Australian Government: Attorney-General's Department
Australian Government: Attorney-General's DepartmentAchieving a Just and Secure Society

Legislative Drafting Units

The three Drafting Units (Drafting 1 Unit, Drafting 2 Unit and Drafting 3 Unit) are responsible for drafting all Commonwealth regulations, proclamations and certain other instruments, the drafting of other legislative and non-legislative instruments on a fee-for-service basis, and providing advice about drafting and statutory interpretation. Work is allocated among the units according to the client agency.

Our areas of responsibility

The core function of the Drafting Units is to draft Commonwealth regulations, proclamations and Rules of Court. This work is budget-funded and carried out at no cost to clients. They also draft other legislative and non-legislative instruments for Commonwealth agencies, on a fee-for-service basis, and provide advice about drafting and statutory interpretation. Some drafting of legislation for other countries is also done, usually as part of an aid package arranged by AusAID. Work is allocated among the units as follows:

  • Drafting 1 Unit is responsible for work from the portfolios of: Communications, Information Technology and the Arts; Defence (apart from Veteran’s Affairs); Education, Science and Training; Employment and Workplace Relations; Finance and Administration; Foreign Affairs and Trade; Immigration and Multicultural Affairs; Industry, Tourism and Resources; Prime Minister and Cabinet; and Treasury. It is also responsible for the Australian Customs Service.
  • Drafting 2 Unit is responsible for work from the portfolios of: Environment and Heritage; Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; and Transport and Regional Services.
  • Drafting 3 Unit is responsible for work from the Attorney-General’s portfolio (apart from Customs) and the portfolios of: Health and Ageing; Human Services; and Families and Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. It is also responsible for Veteran’s Affairs.

Note: The Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing is not responsible for drafting of Bills for Commonwealth Acts, which is done by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.