1Purposes

S. 1(1) substituted by Nos 87/2005 s. 3, 83/2012 s. 34(2).

(1)

The main purposes of this Act are—

(a)

to facilitate, for law enforcement or security purposes, investigations, intelligence gathering and other related activities, including activities extending beyond Victoria; and

S. 1(1)(b) amended by No. 34/2016 s. 26.

(b)

to enable the safe and effective exercise of functions in administering the Victorian witness protection program and alternative protection arrangements under the Witness Protection Act 1991.

S. 1(2) amended by No. 83/2012 s. 34(3).

(2)

The main ways in which those purposes are to be achieved under this Act include—

(a)

providing for the lawful acquisition and use of assumed identities; and

(b)

facilitating mutual recognition of things done in relation to assumed identities under corresponding laws.

2Commencement

This Act comes into operation on a day or days to be proclaimed.

3Definitions

In this Act—

acquire an assumed identity, means acquire evidence of the identity and includes taking steps towards acquiring evidence of the identity;

agency means—

(a)

an issuing agency; or

(b)

a law enforcement agency;

S. 3 def. of alternative protection arrangements inserted by No. 34/2016 s. 27.

alternative protection arrangements has the same meaning as it has in the Witness Protection Act 1991;

Australian Crime Commission means Australian Crime Commission established by the Australian Crime Commission Act 2002 of the Commonwealth;

authorised civilian means a person (other than a law enforcement officer) who is authorised under an authority to acquire or use an assumed identity;

authorised officer means a law enforcement officer who is authorised under an authority to acquire or use an assumed identity;

authorised person means—

(a)

an authorised civilian; or

(b)

an authorised officer;

authority means an authority granted under section 5 to acquire and use an assumed identity, including the authority as varied under section 8;

S. 3 def. of chief officer amended by Nos 63/2004 s. 17(b), 82/2012 s. 82(3).

chief officer—

(a)

of a law enforcement agency, means—

(i)

in relation to Victoria Police—the Chief Commissioner of Police;

(ii)

in relation to the Australian Crime Commission—the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Crime Commission;

(iii)

in relation to the IBAC—the Commissioner;

(b)

of an issuing agency—means the chief executive officer (however described) of the agency;

S. 3 def. of Commis- sioner inserted by No. 82/2012 s. 82(2).

Commissioner has the same meaning as it has in the Independent Broad-based Anti‑corruption Commission Act 2011;

conduct includes any act or omission;

S. 3 def. of corres-ponding authorised civilian inserted by No. 87/2005 s. 4.

corresponding authorised civilian means a person (other than a corresponding authorised officer) who is authorised, under a corresponding authority issued to a corresponding authorised officer, to acquire or use an assumed identity;

S. 3 def. of corres-ponding authorised officer inserted by No. 87/2005 s. 4.

corresponding authorised officer means an officer of a corresponding participating agency who is authorised under a corresponding authority to acquire or use an assumed identity;

corresponding authority means—

(a)

an authority under a corresponding law to acquire or use an assumed identity in this jurisdiction; or

(b)

an authority under a corresponding law to request the production of evidence of an assumed identity;

S. 3 def. of corres-ponding chief officer inserted by No. 87/2005 s. 4.

corresponding chief officer of a corresponding participating agency, means the person who is the chief officer (within the meaning of the corresponding law) of the corresponding participating agency;

corresponding law means a law of another jurisdiction that is declared by the regulations to correspond to this Act;

S. 3 def. of corres-ponding participating agency inserted by No. 87/2005 s. 4.

corresponding participating agency means a body in a participating jurisdiction officers of which, under the corresponding law of that jurisdiction, may be granted a corresponding authority, other than a body that is declared by the regulations not to be a corresponding participating agency for that jurisdiction;

S. 3 def. of corres-ponding supervisor inserted by No. 87/2005 s. 4.

corresponding supervisor of a corresponding authorised civilian, means a person who supervises or is to supervise the acquisition or use of an assumed identity by the corresponding authorised civilian;

criminal activity means conduct that involves the commission of an offence by one or more persons;

S. 3 def. of Director inserted by No. 63/2004 s. 17(a), amended by No. 34/2008 s. 143(Sch. 2 item 4.1(a)), repealed by No. 82/2012 s. 82(1).

* * * * *

doing a thing, includes failing to do the thing;

evidence of identity, means a document or other thing that evidences or indicates, or can be used to evidence or indicate, a person's identity or any aspect of a person's identity;

government issuing agency, in relation to an authority, means any of the following named in the authority that issues evidence of identity—

(a)

a person or body (whether incorporated or not) that performs any function of the government of this jurisdiction; or

(b)

a person or body (whether incorporated or not) prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this definition;

S. 3 def. of IBAC inserted by No. 82/2012 s. 82(2).

IBAC means the Independent Broad-based Anti‑corruption Commission established under the Independent Broad-based Anti‑corruption Commission Act 2011;

issuing agency means—

(a)

a government issuing agency; or

(b)

a non-government issuing agency;

jurisdiction means the Commonwealth or a State or Territory of the Commonwealth;

S. 3 def. of law enforcement agency amended by Nos 63/2004 s. 17(c), 82/2012 s. 82(4).

law enforcement agency means the following agencies—

(a)

Victoria Police;

(b)

the Australian Crime Commission;

(c)

the IBAC;

S. 3 def. of law enforcement officer substituted by No. 63/2004 s. 17(d), amended by Nos 82/2012 s. 82(5), 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 37.1(b)).

law enforcement officer means—

(a)

in relation to Victoria Police—

(i)

a police officer; or

(ii)

a person who is seconded to Victoria Police, including (but not limited to) a member of the police force or police service (however described) of another jurisdiction;

(b)

in relation to the Australian Crime Commission—

(i)

a member of staff of the Australian Crime Commission; or

(ii)

a person who is seconded to the Australian Crime Commission, including (but not limited to) a member of the police force or police service (however described) of another jurisdiction;

(c)

in relation to the IBAC—a prescribed IBAC Officer;

S. 3 def. of member repealed by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 37.1(c)).

* * * * *

non-government issuing agency, in relation to an authority, means a person, body or entity (other than a government issuing agency) named in the authority that issues evidence of identity;

S. 3 def. of Office of Police Integrity inserted by No. 63/2004 s. 17(a), amended by No. 34/2008 s. 143(Sch. 2 item 4.1(b)), repealed by No. 82/2012 s. 82(1).

* * * * *

officer of an agency, includes a person employed or engaged in the agency;

participating jurisdiction means a jurisdiction in which a corresponding law is in force;

S. 3 def. of police officer inserted by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 37.1(a)).

police officer has the same meaning as in the Victoria Police Act 2013;

S. 3 def. of prescribed IBAC Officer inserted by No. 82/2012 s. 82(2).

prescribed IBAC Officer means a sworn IBAC Officer within the meaning of section 3(1) of the Independent Broad-based Anti‑corruption Commission Act 2011 who holds a position, or is a member of a class, that is prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this definition;

S. 3 def. of prescribed member of staff of the Office of Police Integrity inserted by No. 63/2004 s. 17(a), repealed by No. 82/2012 s. 82(1).

* * * * *

supervisor of an authorised civilian—means the law enforcement officer who supervises or is to supervise the acquisition or use of an assumed identity by the authorised civilian;

this jurisdiction means Victoria;

use an assumed identity, includes representing (whether expressly or impliedly, or by saying or doing something) the identity to be real when it is not;

S. 3 def. of Victoria Police amended by No. 83/2012 s. 35(a), substituted by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 37.1(d)).

Victoria Police has the same meaning as in the Victoria Police Act 2013;

S. 3 def. of Victoria Police employee inserted by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 37.1(a)).

Victoria Police employee has the same meaning as in the Victoria Police Act 2013;

S. 3 def. of Victorian witness protection program inserted by No. 83/2012 s. 35(b).

Victorian witness protection program has the same meaning as it has in the Witness Protection Act 1991.

Part 2—Authority for assumed identity

4Application for authority to acquire or use assumed identity

(1)

A law enforcement officer of a law enforcement agency may apply to the chief officer of the agency for an authority for the law enforcement officer or any other person to do either or both of the following—

(a)

acquire an assumed identity;

(b)

use an assumed identity.

(2)

A separate application must be made in respect of each assumed identity to be acquired or used.

(3)

An application—

(a)

must be in writing in the form approved by the chief officer; and

(b)

must contain—

(i)

the name of the applicant; and

(ii)

the name of the person to be authorised to acquire or use an assumed identity (if not the applicant); and

S. 4(3)(b)(iia) inserted by No. 44/2022 s. 85(a).

(iia)

if the person referred to in subparagraph (ii) is a Victoria Police employee—the rank of the proposed supervisor of the person and an explanation of why it is necessary for the person to acquire or use the assumed identity; and

S. 4(3)(b)(iii) amended by No. 44/2022 s. 85(b).

(iii)

if the person referred to in subparagraph (ii) is an authorised civilian (other than a Victoria Police employee)—the name and rank or position of the person proposed to be appointed as supervisor and an explanation of why it is necessary for a person who is not a law enforcement officer to acquire or use the assumed identity; and

(iv)

details of the proposed assumed identity; and

(v)

reasons for the need to acquire or use an assumed identity; and

S. 4(3)(b)(vi) substituted by No. 83/2012 s. 36.

(vi)

if the assumed identity is to be used in an investigation or for intelligence-gathering, details of the investigation or intelligence-gathering exercise (to the extent known); and

S. 4(3)(b)(via) inserted by No. 83/2012 s. 36, amended by No. 34/2016 s. 28.

(via)

if the assumed identity is to be used to ensure the effective and safe exercise of functions in administering the Victorian witness protection program or alternative protection arrangements, details of the functions concerned; and

(vii)

details of any issuing agencies and the types of evidence to be issued by them; and

(viii)

details of any application to be made for an order under section 10 (making entries in register of births, deaths or marriages) in respect of the assumed identity.

(4)

The chief officer may require the applicant to furnish any additional information concerning the application that is necessary for the chief officer's proper consideration of the application.

Note

The chief officer may delegate functions under this section—see section 34.

5Determination of applications

(1)

After considering an application for an authority to acquire or use an assumed identity, and any additional information under section 4(4), the chief officer—

(a)

may grant an authority to acquire or use the assumed identity, either unconditionally or subject to conditions; or

(b)

may refuse the application.

(2)

An authority to acquire or use an assumed identity may not be granted unless the chief officer is satisfied on reasonable grounds—

S. 5(2)(a) substituted by No. 83/2012 s. 37.

(a)

that the assumed identity is necessary for the purposes of—

(i)

an investigation or intelligence-gathering in relation to criminal activity; or

S. 5(2)(a)(ii) amended by Nos 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 37.2(a)), 34/2016 s. 29.

(ii)

enabling police officers to exercise their functions in administering the Victorian witness protection program or alternative protection arrangements and ensuring their safety while doing so; and

S. 5(2)(ab) inserted by No. 83/2012 s. 37, amended by No. 34/2016 s. 29.

(ab)

in relation to an application for an assumed identity that is to be used to ensure the effective and safe exercise of functions in administering the Victorian witness protection program or alternative protection arrangements, that the person to be authorised is—

S. 5(2)(ab)(i) substituted by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 37.2(b)).

(i)

a police officer; or

S. 5(2)(ab)(ii) substituted by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 37.2(b)).

(ii)

a Victoria Police employee; and

(b)

that the risk of abuse of the assumed identity by the authorised person is minimal; and

S. 5(2)(c) amended by No. 44/2022 s. 86.

(c)

if the application is for authorisation of an assumed identity for a person who is not a law enforcement officer (other than a Victoria Police employee)—that it would be impossible or impracticable in the circumstances for a law enforcement officer to acquire or use the assumed identity for the purpose sought.

(3)

If an authority is granted for an authorised civilian, the chief officer must appoint a law enforcement officer of the law enforcement agency to supervise the acquisition or use of the assumed identity by the authorised civilian.

S. 5(4) substituted by No. 63/2004 s. 18.

(4)

The law enforcement officer appointed as supervisor must be—

(a)

of or above the rank of sergeant, in the case of Victoria Police;

(b)

of or above the rank of senior investigator, in the case of the Australian Crime Commission;

S. 5(4)(c) amended by No. 82/2012 s. 83.

(c)

a person who holds a position, or is a member of a class, that is prescribed by the regulations, in the case of the IBAC.

(5)

An authority may also authorise any one or more of the following—

(a)

an application for an order for an entry in a register of births, deaths or marriages under section 10 or a corresponding law;

(b)

a request under section 13 or 24;

(c)

the use of an assumed identity in a participating jurisdiction.

(6)

A separate authority is required for each assumed identity.

Note

The chief officer may delegate functions under this section—see section 34.

6Form of authority

(1)

An authority must be—

(a)

in writing in the form approved by the chief officer; and

(b)

signed by the person granting it.

(2)

An authority must state the following—

(a)

the name of the person granting the authority; and

(b)

the date of the authority; and

(c)

details of the assumed identity authorised; and

(d)

details of any evidence of the assumed identity that may be acquired under the authority; and

(e)

the conditions (if any) to which the authority is subject; and

(f)

why the authority is granted; and

(g)

if the authority relates to an authorised officer—the name of the officer; and

S. 6(2)(ga) inserted by No. 44/2022 s. 87(a).

(ga)

if the authority relates to a Victoria Police employee—

(i)

the name of the Victoria Police employee; and

(ii)

the rank of the Victoria Police employee's supervisor; and

(iii)

the period for which the authority will remain in force, being a period not exceeding 12 months; and

S. 6(2)(h) amended by No. 55/2025 s. 19(a).

(h)

if the authority relates to an authorised civilian (other than a Victoria Police employee)—

S. 6(2)(h)(i) amended by Nos 44/2022 s. 87(b)(i), 55/2025 s. 19(b).

(i)

the name of the authorised civilian; and

S. 6(2)(h)(ii) amended by No. 44/2022 s. 87(b)(ii).

(ii)

the name of their supervisor under the authority; and

(iii)

the period for which the authority will remain in force, being a period not exceeding 3 months.

(3)

The authority must also state the following—

(a)

each issuing agency to which a request may be made under section 13 or 24; and

(b)

whether it authorises an application for an order for an entry in a register of births, deaths or marriages under section 10 or a corresponding law; and

(c)

each participating jurisdiction in which an assumed identity may be used.

Note

The chief officer may delegate functions under this section—see section 34.

7Period of authority

(1)

An authority for an authorised officer remains in force until cancelled under section 8.

S. 7(1A) inserted by No. 55/2025 s. 20(1).

(1A)

An authority for a Victoria Police employee remains in force until the end of the period specified in the authority in accordance with section 6(2)(ga)(iii), unless the authority is cancelled sooner under section 8.

S. 7(2) amended by No. 55/2025 s. 20(2).

(2)

An authority for an authorised civilian (other than a Victoria Police employee) remains in force until the end of the period specified in the authority in accordance with section 6(2)(h)(iii), unless the authority is cancelled sooner under section 8.

8Variation or cancellation of authority

(1)

The chief officer who grants an authority—

(a)

may vary or cancel the authority at any time; and

(b)

must cancel the authority if the chief officer is satisfied (on a review under section 9 or otherwise) that use of the assumed identity is no longer necessary.

(2)

The chief officer must give written notice of the variation or cancellation to—

(a)

the authorised person to whom it relates; and

(b)

if the authorised person is an authorised civilian—the authorised person's supervisor.

(3)

The notice must state why the authority is varied or cancelled.

(4)

The variation or cancellation takes effect—

(a)

on the day the written notice is given to the authorised person; or

(b)

if a later date of effect is stated in the notice—on the day stated.

Note

The chief officer may delegate functions under this section—see section 34.

9Yearly review of authority

(1)

The chief officer must periodically review each authority granted by the chief officer or a delegate of the chief officer under this Act.

(2)

A review of an authority under this section is to be conducted at least once every 12 months.

(3)

The purpose of a review is to determine whether use of the assumed identity under the authority is still necessary.

(4)

If the chief officer is satisfied on a review that use of the assumed identity under the authority is no longer necessary, he or she must cancel the authority under section 8.

(5)

If the chief officer is satisfied on a review that use of the assumed identity under the authority is still necessary, he or she must record his or her opinion, and the reasons for it, in writing.

Note

The chief officer may delegate functions under this section—see section 34.

10Making entries in register of births, deaths and marriages

(1)

The Supreme Court may order the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages to make an entry in the Register under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996 in relation to the acquisition of an assumed identity under an authority or corresponding authority.

(2)

The Court may make the order only—

(a)

on application by—

(i)

the chief officer of a law enforcement agency; or

S. 10(2)(a)(ii) substituted by No. 87/2005 s. 5(1)(a).

(ii)

the corresponding chief officer of a corresponding participating agency; and

(b)

if satisfied the order is justified having regard to the nature of the activities undertaken or to be undertaken by the officer or person under the authority or corresponding authority.

(3)

The application must be heard in closed court.

(4)

The Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages must give effect to an order—

(a)

within the period stated in the order; or

(b)

if no period is stated in the order—within 28 days after the day the order is made.

Note

The chief officer may delegate functions under this section—see section 34.

11Cancellation of authority affecting entry in register of births, deaths and marriages

(1)

This section applies if—

(a)

the chief officer cancels an authority for an assumed identity; and

(b)

there is an entry in relation to that identity—

(i)

in the Register under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996 because of an order under section 10; or

(ii)

in a register of births, deaths or marriages in a participating jurisdiction because of an order under a corresponding law of the jurisdiction.

(2)

If subsection (1)(b)(i) applies, the chief officer must apply for an order under section 12 within 28 days after the day the authority is cancelled.

(3)

If subsection (1)(b)(ii) applies, the chief officer must apply for an order under the corresponding law to cancel the entry within 28 days after the day the authority is cancelled.

12Cancelling entries in register of births, deaths and marriages

(1)

The Supreme Court may order the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages to cancel an entry that has been made in the Register under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996 under an order under section 10.

S. 12(2) amended by No. 87/2005 s. 5(1)(b).

(2)

The Court may make the order only on application by the chief officer or corresponding chief officer who applied for the order under section 10.

(3)

The application must be heard in closed court.

(4)

The Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages must give effect to the order within 28 days after the day the order is made.

Part 3—Evidence of assumed identity

Crimes (Assumed Identities) Act 2004

About this Act

Bill & explanatory material

This Act’s bill