Subject guides: AGLC4: Legislation

Legislation

General tips

See chapter 3 of the AGLC4 for more information about citing legislation, including how to cite gazette notices, Explanatory Memoranda and Legislative History.
Chapter 3.1.3 of the AGLC4 includes a list of abbreviations that should be used to refer to Australian jurisdictions.
Your Bibliography will differ slightly from your footnotes - it will not require a pinpoint reference to a section or rule.

Statutes (Acts of Parliament)

Format

Title YEAR (Jurisdiction) Pinpoint.

Example

Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) s 3.

Tips

Chapter 3.1.4 of the AGLC4 includes a list of abbreviations that should be used to refer to legislation pinpoints.

Delegated Legislation

Format

Title YEAR (Jurisdiction) Pinpoint.

Example

Heritage Regulation 2006 (ACT) reg 5(1).

Tips

Chapter 3.4 of the AGLC4 includes a list of abbreviations that should be used to refer to pinpoints of delegated legislation.

Short title and subsequent references

Format

The name of the legislative material should generally be provided in full when it is first referred to in the text. The first citation of a legislative material in a footnote should also be given in full. Subsequently, the short title can be used in the text and footnotes.

Example

This is covered by the Property Law Act 1958 (Vic) ('Property Act').

45 Property Law Act 1958 (Vic) ('Property Act').

46 ...

47 Property Act (n 45) s 6.

Tips

Creating a 'short title' can make it easier to refer to a resource that you use multiple times, or that has a long title. You must spell out the full title the first time, and abbreviate it afterwards.
The rules vary depending on whether you're creating a short title for a secondary source or referring to a primary source. Follow AGLC Rules 1.4.4 and 3.5.