The Government of Wales Act 2006 enables the NAfW to make a new type of legislation known as Assembly Measures. Assembly Measures can, with some restrictions, make provisions in Wales in a similar way to Acts of Parliament.

Before the NAfW can make an Assembly Measure on any particular topic it first has to obtain a Legislative Competence for it.  (More information about the procedure for obtaining a Legislative Competence is available in the section on Legislative Competences). The Legislative Competence defines the topics or Matters that the Assembly has the power to pass Assembly Measures on. The Assembly can only obtain a Legislative Competence on any Matter with the approval of the UK Parliament. 

Once a Legislative Competence has been obtained on a particular Matter then that Matter will be added to Schedule 5 of the Government of Wales Act 2006.  Schedule 5 of the Government of Wales Act contains a list of the twenty devolved subject areas.   These are:

1. Agriculture, fisheries, forestry and rural development
2. Ancient monuments and historic buildings
3. Culture
4. Economic development
5. Education and Training
6. Environment
7. Fire and rescue services and promotion of fire safety
8. Food
9. Health and health services
10. Highways and transport
11. Housing
12. Local Government
13. National Assembly Wales
14. Public Administration
15. Social Welfare
16. Sport and Recreation
17. Tourism
18. Town and country Planning
19. Water and Flood Defence
20. Welsh Language

 As Legislative Competences are obtained they are written under the appropriate subject areas.