Public Health Act 2011

The South Australian Public Health Act 2011 was approved by Parliament in June 2011. After a progressive roll out, the Act came in to full operation in 2013.

The South Australian Public Health Act 2011 provides a modernised, flexible legislative framework, so South Australia can better respond to emerging and traditional public health challenges.

This legislation helps the State respond to modern public health risks by:

  • allowing health officials to take immediate action on a health hazard that presents a serious and immediate threat to public health
  • providing stronger powers to health professionals, so they can take action to minimise the risk of communicable diseases
  • creating the Chief Public Health Officer position who can use special powers to respond to an epidemic, threat of an epidemic or other significant public health emergencies
  • improving coordination between health officials to plan for and deal with public health issues
  • defining the roles and powers of public health officials
  • providing guidance and codes of practice to help tackle the growing incidence of chronic non-communicable conditions in our community.

Section 110 of the South Australian Public Health Act 2011 states that 'The Social Development Committee of Parliament must review the operation of this Act as soon as practicable after the expiry of 5 years from its commencement'. This review will commence in 2018.

For more information

Please see the Public Health Act 2011 fact sheet (PDF 177KB), email publichealthact@sa.gov.au or call (08) 8226 6717.