Legal System Publications

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.

Office of Legal Services Coordination - Guidance Note 5: Entities must report to OLSC on significant issues that arise in Commonwealth legal work, including in relation to handling of claims, provision of advice, litigation and involvement in dispute management.

Office of Legal Services Coordination - Guidance Note 6: Under section 36 of the Legal Services Directions, an entity must seek the approval of the Attorney-General to settle a claim or litigation reported as significant.

Office of Legal Services Coordination - Guidance Note 9: This guidance note is to be read in conjunction with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Guidance on Caretaker Conventions.

Office of Legal Services Coordination - Guidance Note 10: Commonwealth entities are to be mindful of the potential trauma that survivors of institutional child sexual abuse may experience during the claims and litigation process.

Office of Legal Services Coordination - Guidance Note 7: A Commonwealth agency is obliged to ‘use its best endeavours to assist the tribunal to make its decision’. What does this mean?

Office of Legal Services Coordination - Guidance Note 4: The Attorney-General and Attorney-General’s Department are responsible for constitutional law under the Administrative Arrangements Order. Section 32 is to ensure that the Attorney-General’s Department is aware of advice and requests for advice about constitutional law issues.

Office of Legal Services Coordination - Guidance Note 17: guidance on applying the framework for entities to provide financial assistance to current and former entity employees, current and former accountable authorities and statutory office-holders of entities, and persons currently or formerly employed as a member of a Minister’s staff under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984.

Office of Legal Services Coordination - Guidance Note 13: Entities are obliged to seek the approval of the Attorney-General (or their delegate) when objecting to the jurisdiction of state and territory courts, or when submitting or objecting to the exercise of compulsory powers, or decision-making powers, by a state or territory body.

Office of Legal Services Coordination - Guidance Note 14: entities have obligations when settling monetary claims. This includes monetary claims reported as significant and claims brought by or against a person to which Part 9 of the Legal Services Directions applies (Assistance to eligible Commonwealth employees and officials in legal proceedings etc).