Quoting
• Quotations must be identical to the original, using a small section of the source. Quotes match the source document word for word and must be attributed to the original author. When quoting, the relevant page number(s) must be given.
• If less than 40 words, quotations should be incorporated into the text of your essay or assignment and enclosed within quotation marks.
• If 40 or more words, then the quotation should be indented as a block of text and the quotation marks omitted. In this instance, the citation, in full or part form, appears after the final punctuation mark.
• If information is left out, three dots ... must be used to show where the missing information goes.
Paraphrasing and Summarising
• Both paraphrasing and summarising involve putting information from source material into your own words.
• The following is an example of how to appropriately paraphrase and summarise to avoid plagiarism:
As stated in the seventh edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA, 2020), the ethical principles of scientific publication are designed to ensure the integrity of scientific knowledge and to protect the intellectual property rights of others. As the Publication Manual explains, authors are expected to correct the record if they discover errors in their publications; they are also expected to give credit to others for their prior work when it is quoted or paraphrased (pp. 254-257).
More detailed information is on the APA Citation Methods page.
Do not include a URL in the reference unless the content was sourced from Open Access databases, such as AustLII, Jade, or the Federal Register of Legislation.
The reason for this is that, if, for instance, a case was sourced from a subscription database such as Westlaw Australia or Lexis+, only those with access to the database will be able to utilise the link.
If the article or case is from an academic research database, end the reference after the page range (for an explanation of why, see the database information page). The reference in this case is the same as for a print journal article or case reporting series.
Include live links to DOIs and URLs if the work is open access (not from a subscription database).
• Source cases from Jade (free registration using your student email) or AustLII
• How to Source Permanent / Shareable URLs for works sourced from subscription databases
Reported cases in a series organised by volume
In Text Citation
(King v Philcox (2015)) OR King v Philcox (2015)
Reference List
King v Philcox (2015) 255 CLR 304.
Reported cases in a series organised by year
In Text Citation
(Mond v Lipshut (1999)) OR Mond v Lipshut (1999)
Reference List
Mond v Lipshut [1999] 2 VR 342.
In Text Citation
(Linton, 2015)
Reference List
Linton, S. H. (2015). Record of investigation into death [of Helen MacFarlaine] (Ref. no. 10/15). Coroner’s Court of Western Australia. https://www.coronerscourt.wa.gov.au/_files/MacFarlaine%20finding.pdf
Constitution
In Text Citation
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia may be cited as the
Australian Constitution
OR
Commonwealth Constitution
OR
Constitution if there is no ambiguity as to which constitution is being cited
Reference List
The Constitution (Cth). https://www.legislation.gov.au//Details/C2005Q00193
• Source all Australia legislation (Acts) using Legify
• Source commencement / in force date from the Act to indicate which version is referenced
Standard format for citation
Legislation:
|
Title Year (Jurisdiction). (Commencement Date). Internet address. |
Commonwealth Statutes (Acts of Parliament)
In Text Citation
Example 1:
(Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), s. 1)
(Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), s. 1; s. 2; s. 3)
(Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Act 2005 (Cth) pt. 3A div. 2)
Example 2:
Section 1 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) states ...
(Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), sch. 2: The Australian Consumer Law, pt. 3-2, s. 64)
Reference List
Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). (2023, March 1). https://www.legislation.gov.au//Details/C2019C00216
Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth). (2023, January 1). https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2020C00006
State Statutes (Acts of Parliament)
In Text Citation
(Land Tax Act 2002, s. 1) OR (Land Tax Act 2002 (WA), s. 1)
(Criminal Code Act 1913 (WA), s. 22)
(Criminal Code Act 1983 (NT), pt. I div. 1)
Reference List
Land Tax Act 2002 (WA). (2015, July 1). https://www.legislation.wa.gov.au/legislation/statutes.nsf/law_a6340.html
Criminal Code Act 1913 (WA). (2023, April 13). https://www.legislation.wa.gov.au/legislation/statutes.nsf/law_a196.html
Criminal Code Act 1983 (NT). (2023, May 1). https://legislation.nt.gov.au/Legislation/CRIMINAL-CODE-ACT-1983
Commonwealth (Cth)
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
New South Wales (NSW)
Northern Territory (NT)
Queensland (Qld)
South Australia (SA)
Tasmania (Tas)
Victoria (Vic)
Western Australia (WA)
chapter(s) ch., chs.
section(s) s., ss.
schedule(s) sch., schs.
part(s) pt., pts.
division(s) div., divs.
subdivision(s) sub-div., sub-divs.
paragraph(s) para., paras.
Where multiple abbreviations and numbers are needed, no comma should be used between them e.g. pt. III div. 3
In references to a section or a subsection (or a paragraph and a sub-paragraph, etc) the abbreviation that corresponds to the highest 'level' of the section (or paragraph, etc) in the pinpoint should be used (eg 's. 31 (1)' not 'sub-s. 31(1)').
| s. 2 | s. 108AB | sub-s. (3) |
| pt. V | s. 5(1) | s. 2(3) |
| ch. III | s. 14(1)(a) | s. 28(1)(a)(i) |
| pt. 7 div. 3 sub-div. 8 | s. 13 [Not: pt. 2 s. 13] | cl. 14(3)(a) |
Where an Act uses a decimal numbering system (often in the form Chapter . Part . Section ), pinpoints should contain the whole of the decimal number preceded by the abbreviation of the lowest 'level' of section, part, chapter, etc, cited (eg s. 2.3.5 not ch. 2.3.5 ).
Where multiple combinations of an abbreviation and a number are needed to form one pinpoint reference, there should be no comma between each abbreviation-number combination (eg pt III div 2 not pt III, div 2 ).
• Source Commonwealth Bills from the Federal Register of Legislation
• Source State Bills from the Parliament links on the Federal Register of Legislation for each State
Bills
In Text Citation
(Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Bill (No. 2) 2010 (Cth), cl. 7.10)
OR
As found in the Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Bill (No. 2) (2010, cl. 7.10) ...
Reference List
Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Bill (No. 2) 2010 (Cth). https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2010B00061
Commonwealth (Cth)
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
New South Wales (NSW)
Northern Territory (NT)
Queensland (Qld)
South Australia (SA)
Tasmania (Tas)
Victoria (Vic)
Western Australia(WA)
Explanatory Memorandum
In Text Citation
(Explanatory Memorandum, Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Bill (No. 2) 2010 (Cth), p. 179)
Reference List
Explanatory Memorandum, Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Bill (No. 2) 2010 (Cth). https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2010B00061/Explanatory%20Memorandum/Text
Hansard
In Text Citation
Minister Ananda-Rajah spoke of wanting to simplify the Higher Education Loan Program and to make it fairer (Commonwealth, 2024, p. 2472).
Reference List
Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 27 March 2024, 2472 (Michelle Ananda-Rajah).
Western Australia, Parliamentary Debates, Legislative Assembly, 22 February 2024, 296 (Hannah Beazley).
Written Submissions to Government or Parliamentary Inquiries, Committees and Agencies
In Text Citation
Councillor Peter Colby from the Lismore City Council spoke of how the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation was disengaged with the community when it came to recovery after the floods (Evidence to Senate Select Committee on Australia’s Disaster Resilience, 2023, p. 5).
Reference List
Evidence to Senate Select Committee on Australia’s Disaster Resilience, Parliament of Australia, Canberra, 28 June 2023 (Peter Colby). https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/committees/commsen/27043/toc_pdf/
Australia's%20Disaster%20Resilience%20Select%20Committee_2023_06_28_Official.pdf
;fileType=application%2Fpdf#search=%22committees/commsen/27043/0000%22
Second Reading Speeches (Parliamentary debates)
In Text Citation
In the Minister's Second Reading Speech (Commonwealth, 2010, p. 4284), provisions covering unfair practices ...
Reference List
Commonwealth. Parliamentary debates. Senate. 24 June 2010. https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/genpdf/chamber/hansards/2010-06-24/0103/hansard_frag.pdf;fileType=application%2Fpdf
Delegated legislation (Regulations)
In Text Citation
(Competition and Consumer Regulations 2010 (Cth), reg. 90.)
Reference List
Competition and Consumer Regulations 2010 (Cth). https://www.legislation.gov.au//Details/F2019C00785
Reference List
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. (2017). Understanding the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls: A joint project with the Australian Human Rights Commission [Report]. Australian Government. https://pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/factsheet-supporting-indigenous-women-girls.pdf
Environmental and Natural Resources Committee, Parliament of Victoria. (2011). Inquiry into the environmental effects statement process in Victoria [Parliamentary Paper No 59]. https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/committees/enrc/FINAL_EES_Report_30_August_2011.pdf
Mental Health Integration Taskforce. (2019). Better integration of mental health services in Southern Tasmania: Mental Health Integration Taskforce report and recommendations. Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Directorate, Department of Health, Tasmanian Government. https://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/news/2019/mental_health_integration_taskforce_report
National Drug Strategy Committee. (2020, May). National drug strategy 2017-2026 : 2018 Annual report. Department of Health. https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-drug-strategy-2018-annual-report
Parliament of Western Australia Joint Standing Committee on the Corruption and Crime Commission. (2020). Evidence by.. Mr Chris Dawson (Commissioner of Police, Western Australia Police Force), Mr Colin Blanch (Deputy Commissioner of Police, Western Australia Police Force), Mr Chris Markham (Capability Adviser, Use of Force, Operational Skills Faculty, Western Australian Police Force), Mr Valdo Sorgiovanni (Acting Assistant Commissioner, Professional Standards, Western Australia Police Force) and Mr Craig Donaldson (Assistant Commissioner, Professional Development, Western Australia Police Force) on 1 Jul 2020 at the Inquiry into the Western Australian Corruption and Crime Commission's oversight of police misconduct investigations, particularly allegations of excessive use of force [Transcript]. Parliament of Western Australia. https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Parliament/commit.nsf/(Evidence+Lookup+by+Com+ID)/ECD4A50B247A7D104825859A00132920/$file/ccc200701.pdf
Senate Legal and Constitutional References Committee, Parliament of Australia. (2006). Administration and Operation of the Migration Act 1958 [Report]. https://www.aph.gov.au/~/media/wopapub/senate/committee/legcon_ctte/completed_inquiries/2004_07/migration/report/report_pdf.ashx
Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills, Parliament of Australia. (2016). Tenth Report of 2016 [Report]. Senate Printing Unit. https://www.aph.gov.au/~/media/Committees/Senate/committee/scrutiny/bills/2016/pdf/b10.pdf?la=en
Western Australia Police Force. (2020, July 1). Evidence at the hearing of the Inquiry into the Western Australian Corruption and Crime Commission's oversight of police misconduct investigations, particularly allegations of excessive use of force [Video]. Joint Standing Committee on the Corruption and Crime Commission, Parliament of Western Australia. http://203.26.91.201/la%20archive/LACO%202020/20200701%20-%2010.15%20am.mp4
Hansard:
Commonwealth. Parliamentary debates. Senate. 9 August 2021. 1. https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/chamber/hansards/e33ce5a8-c004-49ca-83f9-8786f3f1aa3d/toc_pdf/Senate_2021_08_09_9017.pdf;fileType%3Dapplication%2Fpdf#search=%22climate%20change%20waters%22
Sources such as dictionaries and encyclopaedia, are NOT considered acceptable material upon which to base academic legal research,
so should NOT be included in Reference Lists for Murdoch University Students.
Students should source the original quotation using the citation that is referenced in encyclopaedia articles.
In Text Citation
(Freckelton & Prizeman, 2019)
Reference List
Freckelton, I., & Prizeman, W. (2019). Impact on a victim is a relevant factor in determining sentences. In The Laws of Australia. Westlaw Australia.
United Nations materials
Official/legal documents, such as resolutions, treaties, Charter of the United Nations, official reports or records should follow AGLC Rules 8 (Treaties) or 9 (United Nations Materials).
Other documents should be cited as per their format: Internet/website material, journal articles, press releases, publications, etc..
The UN provides information on how to reference its documents.
Wherever it mentions The Bluebook (U.S. legal referencing rules), replace this with the relevant AGLC rule.
General Instructions for Referencing UN material:
In Text Citation
(United Nations, 1948)
Reference List Entry
United Nations. (1948, December 10) Universal declaration of human rights. https://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/
In Text Citation
(United Nations, 1989)
Reference List Entry
United Nations. (1989, November 20). Convention on the rights of the child (Treaty Series, 1577). https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention/convention-text#
In Text Citation
(United Nations, 1966)
Reference List Entry
United Nations. (1966, December 19). International covenant on civil and political rights (999 UNTS 171). https://treaties.un.org/doc/publication/unts/volume%20999/volume-999-i-14668-english.pdf
Subsequent citations
In Text Citation
(Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), sch. 2: The Australian Consumer Law (ACL), pt. 3-2, sub-div. 64)
- this allows for subsequent references as ACL
(Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Bill (No. 2) 2010) (Cth) (ACL Bill), cl. 7.10)
- this allows for subsequent references as ACL Bill
(Explanatory Memorandum, Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Bill (No. 2) 2010) (ACL EM)
- this allows for subsequent references as ACL EM
• In the 7th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2020), Chapter 11, Legal References advises:
"In this chapter, we provide ... examples of common legal references used in APA style papers, including court decisions, statutes, legislative materials... For brevity, only United States and United Nations legal examples are provided in this chapter." (p. 355).
• For this reason, all students, when asked to cite Australian legal materials using APA Style, should follow the examples given in the table.
For further examples refer to the AGLC - Referencing Guide.
For ease of use, this guide divides reference list entries into different formats.
Select the format you require from the Reference List Entries menu or select from the links below: