Meeting of ARC 18 July 2025 – Statement of meeting outcomes

Administrative Review Council

Publication date

29 July 2025

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Meeting of Administrative Review Council - 18 July 2025

At its meeting held on 19 May 2025 the Council decided to prepare a Statement of Position (Statement) on the broad issue (as to implementation by agencies of administrative review decisions of courts and tribunals). While the Council had earlier decided not to inquire into Systemic Issue Notice No. 1 of 2024 (Notice), this broad issue underlies the Notice. At its meeting on 18 July 2025 the Council approved Terms of Reference for the Statement. The Council will publish the Terms of Reference for the Statement on the Council’s website.

The Council resolved on 19 May 2025 to inquire and report on the operation of the social security related provisions in the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024 (Cth) (ART Act) and the Administrative Review Tribunal (Consequential and Transitional Provisions No 1) Act 2024 (Cth) (ART(CTP1) Act). At its meeting on 18 July 2025, subject to a minor amendment, the Council approved Terms of Reference for the Inquiry and a consultation process as part of the Inquiry. The Terms of Reference and the timeframe for consultation will be published on the Council’s webpage.
The Council considered a draft Issues Paper for this Inquiry. Limited amendments are to be made to the Issues Paper, with a view to the Council approving it between meetings.

At its meeting on 19 May 2025 the Council resolved to inquire and report on provisions relating to migration and asylum matters enacted upon the establishment of the ART, in the Administrative Review Tribunal (Consequential and Transitional Provisions No 1) Act 2024 (Cth) (ART(CTP1) Act). On 18 July 2025 the Council discussed Terms of Reference for the Migration Inquiry and a consultation process. The Council sought clarification of the background to one aspect of the proposed Terms of Reference. The Secretariat will circulate a note to Council members, with a view to finalising this aspect, and the Terms of Reference as a whole, between meetings. The Terms of Reference and the timeframe for consultation will be published on the Council’s webpage.

The Council considered the draft Best Practice Guide: Statements of Reasons, including amendments made in response to comments made by members between meetings. The Council discussed further minor amendments. A final draft, with these amendments incorporated, is to be circulated to members of the Council between meetings, with a view to reaching final approval of the Best Practice Guide, for publication in August.
The Council is progressing a checklist of topics to be addressed in the planned new Best Practice Guide: Improving the Quality of Administrative Decision-making.
The Council noted its Annual Report requirements and will publish an Annual Report for 2024‑25.