Section 24 — Evidence Act 1995 (Cth)

Requirements for oaths

(1) It is not necessary that a religious text be used in taking an oath.

(2) An oath is effective for the purposes of this Division even if the person who took it:

(a) did not have a religious belief or did not have a religious belief of a particular kind; or

(b) did not understand the nature and consequences of the oath.

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 22 May 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au. Verify the current text against the official source before relying on it.

Related sections

s 21 — Sworn evidence of witnesses to be on oath or affirmation
s 22 — Interpreters to act on oath or affirmation
s 23 — Choice of oath or affirmation
s 26 — Court’s control over questioning of witnesses
s 27 — Parties may question witnesses
s 28 — Order of examination in chief, cross‑examination and re‑examination

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