Northern Territory: Legislation

All Northern Territory legislation herein is reproduced with permission but does not purport to be the official or authorised version/s.

From 1863 until 1911, the Northern Territory was annexed to South Australia. For legislation applying in the Northern Territory prior to 1895, refer to the South Australian table.

On 1 January 1911, the Northern Territory became a territory of the Commonwealth.

Aboriginals Ordinance 1911 (Cth) (386kb) Provisions

Aboriginals Ordinance 1918 (1208kb) Provisions

Aboriginals Ordinance 1953 (301kb) Provisions

Welfare Ordinance 1953-60 (html) Provisions

Child Welfare Ordinance 1958 (html) Provisions

Welfare Ordinance 1961 (966kb) Provisions

Social Welfare Ordinance 1964 (481kb) Provisions

In 1978, the Northern Territory was granted self-government by an Act of the Commonwealth Parliament.

Community Welfare Act 1983 (html) Provisions

Adoption of Children Act 1994 (html) Provisions

Adoption of Children Regulations 1994 (914kb)

Photograph Sunset Story
© Heide Smith 1996

This online exhibition was made possible with the co-operation of the National Library of Australia