Criminal Code Act 1995

Act No. 12 of 1995 as amended

This compilation was prepared on 7 November 2005 taking into account amendments up to Act No. 127 of 2005

Section 3AA ceased to have effect and is taken to have been repealed on the day specified in subsection 2.2(2) of the Criminal Code

The text of any of those amendments not in force on that date is appended in the Notes section

The operation of amendments that have been incorporated may be affected by application provisions that are set out in the Notes section

Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing, Attorney-General’s Department, Canberra

Contents
1	Short title [_see_Note 1]..........................................................	.............1
2	Commencement [_see_Note 1]................................................	.............1
3	The Criminal Code ...............................................................	.............1
3A	External Territories...............................................................	.............1
3B	Offshore installations............................................................	.............1
4	Definitions............................................................................	.............1
5	Regulations...........................................................................	.............2
Schedule—The Cr	iminal Code	3
Chapter 1—Codif	ication	3
Division 1		3
1.1	Codification..........................................................................	.............3
Chapter 2—Gener	al principles of criminal responsibility	4
Part 2.1—Purpose	and application	4
Division 2		4
2.1	Purpose.................................................................................	.............4
2.2	Application...........................................................................	.............4
2.3	Application of provisions relating to intoxication ................	.............4
Part 2.2—The ele	ments of an offence	5
Division 3—Ge	neral	5
3.1	Elements...............................................................................	.............5
3.2	Establishing guilt in respect of offences...............................	.............5
Division 4—Ph	ysical elements	6
4.1	Physical elements .................................................................	.............6
4.2	Voluntariness........................................................................	.............6
4.3	Omissions.............................................................................	.............7
Division 5—Fa	ult elements	8
5.1	Fault elements.......................................................................	.............8
5.2	Intention ...............................................................................	.............8
5.3	Knowledge ...........................................................................	.............8
5.4	Recklessness.........................................................................	.............8
5.5	Negligence............................................................................	.............9
5.6	Offences that do not specify fault elements..........................	.............9
Division 6—Ca	ses where fault elements are not required	10
6.1	Strict liability........................................................................	...........10
6.2	Absolute liability ..................................................................	...........10

Criminal Code Act 1995 iii

Part 2.3—Circums	tances in which there is no criminal
responsibi	lity	11
Division 7—Cir	cumstances involving lack of capacity	11
7.1	Children under 10..................................................................	..........11
7.2	Children over 10 but under 14...............................................	..........11
7.3	Mental impairment ................................................................	..........11
Division 8—Into	xication	13
8.1	Definition—self-induced intoxication ...................................	..........13
8.2	Intoxication (offences involving basic intent) .......................	..........13
8.3	Intoxication (negligence as fault element).............................	..........14
8.4	Intoxication (relevance to defences)......................................	..........14
8.5	Involuntary intoxication ........................................................	..........15
Division 9—Cir	cumstances involving mistake or ignorance	16
9.1	Mistake or ignorance of fact (fault elements other than negligence) ............................................................................	..........16
9.2	Mistake of fact (strict liability)..............................................	..........16
9.3	Mistake or ignorance of statute law.......................................	..........17
9.4	Mistake or ignorance of subordinate legislation....................	..........17
9.5	Claim of right ........................................................................	..........18
Division 10—Ci	rcumstances involving external factors	19
10.1	Intervening conduct or event .................................................	..........19
10.2	Duress....................................................................................	..........19
10.3	Sudden or extraordinary emergency......................................	..........19
10.4	Self-defence...........................................................................	..........20
10.5	Lawful authority....................................................................	..........21
Part 2.4—Extensio	ns of criminal responsibility	22
Division 11		22
11.1	Attempt..................................................................................	..........22
11.2	Complicity and common purpose..........................................	..........23
11.3	Innocent agency.....................................................................	..........24
11.4	Incitement..............................................................................	..........24
11.5	Conspiracy.............................................................................	..........25
11.6	References in Acts to offences ..............................................	..........27
Part 2.5—Corpora	te criminal responsibility	28
Division 12		28
12.1	General principles..................................................................	..........28
12.2	Physical elements ..................................................................	..........28
12.3	Fault elements other than negligence.....................................	..........28
12.4	Negligence.............................................................................	..........30
12.5	Mistake of fact (strict liability)..............................................	..........30

iv Criminal Code Act 1995

12.6	Intervening conduct or event ......................................................	.....31
Part 2.6—Proof of	criminal responsibility	32
Division 13		32
13.1	Legal burden of proof—prosecution...........................................	.....32
13.2	Standard of proof—prosecution .................................................	.....32
13.3	Evidential burden of proof—defence .........................................	.....32
13.4	Legal burden of proof—defence.................................................	.....33
13.5	Standard of proof—defence........................................................	.....33
13.6	Use of averments........................................................................	.....33
Part 2.7—Geograp	hical jurisdiction	34
Division 14—St	andard geographical jurisdiction	34
14.1	Standard geographical jurisdiction .............................................	.....34
Division 15—Ex	tended geographical jurisdiction	37
15.1	Extended geographical jurisdiction—category A.......................	.....37
15.2	Extended geographical jurisdiction—category B .......................	.....39
15.3	Extended geographical jurisdiction—category C .......................	.....42
15.4	Extended geographical jurisdiction—category D.......................	.....43
Division 16—M	iscellaneous	45
16.1	Attorney-General’s consent required for prosecution if alleged conduct occurs wholly in a foreign country in certain circumstances .............................................................................	.....45
16.2	When conduct taken to occur partly in Australia........................	.....45
16.3	Meaning of_Australia_..................................................................	.....46
16.4	Result of conduct........................................................................	.....46
Chapter 4—The in	tegrity and security of the international
communit	y and foreign governments	47
Division 70—Br	ibery of foreign public officials	47
70.1	Definitions..................................................................................	.....47
70.2	Bribing a foreign public official .................................................	.....50
70.3	Defence—conduct lawful in foreign public official’s country ...	.....51
70.4	Defence—facilitation payments .................................................	.....54
70.5	Territorial and nationality requirements .....................................	.....56
70.6	Saving of other laws ...................................................................	.....57
Division 71—Of	fences against United Nations and associated
per	sonnel	58
71.1	Purpose.......................................................................................	.....58
71.2	Murder of a UN or associated person .........................................	.....58
71.3	Manslaughter of a UN or associated person ...............................	.....58
71.4	Intentionally causing serious harm to a UN or associated
	person .........................................................................................	.....59

Criminal Code Act 1995 v

71.5	Recklessly causing serious harm to a UN or associated
	person .........................................................................................	.....59
71.6	Intentionally causing harm to a UN or associated person...........	.....60
71.7	Recklessly causing harm to a UN or associated person..............	.....60
71.8	Unlawful sexual penetration.......................................................	.....61
71.9	Kidnapping a UN or associated person.......................................	.....62
71.10	Unlawful detention of UN or associated person .........................	.....62
71.11	Intentionally causing damage to UN or associated person’s property etc.................................................................................	.....63
71.12	Threatening to commit other offences........................................	.....64
71.13	Aggravated offences...................................................................	.....64
71.14	Defence—activities involving serious harm...............................	.....65
71.15	Defence—medical or hygienic procedures.................................	.....65
71.16	Jurisdictional requirement ..........................................................	.....65
71.17	Exclusion of this Division if State/Territory laws provide for
	corresponding offences...............................................................	.....67
71.18	Double jeopardy .........................................................................	.....67
71.19	Saving of other laws ...................................................................	.....67
71.20	Bringing proceedings under this Division ..................................	.....67
71.21	Ministerial certificates relating to proceedings...........................	.....68
71.22	Jurisdiction of State courts preserved .........................................	.....68
71.23	Definitions..................................................................................	.....68
Division 72—Int	ernational terrorist activities using explosive or
leth	al devices	71
72.1	Purpose.......................................................................................	.....71
72.2	ADF members not liable for prosecution....................................	.....71
72.3	Offences .....................................................................................	.....71
72.4	Jurisdictional requirement ..........................................................	.....72
72.5	Saving of other laws ...................................................................	.....73
72.6	Double jeopardy and foreign offences........................................	.....73
72.7	Bringing proceedings under this Division ..................................	.....74
72.8	Ministerial certificates relating to proceedings...........................	.....74
72.9	Jurisdiction of State courts preserved .........................................	.....75
72.10	Definitions..................................................................................	.....75
Division 73—Peo	ple smuggling and related offences	76
Subdivision A	—People smuggling offences	76
73.1	Offence of people smuggling......................................................	.....76
73.2	Aggravated offence of people smuggling (exploitation etc.)......	.....76
73.3	Aggravated offence of people smuggling (at least 5 people)......	.....77
73.4	Jurisdictional requirement ..........................................................	.....78
73.5	Attorney-General’s consent required..........................................	.....79

vi Criminal Code Act 1995

Subdivision	B—Document offences related to people smuggling
	and unlawful entry into foreign countries	79
73.6	Meaning of_travel or identity document_.....................................	.....79
73.7	Meaning of_false travel or identity document_.............................	.....79
73.8	Making, providing or possessing a false travel or identity document....................................................................................	.....80
73.9	Providing or possessing a travel or identity document issued or altered dishonestly or as a result of threats.............................	.....81
73.10	Providing or possessing a travel or identity document to be used by a person who is not the rightful user..............................	.....82
73.11	Taking possession of or destroying another person’s travel or identity document.......................................................................	.....82
73.12	Jurisdictional requirement ..........................................................	.....83
Chapter 5—The se	curity of the Commonwealth	84
Part 5.1—Treason		84
Division 80—Tr	eason	84
80.1	Treason.......................................................................................	.....84
Part 5.2—Offences	relating to espionage and similar activities	87
Division 90—Pr	eliminary	87
90.1	Definitions..................................................................................	.....87
Division 91—Of	fences relating to espionage and similar activities	89
91.1	Espionage and similar activities .................................................	.....89
91.2	Defence—information lawfully available...................................	.....91
Division 93—Pr	osecutions and hearings	92
93.1	Institution of prosecution............................................................	.....92
93.2	Hearing in camera etc.................................................................	.....92
Division 94—Fo	rfeiture	94
94.1	Forfeiture of articles etc..............................................................	.....94
Part 5.3—Terroris	m	95
Division 100—P	reliminary	95
100.1	Definitions..................................................................................	.....95
100.2	Referring States ..........................................................................	.....97
100.3	Constitutional basis for the operation of this Part.......................	.....98
100.4	Application of provisions ...........................................................	.....99
100.5	Application of_Acts Interpretation Act 1901_...............................	...101
100.6	Concurrent operation intended ...................................................	...101
100.7	Regulations may modify operation of this Part to deal with
	interaction between this Part and State and Territory laws.........	...102
100.8	Approval for changes to or affecting this Part............................	...103

Criminal Code Act 1995 vii

Division 101—Te	rrorism	104
101.1	Terrorist acts...............................................................................	...104
101.2	Providing or receiving training connected with terrorist acts .....	...104
101.4	Possessing things connected with terrorist acts ..........................	...105
101.5	Collecting or making documents likely to facilitate terrorist acts..............................................................................................	...106
101.6	Other acts done in preparation for, or planning, terrorist acts.....	...107
Division 102—Te	rrorist organisations	108
Subdivision A	—Definitions	108
102.1	Definitions..................................................................................	...108
102.1A	Reviews by Parliamentary Joint Committee on ASIO, ASIS and DSD.....................................................................................	...115
Subdivision B	—Offences	117
102.2	Directing the activities of a terrorist organisation.......................	...117
102.3	Membership of a terrorist organisation.......................................	...117
102.4	Recruiting for a terrorist organisation.........................................	...118
102.5	Training a terrorist organisation or receiving training from a terrorist organisation...................................................................	...118
102.6	Getting funds to or from a terrorist organisation ........................	...119
102.7	Providing support to a terrorist organisation ..............................	...120
102.8	Associating with terrorist organisations......................................	...120
Subdivision C	—General provisions relating to offences	123
102.9	Extended geographical jurisdiction for offences ........................	...123
102.10	Alternative verdicts ....................................................................	...123
Division 103—Fi	nancing terrorism	124
103.1	Financing terrorism ....................................................................	...124
Division 106—Tr	ansitional provisions	125
106.1	Saving—regulations made for the purposes of the definition of_terrorist organisation_.............................................................	...125
Part 5.4—Harming	Australians	126
Division 104—H	arming Australians	126
104.1	Murder of an Australian citizen or a resident of Australia..........	...126
104.2	Manslaughter of an Australian citizen or a resident of Australia .....................................................................................	...126
104.3	Intentionally causing serious harm to an Australian citizen or a resident of Australia.................................................................	...127
104.4	Recklessly causing serious harm to an Australian citizen or a resident of Australia ...................................................................	...127
104.5	Saving of other laws ...................................................................	...127
104.6	Bringing proceedings under this Division ..................................	...127
104.7	Ministerial certificates relating to proceedings...........................	...128

viii Criminal Code Act 1995

104.8	Geographical jurisdiction ........................................................	......128
104.9	Meaning of_causes_death or harm............................................	......128
Chapter 7—The pr	oper administration of Government	129
Part 7.1—Prelimin	ary	129
Division 130—Pr	eliminary	129
130.1	Definitions...............................................................................	......129
130.2	When property belongs to a person .........................................	......130
130.3	Dishonesty...............................................................................	......131
130.4	Determination of dishonesty to be a matter for the trier of fact...........................................................................................	......131
Part 7.2—Theft and	other property offences	132
Division 131—T	heft	132
131.1	Theft........................................................................................	......132
131.2	Special rules about the meaning of dishonesty........................	......132
131.3	Appropriation of property........................................................	......133
131.4	Theft of land or things forming part of land ............................	......133
131.5	Trust property..........................................................................	......133
131.6	Obligation to deal with property in a particular way ...............	......134
131.7	Property obtained because of fundamental mistake.................	......134
131.8	Property of a corporation sole..................................................	......135
131.9	Property belonging to 2 or more persons.................................	......135
131.10	Intention of permanently depriving a person of property ........	......135
131.11	General deficiency...................................................................	......136
Division 132—O	ther property offences	137
132.1	Receiving.................................................................................	......137
132.2	Robbery...................................................................................	......140
132.3	Aggravated robbery.................................................................	......141
132.4	Burglary...................................................................................	......142
132.5	Aggravated burglary................................................................	......144
132.6	Making off without payment ...................................................	......145
132.7	Going equipped for theft or a property offence .......................	......145
132.8	Dishonest taking or retention of property ................................	......147
132.9	Geographical jurisdiction ........................................................	......148
Part 7.3—Fraudule	nt conduct	149
Division 133—Pr	eliminary	149
133.1	Definitions...............................................................................	......149
Division 134—O	btaining property or a financial advantage by
dece	ption	150
134.1	Obtaining property by deception .............................................	......150

Criminal Code Act 1995 ix

134.2	Obtaining a financial advantage by deception.........................	......153
134.3	Geographical jurisdiction ........................................................	......153
Division 135—O	ther offences involving fraudulent conduct	154
135.1	General dishonesty ..................................................................	......154
135.2	Obtaining financial advantage.................................................	......155
135.4	Conspiracy to defraud..............................................................	......156
135.5	Geographical jurisdiction ........................................................	......158
Part 7.4—False or	misleading statements	159
Division 136—F	alse or misleading statements in applications	159
136.1	False or misleading statements in applications........................	......159
Division 137—F	alse or misleading information or documents	162
137.1	False or misleading information ..............................................	......162
137.2	False or misleading documents................................................	......163
137.3	Geographical jurisdiction ........................................................	......164
Part 7.5—Unwarra	nted demands	165
Division 138—P	reliminary	165
138.1	Unwarranted demand with menaces........................................	......165
138.2	Menaces...................................................................................	......165
Division 139—U	nwarranted demands	167
139.1	Unwarranted demands of a Commonwealth public official.....	......167
139.2	Unwarranted demands made by a Commonwealth public official .....................................................................................	......167
139.3	Geographical jurisdiction ........................................................	......168
Part 7.6—Bribery	and related offences	169
Division 140—P	reliminary	169
140.1	Definition ................................................................................	......169
140.2	Obtaining.................................................................................	......169
Division 141—B	ribery	170
141.1	Bribery of a Commonwealth public official ............................	......170
Division 142—O	ffences relating to bribery	172
142.1	Corrupting benefits given to, or received by, a Commonwealth public official ................................................	......172
142.2	Abuse of public office .............................................................	......173
142.3	Geographical jurisdiction ........................................................	......174
Part 7.7—Forgery	and related offences	175
Division 143—P	reliminary	175
143.1	Definitions...............................................................................	......175
143.2	False documents ......................................................................	......175

x Criminal Code Act 1995