Legal System Publications

This is a statement of the Attorney-General's Department’s legal services expenditure for the financial year ended 30 June 2026. Section 109 (1) (d) of the Legal Services Directions 2025 requires agencies to make their legal services expenditure for the previous financial year publicly available by 30 October each year.

Final report of the statutory review of the Statutory Declarations Act 1959 (Cth), which examined the operation of the Commonwealth statutory declarations framework following reforms that commenced in 2024.

The National Legal Assistance Data Strategy 2026–30 sets out actions to improve legal assistance data quality, capability, reporting and evidence under the National Access to Justice Partnership.

Statement to advise of the outcomes of the Administrative Review Council’s meeting on 29 July 2026, including progress of the Council’s inquiries and annual report, the Council’s attendance at the 2026 Australian Institute of Administrative Law National Conference, and discussion about the Council’s forward work plan.

Media release to announce the publication of the Administrative Review Council’s Statement of Position.

The Administrative Review Council, in response to a systemic issue notice, has published a Statement of Position. This page shares the relevant information on this publication.

Statement to advise of the outcomes of the Administrative Review Council’s meeting on 25 May 2026, including progress of the Council’s inquiries and Statement of Position on agency implementation of court and tribunal decisions, and plans to update the Council’s guide on the decisions that should be subject to merits review.

The Native Title Legislation Amendment Act 2021 introduced a number of technical and substantive changes to the Native Title Act 1993, and required evaluation within 5 years.

The Australian Government has responded to the former Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Progress Report and Final Report

Statement to advise of the outcomes of the Administrative Review Council’s meeting on meeting on 30 March 2026, including progress of the Social Security Inquiry and Statement of Position on agency implementation of Court and Tribunal decisions.

The Australian Government has responded to the recommendations in the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee report on the performance and integrity of Australia's administrative review system.

The Australian Government has responded to the recommendations in the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee’s report on the Judiciary Amendment (Commonwealth Model Litigant Obligations) Bill 2017.

The Australian Government has responded to the recommendations in the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee’s final report on the Nature and scope of any agreement reached by the Commonwealth and Western Australian governments in relation to the distribution of proceeds of the liquidation of, and litigation concerning, the Bell Group of companies (the proceeds).

The page contains the Terms of Reference for the Recovery of Family Assistance Debts Inquiry. The Terms of Reference outlines the background to the Inquiry, its scope, consultation processes and timeframes.

The Measurement and Evaluation Framework sets out a consistent approach to measuring and assessing the effectiveness of the National Justice Reinvestment Programs.

Non-corporate Commonwealth entities can apply to have a non-tied provider undertake tied legal work.

Office of Legal Services Coordination Guidance Note 20: information to help Commonwealth agencies when briefing the Solicitor-General.

Office of Legal Services Coordination - Guidance Note 1: this guidance note clarifies when the Legal Services Directions will apply to an entity when carrying out Commonwealth legal work that involves a criminal prosecution or related proceeding.

Commonwealth agencies must obtain the approval of the Attorney General (or their delegate) prior to objecting to the jurisdiction of a State or Territory court or submitting or objecting to the exercise of compulsory or decision-making powers by a State or Territory body that is not a court within Chapter III of the Constitution.

Office of Legal Services Coordination - Guidance Note 2: Tied legal work involves categories of Commonwealth legal work that can only be handled by specific legal services providers or entities. The tied work rules apply to all legal services provided for and on behalf of the Commonwealth.