Drafting directions

Presentation and form of legislation
No. Title Date of issue
1.1

Long and short title of Bills and references to proposed Acts

 29 May 2019 pdf file, Drafting Direction No. 1.1 Long and short titles of Bills and references to proposed Acts.pdf, file size 376.1 KB docx file, Drafting Direction No. 1.1 Long and short titles of Bills and references to proposed Acts.docx, file size 48.96 KB
1.1A

Names of instruments and provision units of instruments

 01 July 2022 pdf file, Drafting Direction No. 1.1A Names of instruments and provision units of instruments.pdf, file size 245.51 KB docx file, Drafting Direction No. 1.1A Names of instruments and provision units of instruments.docx, file size 47.49 KB
1.2

Portfolio for cover page of Bill

 06 June 2025 pdf file, Drafting Direction No. 1.2 Portfolio for cover page of Bill.pdf, file size 229.35 KB docx file, Drafting Direction No. 1.2 Portfolio for cover page of Bill.docx, file size 41.26 KB
1.3

Commencement provisions

 22 April 2025 pdf file, Drafting Direction 1.3 Commencement Provisions.pdf, file size 540.98 KB docx file, Drafting Direction 1.3 Commencement Provisions.docx, file size 107.05 KB
1.3A

Simplified outlines

 30 November 2016 pdf file, Drafting Direction No. 1.3A Simplified outlines.pdf, file size 99.25 KB docx file, Drafting Direction No. 1.3A Simplified outlines.docx, file size 60.79 KB
1.5

Definitions

 03 February 2025 pdf file, Drafting Direction No. 1.5 Definitions.pdf, file size 384.39 KB docx file, Drafting Direction No. 1.5 Definitions.docx, file size 57.38 KB
1.6

Asterisking to identify defined terms

 07 September 2020 pdf file, Drafting Direction No. 1.6 Asterisking to identify defined terms.pdf, file size 377.91 KB docx file, Drafting Direction No. 1.6 Asterisking to identify defined terms.docx, file size 47.67 KB
1.7

Numbering and lettering

 27 March 2024 pdf file, Drafting Direction No. 1.7 Numbering and lettering.pdf, file size 198.98 KB docx file, Drafting Direction No. 1.7 Numbering and lettering.docx, file size 51.19 KB
1.8

Special rules for Tax Code drafting

 19 March 2025 pdf file, Drafting Direction No. 1.8 Special rules for Tax Code drafting.pdf, file size 506.71 KB docx file, Drafting Direction No. 1.8 Special rules for Tax Code drafting.docx, file size 79.61 KB
1.9

Alternative text for images in legislation

 08 September 2021 pdf file, Drafting Direction No. 1.9 Alternative text for images in legislation.pdf, file size 509.7 KB docx file, Drafting Direction No. 1.9 Alternative text for images in legislation.docx, file size 274.3 KB
Usage (including plain English)
No. Title Date of issue
2.1

English usage, gender-specific and gender-neutral language, grammar, punctuation and spelling

 01 March 2016 pdf file, Drafting Direction No. 2.1 English usage, gender-specific and gender-neutral language, grammar, punctuation and spelling.pdf, file size 382.42 KB docx file, Drafting Direction No. 2.1 English usage, gender-specific and gender-neutral language, grammar, punctuation and spelling.docx, file size 50.51 KB
2.2

Use of various expressions in draft legislation

 21 December 2023 pdf file, Drafting Direction No. 2.2 Use of various expressions in draft legislation.pdf, file size 415.43 KB docx file, Drafting Direction No. 2.2 Use of various expressions in draft legislation.docx, file size 67.1 KB
Content
No. Title Date of issue
3.3

Application of legislation in relation to various maritime and external areas

 02 October 2012 pdf file, Drafting Direction No. 3.3 Application of legislation in relation to various maritime and external areas.pdf, file size 277.91 KB docx file, Drafting Direction No. 3.3 Application of legislation in relation to various maritime and external areas.docx, file size 36.47 KB
3.4

Conferral and exercise of powers (including by Governor-General)

 27 March 2024 pdf file, Drafting Direction No. 3.4 Conferral and exercise of powers (including by Governor-General).pdf, file size 274.75 KB docx file, Drafting Direction No. 3.4 Conferral and exercise of powers (including by Governor-General).docx, file size 59.38 KB
3.5

Criminal law and law enforcement

 19 March 2025 pdf file, Drafting Direction No. 3.5.pdf, file size 313.74 KB docx file, Drafting Direction No. 3.5.docx, file size 54.96 KB
3.5A

Regulatory powers

 31 March 2021 pdf file, s10bg244.v65.pdf, file size 465.46 KB docx file, s10bg244.v65.docx, file size 84.34 KB
3.6

Commonwealth bodies

 10 January 2023 pdf file, Drafting Direction 3.6.pdf, file size 641.8 KB docx file, Drafting Direction 3.6.docx, file size 157.38 KB
3.7

Tribunals and other administrative bodies--various matters

 25 October 2024 pdf file, Drafting Direction 3.7.pdf, file size 262.49 KB docx file, Drafting Direction 3.7.docx, file size 58.48 KB
3.8

Subordinate legislation

 09 December 2021 pdf file, s06pf335.v115.pdf, file size 473.55 KB docx file, s06pf335.v115.docx, file size 68.86 KB
3.9

Evidence and proof (including oaths and affirmations)

 19 June 2013 pdf file, dd3.9.pdf, file size 308.36 KB docx file, s06pf329.v17.docx, file size 43.31 KB
3.10

Legislation that refers to or affects Australian governments or jurisdictions

 01 June 2018 pdf file, s06rd386.v20.pdf, file size 381.47 KB docx file, s06rd386.v20.docx, file size 50.36 KB
3.11

Implementing Commonwealth agreements (including treaties and conventions etc.)

 24 December 2024 pdf file, Drafting Direction 3.11.pdf, file size 273.84 KB docx file, Drafting Direction 3.11.docx, file size 60.63 KB
3.12

Provisions that make the Commonwealth liable to make a payment

 24 May 2016 pdf file, dd3.12.pdf, file size 308.44 KB docx file, s06rd388.v31.docx, file size 43.45 KB
3.13

References to cases in notes

 31 August 2020 pdf file, s06rd389.v17.pdf, file size 84.27 KB docx file, s06rd389.v17.docx, file size 35.72 KB
3.14

References to the Parliament

 02 October 2012 pdf file, dd3.14.pdf, file size 262.19 KB docx file, s06pf351.v13.docx, file size 34.52 KB
Procedural matters
No. Title Date of issue
4.1

Dealings with instructors

 19 March 2025 pdf file, Drafting Direction No. 4.1.pdf, file size 259.82 KB docx file, Drafting Direction No. 4.1.docx, file size 42.45 KB
4.2

Referral of drafts to agencies

 06 May 2025 pdf file, DD 4.2.pdf, file size 405.31 KB docx file, DD 4.2.docx, file size 78.16 KB
4.3

Amendments requiring consultation under an intergovernmental agreement

 15 February 2017 pdf file, dd4.3.pdf, file size 414.91 KB docx file, s06rd392.v27.docx, file size 77.89 KB
4.4

Changes using FPC's editorial powers and statute law revision amendments

 28 March 2023 pdf file, Drafting Direction 4.4.pdf, file size 297.82 KB docx file, Drafting Direction 4.4.docx, file size 66.76 KB
4.5

Legal advice on issues arising during drafting

 02 February 2015 pdf file, dd4.5.pdf, file size 543.12 KB docx file, s06rd394.v23.docx, file size 46.49 KB
4.6

Legislation Approval Process

 03 February 2025 pdf file, Drafting Directions No. 4.6 Legislation Approval Process.pdf, file size 426.03 KB docx file, DD 4.6 Legislation Approval Process.docx, file size 67.6 KB
4.7

Deputy Speaker's and Chair's amendments, and changes to Minister's copy of Bill

 10 January 2023 pdf file, s06rd395.v48.pdf, file size 229.74 KB docx file, s06rd395.v48.docx, file size 35.84 KB
4.8

Parliamentary amendments--various matters

 17 June 2025 pdf file, DD 4.8.pdf, file size 268.69 KB docx file, DD 4.8.docx, file size 72.81 KB
4.9

Sections 53 and 56 of the Constitution--Bills and parliamentary amendments

 24 September 2024 pdf file, Drafting Direction 4.9.pdf, file size 406.96 KB docx file, Drafting Direction 4.9.docx, file size 232.92 KB
4.10

Presentation of Bills for Royal Assent

 04 October 2016 pdf file, dd_4.10.pdf, file size 71.15 KB docx file, s06rd400.v11.docx, file size 63.76 KB