Civil Defence Shelter and Fire Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2026

The Civil Defence Shelter and Fire Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2026 was introduced for First Reading in Parliament on 4 August 2026. It proposes amendments to the Civil Defence Shelter Act 1997 and the Fire Safety Act 1993. Because the source describes a Bill, the proposed changes should not be treated as current law or as already-effective licensing rules (MHA, 4 August 2026).

Regulated civil-defence shelter products

For regulated shelter products—identified by MHA as household and storey shelter doors—the Bill would strengthen SCDF's ability to act against parties in the supply chain dealing with products that may not comply with the applicable standard. Proposed powers include requiring product testing and issuing directions where there are reasonable grounds to believe a product is non-compliant (MHA, 4 August 2026). This concerns supply-chain and product compliance; it does not remove the existing distinction between shelter construction duties and household-shelter maintenance guidance (civil defence preparedness).

Proposed class licensing for lower-risk P&FM activities

The Bill would introduce a class licensing regime for lower-risk activities involving petroleum and flammable materials (P&FM). MHA gives examples including storage at construction sites, petrol stations, certain laboratories, and buildings storing diesel solely for emergency generators. Eligible premises would no longer need individual SCDF licence approvals where the class licence applies, but would have to meet its prescribed fire-safety and regulatory conditions; higher-risk P&FM activities would continue to require individual licensing (MHA, 4 August 2026).

Other proposed Fire Safety Act changes and status

The Bill would also extend the maximum validity of Fire Safety Act licences or permits from three years to five years, except for class licences, which would not be time-bound. It would enable appointed Supplementary Enforcement Officers to conduct compliance checks on transport-related P&FM activities, give the Minister flexibility over the tenure of two inquiry panels, and repeal the Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act because related subsidiary legislation has made it unnecessary (MHA, 4 August 2026). These are proposed amendments; individual licensing, inspection, enforcement and shelter requirements remain governed by the current legal framework until any enacted provisions commence.