7.2 Commonwealth institutions
Summary
For the purposes of the Scheme, an institution under the responsibility of the Commonwealth is a participating institution. The Minister does not need to declare Commonwealth institutions as participating institutions.
An institution is a Commonwealth institution if it is:
- or was part of the Commonwealth
- or was a Commonwealth entity
- or was a wholly-owned Commonwealth company
- or was an incorporated body established by or under a law of the Commonwealth
- or was an unincorporated body established by or under a law of the Commonwealth
- an institution that is prescribed by the NRS Rules as being a Commonwealth institution.
Commonwealth institutions not covered under Scheme
The Scheme does not consider an institution a Commonwealth institution where:
- it is a body politic that is a Territory
- it is or was part of a body politic that is a Territory
- it is or was a body corporate (other than a wholly-owned Commonwealth company) that
- is or was registered under the Corporations Act 2001
- is or was taken to be registered under the Corporations Act 2001 (transitional provisions), or
- was not under Commonwealth control for a period.
- the NRS Rules prescribe that the institution is not a Commonwealth institution.
This rule making power is intended to exclude a Commonwealth institution where it is more appropriate for another participating institution to pay redress for a person rather than the Commonwealth.
In addition, an institution not under the control of the Commonwealth in relation to a specified period would not be considered a Commonwealth institution.
Act reference: NRSAct Part 5-1 Participating institutions, section 109 What is a Commonwealth institution?
NRS Rules Part 3 Responsibility of institutions
Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 section 10 Commonwealth entities, section 90 Wholly‑owned Commonwealth companies
Corporations Act 2001 Chapter 10 Transitional provisions
Policy reference: Redress Guide 7.1 Participating institutions