COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
COMPTROLLER-GENERAL OF CUSTOMS (USE OF FORCE) DIRECTIONS 2015
SUBSECTION 189A(2) OF THE CUSTOMS ACT 1901
I, ROMAN QUAEDVLIEG, Comptroller-General of Customs, under subsection 189A(2) of the Customs Act 1901, give the following directions relating to the deployment of approved firearms and other approved items of personal defence equipment:
1.         An authorised arms issuing officer shall ensure that a person to whom approved firearms or approved items of personal defence equipment (other than anti-ballistic clothing) are issued is the holder of a valid and current qualification in accordance with Operational Safety Order (2015).
2.         Approved firearms and approved items of personal defence equipment must be deployed and used in accordance with Operational Safety Order (2015).
3.         Approved firearms and approved items of personal defence equipment shall be stored according to the guidelines referred to in Operational Safety Order (2015).  Any failure to store any approved firearms or approved items of personal defence equipment in the manner provided therein shall be reported to the authorised arms issuing officer.
4.         An officer of Customs may only use force in accordance with the procedures set out in Operational Safety Order (2015).  This includes where an officer of Customs is exercising powers to:
a)     direct;
b)     detain;
c)     physically restrain;
d)     arrest;
e)     enter or remain on coasts, airports, ports, bays, harbours, lakes and rivers;
f)      execute a seizure or search warrant;
g)     remove persons from a restricted area; or
h)     board, detain vessels or require assistance.
This instrument commences on 1 July 2015.
Dated 19 June 2015 
 
ROMAN QUAEDVLIEG
Comptroller-General of Customs