Administrative Review Council publications
Publications
In addition to reports on matters of inquiry and annual reporting, the Administrative Review Council (ARC) releases a number of guidance materials and publications including best practice guides, issues papers, consultation papers and other documents as part of its functions to monitor the performance of the Commonwealth administrative review system and support education and training for Commonwealth officials.
Reports
The ARC may prepare a report on any matter relating to the ARC's functions. For other ARC publications before 2015, visit the National Library of Australia's Trove archive.
Annual reports
The ARC reports annually to the minister on its operations. The annual reports include any systemic issues in government decision-making identified by the Administrative Review Tribunal and actions taken.
Older reports are available on the National Library of Australia's Trove archive.
Administrative Review Council annual reports
Other publications and resources
For annual reports, speeches, bulletins and other records published before the ARC was re-established in 2024, visit the National Library of Australia's National Library of Australia's Trove archive. This includes additional information about the ARC's work and contributions across government, its management and accountability.
Previous ARC publications
The ARC published the following best practice guides before 2015. They are still regarded as good policy, but have not been updated to reflect any changes in case law or relevant legislation.
For other ARC publications before 2015, visit the National Library of Australia's Trove archive.
What decisions should be subject to merit review? 1999
Administrative Review Council Best Practice Guide 1 - Lawfulness
Administrative Review Council Best Practice Guide 2 - Natural Justice
Administrative Review Council Best Practice Guide 3 - Evidence Facts and Findings
Administrative Review Council Best Practice Guide 4 - Reasons
Looks at the requirements of two important Commonwealth Acts that impose on many decision makers a duty to provide reasons for their decisions.
Administrative Review Council Best Practice Guide 5 - Accountability
Outlines a range of administrative law accountability mechanisms that can be used to review primary decisions; this includes judicial review, merits review,