Statement of Principles concerning hypogonadism (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 73 of 2021)

made under subsection 196B(2) of the

Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986

Compilation No. 1  

Compilation date:   30 May 2022

Includes amendments up to: Amendment Statement of Principles concerning hypogonadism (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 51 of 2022) (F2022L00667)

The day of commencement of this Amendment Statement of Principles concerning hypogonadism is 30 May 2022.

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Statement of Principles concerning hypogonadism (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 73 of 2021) that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 30 May 2022.

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 Legislation 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 series page on the Legislation 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.

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If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.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

1 Name

3 Authority

4 Application

5 Definitions

6 Kind of injury, disease or death to which this Statement of Principles relates

7 Basis for determining the factors

8 Factors that must exist

9 Relationship to service

10 Factors referring to an injury or disease covered by another Statement of Principles

Schedule 1 - Dictionary

1 Definitions

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

1               Name

This is the Statement of Principles concerning hypogonadism (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 73 of 2021).

3               Authority

This instrument is made under subsection 196B(2) of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.

4               Application

This instrument applies to a claim to which section 120A of the VEA or section 338 of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 applies.

5               Definitions

The terms defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary have the meaning given when used in this instrument.

6               Kind of injury, disease or death to which this Statement of Principles relates

(1)          This Statement of Principles is about hypogonadism and death from hypogonadism.

Meaning of hypogonadism

(2)          For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, hypogonadism:

(a)          means deficient production of testosterone from the testis or estrogen from the ovary, or deficient production of ova (eggs) or sperm, where any such deficiency is associated with clinical symptoms and signs or a requirement for treatment; and

(b)          includes:

(i)            primary hypogonadism;

(ii)         secondary hypogonadism (also known as central hypogonadism and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism); and

(iii)       infertility due to endocrine or gonadal pathology; and

(c)          excludes heritable and congenital forms of hypogonadism, compensated hypogonadism, diminished ovarian reserve, naturally occurring menopause and abnormal semen analysis.

Note 1: Associated clinical symptoms and signs of hypogonadism may include loss of secondary sexual characteristics, loss of sexual function and loss of reproductive function (endocrine or gonadal infertility).

Note 2: infertility is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

Death from hypogonadism

(3)          For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, hypogonadism, in relation to a person, includes death from a terminal event or condition that was contributed to by the person's hypogonadism.

Note: terminal event is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

7               Basis for determining the factors

The Repatriation Medical Authority is of the view that there is sound medical‑scientific evidence that indicates that hypogonadism and death from hypogonadism can be related to relevant service rendered by veterans, members of Peacekeeping Forces, or members of the Forces under the VEA, or members under the MRCA.

Note: MRCA, relevant service and VEA are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

8               Factors that must exist

At least one of the following factors must as a minimum exist before it can be said that a reasonable hypothesis has been raised connecting hypogonadism or death from hypogonadism with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

(1)          having hypopituitarism involving deficiency of follicle stimulating hormone or luteinising hormone at the time of the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

(2)          having hyperprolactinaemia at the time of the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

(3)          for males only, having a spinal cord injury resulting in paraplegia or tetraplegia before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

(4)          having blunt or penetrating trauma to:

(a)          both ovaries or testes; or

(b)          a single functional ovary or testis, where there is only one functional ovary or testis;

sufficient to cause gonadal atrophy before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

(5)          having surgical excision of:

(a)          both ovaries or testes; or

(b)          a single functional ovary or testis, where there is only one functional ovary or testis;

before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

(6)          undergoing a course of therapeutic radiation for cancer, where:

(a)          both ovaries or testes; or

(b)          a single functional ovary or testis, where there is only one functional ovary or testis;

were in the field of radiation before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

(7)          having infection with human immunodeficiency virus before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

(8)          having infection with Mycobacterium leprae before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

Note: Mycobacterium leprae is the organism that causes leprosy.

(9)          having infection with Trypanosoma brucei before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

Note: Trypanosoma brucei is the organism that causes African sleeping sickness (trypanosomiasis).

(10)      having mumps orchitis as an adult affecting:

(a)          both testes; or

(b)          a single functional testis, where there is only one functional testis;

before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

(11)      for males only, having rheumatoid arthritis or granulomatosis with polyangiitis before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

(12)      having Addison disease before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

(13)      having an infiltrative disease from the specified list of infiltrative diseases of:

(a)          both ovaries or testes; or

(b)          a single functional ovary or testis, where there is only one functional ovary or testis;

before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

Note: specified list of infiltrative diseases is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(14)      for males only, having a testicular varicocoele before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

(15)      having infarction of:

(a)          both ovaries or testes; or

(b)          a single functional ovary or testis, where there is only one functional ovary or testis;

within the 1 year before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

(16)      having sickle-cell disorder before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

(17)      having a bone marrow or stem cell transplant before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

(18)      having cirrhosis of the liver at time of the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

(19)      having chronic kidney disease at time of the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

Note: chronic kidney disease is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(20)      having anorexia nervosa at the time of the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

(21)      taking a course of systemic cytotoxic drugs for treatment of a malignant neoplasm before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

(22)      taking gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonists or antagonists as androgen or estrogen deprivation therapy for at least 1 year within the 2 years before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

(23)      having active epilepsy before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

Note: active epilepsy is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(24)      taking a drug from the Specified List 1 of drugs before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

Note: Specified List 1 of drugs is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(25)      taking an immune checkpoint inhibitor within the 1 year before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

Note: immune checkpoint inhibitor is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(26)      taking a drug from the Specified List 2 of drugs, which cannot be ceased or substituted, at the time of the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

Note: Specified List 2 of drugs is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(27)      taking a drug which cannot be ceased or substituted and which is associated in the individual with the clinical onset of hypogonadism during drug therapy and either:

(a)          the improvement of hypogonadism within 2 months of discontinuing or tapering drug therapy; or

(b)           the redevelopment of hypogonadism on rechallenge with the same drug; and

where taking the drug continued for at least the 30 days before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

(28)      inhaling fumes from a metal from the specified list of metals or a compound containing a metal from the specified list of metals:

(a)          for a cumulative period of at least 2,000 hours before the clinical onset of hypogonadism; and

(b)          if that exposure has ceased before the clinical onset of hypogonadism, then that onset occurred within 2 years of cessation;

Note: fumes and specified list of metals are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(29)      inhaling, ingesting or having cutaneous contact with a chemical agent from the specified list of chemical agents:

(a)          for a cumulative period of at least 2,000 hours before the clinical onset of hypogonadism; and

(b)          if that exposure has ceased before the clinical onset of hypogonadism, then that onset occurred within 2 years of cessation;

Note: specified list of chemical agents is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(30)      for females only, inhaling, ingesting or having cutaneous contact with a chemical agent contaminated by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (TCDD):

(a)          for a cumulative period of at least 1,000 hours, within a consecutive period of 10 years before the clinical onset of hypogonadism; and

(b)          if that exposure has ceased before the clinical onset of hypogonadism, then that onset occurred within 25 years of cessation;

Note: inhaling, ingesting or having cutaneous contact with a chemical agent contaminated by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (TCDD) is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(31)      for females only, having smoked tobacco products:

(a)          in an amount of at least 5 pack-years before the clinical onset of hypogonadism; and

(b)          if smoking has ceased before the clinical onset of hypogonadism, then that onset occurred within 10 years of cessation;

Note: one pack-year is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(32)      having alcohol use disorder before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

(33)      being obese for at least the 5 years before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

Note: being obese is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(34)      for females only, being underweight for at least the 5 years before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

Note: being underweight is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(35)      for females only, being nulliparous at the time of the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

Note: being nulliparous is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(36)      for parous women only, an inability to breast feed for a cumulative period of at least 6 months before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

Note: The period of breastfeeding could be cumulative over a number of pregnancies.

(37)      having diabetes mellitus before the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

(38)      for males only, having obstructive sleep apnoea at the time of the clinical onset of hypogonadism;

(39)      having hypopituitarism involving deficiency of follicle stimulating hormone or luteinising hormone at the time of the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

(40)      having hyperprolactinaemia at the time of the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

(41)      for males only, having a spinal cord injury resulting in paraplegia or tetraplegia before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

(42)      having blunt or penetrating trauma to:

(a)          both ovaries or testes; or

(b)          a single functional ovary or testis, where there is only one functional ovary or testis;

sufficient to cause gonadal atrophy before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

(43)      having surgical excision of:

(a)          both ovaries or testes; or

(b)          a single functional ovary or testis, where there is only one functional ovary or testis;

before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

(44)      undergoing a course of therapeutic radiation for cancer, where:

(a)          both ovaries or testes; or

(b)          a single functional ovary or testis, where there is only one functional ovary or testis;

were in the field of radiation before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

(45)      having infection with human immunodeficiency virus before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

(46)      having infection with Mycobacterium leprae before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

Note: Mycobacterium leprae is the organism that causes leprosy.

(47)      having infection with Trypanosoma brucei before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

Note: Trypanosoma brucei is the organism that causes African sleeping sickness (trypanosomiasis).

(48)      having mumps orchitis as an adult affecting:

(a)          both testes; or

(b)          a single functional testis, where there is only one functional testis;

before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

(49)      for males only, having rheumatoid arthritis or granulomatosis with polyangiitis before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

(50)      having Addison disease before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

(51)      having an infiltrative disease from the specified list of infiltrative diseases of:

(a)          both ovaries or testes; or

(b)          a single functional ovary or testis, where there is only one functional ovary or testis;

before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

Note: specified list of infiltrative diseases is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(52)      for males only, having a testicular varicocoele before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

(53)      having infarction of:

(a)          both ovaries or testes; or

(b)          a single functional ovary or testis, where there is only one functional ovary or testis;

within the 1 year before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

(54)      having sickle-cell disorder before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

(55)      having a bone marrow or stem cell transplant before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

(56)      having cirrhosis of the liver at time of the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

(57)      having chronic kidney disease at time of the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

Note: chronic kidney disease is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(58)      having anorexia nervosa at the time of the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

(59)      taking a course of systemic cytotoxic drugs for treatment of a malignant neoplasm before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

(60)      taking gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonists or antagonists as androgen or estrogen deprivation therapy for at least 1 year within the 2 years before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

(61)      having active epilepsy before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

Note: active epilepsy is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(62)      taking a drug from the Specified List 1 of drugs before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

Note: Specified List 1 of drugs is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(63)      taking an immune checkpoint inhibitor within the 1 year before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

Note: immune checkpoint inhibitor is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(64)      taking a drug from the Specified List 2 of drugs, which cannot be ceased or substituted, at the time of the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

Note: Specified List 2 of drugs is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(65)      taking a drug which cannot be ceased or substituted and which is associated in the individual with the clinical worsening of hypogonadism during drug therapy and either:

(a)          the improvement of hypogonadism within 2 months of discontinuing or tapering drug therapy; or

(b)           the clinical worsening of hypogonadism on rechallenge with the same drug; and

where taking the drug continued for at least the 30 days before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

(66)      inhaling fumes from a metal from the specified list of metals or a compound containing a metal from the specified list of metals:

(a)          for a cumulative period of at least 2,000 hours before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism; and

(b)          if that exposure has ceased before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism, then that worsening occurred within 2 years of cessation;

Note: fumes and specified list of metals are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(67)      inhaling, ingesting or having cutaneous contact with a chemical agent from the specified list of chemical agents:

(a)          for a cumulative period of at least 2,000 hours before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism; and

(b)          if that exposure has ceased before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism, then that worsening occurred within 2 years of cessation;

Note: specified list of chemical agents is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(68)      for females only, inhaling, ingesting or having cutaneous contact with a chemical agent contaminated by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (TCDD):

(a)          for a cumulative period of at least 1,000 hours, within a consecutive period of 10 years before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism; and

(b)          if that exposure has ceased before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism, then that worsening occurred within 25 years of cessation;

Note: inhaling, ingesting or having cutaneous contact with a chemical agent contaminated by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (TCDD) is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(69)      for females only, having smoked tobacco products:

(a)          in an amount of at least 5 pack-years before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism; and

(b)          if smoking has ceased before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism, then that worsening occurred within 10 years of cessation;

Note: one pack-year is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(70)      having alcohol use disorder before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

(71)      being obese for at least the 5 years before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

Note: being obese is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary. 

(72)      for females only, being underweight for at least the 5 years before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

Note: being underweight is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(73)      for females only, being nulliparous at the time of the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

Note: being nulliparous is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(74)      for parous women only, an inability to breast feed for a cumulative period of at least 6 months before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

Note: The period of breastfeeding could be cumulative over a number of pregnancies.

(75)      having diabetes mellitus before the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

(76)      for males only, having obstructive sleep apnoea at the time of the clinical worsening of hypogonadism;

(77)      inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for hypogonadism.

9               Relationship to service

(1)          The existence in a person of any factor referred to in section 8, must be related to the relevant service rendered by the person.

(2)          The factors set out in subsections 8(39) to 8(77) apply only to material contribution to, or aggravation of, hypogonadism where the person's hypogonadism was suffered or contracted before or during (but did not arise out of) the person's relevant service.

10           Factors referring to an injury or disease covered by another Statement of Principles

In this Statement of Principles:

(1)          if a factor referred to in section 8 applies in relation to a person; and

(2)          that factor refers to an injury or disease in respect of which a Statement of Principles has been determined under subsection 196B(2) of the VEA;

then the factors in that Statement of Principles apply in accordance with the terms of that Statement of Principles as in force from time to time.

Schedule 1 - Dictionary  

Note: See Section 5

1               Definitions

In this instrument:

                             abnormality of kidney structure or function means:

(a)          having a glomerular filtration rate of less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2; or

(b)          having kidney damage, as evidenced by renal biopsy, imaging studies, albuminuria, urinary sediment abnormalities or other markers of abnormal renal function; or

(c)          having had a kidney transplant.

                             active epilepsy means having at least one epileptic seizure per year.

                             being nulliparous means never having experienced a gestation period of at least 20 weeks.

                             being obese means having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater.

Note: BMI is also defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

                             being underweight means having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 18.5 or less.

Note: BMI is also defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

                             BMI means W/H2 where:

(a)          W is the person's weight in kilograms; and

(b)          H is the person's height in metres.

                             chronic kidney disease means an abnormality of kidney structure or function that has been present for at least 3 months.

Note: abnormality of kidney structure or function is also defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

                             fumes means combustion products, aerosols, vapours or dust arising through industrial processes or from workplace practices that involve the refining, manufacture or use of the stated material.

                             hypogonadism—see subsection 6(2).

                             immune checkpoint inhibitor means a form of cancer immunotherapy that uses monoclonal antibodies targeting the immune checkpoint proteins. Examples include ipilimumab, tremelimumab, nivolumab and pembrolizumab.

                             infertility means inability to conceive a pregnancy after 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse, use of assisted reproductive technology or azoospermia in males.

                             inhaling, ingesting or having cutaneous contact with a chemical agent contaminated by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (TCDD) means:

(a)          decanting or spraying;

(b)          cleaning or maintaining equipment used to apply;

(c)          being sprayed with;

(d)          handling or sawing timber treated with;

(e)          being in an environment shrouded in dust from timber treated with; or

(f)           using cutting oils contaminated with;

                             one of the following chemicals:

(i)            2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid;

(ii)         2,4,5-trichlorophenoxypropionic acid;

(iii)       2,4,5-trichlorophenol;

(iv)        2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)-ethyl 2,2-dichloropropionionate;

(v)          o,o-dimethyl-o-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)-phosphorothioate;

(vi)        pentachlorophenol;

(vii)     2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol;

(viii)   2,4,6-trichlorophenol;

(ix)        1,3,5-trichloro-2-(4-nitrophenoxy)benzene;

(x)          2,4-dichloro-1-(4-nitrophenoxy)benzene; or

(xi)        2,4-dichloro-1-(3-methoxy-4-nitrophenoxy)-benzene.

                             MRCA means the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004.

                             one pack-year means the amount of tobacco consumed in smoking 20 cigarettes per day for a period of 1 year, or an equivalent amount of tobacco products.

Note 1: An equivalent amount of tobacco products is 7,300 grams of smoking tobacco by weight, either in cigarettes, pipe tobacco or cigars, or a combination of same. For pipe tobacco, cigars or combinations of multiple tobacco types, 1 gram of tobacco is considered to be equal to one cigarette.

Note 2: Pack-years are calculated by dividing the number of cigarettes smoked per day by 20 and multiplying this number by the number of years the person has smoked. For example, smoking 10 cigarettes per day for 10 years is equal to 5 pack-years, and smoking 40 cigarettes per day for 10 years is equal to 20 pack-years.

                             relevant service means:

(a)          operational service under the VEA;

(b)          peacekeeping service under the VEA;

(c)          hazardous service under the VEA;

(d)          British nuclear test defence service under the VEA;

(e)          warlike service under the MRCA; or

(f)           non-warlike service under the MRCA.

Note: MRCA and VEA are also defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

                             Specified List 1 of drugs means:

(a)          alkylating agents including busulphan, carmustine, chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, dacarbazine, lomustine, melphalan (phenylalanine mustard), nitrogen mustard (mechlorethamine), procarbazine and ifosfamide (isophosphamide);

(b)          anthracycline antibiotics including daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin and idarubicin;

(c)          etoposide;

(d)          ibiraterone;

(e)          platinum compounds including cisplatin and carboplatin.

                             Specified List 2 of drugs means:

(a)          androgens;

(b)          antipsychotics;

(c)          bevacizumab for females only;

(d)          dutasteride for males only;

(e)          estrogens for males only;

(f)           finasteride for males only;

(g)          flutamide for males only;

(h)          glucocorticoids;

(i)            ketoconazole for males only;

(j)            opioids;

(k)          progestins for males only;

(l)            sirolimus for males only;

(m)        spironolactone for males only;

(n)          steroidal antiandrogens (including cyproterone acetate) for males only;

(o)          sulfasalazine for males only; or

(p)          vismodegib for females only.

                             specified list of chemical agents means:

(a)          2-bromopropane;

(b)          carbon disulphide for females only; or

(c)          dibromochloropropane for males only.

                             specified list of infiltrative diseases means:

(a)          amyloidosis;

(b)          endometriosis;

(c)          haemochromatosis;

(d)          a primary or secondary malignant neoplasm; or

(e)          sarcoidosis.

                             specified list of metals means:

(a)          cadmium;

(b)          lead; or

(c)          mercury.

                             terminal event means the proximate or ultimate cause of death and includes the following:

(a)           pneumonia;

(b)           respiratory failure;

(c)           cardiac arrest;

(d)           circulatory failure; or

(e)           cessation of brain function.

                             VEA means the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation “(md)” added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the abbreviation “(md not incorp)” is added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history. 

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history