APN Codex · Planning Rules
Australia — Australian Capital Territory
The Rules That Govern Property in the Australian Capital Territory
Territory-wide
61
Particular Areas
20
As At
17 Sep 2026
1Overview
This page lists the 61 Territory Acts, regulations and planning instruments that apply throughout the Australian Capital Territory, and the 20 that apply to particular places within it.
Each entry records the version in force, a plain-English description and a link to the official text. Every instrument is checked against its official publisher each month, and a new version is recorded when it takes effect. Descriptions are APN’s own and are not legal advice; the official version of each instrument prevails.
Commonwealth laws that apply across Australia are listed on the national page →
2How the Rules Fit Together
Planning in the Australian Capital Territory is set by the Planning Act 2023. The Territory Plan applies across the ACT, so there are no council planning schemes; district strategies set the longer-term direction for each district, and the National Capital Plan applies to Designated Areas. Other Acts and regulations govern building, sale and conveyancing, renting, unit titles, land tax and duty, heritage and hazards across the Territory.
3Council Areas
Australian Capital Territory is governed as a single area, so the instruments on this page are the instruments that apply throughout it. There are no council planning schemes.
4Latest Versions
3 of the 81 Territory instruments have a version that took effect in the 90 days to 17 September 2026. They are:
- 7 August 2026: Territory Plan 2023. Official →
- 10 July 2026: Building Act 2004. Official →
- 26 June 2026: Unit Titles (Management) Act 2011. Official →
5Instruments for Particular Areas
These Territory instruments apply to the districts and places named.
| Instrument | Level | Type | In Force From | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planning (Belconnen District) Technical Specifications 2026 (No 2)Sets out planning technical specifications for the Belconnen District of the Australian Capital Territory, made by the Chief Planner under the Planning Act 2023, with district-wide provisions and suburb sections including Aranda, Belconnen, Bruce, Charnwood, Evatt, Fraser, Giralang, Hawker and Holt. Provisions address public open space in Belconnen, gross floor area in Bruce and floor-to-ceiling heights in the Holt group centre. The specifications give a benchmark for meeting district or zone policy outcomes and replace the earlier Belconnen specifications. | Regional | Technical Specifications | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Belconnen) District Strategy 2023Sets out the planning strategy for the Belconnen district in Canberra's north-west, with a long-term vision and a district plan identifying change areas, key sites and possible urban regeneration areas. Its initiatives, grouped under five big drivers, include water sensitive urban design along local waterways, a stronger employment role for the Belconnen town centre and Kippax, an education and sports innovation precinct, a light rail link to the town centre and less car dependence, with the infrastructure needed to support growth. | Regional | District Strategy | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (City Centre – Urban) Design Guide 2026Provides place-specific urban design guidance for Canberra's City Centre, recognising its distinct character and the link between its attractiveness, liveability and economic performance. It forms part of the ACT suite of design guides that help interpret and apply Territory Plan assessment outcomes, particularly where provisions are less prescriptive, and supports design evaluation and the assessment of development proposals in the centre. | Regional | Design Guide | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (East Canberra District) Technical Specifications 2024Sets out planning technical specifications for the East Canberra District of the Australian Capital Territory, made by the Chief Planner under the Planning Act 2023 and organised by locality, covering Beard, Hume, Jerrabomberra, Majura, Oaks Estate and Pialligo. They address matters including gross floor area, front boundary setbacks, front fences and land use. The specifications give a benchmark or possible solution for demonstrating that a proposal satisfies district or zone policy outcomes, and replace the earlier East Canberra specifications. | Regional | Technical Specifications | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (East Canberra) District Strategy 2023Sets out the planning strategy for East Canberra, covering the Majura and Jerrabomberra valleys, Oaks Estate, Pialligo, Symonston, Hume, Beard, Canberra Airport and Eastern Broadacre, with a long-term vision, change areas, key sites and regeneration areas. It treats the district as a territory-wide employment area centred on the airport's aviation, freight and business role, while keeping development to a small footprint that protects sensitive environments and threatened species. Initiatives cover the blue-green network, movement, centres, jobs and infrastructure. | Regional | District Strategy | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Gungahlin District) Technical Specifications 2026 (No 1)Sets out planning technical specifications for the Gungahlin District of the Australian Capital Territory, made by the Chief Planner under the Planning Act 2023 and organised by suburb, including Amaroo, Bonner, Casey, Crace, Forde, Franklin and the Gungahlin town centre. Provisions include ongoing development provisions for Amaroo and, for the town centre, land use, an entertainment precinct, active frontages and land available for community facility zoning. The specifications give a benchmark for meeting district or zone policy outcomes and replace the earlier Gungahlin specifications. | Regional | Technical Specifications | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Gungahlin) District Strategy 2023Sets out the strategic planning direction for Gungahlin, Canberra's northern district, within its metropolitan context. It describes a long-term vision, a district strategy plan identifying change areas, key sites and possible urban regeneration areas, initiatives against five big drivers, planning principles for selected sites including the entertainment precinct, and the infrastructure needed to support the district. | Regional | District Strategy | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Inner North and City District) Technical Specifications 2026 (No 1)Sets out planning technical specifications for the Inner North and City District of the Australian Capital Territory, made by the Chief Planner under the Planning Act 2023 and organised by area, beginning with the Inner North and the Northbourne Avenue Corridor. For the Inner North, provisions address block consolidation, building height, site coverage, front and rear setbacks and planting area, with maps for Braddon, Dickson, Lyneham, O'Connor and Turner. The specifications give a benchmark for meeting district or zone policy outcomes and replace the earlier district specifications. | Regional | Technical Specifications | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Inner North and City) District Strategy 2023Sets out the strategic planning direction for the Inner North and City district, the central area north of Lake Burley Griffin that includes the City Centre. It describes a long-term vision, a district strategy plan identifying change areas, key sites and possible urban regeneration areas, initiatives against five big drivers, planning principles for selected sites, city precinct renewal, and the infrastructure needed to support the district. | Regional | District Strategy | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Inner South District) Technical Specifications 2024 (No 3)Sets out planning technical specifications for the Inner South District of the Australian Capital Territory, made by the Chief Planner under the Planning Act 2023 and organised by suburb, including Barton, Capital Hill, Deakin, Forrest, Fyshwick and Griffith. Provisions address front setbacks, maximum floor area and building heights in the Deakin office precinct, demonstration housing in Forrest, and building height, noise attenuation and urban heat in the Dairy Road mixed use area. The specifications serve as a benchmark for meeting district or zone policy outcomes. | Regional | Technical Specifications | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Inner South) District Strategy 2023Sets out the planning strategy for Canberra's Inner South, a long-established district much of which is National Land under the National Capital Plan, with a long-term vision, change areas, key sites and possible urban regeneration areas. It expects new housing to be mainly medium and high density in renewal precincts, notes limited land for new community facilities, and groups initiatives under five big drivers, including the blue-green network, movement along the future light rail corridor, local centres and sustainable neighbourhoods, with supporting infrastructure. | Regional | District Strategy | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Molonglo Valley District) Technical Specifications 2026 (No 1)Sets out planning technical specifications for the Molonglo Valley District of the Australian Capital Territory, made by the Chief Planner under the Planning Act 2023 and organised by suburb. Provisions include mapped bushfire and noise requirements for Coombs, and vehicle access, private open space, landscaping, a visual corridor, building heights, setbacks and habitable rooms in Denman Prospect. The specifications give a benchmark for showing that a proposal meets district or zone policy outcomes, and replace the earlier Molonglo Valley specifications. | Regional | Technical Specifications | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Molonglo Valley) District Strategy 2023Sets out the planning strategy for Molonglo Valley, Canberra's newest district and a main greenfield growth area, with a long-term vision, change areas, key sites and possible urban regeneration areas. It addresses bushfire risk from bordering reserves, erosion on steep terrain and impacts on the river corridor through water and biodiversity sensitive urban design, and organises initiatives under five big drivers, including the blue-green network, housing and jobs, movement, centres and sustainable neighbourhoods, with the infrastructure required. | Regional | District Strategy | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Non-Urban District) Technical Specifications 2024Sets out planning technical specifications for the Non-Urban District of the Australian Capital Territory, arranged by locality from the non-urban part of Belconnen and Booth through to Tennent. The specifications act as benchmarks or guidance solutions that a development proposal may use to show it meets the assessment outcomes of the district policy or the relevant zone policy in the Territory Plan, with district outcomes prevailing where both apply. It replaces the earlier non-urban district specifications. | Regional | Technical Specifications | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Tuggeranong District) Technical Specifications 2024Sets out planning technical specifications for the Tuggeranong District of the Australian Capital Territory, made by the Chief Planner under the Planning Act 2023 and organised by suburb from Bonython to Monash, with provisions such as building setbacks in Greenway. The specifications act as a benchmark or possible solution for showing that a development proposal satisfies the outcomes set by the Tuggeranong district policy or the applicable zone policy, with district outcomes taking precedence. They replace the earlier Tuggeranong specifications. | Regional | Technical Specifications | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Tuggeranong) District Strategy 2023Sets out the strategic planning direction for Tuggeranong, Canberra's far southern district, within its metropolitan context. It describes a long-term vision, a district strategy plan identifying change areas, key sites and possible urban regeneration areas, initiatives against five big drivers, planning matters for Tharwa village, and the infrastructure needed to support the district. | Regional | District Strategy | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Weston Creek District) Technical Specifications 2024Sets out planning technical specifications for the Weston Creek District of the Australian Capital Territory, arranged by suburb from Chapman to Weston, including provisions for Weston dealing with demonstration housing. The specifications act as benchmarks or guidance solutions that a development proposal may use to show it meets the assessment outcomes of the district policy or the relevant zone policy in the Territory Plan, with district outcomes prevailing where both apply. It replaces the earlier Weston Creek district specifications. | Regional | Technical Specifications | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Weston Creek) District Strategy 2023Sets out the planning strategy for Weston Creek, the ACT's smallest district by land area, with a long-term vision, change areas, key sites and possible urban regeneration areas. It identifies the Weston group centre at Cooleman Court as the district's main hub, with a role expected to shift as centres in Molonglo Valley mature, and arranges initiatives under five big drivers, including the blue-green network, economic access, movement, centres and sustainable neighbourhoods, with direction for selected sites and supporting infrastructure. | Regional | District Strategy | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Woden District) Technical Specifications 2025Sets out planning technical specifications for the Woden District of the Australian Capital Territory, made by the Chief Planner under the Planning Act 2023 and organised by suburb, including Chifley, Curtin, Farrer, Garran, Hughes, Isaacs, Lyons, Mawson, O'Malley and Pearce. The specifications provide a benchmark or possible solution for showing that a development proposal satisfies the outcomes set by the Woden district policy or the applicable zone policy, with district outcomes prevailing, and they replace the earlier Woden specifications. | Regional | Technical Specifications | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Woden) District Strategy 2023Sets out the planning strategy for the Woden district in southern Canberra, with a long-term vision, change areas, key sites and possible urban regeneration areas. It centres future change on the light rail extension through the district, emphasising east-west public transport links between the town centre and Canberra Hospital, better active travel and added community facilities for population growth along the corridor. Initiatives sit under five big drivers, with planning principles for key sites and the infrastructure required. | Regional | District Strategy | Current edition | Official → |
6Planning and Development
| Instrument | Level | Type | In Force From | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lands Acquisition Act 1994Governs the acquisition of interests in land in the Australian Capital Territory by agreement or by compulsory process, including pre-acquisition declarations, their reconsideration, and powers of temporary entry and occupation. It sets out how compensation is claimed, determined and paid for acquisitions and for the use of entry powers, including acquisitions by utilities, and how land vested in acquiring authorities is later disposed of, with review of decisions. | ACT | Act | 26 Nov 2025 | Official → |
| Planning Act 2023Establishes the Australian Capital Territory planning system, setting its object and principles of good planning and consultation, and creating the territory planning authority and chief planner. It provides for planning and district strategies, the territory plan and its major and minor amendments, design review and environmental impact assessment for significant development, and assessment of exempt, prohibited and assessable development. It also covers territory priority projects, environmental offsets, and the grant of leases and licences, including concessional leases. | ACT | Act | 22 May 2026 | Official → |
| Planning (Apartment) Design Guide 2026Provides design guidance for apartment development in the ACT, explaining how the guide relates to the Territory Plan and the development application process and which building types it covers. Guidance addresses Ngunnawal cultural resonance, open space and natural systems, siting, built form and street interface, privately owned public spaces, site access, parking and active travel, communal and private open space, common circulation, housing diversity, storage, design performance and climate change resilience. | ACT | Design Guide | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Biodiversity Sensitive Urban) Design Guide 2026Provides guidance on biodiversity sensitive urban design for development in the ACT, explaining its place in the planning system and its relationship to Territory Plan assessment outcomes and other government instruments. It sets a stepwise method of identifying biodiversity values on and around a site, assessing ecological connectivity and threats, setting site-specific biodiversity objectives and designing to meet them, under themes of maintaining and enhancing nature, such as waterways, grasslands and woodlands, and connecting and extending nature. | ACT | Design Guide | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Missing Middle Housing) Design Guide 2026Provides design guidance for missing middle housing in the ACT, explaining its relationship to the planning process and Territory Plan assessment outcomes and how proposals should respond to urban character, heritage precincts and site conditions. Guidelines address building typologies, land use, building envelopes, site access and parking, communal and private open space, built form and street interface, housing diversity, amenity and storage, trees and landscaping, building performance and climate change resilience, with a design checklist. | ACT | Design Guide | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Urban) Design Guide 2026Provides urban design guidance for development in the ACT, setting out place-based design principles and how the guide supports Territory Plan assessment outcomes and development applications. It addresses Ngunnawal cultural resonance, open space networks, natural systems and urban structure, context and character, city-wide movement, pedestrian streets, active travel, public transport and vehicle access, the quality, safety and greening of public spaces, integrated services, ground floor edges and natural resource management. | ACT | Design Guide | Current edition | Official → |
| ACT Planning Strategy 2018Sets the long-term strategic direction for Canberra's growth, aligning urban development with infrastructure, transport and community facilities in support of a sustainable, competitive and equitable city. It identifies where further planning and investigation is needed, informs statutory planning policy, helps prioritise social and utility infrastructure investment, and notes where regional collaboration matters. | ACT | Planning Strategy | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Exempt Development) Regulation 2023Identifies development in the Territory that does not need development approval, subject to general criteria on easements, plumbing clearances, heritage, trees, lease compliance and affected residential premises. Exempt categories include minor building works, non-habitable structures, signs, community gardens, outdoor eating places, rural lease works, territory development and schools. It also sets requirements for exemption assessment applications and notices, and permitted construction tolerances. | ACT | Regulation | 22 May 2026 | Official → |
| Planning (General) Regulation 2023Supplements the Territory's planning legislation with requirements for planning and response reports, subdivision design applications, territory plan consultation, design review panels, environmental impact statements and inquiry panels, prohibited development and development applications. It also regulates the grant, direct sale, subletting, variation, surrender and termination of leases, including community and further leases, rural lease discharge amounts and a lease buyback valuation procedure, as well as controlled activities. | ACT | Regulation | 22 May 2026 | Official → |
| Planning (Statement of Planning Priorities) 2025Sets out the Australian Capital Territory government's planning priorities, including more housing near frequent public transport and commercial centres, diverse housing types, the housing supply and land release pipeline, and social and affordable housing. It also addresses future employment areas, community needs, environmental protection and landscape, design quality and productivity, and implementation of the planning system, with priorities to be delivered largely through major amendments to the Territory Plan. | ACT | Statement of Planning Priorities | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Commercial Zones) Technical Specifications 2025 (No 1)Sets out planning technical specifications for development in the Commercial Zones of the Australian Capital Territory, made by the Chief Planner under the Planning Act 2023 and keyed to numbered assessment outcomes. Provisions cover community and recreation facilities, early childhood education and care, home business, land uses and ground floor uses in some commercial zones, and shop floor area in town centres. Built form rules measure height from datum ground level and set boundary setbacks for multi-unit housing, podium limits and tower floorplate caps for apartment towers. | ACT | Technical Specifications | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Community Facility Zones) Technical Specifications 2024 (No 2)Sets out planning technical specifications for development in community facility zones in the Australian Capital Territory, serving as benchmarks or possible solutions for meeting the Territory Plan's assessment outcomes, including for dwellings and early childhood education and care. Compliance with a relevant specification, where the outcome is fully addressed, removes the need for further assessment of that matter. The specifications are grouped under categories such as urban structure, access and movement, public space, land use, built form and sustainability. | ACT | Technical Specifications | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Industrial Zones) Technical Specifications 2024Sets out planning technical specifications for development in industrial zones in the Australian Capital Territory, offering benchmarks or possible solutions for meeting the assessment outcomes of the Territory Plan. A proposal that complies with a relevant specification and fully addresses the outcome needs no further assessment on that matter. The specifications are grouped under categories including urban structure, access and movement, public space and amenity, land use, built form, sustainability and parking. | ACT | Technical Specifications | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Non-Urban Zones) Technical Specifications 2024Sets out planning technical specifications for development in the Non-Urban Zones of the Australian Capital Territory, made by the Chief Planner under the Planning Act 2023. They are grouped under themes including urban structure and natural systems, site and land use, and access and movement, the last covering accessible car parking, safety, pedestrian and cyclist access, accessible paths of travel and the road network. A proposal meeting a relevant specification can rely on it as a benchmark for compliance with the zone policy outcomes, and referral entity endorsement may be required. | ACT | Technical Specifications | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Parks and Recreation Zones) Technical Specifications 2024Sets out planning technical specifications for development in parks and recreation zones in the Australian Capital Territory, serving as benchmarks or possible solutions for meeting the Territory Plan's assessment outcomes. Where a proposal meets a relevant specification and fully addresses the outcome, that matter needs no further assessment. The specifications are grouped under categories such as urban structure, access and movement including the road network, public space and amenity, land use, built form and sustainability. | ACT | Technical Specifications | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026Sets out planning technical specifications for development in the Residential Zones of the Australian Capital Territory, made by the Chief Planner under the Planning Act 2023 and keyed to numbered assessment outcomes. Provisions address the distribution of non-residential development, home business, boarding houses, early childhood education and care, accessible and adaptable housing, and minimum floor areas for secondary residences. Built form provisions cover front setbacks, height measured from datum ground level, mid-sized blocks and winter solar access for multi-unit housing. | ACT | Technical Specifications | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Subdivision) Technical Specifications 2026Sets out planning technical specifications for the subdivision of land in the Australian Capital Territory, made by the Chief Planner under the Planning Act 2023 and grouped under eight categories, beginning with Country and Place, each linked to numbered assessment outcomes. Provisions address heritage, the configuration of new and existing residential blocks, blocks in industrial zones, consolidated blocks in the RZ1 zone, and zoning, residential blocks and ongoing provisions in estate subdivision design applications. Referral entity endorsement may be required. | ACT | Technical Specifications | Current edition | Official → |
| Planning (Transport and Services Zones) Technical Specifications 2024Sets out planning technical specifications for development in the Transport and Services Zones of the Australian Capital Territory, made by the Chief Planner under the Planning Act 2023. They are grouped under themes including urban structure, site and land use, access and movement with the road network, and public space and amenity, each keyed to numbered assessment outcomes. A proposal meeting a relevant specification can rely on it as a benchmark for compliance with the zone policy outcomes, and endorsement from a referral entity may be required where a specification calls for it. | ACT | Technical Specifications | Current edition | Official → |
| Territory Plan 2023Establishes the Territory Plan for the Australian Capital Territory under the Planning Act 2023. The Plan sets the district and zone policies and the assessment outcomes against which development proposals in the Territory are assessed, and it is changed through major and minor amendments. | ACT | Territory Plan | 7 Aug 2026 | Official → |
7Building and Construction
| Instrument | Level | Type | In Force From | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building Act 2004Regulates buildings and building work in the Australian Capital Territory, including exemption assessments, certifiers, building approvals, completion and occupancy, stop notices, demolition orders and regulated swimming pool safety. For residential building work it provides statutory warranties, rules on defective work, residential and latent defects insurance, fidelity fund schemes and a dispute resolution process. It also sets out inspection and enforcement powers, the building code and recognised standards. | ACT | Act | 10 Jul 2026 | Official → |
| Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004Provides for licensing of construction practitioners in the Australian Capital Territory, including builders, building surveyors and assessors, drainers, electricians, gasfitters and plumbers. It allows rectification orders and undertakings, sets out automatic suspension, occupational discipline and cancellation for criminal activity, and provides for compliance auditors, inspectors, a demerit points system, advisory boards, complaints and review of decisions. | ACT | Act | 23 Feb 2026 | Official → |
| Building (General) Regulation 2008Supplements the Territory's building legislation by defining building work and exempt buildings, and setting requirements for exemption assessments, government certifiers, building approval applications and plans including asbestos removal, referrals, building work signs, the conduct and completion of work, fundamentally noncompliant work and demolition orders. It also sets safety standards and exemptions for regulated swimming pools, statutory warranties, contract documents and insurance for residential building work, and reviewable decisions. | ACT | Regulation | 23 Feb 2026 | Official → |
| Construction Occupations (Licensing) Regulation 2004Sets out the detail of the Territory's licensing scheme for construction occupations, including licence applications, terms and renewal, the public register, eligibility and skill assessment for individuals, corporations, partnerships, nominees and owner-builders, and licence conditions and endorsements. It defines the licence classes and functions for builders, building assessors and surveyors, drainers, electricians, gasfitters, plumbers and works assessors, prescribes demerit grounds for occupational discipline, and lists reviewable decisions. | ACT | Regulation | 23 Feb 2026 | Official → |
8Buying, Selling and Title
| Instrument | Level | Type | In Force From | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Law (Property) Act 2006Sets out general rules of property and conveyancing law in the Australian Capital Territory, covering interests in land and writing requirements, deeds and corporate documents, powers of appointment, sales, partition, apportionment, rights-of-way, and disclosure and implied warranties for off-the-plan unit sales. It also contains provisions on mortgages and on leases, including lessor and lessee obligations, breach of insurance provisions, forfeiture and recovery of leased premises. | ACT | Act | 27 Nov 2023 | Official → |
| Civil Law (Sale of Residential Property) Act 2003Regulates sales of residential property in the Australian Capital Territory, requiring specified documents to be available to buyers, certain contract conditions and a cooling-off period with a right to rescind. It deals with rescission of off-the-plan contracts, disclosure of energy efficiency ratings and adaptable housing in advertising, and the conduct of public auctions, including bidder records and prohibited bidding practices. | ACT | Act | 1 Nov 2025 | Official → |
| Land Titles Act 1925Establishes the system for registering title to land in the Australian Capital Territory, including the registrar-general's powers, the process for bringing land under the Act, the register and Crown leases. It governs registration of dealings such as leases, subleases, mortgages, easements and caveats, and covers building management statements, trusts, powers of attorney, transmissions, corrections to the register and civil remedies. | ACT | Act | 26 Dec 2025 | Official → |
| Civil Law (Property) Regulation 2020Prescribes information to be disclosed to a buyer before a contract for sale of a unit, including any adjoining unit subsidiary such as a balcony or courtyard, the development approval status of the building in the units plan with any conditions or undecided applications, which units will be separately metered for cold water, and any electric vehicle charging facilities to be provided. | ACT | Regulation | 27 Nov 2023 | Official → |
| Civil Law (Sale of Residential Property) Regulation 2004Supports the Civil Law (Sale of Residential Property) Act in the Australian Capital Territory by defining the building and compliance inspection reports, pest inspection reports and conveyancing inquiry documents required for sales, other required documents, and a professional indemnity insurance requirement. It provides for a building and pest inspection information register and, for public auctions, proof of identity, bidders records and standard auction conditions. | ACT | Regulation | 23 Feb 2026 | Official → |
| Land Titles Regulation 2015Prescribes a small number of matters under the Territory's land titles legislation: the entity authorised in relation to the affected residential premises register, the insurance arrangements a building management statement must contain, including insured risks, reinstatement costs and the method for sharing premiums, and the particulars to be recorded about documents used to verify a purchaser's identity. | ACT | Regulation | 16 Jul 2024 | Official → |
9Renting and Residential Communities
| Instrument | Level | Type | In Force From | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leases (Commercial and Retail) Act 2001Regulates commercial and retail leases in the Australian Capital Territory, setting out which leases it covers, lease terms that are void or implied, conduct of the parties and disclosure during negotiations. It governs bonds and guarantees, rent and rent reviews, outgoings, building alterations, assignments and subleases, and extension, renewal and termination, with specific rules for retail areas of shopping centres and a dispute resolution process. | ACT | Act | 26 Dec 2025 | Official → |
| Residential Tenancies Act 1997Regulates residential tenancy agreements and occupancy agreements in the Australian Capital Territory, recognising the importance of stable and secure housing. It defines the rights and obligations of tenants and lessors, sets minimum contractual terms for occupancy agreements, and supports informed choice by prospective tenants and occupants. It also provides accessible, low-cost and timely means of enforcing rights and protects parties from unfair practices. | ACT | Act | 26 Nov 2025 | Official → |
| Retirement Villages Act 2012Regulates retirement villages in the Australian Capital Territory by setting out rights and obligations of residents and operators, and by requiring disclosure of information to prospective residents. It requires resident contracts to state the parties' rights and obligations in full, supports resident participation in village management, provides mechanisms for resolving certain disputes, and encourages best practice management standards across the industry. | ACT | Act | 27 Jan 2026 | Official → |
| Leases (Commercial and Retail) Regulation 2002Supports the Leases (Commercial and Retail) Act in the Australian Capital Territory by prescribing particular groups of premises as shopping centres and particular leases to which the Act does or does not apply. It also sets standard provisions included in leases, covering term, rent, charges, alterations, repairs, assignment, use, inspection, indemnity, removal of the tenant's property, re-entry on default and holding over. | ACT | Regulation | 22 May 2026 | Official → |
| Residential Tenancies Regulation 1998Supports the Residential Tenancies Act in the Australian Capital Territory by prescribing matters such as agreements excluded from the Act, information required in rental advertising and swimming pool disclosures, smoke alarms, bond deposit timing, rent increase thresholds, minor modifications and guarantee contracts. It sets a minimum ceiling insulation standard for rented premises, with exemptions and record-keeping, and details competent person declarations for tenant-initiated termination on family violence grounds. | ACT | Regulation | 23 Feb 2026 | Official → |
| Retirement Villages Regulation 2013Prescribes detailed requirements for retirement villages, including general inquiry documents and disclosure statements, the content of village contracts and the settling-in period, village rules, operator duties such as safety inspections and elder abuse prevention strategies, and residents' committees and annual meetings. It also covers capital works funds, recurrent charges, budgets and accounts, ACAT applications, ending residence contracts, protection of ingoing contributions, resident consent and written ballots. | ACT | Regulation | 1 Nov 2025 | Official → |
10Strata and Community Title
| Instrument | Level | Type | In Force From | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Title Act 2001Provides for community title schemes in the Australian Capital Territory, covering how schemes are approved and registered, common property, development rights, and amendment and enforcement of schemes. It establishes a body corporate for each scheme with functions, general meetings, management arrangements and by-laws, and deals with the sale of lots, statutory easements, and the amalgamation and termination of schemes. | ACT | Act | 6 Dec 2025 | Official → |
| Unit Titles (Management) Act 2011Provides for the management of units plans in the Australian Capital Territory, making clear that responsibility sits with the owners corporation. It is intended to help those who manage or assist in managing units plans to understand and exercise their functions, to assist in resolving disputes about management, and to make the law on units plan management easier to use. | ACT | Act | 26 Jun 2026 | Official → |
| Unit Titles Act 2001Provides for subdividing parcels of land in the Australian Capital Territory into units and common property under a registered units plan. It sets out how unit title applications are assessed and approved, the registration of units plans and associated easements, and amendment of plans through boundary changes and building damage schemes. It also covers cancellation of units plans, lease variations and further leases, expiry and termination of unit leases, and review of decisions. | ACT | Act | 5 Jan 2026 | Official → |
| Community Title Regulation 2002Supports the Community Title Act in the Australian Capital Territory by specifying what master plan sketches and site plans must show and matters to be included in management statements. It also deals with public liability insurance of bodies corporate, exemptions from building insurance requirements, and community title certificates and access to body corporate records. | ACT | Regulation | 3 Nov 2004 | Official → |
| Unit Titles (Management) Regulation 2011Prescribes matters for managing unit-titled developments, including the content of maintenance plans and developer maintenance schedules, public liability insurance for managers and owners corporations, exemptions from building insurance, alternative rules, access to the corporate register, alternative voting methods and audit qualifications. It also sets default rules covering rates and taxes, repairs, alterations, pets and assistance animals, use of common property, nuisance, noise and illegal use of units. | ACT | Regulation | 26 Nov 2025 | Official → |
| Unit Titles Regulation 2001Supports the Unit Titles Act in the Australian Capital Territory by setting requirements for unit title applications, including unit title assessment reports and offences for false or misleading information. It prescribes permissible unit subsidiaries, detailed plan requirements such as boundary diagrams and schedules of unit entitlement and rent, development statements for staged developments, prescribed zones, endorsement of units plans and attachments. | ACT | Regulation | 27 Nov 2023 | Official → |
11Land Tax, Duties and Valuation
| Instrument | Level | Type | In Force From | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duties Act 1999Imposes duty in the Australian Capital Territory on transactions concerning dutiable property, setting out how dutiable value and the rate of duty are determined, together with exemptions and schemes for deferring payment, including one linked to home buyer concessions. It also treats certain acquisitions of interests in landholding entities as transfers, and deals with duty on mortgages and motor vehicle registration, other miscellaneous duties and general exemptions. | ACT | Act | 16 Dec 2025 | Official → |
| Land Rent Act 2008Allows lessees of certain single dwelling house leases in the Australian Capital Territory to pay land rent, setting out how land rent is payable and discounts for eligible lessees and registered affordable housing providers. It deals with transfers of land rent leases, payment and recovery of unpaid rent, including a charge on the land and sale of the lease for non-payment, and objections and review. | ACT | Act | 26 Dec 2025 | Official → |
| Land Tax Act 2004Imposes land tax on parcels of land in the Australian Capital Territory, setting out when it is payable and the exemptions that apply, including for a principal place of residence, together with a surcharge on land owned by foreign corporations and trusts. It also provides for interest and enforcement, unit subdivisions, remissions, objections and review of decisions. | ACT | Act | 26 Dec 2025 | Official → |
| Rates Act 2004Provides for determining the unimproved value of rateable land in the Australian Capital Territory and for the imposition, payment and enforcement of rates on that land. It includes arrangements for unit subdivisions and airport land, exemptions and remissions, deferral of rates and rebates, objections and review, and the imposition of levies. | ACT | Act | 26 Dec 2025 | Official → |
| Taxation Administration Act 1999Makes general provision for administering and enforcing the other tax laws of the Australian Capital Territory, which themselves impose the taxes and set exemptions and refund entitlements. It covers assessment and reassessment, payment, refunds, interest and penalty tax, special return arrangements, collection, taxpayer record keeping and offences, the powers and secrecy obligations of tax officers, and objections and appeals. | ACT | Act | 26 Nov 2025 | Official → |
| Duties Regulation 2023Relieves a person from preparing an acquisition statement for a relevant acquisition under the Territory's duties legislation where the rate of duty applying to that acquisition is nil. | ACT | Regulation | 1 Oct 2023 | Official → |
| Land Rent Regulation 2008Prescribes requirements for applications to pay land rent on a Territory lease, whether made by an eligible applicant or an eligible former owner. Before the lease is granted, the applicant must attend an information session on land rent delivered by the Canberra Institute of Technology and give the authority evidence of that attendance. | ACT | Regulation | 13 Nov 2015 | Official → |
| Taxation Administration Regulation 2004Prescribes the officials and bodies permitted to receive information held under Territory tax laws, and the purposes for which each may receive it. They include the under treasurer for economic analysis and revenue forecasting, auditors of the commissioner's functions, the loose-fill asbestos taskforce, fire service chiefs issuing flammable material directions, the chief planner in connection with rates, and gaming regulators. | ACT | Regulation | 13 Sep 2024 | Official → |
12Heritage and Environment
| Instrument | Level | Type | In Force From | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environment Protection Act 1997Provides for protecting and enhancing environmental quality in the Australian Capital Territory and for preventing environmental degradation and risks to human health. It promotes pollution prevention, cleaner production, reuse and recycling and waste minimisation, and requires those carrying out polluting activities to improve their environmental performance progressively. It also integrates environmental, economic, social and cultural considerations into decision-making and supports national environment protection measures. | ACT | Act | 16 Nov 2025 | Official → |
| Heritage Act 2004Establishes a system for recognising, registering and conserving places and objects of natural or cultural heritage significance in the Australian Capital Territory, including Aboriginal places and objects. It establishes the heritage council, provides for heritage agreements that encourage conservation, and sets enforcement and offence provisions. It also integrates heritage considerations with land planning, so that development applications are assessed with regard to heritage significance and guidelines. | ACT | Act | 16 Nov 2025 | Official → |
| Nature Conservation Act 2014Provides for protecting, conserving and enhancing the biodiversity of the Australian Capital Territory, and for managing nature and reserves. It does so particularly by conserving and restoring native animal and plant species and their habitats, ecological communities, diversity at the genetic, species and community levels, ecosystems and their processes, and ecological connectivity. The Minister must have regard to these objects in exercising functions under it. | ACT | Act | 26 Dec 2025 | Official → |
| Urban Forest Act 2023Protects trees in the Australian Capital Territory to support a sustainable and resilient urban forest that contributes to community wellbeing as the climate changes. It recognises the urban forest's value, including its cultural and heritage value, supports urban biodiversity, and supports a target for tree canopy cover across urban areas. The urban forest comprises trees on land in built-up and future urban areas and in areas subject to subdivision design applications. | ACT | Act | 2 Jan 2026 | Official → |
| Water Resources Act 2007Provides for the sustainable management of the water resources of the Australian Capital Territory, so that their use supports the physical, economic and social wellbeing of the community while protecting dependent ecosystems. It aims to shield aquatic ecosystems and aquifers from damage, reverse past damage where practicable, and preserve the capacity of water resources to meet the foreseeable needs of future generations. It vests rights to the use, flow and control of territory water in the Territory. | ACT | Act | 26 Nov 2025 | Official → |
| Environment Protection Regulation 2005Sets detailed rules under the Territory's environment protection legislation for air emissions, including chimney emissions, open-air and indoor fires, firewood sales, solid fuel heaters, air-filtration plants, balloon releases and vehicle pollutants. It also regulates noise through zones, standards and measurement, protects waterways and sets ambient water quality standards, and deals with PCBs, industrial and agvet chemicals, controlled waste, pollutant sampling and erosion and sediment control on development sites. | ACT | Regulation | 11 Mar 2026 | Official → |
| Heritage Regulation 2006Sets the procedures for meetings of the heritage council established under the Territory's heritage legislation. It covers how and how often meetings are called, the presiding member, quorum, voting and resolutions made outside a meeting, minutes and notices of decisions, and the disclosure of members' material interests. | ACT | Regulation | 27 Nov 2023 | Official → |
| Nature Conservation Regulation 2015Prescribes and maps the special purpose reserves treated as reserves for management planning, among them Namadgi, Tidbinbilla, the Molonglo River and the Bullen Range. It also sets matters for nature conservation licences, including suitability information about applicants and activities, activities unsuitable for a licence, conditions on clearing native vegetation, damaging reserve land or displaying animals, and record-keeping for licences to keep animals or fish and to sell or export native plants and protected invertebrates. | ACT | Regulation | 27 Nov 2023 | Official → |
| Urban Forest Regulation 2023Sets requirements for canopy contribution agreements where a protected tree is removed, covering on-site replacement planting, financial settlement as an alternative, and exemption considerations for home owners. It also prescribes matters for tree bond agreements, including how the bond amount and bond period are decided. | ACT | Regulation | 10 Sep 2024 | Official → |
13Natural Hazards and Fire
| Instrument | Level | Type | In Force From | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergencies Act 2004Provides for emergency management in the Australian Capital Territory, with the aim of protecting and preserving life, property and the environment. It adopts an all-hazards approach covering preparation, prevention, response and recovery, and seeks to build community resilience. It also provides for the commissioner's management of the state emergency, ambulance, fire and rescue, and rural fire services, and recognises the contribution of emergency service members, including volunteers. | ACT | Act | 16 Nov 2025 | Official → |
14Real Estate Agents
| Instrument | Level | Type | In Force From | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agents Act 2003Regulates real estate, stock and station and business agents and land auctioneers in the Australian Capital Territory through licensing, and requires assistant property agents to be registered, with occupational discipline for both groups. It sets conduct obligations covering business management, conflicts of interest and advertising, and deals with employment agents, agency agreements, trust accounts, records, the appointment of administrators and a consumer compensation fund. | ACT | Act | 6 Dec 2025 | Official → |
| Agents Regulation 2003Supports the Agents Act in the Australian Capital Territory by setting professional development conditions and renewal requirements for licences and registrations, exemptions from the Act, and exemptions relating to management of an agent's business. It prescribes terms for agency agreements, including for sales of residential property, rural land and businesses and for buyers agents, and sets rules of conduct for licensed agents, assistant property agents and land auctioneers covering sales and property management. | ACT | Regulation | 13 Sep 2024 | Official → |
Links lead to each instrument's official publisher.
