The Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA) was proclaimed a prohibited area by a declaration published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette (GN 26) dated 12 July 1989. It operates pursuant to Part VIB of the Defence Act 1903.

The gazette notice was amended by the Defence Force (Woomera Prohibited Area) Amendment Declaration dated 29 October 2014.

Defence approval is required to own or operate certain technologies, equipment and structures within the WPA to protect security, safety and Defence activities.

Examples are provided in paragraph 11 of the Explanatory Statement. Permission requests can be submitted through the WPA Portal.

Note: Personal communication devices do not require Defence approval, as individuals must have access to operational communications equipment while in the WPA.

As preserved by Regulation 87 of the Defence Regulation 2016, users that held certain interests in the WPA before the Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014 came into effect, their permission to access the WPA is provided by the Defence Force Regulations 1952.

These regulations apply to users that hold deeds of access to the WPA or have been given permission under Regulation 35.

The Defence Force Regulations 1952 have been repealed, but Part VII regarding the WPA is preserved by the Defence Regulations 2016.

Defence's powers to issue permits, declare exclusion periods, and issue penalties come from the Woomera Prohibited Area Rules 2026.

The Rule applies to people seeking access permits for resources exploration and production, tourism, opal mining, research, environmental, and other activities.