# Powers relating to electronic equipment

> act-s487F — as in force on 2026-06-04 — C2026C00232 · Compilation No. 171 — https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2026C00232/latest/text

487F Powers relating to electronic equipment
          (1) The search powers include the power to operate electronic
              equipment on the premises if the authorised officer reasonably
              suspects that:
                (a) the equipment; or
               (b) a disk, tape or other storage device that:
                      (i) is on the premises; and
                     (ii) can be used with the equipment or is associated with it;
              contains evidential material referred to in paragraph 487E(a) or (b).
          (2) The search powers include the following powers in relation to
              evidential material described in subsection (1) found in the
              exercise of the power under that subsection:
                (a) if entry to the premises is under a search warrant—the power
                    to seize the equipment and the disk, tape or other storage
                    device referred to in that subsection;
               (b) the power to operate electronic equipment on the premises to
                    put the evidential material in documentary form and remove
                    the documents so produced from the premises;
                (c) the power to operate electronic equipment on the premises to
                    transfer the evidential material to a disk, tape or other storage
                    device that:
                      (i) is brought to the premises for the exercise of the power;
                          or








                        (ii) is on the premises and the use of which for that purpose
                             has been agreed to in writing by the occupier of the
                             premises;
                       and remove the disk, tape or other storage device from the
                       premises.
          (3) An authorised officer may operate electronic equipment as
              mentioned in subsection (1) or (2) only if the authorised officer
              reasonably believes that the operation of the equipment can be
              carried out without damage to the equipment.
               Note:      For compensation for damage to electronic equipment, see
                          section 487T.

          (4) An authorised officer may seize equipment or a disk, tape or other
              storage device as mentioned in paragraph (2)(a) only if:
                (a) it is not practicable to put the evidential material in
                    documentary form as mentioned in paragraph (2)(b) or to
                    transfer the evidential material as mentioned in
                    paragraph (2)(c); or
                (b) possession of the equipment or the disk, tape or other storage
                    device by the occupier could constitute an offence against a
                    law of the Commonwealth.