Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

The proposed legislation will make WA an ‘applied law’ state, by giving effect to the Commonwealth legislation as state law. This will allow the Commonwealth Gene Technology regulator to administer all parts of the national Gene Technology Scheme without restriction.   The current (WA) Gene Technology Act 2006 attempted to replicate the Commonwealth provisions rather than apply them, which meant that the state legislation had to be continually amended to remain consistent with the Commonwealth Act. However, amendments to the (WA) Gene Technology Act 2006 did not keep pace with Commonwealth amendments, so after some time the two failed to correspond.

Western Australia is a sovereign state which has the power to make and administer its own laws. By formally agreeing to apply the Commonwealth legislation as state legislation, WA enjoys the benefits of the national scheme and removes all doubt regarding what is and is not legal in WA in relation to gene technology.

Under the proposed WA Gene Technology Bill 2024, the national Gene Technology Regulator will handle all applications and proposals relating to any dealings with gene technology, unless the Commonwealth Gene Technology Act 2000 provides permission without an individual approval or permit. See 'Matters dealt with under the Commonwealth Act' as outlined in the consultation paper (page 9).

All enquiries and complaints should be directed to the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator at ogtr@health.wa.gov.au

To make a submission:

• read the consultation paper, consultation draft and FAQs
• register (if you have previously registered on this site, then just sign in)
• complete the survey.

If you have any questions or difficulties registering or using the survey, please email: WAGTBILL2024@dpird.wa.gov.au 

Submissions close at 4pm on 6 December 2024.

Following the closing date, DPIRD will consider feedback and amend the consultation draft as appropriate. A consultation report will be published on the DPIRD YourSay site and submitters to the consultation will be notified.

Submissions may be published online as part of a summary report after the consultation period has ended, but you can request your submission not be published. The online survey form will ask you to nominate whether you wish to have your submission published.

For more information before making your submission, please email WAGTBILL2024@dpird.wa.gov.au