##### 12L  Meaning of responsible entity ###### Critical telecommunications asset - \(1\) The responsible entity for a critical telecommunications asset is: - \(a\) whichever of the following is applicable: - \(i\) if the critical telecommunications asset is owned or operated by a carrier—the carrier; - \(ii\) if the critical telecommunications asset is owned or operated by a carriage service provider—the carriage service provider; or - \(b\) if another entity is prescribed by the rules in relation to the asset—that other entity\. ###### Critical broadcasting asset - \(2\) The responsible entity for a critical broadcasting asset is: - \(a\) the entity referred to in whichever of the following provisions is applicable: - \(i\) subparagraph 12E\(1\)\(a\)\(i\); - \(ii\) subparagraph 12E\(1\)\(b\)\(i\); - \(iii\) paragraph 12E\(1\)\(c\); or - \(b\) if another entity is prescribed by the rules in relation to the asset—that other entity\. ###### Critical domain name system - \(3\) The responsible entity for a critical domain name system is: - \(a\) the entity referred to in paragraph 12KA\(1\)\(a\); or - \(b\) if another entity is prescribed by the rules in relation to the system—that other entity\. ###### Critical data storage or processing asset - \(4\) The responsible entity for a critical data storage or processing asset is: - \(a\) if the asset is covered by subsection 12F\(1\)—the entity referred to in paragraph 12F\(1\)\(a\); or - \(b\) if the asset is covered by subsection 12F\(2\)—the entity referred to in paragraph 12F\(2\)\(a\); or - \(c\) if another entity is prescribed by the rules in relation to the asset—that other entity\. ###### Critical banking asset - \(5\) The responsible entity for a critical banking asset is: - \(a\) if the asset is covered by paragraph 12G\(1\)\(a\)—the authorised deposit‑taking institution referred to in subparagraph 12G\(1\)\(a\)\(i\); or - \(b\) if the asset is covered by paragraph 12G\(1\)\(b\)—the body corporate referred to in subparagraph 12G\(1\)\(b\)\(i\); or - \(c\) if another entity is prescribed by the rules in relation to the asset—that other entity\. ###### Critical superannuation asset - \(6\) The responsible entity for a critical superannuation asset is: - \(a\) the RSE licensee referred to in subsection 12J\(1\); or - \(b\) if another entity is prescribed by the rules in relation to the asset—that other entity\. ###### Critical insurance asset - \(7\) The responsible entity for a critical insurance asset is: - \(a\) if the asset is covered by paragraph 12H\(1\)\(a\)—the entity referred to in subparagraph 12H\(1\)\(a\)\(i\); or - \(b\) if the asset is covered by paragraph 12H\(1\)\(b\)—the body corporate referred to in subparagraph 12H\(1\)\(b\)\(i\); or - \(c\) if the asset is covered by paragraph 12H\(1\)\(c\)—the entity referred to in subparagraph 12H\(1\)\(c\)\(i\); or - \(d\) if the asset is covered by paragraph 12H\(1\)\(d\)—the body corporate referred to in subparagraph 12H\(1\)\(d\)\(i\); or - \(e\) if the asset is covered by paragraph 12H\(1\)\(e\)—the entity referred to in subparagraph 12H\(1\)\(e\)\(i\); or - \(f\) if the asset is covered by paragraph 12H\(1\)\(f\)—the body corporate referred to in subparagraph 12H\(1\)\(f\)\(i\); or - \(g\) if another entity is prescribed by the rules in relation to the asset—that other entity\. ###### Critical financial market infrastructure asset - \(8\) The responsible entity for a critical financial market infrastructure asset is: - \(a\) if the asset is covered by paragraph 12D\(1\)\(a\)—the body corporate referred to in subparagraph 12D\(1\)\(a\)\(i\); or - \(b\) if the asset is covered by paragraph 12D\(1\)\(b\)—the associated entity referred to in subparagraph 12D\(1\)\(b\)\(i\); or - \(c\) if the asset is covered by paragraph 12D\(1\)\(c\)—the body corporate referred to in subparagraph 12D\(1\)\(c\)\(i\); or - \(d\) if the asset is covered by paragraph 12D\(1\)\(d\)—the associated entity referred to in subparagraph 12D\(1\)\(d\)\(i\); or - \(e\) if the asset is covered by paragraph 12D\(1\)\(e\)—the body corporate referred to in subparagraph 12D\(1\)\(e\)\(i\); or - \(f\) if the asset is covered by paragraph 12D\(1\)\(f\)—the associated entity referred to in subparagraph 12D\(1\)\(f\)\(i\); or - \(g\) if the asset is covered by paragraph 12D\(1\)\(g\)—the body corporate referred to in subparagraph 12D\(1\)\(g\)\(i\); or - \(h\) if the asset is covered by paragraph 12D\(1\)\(h\)—the associated entity referred to in subparagraph 12D\(1\)\(h\)\(i\); or - \(i\) if the asset is covered by paragraph 12D\(1\)\(i\)—the entity prescribed by the rules; or - \(j\) if another entity is prescribed by the rules in relation to the asset—that other entity\. ###### Critical water asset - \(9\) The responsible entity for a critical water asset is: - \(a\) the water utility that holds the licence, approval or authorisation \(however described\), under a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory, to provide the service to be delivered by the asset; or - \(b\) if another entity is prescribed by the rules in relation to the asset—that other entity\. ###### Critical electricity asset - \(10\) The responsible entity for a critical electricity asset is: - \(a\) the entity that holds the licence, approval or authorisation \(however described\) to operate the asset to provide the service to be delivered by the asset; or - \(b\) if another entity is prescribed by the rules in relation to the asset—that other entity\. ###### Critical gas asset - \(11\) The responsible entity for a critical gas asset is: - \(a\) the entity that holds the licence, approval or authorisation \(however described\) to operate the asset to provide the service to be delivered by the asset; or - \(b\) if another entity is prescribed by the rules in relation to the asset—that other entity\. ###### Critical energy market operator asset - \(12\) The responsible entity for a critical energy market operator asset is: - \(a\) if the asset is used by Australian Energy Market Operator Limited \(ACN 072 010 327\)—that company; or - \(b\) if the asset is used by Power and Water Corporation—that corporation; or - \(c\) if the asset is used by Regional Power Corporation—that corporation; or - \(d\) if the asset is used by Electricity Networks Corporation—that corporation; or - \(e\) if another entity is prescribed by the rules in relation to the asset—that other entity\. ###### Critical liquid fuel asset - \(13\) The responsible entity for a critical liquid fuel asset is: - \(a\) if the asset is a liquid fuel refinery—the entity that operates the liquid fuel refinery; or - \(b\) if the asset is a liquid fuel pipeline—the entity that operates the liquid fuel pipeline; or - \(c\) if the asset is a liquid fuel storage facility—the entity that operates the liquid fuel storage facility; or - \(d\) if another entity is prescribed by the rules in relation to the asset—that other entity\. ###### Critical hospital - \(14\) The responsible entity for a critical hospital is: - \(a\) if the critical hospital is a public hospital—the local hospital network that operates the hospital; or - \(b\) if the critical hospital is a private hospital—the entity that holds the licence, approval or authorisation \(however described\), under a law of a State or a Territory to operate the hospital; or - \(c\) if another entity is prescribed by the rules in relation to the hospital—that other entity\. ###### Critical education asset - \(15\) The responsible entity for a critical education asset is: - \(a\) the entity referred to in the definition of critical education asset in section 5; or - \(b\) if another entity is prescribed by the rules in relation to the asset—that other entity\. ###### Critical food and grocery asset - \(16\) The responsible entity for a critical food and grocery asset is: - \(a\) the entity referred to in paragraph 12K\(1\)\(b\); or - \(b\) if another entity is prescribed by the rules in relation to the asset—that other entity\. ###### Critical port - \(17\) The responsible entity for a critical port is: - \(a\) the port operator \(within the meaning of the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003\) of the port; or - \(b\) if another entity is prescribed by the rules in relation to the port—that other entity\. ###### Critical freight infrastructure asset - \(18\) The responsible entity for a critical freight infrastructure asset is: - \(a\) if the Commonwealth is responsible for the management of the asset—the Commonwealth; or - \(b\) if a State is responsible for the management of the asset—the State; or - \(c\) if a Territory is responsible for the management of the asset—the Territory; or - \(d\) if a body is: - \(i\) established by a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; and - \(ii\) responsible for the management of the asset;   that body; or - \(e\) if none of paragraphs \(a\), \(b\), \(c\), \(d\) and \(e\) apply—the entity prescribed by the rules in relation to the asset; or - \(f\) if another entity is prescribed by the rules in relation to the asset—that other entity\. ###### Critical freight services asset - \(19\) The responsible entity for a critical freight services asset is: - \(a\) the entity referred to in subsection 12C\(1\); or - \(b\) if another entity is prescribed by the rules in relation to the asset—that other entity\. ###### Critical public transport asset - \(20\) The responsible entity for a critical public transport asset is: - \(a\) the entity referred to in paragraph \(a\) of the definition of critical public transport asset in section 5; or - \(b\) if another entity is prescribed by the rules in relation to the asset—that other entity\. ###### Critical aviation asset - \(21\) The responsible entity for a critical aviation asset is: - \(a\) if the asset is: - \(i\) used in connection with the provision of an air service; and - \(ii\) owned or operated by an aircraft operator;   the aircraft operator; or - \(b\) if the asset is: - \(i\) used in connection with the provision of an air service; and - \(ii\) owned or operated by a regulated air cargo agent;   the regulated air cargo agent; or - \(c\) if the asset is used by an airport operator in connection with the operation of an airport—the airport operator; or - \(d\) if another entity is prescribed by the rules in relation to the asset—that other entity\. ###### Critical defence industry asset - \(22\) The responsible entity for a critical defence industry asset is: - \(a\) the entity referred to in paragraph \(a\) of the definition of critical defence industry asset; or - \(b\) if another entity is prescribed by the rules in relation to the asset—that other entity\. ###### Assets prescribed by the rules - \(23\) The responsible entity for an asset prescribed by the rules in relation to the asset for the purposes of paragraph 9\(1\)\(f\) is the entity specified in the rules\. ###### Assets declared to be a critical infrastructure asset - \(24\) The responsible entity for an asset declared under section 51 to be a critical infrastructure asset is the entity specified in the declaration as the responsible entity for the asset \(see subsection 51\(2\)\)\. ###### System of national significance - \(25\) If a critical infrastructure asset is a system of national significance, the responsible entity for the system of national significance is the responsible entity for the asset\. --- ## Source and attribution Saved copy: C2018A00029 / C2026C00213 / f578e546a17068939a3a5a928474713f844dfae8 Scope: navPoint\_35 Compiled 2026\-06\-04\. This does not establish legal commencement\. Official source: https://www\.legislation\.gov\.au/C2018A00029/2026\-06\-04/2026\-06\-04/text/1/epub/OEBPS/document\_1/document\_1\.html Licence: https://creativecommons\.org/licenses/by/4\.0/ Based on content from the Federal Register of Legislation at 1 October 2026\. For the latest information on Australian Government legislation please go to https://www\.legislation\.gov\.au\. Converted XHTML into Tiptap JSON; recovered lists from paragraph classes; kept literal labels and text\. Print layout is changed\. The Commonwealth Coat of Arms is not covered by the CC BY licence\.