Electronic Transactions Act 1999

Citation
The Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (Australia).

Overview
The Act states that a transaction under a law of the Commonwealth will not be invalid simply because it was conducted by the use of electronic communications. The Act allows any of the following requirements or permissions under Commonwealth law to be fulfilled in electronic form:


 * Giving information in writing
 * Providing a handwritten signature
 * Producing a document in material form, and
 * Recording or retaining information.

The implementation of the Act was in two stages


 * Before July 1, 2001, it only applied to those laws of the Commonwealth that were specified in the Electronic Transactions Regulations 2000.
 * On or after July 1, 2001. it applied to all laws of the Commonwealth unless they were specifically exempted from application of the Act by the Electronic Transactions Regulations 2000.

The Attorney-General’s decision to exempt a law from the application of the Act is made in consultation with other Departments. The decision is based on the commitment to deliver all appropriate services online where possible. Most exemptions can be found in Schedule 1 of the Electronic Transactions Regulations 2000.