COVID-19 Supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Amendment (Expansion of Telehealth and Telephone Attendances) Special Arrangement 2020 – 7 April 2020 [amended by the Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services – COVID-19 Telehealth and Telephone Attendances) Amendment (Bulk-billing Requirement and New Remote Attendance Services) Determination 2020]
Guarantee of Lending to Small and Medium Enterprises (Coronavirus Economic Response Package) Rules 2020 – 6 April 2020
Child Care Subsidy Amendment (Coronavirus Response Measures No. 2) Minister’s Rules 2020 – 5 April 2020
Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services – COVID-19 Telehealth and Telephone Attendances) Amendment Determination 2020 – 3 April 2020
Part 101 Manual of Standards (Extensions of Time Due to COVID-19) Amendment Instrument 2020 (No. 1)– 2 April 2020
Therapeutic Goods (Medicines—Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine) (COVID-19 Emergency) Exemption 2020 – 2 April 2020
Poisons Standard Amendment (Hydroxychloroquine) Instrument 2020 – 2 April 2020
Therapeutic Goods (Medicines—Remdesivir) (COVID-19 Emergency) Exemption 2020 – 2 April 2020
Therapeutic Goods (Medicines—Lopinavir and Ritonavir) (COVID-19 Emergency) Exemption 2020 – 2 April 2020
National Consumer Credit Protection Amendment (Coronavirus Economic Response Package) Regulations 2020 – 2 April 2020
ASIC Corporations (Trading Suspensions Relief) Instrument 2020/289 – 31 March 2020
ASIC Corporations (Amendment) Instrument 2020/290 – 31 March 2020
Health Insurance (Section 3C Pathology Services – COVID-19) Amendment (No. 2) Determination 2020 – 31 March 2020
Private Health Insurance (Incentives) Amendment Rules (No. 1) 2020 – 30 March 2020
Veterans’ Entitlements (Provisional Access to Medical Treatment) Amendment Determination 2020 – 30 March 2020
National Health (Continued Dispensing – Emergency Measures) Amendment Determination 2020 (No.2) (PB 23 of 2020) – 30 March 2020
National Health (April 2020 First New Brand statutory price reduction) (Exercise of Ministerial discretion) Determination 2020 – 30 March 2020
National Health (April 2020 Anniversary statutory price reduction) (Exercise of Ministerial discretion) Determination 2020 – 30 March 2020
Medical Indemnity Amendment (Eligible Run-off Claims) Regulations 2020 – 29 March 2020
Customs (Prohibited Exports) Amendment (COVID-19 Human Biosecurity Emergency) Regulations 2020 – 29 March 2020
Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Bulk-billing Incentive) Regulations 2020 – 29 March 2020
Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Excluded Goods—Hand Sanitisers) Determination 2020 – 28 March 2020
Medical and Midwife Indemnity Legislation Amendment (Eligible Run-off Claims) Rules 2020 – 27 March 2020
Therapeutic Goods (Excluded Goods—Hand Sanitisers) Determination 2020 – 27 March 2020
Social Security (Coronavirus Economic Response—2020 Measures No. 3) Determination 2020 – 27 March 2020
CASA EX57/20 — Licensing, and Operator Training and Checking (Extensions of Time Due to COVID-19) Exemptions Instrument 2020 – 27 March 2020
Defence Determination, Conditions of service Amendment (COVID-19 response) Determination 2020 (No. 7) – 27 March 2020
Health Insurance (Eligible persons and citizens of Malta) Order 2020 – 27 March 2020
Health Insurance (Eligible persons and citizens of Italy) Order 2020 – 27 March 2020
Aged Care (Transitional Provisions) (Subsidy and Other Measures) Amendment (Workforce Continuity Funding) Determination 2020 – 26 March 2020
Aged Care (Subsidy, Fees and Payments) Amendment (Workforce Continuity Funding) Determination 2020 – 26 March 2020
Structured Finance Support (Coronavirus Economic Response Package) Delegation 2020 – 26 March 2020
Prime Minister’s direction under subsection 21(1) – 2020 (No. 1) – 26 March 2020
National Health Security (Responsible Bodies) Amendment Determination 2020 – 25 March 2020
National Health (COVID-19 Supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Special Arrangement 2020 – 25 March 2020
Social Security (Coronavirus Economic Response—2020 Measures No. 2) Determination 2020 – 25 March 2020
Notice under Paragraph 15(1) of the Jervis Bay Territory Emergency Management Ordinance 2015 – 25 March 2020
Structured Finance Support (Coronavirus Economic Response Package) Rules 2020 – 25 March 2020
Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services – GP and Allied Health COVID-19 Services) Determination 2020 – compiled 23 March 2020
Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services – Specialist, Consultant Physician and Consultant Psychiatrist COVID-19 Telehealth Services) Determination 2020 – compiled 23 March 2020
Child Care Subsidy Amendment (Coronavirus Economic Response Package) Minister’s Rules 2020 – 23 March 2020
Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services –COVID-19 Services) Determination 2020 – 23 March 2020
Health Insurance (Section 3C Co-Dependent Pathology Services) Amendment Determination (No. 1) 2020 – 23 March 2020
Poisons Standard Amendment (Hydroxychloroquine and Salbutamol) Instrument 2020 – 23 March 2020
Commonwealth Inscribed Stock (Maximum Total Face Value of Stock and Securities) Direction 2020 – 23 March 2020
Health Legislation Amendment (Permitted Information Disclosure) Regulations 2020 – 19 March 2020
Defence Determination, Conditions of service Amendment (COVID-19 response) Determination 2020 (No. 6) – 19 March 2020
Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services – GP and Allied Health COVID-19 Services) Amendment Determination No. 3 2020 – 17 March 2020
Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services – GP and Allied Health COVID-19 Services) Amendment Determination No. 2 2020 – 16 March 2020
Health Insurance (Section 3C Pathology Services – COVID-19) Amendment Determination 2020 – 16 March 2020
Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services – GP and Allied Health COVID-19 Services) Amendment Determination No.1 2020 – 13 March 2020
Health Insurance (Pathologist-determinable Services) Amendment Determination 2020 – 12 March 2020
Social Security (Ordinary Waiting Period Exemption) Instrument 2020 – 12 March 2020
COVID-19 Law 