Skip to main
Help and resources
Register
for My Account
Sign in
to My Account
Search
Australian Government
Federal Register of Legislation
Site navigation
Constitution
Acts
Legislative instruments
Notifiable instruments
Gazettes
Administrative Arrangements
Prerogative instruments
Norfolk Island
Annual survey
We would appreciate it if you could complete our website
survey
, open until 28 November 2025.
1 Announcement
Home
Acts
In force
Text
Details
Authorises
Downloads
All versions
Interactions
Space Activities Act 1998
Citation change
In force
Superseded version
View latest version
View as made version
Order print copy
Save this title to My Account
Set up an alert
C2004C06880 C03
04 September 2001
-
30 November 2002
Legislation text
View document
Select value
Act
Filter active
Table of contents
Enter text to search the table of contents
Collapse
Part 1—Introduction
1 Short title [see Note 1]
2 Commencement [see Note 1]
3 Objects of Act
4 Simplified outline of Act
5 Act binds the Crown
6 External Territories
7 Application of Criminal Code
Collapse
Part 2—Definitions
8 Definitions
9 Related party
Collapse
Part 3—Regulation of space activities
10 Simplified outline
Collapse
Division 1—Certain space activities require approvals etc.
11 Launch in Australia requires a launch permit or exemption certificate
12 Overseas launch requires an overseas launch certificate
13 Return to Australia of Australian-launched space object requires a launch permit or exemption certificate
14 Return to Australia of overseas-launched space object requires authorisation
15 Space licence required to operate a launch facility in Australia
16 Commonwealth not bound
17 Activities of international space organisations
Collapse
Division 2—Space licences
18 Granting a space licence
19 Terms of space licence
20 Standard space licence conditions
21 Breaching a space licence condition
22 Transfer of space licence
23 Applying for the grant or transfer of a space licence
24 Procedure etc.
25 Suspending a space licence
Collapse
Division 3—Launch permits
26 Granting a launch permit
27 Australian launches: continuing requirement for space licence
28 Terms of launch permit
29 Standard launch permit conditions
30 Breaching a launch permit condition
31 Transfer of launch permit
32 Applying for the grant or transfer of a launch permit
33 Procedure etc.
34 Suspending a launch permit
Collapse
Division 4—Overseas launch certificates
35 Granting an overseas launch certificate
36 Terms of overseas launch certificate
37 Breaching a condition
38 Transfer of overseas launch certificate
39 Applying for the grant or transfer of an overseas launch certificate
40 Procedure etc.
41 Suspending an overseas launch certificate
Collapse
Division 5—Authorisation of return of overseas-launched space objects
42 Scope of Division
43 Returns may be authorised by permission or by agreement
44 Offences relating to returns
45 Breaching a condition
Collapse
Division 6—Exemption certificates
46 Exemption certificates
Collapse
Division 7—Insurance/financial requirements
47 Satisfying the insurance/financial requirements
48 Insurance requirements
49 Additional insurance not precluded
Collapse
Division 8—Launch Safety Officer
50 Launch Safety Officer
51 Functions of Launch Safety Officer
52 Powers of Launch Safety Officer
53 Offence of failing to comply with directions
54 Procedure for giving and complying with directions
55 Launch Safety Officer to comply with Minister’s instructions
56 Seizures in emergency situations
57 Launch Safety Officer may obtain assistance
58 Identity cards
Collapse
Division 9—Administration etc.
59 Fees
60 Request for information
61 Review of decisions
62 Notice of decisions
Collapse
Part 4—Liability for damage by space objects
Collapse
Division 1—Scope of Part
63 Damage covered
64 Compensation for third party damage by space objects to be determined solely under this Part
65 Regulations about waivers
Collapse
Division 2—Liability for third party damage
Collapse
Subdivision A—Rules for damage caused by launches and most returns
66 Scope of Subdivision
67 Damage on Earth or in the air
68 Damage to other space objects
69 Limit on amount of permit or certificate holder’s liability
Collapse
Subdivision B—Rules for certain returns conducted by overseas nationals
70 Scope of Subdivision
71 Liability
Collapse
Division 3—Procedure etc.
72 Federal Court has jurisdiction
73 Action for compensation
Collapse
Division 4—Compensation claims by foreign countries
74 Responsible party’s liability to the Commonwealth
75 Claims Commission
Collapse
Part 5—Register of space objects
76 Minister to keep Register
77 Registration number
78 Register may be kept on computer
79 Inspection of Register
Collapse
Part 5A—Implementation of space cooperation agreements
79A Implementation of intergovernmental agreement with Russia
79B Regulations may amend Schedule
Collapse
Part 6—Civil penalties
80 Civil penalty provisions
81 Fines for contravening civil penalty provisions
82 Procedure
83 Not an offence to contravene civil penalty provision
Collapse
Part 7—Investigation of accidents
Collapse
Division 1—Scope of Part
84 Scope of Part
85 Meaning of accident
86 Meaning of incident
Collapse
Division 2—Investigations
87 Object of Division
88 Appointing an Investigator
89 Investigator to investigate accident or incident
90 Investigator may invite assistance
91 Investigator’s powers to gather information
92 Offences relating to section 91 requirements
93 Report of investigation
94 Custody of space object etc.
95 Automatic suspension of launch permit etc. after accident
96 Disclosure of safety records
97 Relationship with other powers
Collapse
Division 3—Accident site powers
98 Accident sites and accident site premises
99 Power of entry to accident site
100 Procedure before entry
101 Identity cards
102 Availability of assistance and use of force in entering accident site premises
103 Offence of entering etc. an accident site without permission
Collapse
Part 8—Miscellaneous
104 Delegation
105 Operation of other laws
106 Indemnity
107 Compensation—constitutional safety net
108 Severability: additional effect of Act
109 Application of Act: pre-existing agreement
110 Regulations
Schedule 1—Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects
Schedule 2—Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space
Schedule 3—Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and other Celestial Bodies
Schedule 4—Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and other Celestial Bodies
Schedule 5—Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space
Collapse
Schedule 6—Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Russian Federation on Cooperation in the Field of the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes
Notes to the STYLEREF ShortT \* MERGEFORMAT Space Activities Act 1998
