Amongst other things, Volume 2 of the Act deals with offences against the administration of justice in federal proceedings, piracy, and offences relating to postal services.

The Act is one of many current Commonwealth legislation that deals with federal crimes in Australia.

Generally, criminal law is a state-law matter, as State and Territory Governments are mandated under their respective constitutions to legislate for the peace, order, and good government of their respective jurisdictions.

[2] But, while there is no general constitutional basis for the Commonwealth to legislate in criminal law, federal legislation exists to deal with crimes of a federal nature.

[3] Historically, it has been the most extensive legislative instrument that dealt with federal offences, but is being gradually superseded since the passing of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), which began the codification of all federal offences.