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NOTICE: This guide is currently under review, with a new guide to be launched before Semester 1, 2025. In the meantime, please direct any queries or feedback about this guide to the Library's Digital Experience via our Enquiry and Feedback form.
Legislation Research
Bill + EM + 2RS + Reports = Act
To understand an Act, access the extrinsic materials:
- Bill
- Explanatory Memorandum
- Second Reading Speech
- Parliamentary Committee Reports and Bills Digest
Additional information can be gleaned from:
- articles
- commentary
Search for legislation using any of the legal databases.
Using the databases is more efficient than reading an Act from start to finish hoping to spot a relevant section.
When researching, you do not have to repeat this type of search in each database, as they will all quote the same legislation.
Remember, though, that legislation can only be quoted from the Federal Register of Legislation.
AGLC Rule 1.5
Quotations of 3 lines or less should be incorporated into the text using single quotation marks.
Quotations of 4 lines or more should appear indented from the left margin, in a smaller font size, and without quotation marks.
Legislative extracts, however long, may also appear this way.
Start research on a topic using legal encyclopaedia.
Legal encyclopaedia summarise issues, as well as provide relevant legislation and case law.
Examples below are alternative methods for sourcing relevant legislation on a topic.
AustLII |
Jade |
Lexis Advance |
Westlaw Australia |
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1. Select Cases & Legislation (located on the red band)
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1. Add search words to search panel at top of screen
Example:
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1. Select Advanced Search: Legislation
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1. Select Legislation Content type
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2. From the Cth Legislation column, select
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2. Refine search results: Option 1: In the text pane type
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2. Add search words to Terms and and Legislation Title fields Tip: do not include year Option: Add Act title or a word within an Act title
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2. Select Advanced Search
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3. Add search words in search pane, located in top right corner of screen Example:
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2. Refine search results: Option 2: Click in the text pane type, then navigate down the list to the Select Commonwealth Legislation - Acts from the list
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3. Narrow to refine results
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3. Add search words to All of these terms and and Legislation title fields Tip: do not include year Option: Add Act title or a word within an Act title
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4. Select the magnifying glass Search icon |
3. Click on Filter
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4. Filter to refine results
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5. Results can be sorted:
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Tip: Sign up for Jade Professional using your Murdoch student email address @student.murdoch.edu.au (it is free) |
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6. Select the hyperlinked Act and Section from the Results list
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AustLII |
Jade |
Lexis Advance |
Westlaw Australia |
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1. Advanced Search
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1. Add search words to search panel at top of screen
Example:
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1. Select Advanced Search: Legislation
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1. Select Content Type: Legislation
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2. Select the Boolean Query tab
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2. Refine search results: Option 1: In the text pane type
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2. Add search words to Terms and and Legislation Title fields Tip: do not include year Option: Add Act title or a word within an Act title
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2. Select Advanced Search
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3. Enter search words Example: |
2. Refine search results: Option 2: Click in the text pane type, then navigate down the list to the Select Commonwealth Legislation - Acts from the list
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3. Click on
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3. Add search words to Defined Terms field If a definition from specific legislation is sought, add the legislation to the Legislation title field Tip: do not include year Option: Add Act title or a word within an Act title
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4. From the Select database(s) list, select
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3. Click on Filter
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5. Click on Advanced Search button below the databases list to search
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Tip: Sign up for Jade Professional using your Murdoch student email address @student.murdoch.edu.au (it is free) |
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6. Sort results By Database Select the Commonwealth Consolidated Acts database |
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