Criminal Code 2002
- Number
- A2002-51
- Status
- In Force
- Current law
- Regulations & instruments
- Point-in-time versions
- Law history
Current version
Notes
- Uncommenced expiry of provisions.
- Proposed amendments by Family, Personal and Sexual Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2025.
- Proposed amendments by Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (No 3).
| Effective | Files/Formats | Version | Published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 November 2025 | HTMLPDFWord | R57 | 16 November 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2025-29 |
Administering Minister and Directorate
- Attorney-General - Justice and Community Safety Directorate
Legislative instruments
Legislative instruments under the Act and its subordinate laws
| Name | Status | Classifier | Type | Under | Effective | Year and No |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Code Regulation 2005 | None | Subordinate laws | s 800 | 15 August 2019 | SL2005-2 | |
| Criminal Code Amendment Regulation 2007 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Subordinate laws | s 800 | 4 May 2007 - 5 May 2007 | SL2007-7 | |
| Criminal Code Amendment Regulation 2008 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Subordinate laws | s 800 | 23 December 2008 - 24 December 2008 | SL2008-56 | |
| Criminal Code Amendment Regulation 2009 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Subordinate laws | s 800 | 2 June 2009 - 3 June 2009 | SL2009-25 | |
| Criminal Code Amendment Regulation 2010 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Subordinate laws | s 800 | 26 October 2010 - 27 October 2010 | SL2010-41 | |
| Criminal Code Amendment Regulation 2013 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Subordinate laws | s 800 | 10 May 2013 - 11 May 2013 | SL2013-10 | |
| Criminal Code (Controlled Drugs) Legislation Amendment Regulation 2014 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Subordinate laws | s 800 | 17 April 2014 - 18 April 2014 | SL2014-6 |
Point-in-time versions
| Effective | Files/Formats | Version | Published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 November 2025 | HTMLPDFWord | R57 | 16 November 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2025-29 |
| 1 July 2025 - 15 November 2025 | HTMLPDFWord | R56 | 1 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2023-45 and textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 1 July 2024 - 30 June 2025 | HTMLPDFWord | R55 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2023-49 as amended by A2024-3 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 27 March 2024 - 30 June 2024 | HTMLPDFWord | R54 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2023-45 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 22 November 2023 - 26 March 2024 | HTMLPDFWord | R53 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2023-45 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 30 September 2023 - 21 November 2023 | HTMLPDFWord | R52 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2023-37 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 13 September 2023 - 29 September 2023 | HTMLPDFWord | R51 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2023-33 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 11 December 2021 - 12 September 2023 | HTMLPDFWord | R50 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2021-33 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 9 April 2021 - 10 December 2021 | HTMLPDFWord | R49 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2021-6 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 28 August 2020 - 8 April 2021 | HTMLPDFWord | R48 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2020-42 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 9 March 2020 - 27 August 2020 | HTMLPDFWord | R47 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2019-41 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 31 January 2020 - 8 March 2020 | HTMLPDFWord | R46 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2019-34 and A2019-41 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 1 December 2019 - 30 January 2020 | HTMLPDFWord | R45 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2018-52 as amended by A2019-18 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 15 August 2019 - 30 November 2019 | HTMLPDFWord | R44 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2019-23 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 22 November 2018 - 14 August 2019 | HTMLPDFWord | R43 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2018-42 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 2 March 2018 - 21 November 2018 | HTMLPDFWord | R42 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2018-6 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 15 August 2017 - 1 March 2018 | HTMLPDFWord | R41 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2017-21 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 24 May 2017 - 14 August 2017 | HTMLPDFWord | R40 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2017-14 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 1 May 2017 - 23 May 2017 | HTMLPDFWord | R39 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2016-42 as amended by A2017-10 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 6 April 2017 - 30 April 2017 | HTMLPDFWord | R38 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2017-9 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 3 April 2017 - 5 April 2017 | HTMLPDFWord | R37 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2016-49 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 24 August 2016 - 2 April 2017 | HTMLPDFWord | R36 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2016-49 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 1 April 2016 - 23 August 2016 | HTMLPDFWord | R35 (RI) | 29 July 2016 | Republication for amendments by A2016-13 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 1 March 2016 - 31 March 2016 | HTMLPDFWord | R34 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2014-51 and A2015-38 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 9 December 2015 - 29 February 2016 | HTMLPDFWord | R33 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2015-50 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 8 October 2015 - 8 December 2015 | HTMLPDFWord | R32 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for updated endnotes as amended by A2015-38 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 2 June 2015 - 7 October 2015 | HTMLPDFWord | R31 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2015-3 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 21 April 2015 - 1 June 2015 | HTMLPDFWord | R30 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2015-10 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 3 March 2015 - 20 April 2015 | HTMLPDFWord | R29 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2015-3 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 10 December 2013 - 2 March 2015 | HTMLPDFWord | R28 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2013-50 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 21 August 2013 - 9 December 2013 | HTMLPDFWord | R27 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2013-26 Reissued electronic republication of printed version for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 14 June 2013 - 20 August 2013 | HTMLPDFWord | R26 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2013-19 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 10 May 2013 - 13 June 2013 | HTMLPDFWord | R25 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for default application date under section 10 prescribed by SL2013-10 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 24 April 2013 - 9 May 2013 | HTMLPDFWord | R24 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2013-12 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 5 June 2012 - 23 April 2013 | HTMLPDFWord | R23 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2012-21 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 1 March 2012 - 4 June 2012 | HTMLPDFWord | R22 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2011-48 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 30 January 2012 - 29 February 2012 | HTMLPDFWord | R21 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2010-15 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 1 July 2011 - 29 January 2012 | HTMLPDFWord | R20 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2011-22 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 17 March 2011 - 30 June 2011 | HTMLPDFWord | R19 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2011-7 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 25 November 2010 - 16 March 2011 | HTMLPDFWord | R18 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2010-44 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 9 July 2010 - 24 November 2010 | HTMLPDFWord | R17 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2010-25 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 7 March 2010 - 8 July 2010 | HTMLPDFWord | R16 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for commenced expiry Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 4 September 2009 - 6 March 2010 | HTMLPDFWord | R15 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2009-24 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 2 June 2009 - 3 September 2009 | HTMLPDFWord | R14 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for default application date for section 10 prescribed by SL2009-25 Reissued electronic republication of printed version for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 30 May 2009 - 1 June 2009 | HTMLPDFWord | R13 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2008-44 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 27 February 2009 - 29 May 2009 | HTMLPDFWord | R12 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2008-19 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 14 February 2009 - 26 February 2009 | HTMLPDFWord | R11 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2008-26 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 6 September 2007 - 13 February 2009 | HTMLPDFWord | R10 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2007-22 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 24 November 2006 - 5 September 2007 | HTMLPDFWord | R9 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for commenced expiry Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 7 April 2006 - 23 November 2006 | HTMLPDFWord | R8 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2006-14 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 23 November 2005 - 6 April 2006 | HTMLPDFWord | R7 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2005-53 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 6 March 2005 - 22 November 2005 | HTMLPDFWord | R6 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2004-56 Reissued electronic republication of printed version for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 9 April 2004 - 5 March 2005 | HTMLPDFWord | R5 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2004-15 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 19 December 2003 - 8 April 2004 | HTMLPDFWord | R4 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2003-56 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 1 November 2003 - 18 December 2003 | HTMLPDFWord | R3 (RI) | 29 July 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2003-47 Reissued for textual correction in s 30 (3) |
| 2 July 2003 - 31 October 2003 | HTMLPDFWord | R2 | 31 July 2003 | Republication for commenced provision |
| 1 January 2003 - 1 July 2003 | HTMLPDFWord | R1 | 1 January 2003 | Republication for new Act |
| 1 January 2003 | HTMLPDFWord | As notified | 20 December 2002 |
Bill and Explanatory statement
The bill and explanatory statement for this Act are accessed from Criminal Code 2002.
Notification statement
The Criminal Code 2002 has been passed by the Legislative Assembly and is notified under the Legislation Act 2001.
Notified: 20 December 2002 (Parliamentary Counsel)
Act as notified
| Date notified | Effective | Files/Formats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 December 2002 | 1 January 2003 | HTMLPDFWord |
Commencement
| Provision | Commencement date | Commencement method |
|---|---|---|
| s 1, s 2 | 20 December 2002 | LA s 75 (1) |
| sch 1 pt 1.23 | 2 July 2003 | s 2 (2) and see A2002-18, s 2 (3) |
| remainder | 1 January 2003 | s 2 (1) |
Expiries
| Provision | Expiry date | Expiry method |
|---|---|---|
| s 5 (2), (3), s 8, s 10 | awaiting commencement | Expire on the application date (see s 5 (3), s 8 (5), s 10) |
| s 801 | commences 22 November 2030 | s 801 (2) |
| s 641 | 6 March 2010 (midnight) | s 641 (3) |
| s 45 (9)-(11) | 23 November 2006 (midnight) | s 45 (11) |
Amendments
For section-by-section amendment annotations, see the amendment history in the endnotes in the current version of this law.
| Year and number | Amending law | Amending provision | Commencement date |
|---|---|---|---|
| A2019-41 | Evidence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Act 2019 | sch 1 pt 1.1 (except amdt 1.1, amdt 1.12) | 9 March 2020 |
| A2019-41 | Evidence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Act 2019 | amdt 1.1, amdt 1.12 | 31 January 2020 |
| A2019-34 | Drugs of Dependence (Personal Cannabis Use) Amendment Act 2019 | sch 1 pt 1.1 | 31 January 2020 |
| A2019-23 | Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2019 | pt 6 | 15 August 2019 |
| A2018-52 | Integrity Commission Act 2018 | sch 1 pt 1.9 | 1 December 2019 |
| A2018-42 | Statute Law Amendment Act 2018 | sch 3 pt 3.11 | 22 November 2018 |
| A2018-6 | Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2018 | pt 4 | 2 March 2018 |
| A2017-21 | Road Transport Reform (Light Rail) Legislation Amendment Act 2017 | sch 1 pt 1.5 | 15 August 2017 |
| A2017-14 | Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2017 (No 2) | pt 4 | 24 May 2017 |
| A2017-9 | Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2017 (No 2) | pt 5 | 6 April 2017 |
| A2016-49 | Discrimination Amendment Act 2016 | amdt 1.2, amdt 1.3 | 3 April 2017 |
| A2016-49 | Discrimination Amendment Act 2016 | amdt 1.1 | 24 August 2016 |
| A2016-42 | Family Violence Act 2016 | sch 3 pt 3.10 | 1 May 2017 |
| A2016-13 | Protection of Rights (Services) Legislation Amendment Act 2016 (No 2) | sch 1 pt 1.17 | 1 April 2016 |
| A2015-50 | Statute Law Amendment Act 2015 (No 2) | sch 3 pt 3.13 | 9 December 2015 |
| A2015-38 | Mental Health Act 2015 | sch 2 pt 2.4 div 2.4.9 | 1 March 2016 |
| A2015-10 | Courts Legislation Amendment Act 2015 | pt 8 | 21 April 2015 |
| A2014-51 | Mental Health (Treatment and Care) Amendment Act 2014 | sch 1 pt 1.6 | 1 March 2016 |
| A2013-50 | Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2013 (No 2) | pt 7 | 10 December 2013 |
| A2013-26 | Criminal Code (Cheating at Gambling) Amendment Act 2013 | ss 4-11 | 21 August 2013 |
| A2013-19 | Statute Law Amendment Act 2013 | sch 3 pt 3.10 | 14 June 2013 |
| A2013-12 | Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2013 | pt 5 | 24 April 2013 |
| A2012-21 | Statute Law Amendment Act 2012 | sch 3 pt 3.11 | 5 June 2012 |
| A2011-48 | Evidence (Consequential Amendments) Act 2011 | sch 1 pt 1.15 | 1 March 2012 |
| A2011-22 | Administrative (One ACT Public Service Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2011 | sch 1 pt 1.48 | 1 July 2011 |
| A2011-7 | Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2011 | pt 4 | 17 March 2011 |
| A2010-44 | Criminal Code Amendment Act 2010 | s 4 | 25 November 2010 |
| A2010-25 | Crimes (Serious Organised Crime) Amendment Act 2010 | pt 3 | 9 July 2010 |
| A2010-15 | Personal Property Securities Act 2010 | sch 2 pt 2.2 | 30 January 2012 |
| A2009-24 | Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2009 | sch 1 pt 1.6 | 4 September 2009 |
| A2008-44 | Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2008 | sch 1 pt 1.6 | 30 May 2009 |
| A2008-26 | Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2008 | sch 2 pt 2.6 | 14 February 2009 |
| A2008-19 | Children and Young People Act 2008 | sch 1 pt 1.6 | 27 February 2009 |
| A2007-22 | Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2007 | sch 1 pt 1.6 | 6 September 2007 |
| A2006-14 | Criminal Code (Mental Impairment) Amendment Act 2006 | ss 4-9 | 7 April 2006 |
| A2005-53 | Criminal Code (Administration of Justice Offences) Amendment Act 2005 | ss 4-21, sch 2 pt 2.2 | 23 November 2005 |
| A2004-56 | Criminal Code (Serious Drug Offences) Amendment Act 2004 | ss 4-6 | 6 March 2005 |
| A2004-15 | Criminal Code (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences) Amendment Act 2004 | ss 4-10 | 9 April 2004 |
| A2003-56 | Statute Law Amendment Act 2003 (No 2) | sch 3 pt 3.7 | 19 December 2003 |
| A2003-47 | Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2003 (No 2) | pt 3 | 1 November 2003 |
| A2015-3 | Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2015 | s 31 | 3 March 2015 |
| A2015-3 | Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2015 | s 32 | 2 June 2015 |
| A2020-42 | Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2020 | pt 11 | 28 August 2020 |
| A2021-6 | Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2021 | pt 6 | 9 April 2021 |
| A2021-33 | Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2021 (No 2) | pt 8 | 11 December 2021 |
| A2023-33 | Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2023 | pt 5 | 13 September 2023 |
| A2023-37 | Courts Legislation Amendment Act 2023 | sch 1 pt 1.5 | 30 September 2023 |
| A2023-45 | Justice (Age of Criminal Responsibility) Legislation Amendment Act 2023 | s 93, 95-98 | 22 November 2023 |
| A2023-45 | Justice (Age of Criminal Responsibility) Legislation Amendment Act 2023 | s 94, s 99 | 1 July 2025 |
| A2023-49 | Children and Young People Amendment Act 2023 | sch 1 pt 1.1 | 1 July 2024 |
| A2023-45 | Justice (Age of Criminal Responsibility) Legislation Amendment Act 2023 | sch 1 pt 1.4 | 27 March 2024 |
| A2025-29 | Statute Law Amendment Act 2025 | sch 3 pt 3.27, sch 4 pt 4.50 | 16 November 2025 |