Administrative Review Council

About the Administrative Review Council

The Administrative Review Council (ARC) is an independent advisory body established under the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024 (ART Act) to strengthen the integrity and operation of the Commonwealth administrative law system.

The ARC is not a merits review body. It does not examine individual claims or hear appeals.

The ARC was first established under the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 as a key element of the administrative review system. In 2015, as part of the Smaller Government reforms, the ARC was discontinued and its functions consolidated into the Attorney-General's Department.

The ARC was re-established in 2024 under the ART Act. Its current functions, as set out in section 249 of the Act, are to:

• inquire into systemic challenges in administrative law
• monitor the performance of the Commonwealth administrative review system
• support education and training for Commonwealth officials.

ARC Chair and members

The ARC is made up of:

• a Chair
• members appointed by the Governor‑General
• ex-officio members.

All appointments to the ARC are on a part-time basis for up to 5 years.

ARC members have a diversity of skills, expertise, experience and knowledge.

Current ARC members are:

• The Honourable Justice Emilios Kyrou AO, President of the Administrative Review Tribunal
• Mr Iain Anderson, Commonwealth Ombudsman
• Ms Elizabeth Tydd, Australian Information Commissioner
• Professor Margaret Allars SC
• Professor Matthew Groves
• Dr Graeme Innes AM
• Mrs Kerry Staines.

The ARC may invite representatives from relevant entities to observe its meetings and help with deliberations on particular topics.