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About specific legislation
Can you tell me which legislation covers a particular legal matter?
We can’t give legal advice about the interpretation or operation of legislation. While we can provide general information and direction about the legislation we are often asked about, we cannot give you any more specific advice or information about your particular circumstances. See if the other FAQs in this section help to answer your question.
The government department that administers the relevant legislation may also have information on its website about the legislation or you may be able to contact the department directly for more information. You can find the right department at the top of the status information page or legislative history page for the relevant Act.
We also have some other suggestions about getting legal advice in our contact list for legislation-related questions.
Residential matters
Where can I find the legislation about dividing fences?
The Neighbourhood Disputes (Dividing Fences and Trees) Act 2011—look for the latest reprint of the Act on the website via the In force legislation link.
Where can I find legislation about my neighbour’s tree overhanging my fence?
The Neighbourhood Disputes (Dividing Fences and Trees) Act 2011—look for the latest reprint of the Act on the website via the In force legislation link.
Where can I find legislation about requirements for pool fences?
You may need to look at both the Building Act 1975 and Building Regulation 2006—look for the latest reprint of the Act or subordinate legislation on the website via the In force legislation link.
Where can I find the legislation about installing smoke alarms in a house?
The Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990 and subordinate legislation made under that Act—look for the latest reprint of the Act on the website via the In force legislation link and click the Subordinate legislation button.
Real estate agents
Where can I find the legislation that regulates real estate agents?
You may need to look at both the Property Occupations Act 2014 and Property Occupations Regulation 2014—look for the latest reprint of the Act or subordinate legislation on the website via the In force legislation link.
Working with children
Where can I find the legislation that deals with ‘blue cards’?
The Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000—look for the latest reprint of the Act on the website via the In force legislation link.
Where can I find the legislation that regulates child care centres?
The Education and Care Services National Law (Queensland)—look for the latest reprint of the law on the website via the In force legislation link. (The link for the reprint of the law can be found directly under the reprint of the Education and Care Services National Law (Queensland) Act 2011.)
Pets and animals generally
Where can I find the legislation about keeping dogs and cats as pets?
You may need to look at both the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 and the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Regulation 2009—look for the latest reprint of the Act or regulation on the website via the In force legislation link.
What legislation is there about companion dogs for people with a disability?
You may need to look at both the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009 and the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Regulation 2009—look for the latest reprint of the Act or regulation on the website via the In force legislation link.
Where can I find legislation about animal cruelty and how animals should be treated?
You may need to look at both the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 and the Animal Care and Protection Regulation 2012—look for the latest reprint of the Act or regulation on the website via the In force legislation link.
Animal cruelty may also be an offence under the Criminal Code—look for the latest reprint of the Code on the website via the In force legislation link.
What legislation covers using animals for scientific experiments?
The Animal Care and Protection Act 2001—look for the latest reprint of the Act on the website via the In force legislation link.
I've heard there are codes of practice about the treatment of animals like hens and pigs being intensively farmed and transported. Where can I find them?
The Animal Care and Protection Regulation 2012—look for the latest reprint of the regulation on the website via the In force legislation link.
What legislation covers the treatment of animals in a zoo, circus or pet shop?
You may need to look at both the Exhibited Animals Act 2015 and Exhibited Animals Regulation 2016—look for the latest reprint of the Act or regulation on the website via the In force legislation link.
Wildlife protection
What legislation deals with ‘native wildlife’ and what my responsibilities are?
You may need to look at both the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006—look for the latest reprint of the Act or subordinate legislation on the website via the In force legislation link.
Driving
Where can I find the legislation about drink-driving and drug-driving?
The Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995—look for the latest reprint of the Act on the website via the In force legislation link.
Where can I find the Road Rules for Queensland?
The Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Road Rules) Regulation 2009—look for the latest reprint of the subordinate legislation on the website via the In force legislation link.
QCAT
Is there any legislation about how the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) operates?
The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Rules 2009 set out how QCAT proceedings are conducted, including starting proceedings and responding to applications made to the tribunal—look for the latest reprint of the subordinate legislation on the website via the In force legislation link.
Infringement notices
What legislation deals with infringement notices and SPER?
The State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999—look for the latest reprint of the Act on the website via the In force legislation link.
We also have information about penalty units.
Building
Where can I find legislation about Building Codes?
Although the Building Code is referred to in Queensland legislation, it is not part of Queensland legislation and is not available on our website. The Building Code is part of the National Construction Code of Australia, which includes a Queensland Appendix. The Code and amendments to it are published by the Australian Building Codes Board.
Casino development
Where can I find legislation about the development of Queen’s Wharf, Brisbane?
The Queens’s Wharf Brisbane Act 2016 and subordinate legislation (including declarations about land) made under that Act—look for the latest reprint of the Act on the website via the In force legislation link and click the Subordinate legislation button.
Pre-1992 legislation
Where can I get a copy of the Harbours Act 1955?
The Harbours Act 1955 was repealed in 1994 and is not available on our website in electronic format. A hard copy of the Act can be found at the Supreme Court Library in George Street, Brisbane City. The website for the Supreme Court Library is www.sclqld.org.au.
Sectional annotations up to the date of repeal can be found in the Superseded Queensland Legislation Annotations via the Historical information landing page.
Where can I find a copy of the Local Government Act 1936?
The Local Government Act 1936 was repealed in 1994 and is not available on our website in electronic format. Backcaptured copies of reprints of the Act are available on QUT's Digital Collections website.
Sectional annotations up to the date of repeal can be found in the Superseded Queensland Legislation Annotations via the Historical information landing page.
Where can I find a copy of the Land Act 1962?
The Land Act 1962 was repealed in 1994 and is not available on our website in electronic format. A backcaptured copy of the Act is available as part of the Supreme Court Library's Queensland Statutes (1962 Reprints).
Sectional annotations up to the date of repeal can be found in the Superseded Queensland Legislation Annotations via the Historical information landing page.
Where can I find old Queensland legislation that isn’t on the website?
For pre-1992 legislation that is not available on our website, you will need to contact either the State Library of Queensland (website—www.slq.qld.gov.au) or the Supreme Court library (website—www.sclqld.org.au).
Last updated 1 July 2022 at 18:25