Criminal Code Act 1995

Schedule - The Criminal Code  

Section 3

CHAPTER 7 - THE PROPER ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT  

Part 7.2 - Theft and other property offences  

Division 132 - Other property offences  

SECTION 132.4   Burglary  

(1)    
A person commits an offence if:

(a) the person enters, or remains in, a building, as a trespasser, with intent to commit theft of a particular item of property in the building; and

(b) the property belongs to a Commonwealth entity.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 13 years.

(2)    
For the purposes of this Code, an offence against subsection (1) is to be known as the offence of burglary.

(2A)    
In a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) , it is not necessary to prove that the defendant knew that the property belonged to a Commonwealth entity.

(3)    
A person commits an offence if:

(a) the person enters, or remains in, a building, as a trespasser, with intent to commit an offence in the building that involves causing harm to another person or damage to property; and

(aa) the offence referred to in paragraph (a) is an offence against a law of the Commonwealth; and

(b) the offence referred to in paragraph (a) is punishable by imprisonment for life or for a term of 5 years or more.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 13 years.

(3A)    
In a prosecution for an offence against subsection (3) , it is not necessary to prove that the defendant knew that the offence referred to in paragraph (3)(a) is an offence against a law of the Commonwealth.

(4)    
In a prosecution for an offence against subsection (3) , it is not necessary to prove that the defendant knew that the offence referred to in paragraph (3)(a) is punishable by imprisonment for life or for a term of 5 years or more.

(5)    
For the purposes of this Code, an offence against subsection (3) is also to be known as the offence of burglary.

(6)    
A person commits an offence if:

(a) the person enters, or remains in, a building, as a trespasser, with intent to commit an offence in the building that involves causing harm to another person or damage to property; and

(aa) the offence referred to in paragraph (a) is an offence against a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; and

(b) the offence referred to in paragraph (a) is punishable by imprisonment for life or for a term of 5 years or more; and

(c) the building is owned or occupied by a Commonwealth entity.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 13 years.

(6A)    
In a prosecution for an offence against subsection (6) , it is not necessary to prove that the defendant knew that the offence referred to in paragraph (6)(a) is an offence against a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory.

(7)    
In a prosecution for an offence against subsection (6) , it is not necessary to prove that the defendant knew that the offence referred to in paragraph (6)(a) is punishable by imprisonment for life or for a term of 5 years or more.

(8)    
Absolute liability applies to the paragraph (6)(c) element of the offence.

(9)    
For the purposes of this Code, an offence against subsection (6) is also to be known as the offence of burglary.

(10)    
For the purposes of this section, a person is taken not to be a trespasser:

(a) merely because the person is permitted to enter, or remain in, a building for a purpose that is not the person ' s intended purpose; or

(b) if the person is permitted to enter, or remain in, a building as a result of fraud, misrepresentation or another person ' s mistake.

(12)    
In this section:

building
includes:

(a) a part of a building; or

(b) a mobile home or a caravan; or

(c) a structure (whether or not movable), a vehicle, or a vessel, that is used, designed or adapted for residential purposes.