Adult Proof of Age Card Act 2008

An Act to provide for the issue to an adult of a card that may be used as proof of the age of its holder, and matters relating to the card

1Short title

This Act may be cited as the Adult Proof of Age Card Act 2008 .

2Commencement

This Act commences on a day to be fixed by proclamation.

3Object of Act

(1)The object of this Act is to allow the chief executive to issue a card—

(a)on which information may be stored electronically; and

(b)that may be used by a person as identification of the person’s age.

(2)To ensure the integrity of adult proof of age cards, this Act provides for the chief executive to establish a person’s identity before issuing the person with an adult proof of age card.

4Definitions

The dictionary in the schedule defines particular words used in this Act.

5What is an adult proof of age card

An adult proof of age card is a proof of age card issued under this Act—

(a)that indicates that a person is at least 18 years of age; and

(b)on which information may be stored electronically.

s 5 sub 2010 No. 13 s 44

6Card is property of the State

(1)An adult proof of age card is and remains the property of the State.

(2) Subsection (1) applies even though a person other than the State—

(a)has the right to use information that is on the card or stored electronically on it; or

(b)has the right to have information stored on the card.

(3)The State is not legally liable for an act or omission relating to the keeping or use of the adult proof of age card.

s 6 amd 2010 No. 13 s 45

7Eligibility for card

A person is eligible to apply for an adult proof of age card (an eligible person) if the person—

(a)ordinarily resides in Queensland; and

(b)is at least 17 years and 11 months of age.

s 7 amd 2010 No. 51 s 4

8Application for card

(1)An eligible person may apply to the chief executive for an adult proof of age card.

(2)The application must be—

(a)made in the approved form; and

(b)accompanied by—

(i)documentary proof of the applicant’s identity and eligibility as mentioned in section 7; and

(ii)the prescribed fee.

s 8 amd 2010 No. 51 s 5

9Application for new card by electronic communication

(1)The holder of a valid adult proof of age card may apply by electronic communication for a new adult proof of age card if—

(a)the holder’s adult proof of age card is about to expire; and

(b)there are at least 5 years before the end of the shelf life, or the end of the most recent extension of the shelf life under the TPC Act, section 28EB, of the holder’s most recent digital photo and digitised signature; and

(c)the chief executive has given the holder written notice that the person may apply by electronic communication for a new adult proof of age card.

(2)The application must be—

(a)made in the approved form; and

(b)made before the holder’s adult proof of age card expires; and

(c)accompanied by the prescribed fee.

s 9 amd 2010 No. 13 s 46; 2015 No. 14 s 4

10Request for further information or documents

(1)The chief executive may, by written notice, request an applicant to give to the chief executive any further information or documents the chief executive reasonably requires to decide the application.

Example—

a document of a stated type, for example, a valid Australian passport, identifying the applicant

(2)If the applicant does not comply with the request, without reasonable excuse, the chief executive may refuse to consider the application.

s 10 amd 2010 No. 19 s 183

11Decision on application

(1)Subject to section 10 (2), the chief executive must consider an application made under section 8 or 9 and either grant it or refuse to grant it.

(2)However, the chief executive may only grant an application made under section 8 if—

(a)satisfied—

(i)of the applicant’s identity; and

(ii)that the applicant is an eligible person; and

(b)the prescribed fee has been paid.

(3)Also, the chief executive may only grant an application made under section 9 if—

(a)satisfied—

(i)the applicant is the holder of a valid adult proof of age card; and

(ii)there are at least 5 years before the end of the shelf life, or the end of the most recent extension of the shelf life under the TPC Act, section 28EB, of the holder’s most recent digital photo and digitised signature; and

(iii)the person ordinarily resides in Queensland; and

(b)the prescribed fee has been paid.

(4)If the chief executive decides to refuse to grant the application, the chief executive must give the applicant an information notice for the decision.

s 11 amd 2010 No. 13 s 47; 2015 No. 14 s 5

12Issue of card

(1)If the chief executive decides to grant the application, the chief executive must issue an adult proof of age card to the applicant.

(2)However, if the applicant is under 18 years of age, the chief executive must not issue an adult proof of age card to the applicant until the applicant is at least 18 years of age.

(3)If the application was made under section 9, the chief executive must issue the card to the person by sending it by post to the address stated in the application for the purpose.

s 12 amd 2010 No. 51 s 6

13Expiry of card

Unless it is sooner cancelled under division 3, an adult proof of age card expires on the day stated on the card, being a day that is not longer than 10 years after the day the card is issued.

s 13 amd 2010 No. 13 s 48

14Grounds for cancelling card

The chief executive may cancel an adult proof of age card if the card was issued because of a document or representation that was false or misleading.

15Procedure for cancelling card

(1)If the chief executive considers a ground exists under section 14 to cancel a person’s adult proof of age card, the chief executive must give the person a written notice stating—

(a)the chief executive is proposing to cancel the card; and

(b)the ground for the proposed cancellation; and

(c)an outline of the facts and circumstances forming the basis for the ground; and

(d)an invitation to the person to show cause in writing, within a stated period of at least 28 days after the notice is given to the holder, why the chief executive should not cancel the card.

(2)If, after considering any written representations made within the stated period, the chief executive still considers the ground exists to cancel the card, the chief executive may cancel the card by giving the person an information notice for the decision to cancel the card.

(3)The cancellation takes effect when the person receives the information notice under subsection (2).

(4)If the chief executive decides to cancel the card, the chief executive must give the person a written direction to return the card to the chief executive by the day, at least 14 days after the direction is given to the person, stated in the direction.

(5)A person who is directed under subsection (4) to return an adult proof of age card must comply with the direction, unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(6)A person does not contravene a direction under subsection (4) if—

(a)the card has been destroyed, lost or stolen; and

(b)the person notifies the chief executive in writing of the details of the loss, theft or destruction within the period stated in the direction.

16Surrendering card

The holder of an adult proof of age card may surrender the card by returning it, and giving written notice of its surrender, to the chief executive.

17Chief executive may require card to be replaced

(1)This section applies if—

(a)information stated on an adult proof of age card is incorrect; and

(b)the chief executive reasonably believes the error was caused by the chief executive.

(2)The chief executive may, by written notice, require the holder of the card to return the card to the chief executive.

(3)The notice must include a statement identifying the information that is incorrect and the correct information.

(4)The holder must comply with the notice, unless the holder has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(5)On receipt of the card, the chief executive must issue to the holder a replacement adult proof of age card stating the correct information.

18Holder may apply for replacement card

(1)This section applies if—

(a)information stated on an adult proof of age card is incorrect; or

(b)the holder of a valid adult proof of age card becomes aware, or reasonably suspects, the card has been damaged, lost or stolen.

(2)The holder of the card may apply to the chief executive for the issue of a replacement card.

(3)The application must be—

(a)made in the approved form; and

(b)accompanied by—

(i)the card, unless it was, or the holder reasonably suspects it was, destroyed, lost or stolen; and

(ii)the prescribed fee.

(4)After receiving the application, the chief executive must issue a replacement adult proof of age card to the holder.

(5)If the application was made because information stated on the adult proof of age card was incorrect, the replacement card must state the correct information.

19Damaged, lost or stolen card

(1)This section applies if the holder of a valid adult proof of age card (the original card) becomes aware, or reasonably suspects, the card has been damaged, lost or stolen.

(2)As soon as practicable after becoming aware or forming the suspicion as mentioned in subsection (1), the holder must give the chief executive written notice of the damage, loss or theft.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(3)If the original card comes into, or returns to, the holder’s possession after a replacement card is issued to the holder, the holder must return the original card to the chief executive.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

20Application of div 2

This division does not apply to any of the following persons carrying out a function, or exercising a power, under this or another Act—

(a)the chief executive;

(b)the commissioner of the police service;

(c)a police officer.

21Damaging card

A person must not wilfully damage an adult proof of age card.

Maximum penalty—40 penalty units.

22False or misleading representation

(1)A person must not, for this Act, give the chief executive a document containing information the person knows is false or misleading in a material particular.

Maximum penalty—40 penalty units.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to information contained in a document if the person, when giving the document—

(a)informs the chief executive, to the best of the person’s ability, how the information is false or misleading; and

(b)if the person has, or can reasonably obtain, the correct information—gives the correct information.

23Wrongful dealing with documents relevant to obtaining card

(1)A person must not give another person a document that is, or contains, evidence of the age of the person mentioned in the document (the stated person), if the person knows, or ought reasonably to know, that the document may be used to obtain an adult proof of age card for someone other than the stated person.

Maximum penalty—40 penalty units.

(2)A person must not give another person a document containing information the person knows is false or misleading in a material particular if the person knows, or ought reasonably to know, the other person intends to use the document to obtain an adult proof of age card.

Maximum penalty—40 penalty units.

23AProof of giving documents

(1)This section applies to a proceeding for an offence against section 22 (1) or 23 (1) or (2).

(2)It is sufficient proof the document was given to the chief executive or another person to prove it was given to a person authorised to receive it for the chief executive or other person.

(3)It does not matter whether the person was the chief executive or another person or whether the authorisation was a delegation, agency or any other form of authorisation by which someone acts through another.

s 23A ins 2010 No. 13 s 49

24Possessing another person’s card

(1)A person must not possess another person’s adult proof of age card unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—40 penalty units.

(2)A person must not give the person’s adult proof of age card to another person if the person knows, or ought reasonably to know, the other person intends to use the card to deceive someone.

Maximum penalty—40 penalty units.

(3)For subsection (2), it is irrelevant whether the person intended to be deceived is known or unknown, or exists or does not exist.

25Documents purporting to be adult proof of age card

(1)A person must not possess a document that resembles an adult proof of age card and is calculated to deceive someone.

Maximum penalty—40 penalty units.

(2)A person must not give another person a document that resembles an adult proof of age card and is calculated to deceive someone.

Maximum penalty—40 penalty units.

(3)For subsections (1) and (2), it is irrelevant whether the person intended to be deceived is known or unknown, or exists or does not exist.

26Chief executive must maintain a register

(1)The chief executive must maintain a register (APA register) containing the following details for each holder of an adult proof of age card—

(a)the holder’s customer number;

(b)the holder’s full name;

(c)the holder’s residential address;

(d)if the holder’s address for service of notices differs from the holder’s residential address—the holder’s address for service of notices;

(e)the holder’s date of birth;

(f)the holder’s sex;

(g)all of the following dates—

(i)the date the card was issued to the holder;

(ii)the date the card expires;

(iii)if the card is replaced under part 2, division 4—the date the replacement card was issued to the holder.

(2)The chief executive may also record in the register any other information the chief executive reasonably considers appropriate for this Act.

(3)In this section—

customer number, for a person, means the number the chief executive gives to the person under this Act to identify the person as the holder of an adult proof of age card.

s 26 amd 2015 No. 14 s 6

27Form of APA register

(1)The APA register may be entirely or partly in any of the following forms—

(a)a computer database;

(b)a documentary form;

(c)another form the chief executive considers appropriate.

(2)The APA register may be a part of another register maintained by the chief executive under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 .

28Amending APA register

The chief executive, on his or her own initiative, or on application by the holder of an adult proof of age card, may amend the APA register—

(a)to correct an error in it; or

(b)to include information missing from it; or

(c)to update the information in it.

29Inquiry into accuracy etc. of details in APA register

(1)This section applies if the chief executive reasonably believes information recorded in the APA register about the holder of an adult proof of age card is inaccurate, incomplete or misleading.

(2)The chief executive may give the holder a written notice requiring the holder to give to the chief executive, by the date stated in the notice, further information or documents relating to the information considered to be inaccurate, incomplete or misleading.

(3)The date stated in the notice must be at least 28 days after the notice is given to the holder.

(4)The holder must comply with the notice, unless the holder has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty for subsection (4)—20 penalty units.

30Restricted written release of information in APA register

(1)The chief executive may release, in writing, information kept in the APA register about a person’s adult proof of age card to—

(a)on receiving an application in the approved form—

(i)the person; or

(ii)with the person’s written consent—another entity; or

(b)the commissioner of the police service for the purpose of any function of the commissioner or any function of the police service; or

(c)a person who issues proof of age cards under a law of the Commonwealth or another State, and the release of the information is for issuing a proof of age card under that law.

(2)Also, the chief executive may release, in writing, to an entity information kept in the APA register about a person’s adult proof of age card if—

(a)the person produces the card to the entity as proof of the person’s identity; and

(b)the entity applies in the approved form for the information; and

(c)the information is necessary to verify the validity of the card.

(3)Before releasing information to a person under subsection (1) (c), the chief executive must be satisfied any release of the information by the person will be limited to circumstances similar to those mentioned in subsection (1).

(4)An application mentioned in subsection (1) (a) or (2) (b) may be made by electronic communication.

s 30 amd 2010 No. 13 s 50; 2011 No. 12 s 4; 2015 No. 14 s 7

30ARestricted oral release of information in APA register

(1)The chief executive may orally release, to a person, information kept in the APA register about the person’s adult proof of age card.

(2)However, subsection (1) applies only if the chief executive is satisfied that the person is the person to whom the information relates.

Example for subsection (2)—

The chief executive may be satisfied as required under subsection (2) if a person correctly answers a series of questions, or produces a document, for identifying the person.

s 30A ins 2011 No. 12 s 5

pt hdg amd 2009 No. 24 s 1699

39Internal review of decisions

(1)A person whose interests are affected by either of the following decisions (the original decision) of the chief executive may ask the chief executive to review the decision—

(a)a decision to refuse to issue an adult proof of age card;

(b)a decision to cancel an adult proof of age card.

(2)The person is entitled to receive a statement of reasons for the original decision whether or not the provision of this Act under which the decision was made requires that the person be given a statement of reasons for the decision.

(3)The Transport Planning and Coordination Act 1994 , part 5, division 2—

(a)applies to the review; and

(b)provides—

(i)for the procedure for applying for the review and the way it is to be carried out; and

(ii)that the original decision may be stayed by the person by applying to QCAT.

s 39 amd 2009 No. 24 s 1700

40External review of decisions

(1)If a reviewed decision is not the decision sought by the applicant for the review, the chief executive must give the applicant a QCAT information notice for the reviewed decision.

(2)The applicant may apply, as provided under the QCAT Act, to QCAT for a review of the reviewed decision.

Note—

The QCAT Act, section 22 (3) provides that QCAT may stay the operation of the reviewed decision, either on application by a person or on its own initiative.

(3)In this section—

QCAT information notice means a notice complying with the QCAT Act, section 157 (2).

reviewed decision means the chief executive’s decision on a review under section 39.

s 40 sub 2009 No. 24 s 1701

41Application of pt 7

This part applies to a proceeding under this Act.

42Evidence from APA register

A certificate purporting to be signed by the chief executive and stating any of the following matters is evidence of the matter—

(a)a stated document is the APA register, a part of the APA register, or an extract from the APA register;

(b)a stated document is a copy of the register, part or extract mentioned in paragraph (a);

(c)on a stated day, or for a stated period, a stated person was or was not the holder of a valid adult proof of age card;

(d)on a stated day, a stated person’s adult proof of age card expired, or was surrendered or cancelled.

43Proof of appointment and authority unnecessary

(1)For a proceeding under this Act, the following must be presumed unless a party to the proceeding, by prescribed notice, requires proof of it—

(a)the appointment of the chief executive;

(b)the authority of the chief executive to do anything under this Act.

(2)In this section—

prescribed notice, for a proceeding under this Act, means notice given to the chief executive at least 14 days before the day a court starts to hear the proceeding.

44Proof of signature unnecessary

A signature purporting to be the signature of the chief executive is evidence of the signature it purports to be.

45Proceedings for offences

A proceeding for an offence against this Act is to be taken in a summary way under the Justices Act 1886 .

46Confidentiality

(1)A person must not disclose, record or use information that the person gained—

(a)through involvement in the administration of this Act; or

(b)because of an opportunity provided by the involvement.

Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.

(2)However, a person may disclose, record or use the information—

(a)in the discharge of a function under this Act; or

(b)if it is authorised—

(i)under another Act or a regulation; or

(ii)by the person to whom the information relates; or

(c)in a proceeding before a court or tribunal in which the information is relevant.

(3)In this section—

disclose information means—

(a)intentionally or recklessly disclose the information; or

(b)allow access to the information.

information includes a digital photo and digitised signature.

47Protection from liability

(1)This section applies to each of the following persons (a relevant person)—

(a)the chief executive;

(b)a person authorised by the chief executive to do something under this Act.

(2)A relevant person is not civilly liable for an act done, or omission made, honestly and without negligence under this Act.

(3)If subsection (2) prevents civil liability attaching to a relevant person, the liability attaches instead to the State.

47AKeeping and using information obtained or kept under this Act or particular transport Acts

(1)The chief executive may, for this Act, keep or use information obtained or kept under a particular transport Act if the information—

(a)relates to any matter under this Act; or

(b)concerns the administration of this Act.

(2)The chief executive may, for a particular transport Act, keep or use information obtained or kept under this Act if the information—

(a)relates to any matter under the particular transport Act; or

(b)concerns the administration of the particular transport Act.

(3)The general manager under the Maritime Safety Queensland Act 2002 may, for the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994 , keep or use information obtained or kept under this Act if the information—

(a)relates to any matter under the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994 ; or

(b)concerns the administration of the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994 .

(4)Information that may be kept or used under subsection (1), (2) or (3) does not include a digital photo and digitised signature.

(5)This section applies despite a provision of this or another Act.

(6)In this section—

particular transport Act means a following Act—

(a)the Tow Truck Act 1973 ;

(b)the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 ;

(c)the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994 ;

(d)the Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994 ;

(e)the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 ;

(f)the Transport Security (Counter-Terrorism) Act 2008 .

s 47A ins 2010 No. 13 s 55

48Approved forms

The chief executive may approve forms for use under this Act.

49Regulation-making power

(1)The Governor in Council may make regulations under this Act.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), a regulation made under this Act may do any or all of the following—

(a)impose a penalty of not more than 20 penalty units for a contravention of a provision of the regulation;

(b)subject to subsection (3), prescribe fees payable under this Act and the matters for which fees are payable;

(c)provide for the review of decisions made under the regulation.

(3)A regulation can not prescribe a fee for the replacement of an adult proof of age card if the replacement is the result of information on the card being incorrect because of an error made by the chief executive.

(4)Also, without limiting subsection (1), a regulation may provide for a PIN to be used by the holder of a valid adult proof of age card as a security measure to protect information stored electronically on the card.

s 49 amd 2009 No. 24 s 1702; 2010 No. 13 s 56

pt hdg ins 2015 No. 14 s 9

50Digital photos and digitised signatures

A digital photo or digitised signature of a person kept under this Act by the chief executive immediately before the commencement is, on the commencement, taken to be kept under the TPC Act by the chief executive of the department in which that Act is administered.

s 50 ins 2015 No. 14 s 9

section 4

adult proof of age card see section 5.

APA register see section 26 (1).

applicant means an applicant for an adult proof of age card.

card means an adult proof of age card.

damaged, in relation to an adult proof of age card—

(a)means—

(i)the card is damaged to an extent that—

(A)any information on the card is impossible or difficult to read without the use of technology; or

(B)a digital photo or a digitised signature on the card is impossible or difficult to recognise without the use of technology; or

(ii)any information stored electronically on the card is no longer accessible by using the holder’s PIN; and

(b)includes destroyed.

digital photo, of a person, see the TPC Act, schedule 1.

def digital photo sub 2015 No. 14 s 10

digitised signature, of a person, see the TPC Act, schedule 1.

def digitised signature sub 2015 No. 14 s 10

electronic communication see the Electronic Transactions (Queensland) Act 2001 , schedule 2.

eligible person see section 7.

emergency contact information ...

def emergency contact information reloc to s 36(3) 2010 No. 19 s 186

holder, of an adult proof of age card, means the person to whom the card is issued.

information notice, for a decision, means a notice stating the following—

(a)the decision;

(b)the reasons for the decision;

(c)that the person to whom the notice is given may—

(i)under section 39—ask for the decision to be reviewed by the chief executive; and

(ii)under the Transport Planning and Coordination Act 1994 , part 5, division 2—apply to QCAT for the decision to be stayed; and

(iii)

under section 40—ask for the chief executive’s decision on the review (the reviewed decision) to be reviewed by QCAT; and

(iv)under the QCAT Act—apply for the reviewed decision to be stayed.

def information notice amd 2009 No. 24 s 1703(1)

most recent digital photo, of a person, see the TPC Act, section 28E.

def most recent digital photo amd 2010 No. 13 s 57(2)

sub 2015 No. 14 s 10

most recent digitised signature, of a person, see the TPC Act, section 28E.

def most recent digitised signature amd 2010 No. 13 s 57(2)

sub 2015 No. 14 s 10

prescribed fee means the fee prescribed under a regulation.

prescribed smartcard Act ...

def prescribed smartcard Act om 2015 No. 14 s 10(1)

proof of age card means a document that—

(a)contains a photo of the person to whom it is issued; and

(b)indicates by reference to the person’s date of birth or otherwise that the person has attained a particular age.

def proof of age card ins 2010 No. 13 s 57(1)

retention period ...

def retention period om 2015 No. 14 s 10(1)

review and appeal information ...

def review and appeal information om 2009 No. 24 s 1703(2)

shelf life, of a person’s digital photo or digitised signature, see the TPC Act, section 28E.

def shelf life sub 2015 No. 14 s 10

take ...

def take om 2015 No. 14 s 10(1)

TPC Act means the Transport Planning and Coordination Act 1994 .

def TPC Act ins 2015 No. 14 s 10(2)

valid adult proof of age card means an adult proof of age card that has not expired, or been surrendered or cancelled.