The ALRC undertakes research and provides recommendations to reform the law on topics selected by the Attorney-General of Australia.

The ALRC is an independent Australian Government agency that operates under the Australian Law Reform Commission Act 1996 (Cth) (ALRC Act) as well as the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (Cth) (PGPA Act) and the Public Service Act 1999 (Cth).

The ALRC is responsible to Parliament through the Attorney-General, the Minister responsible for the ALRC.

At the conclusion of each inquiry, the ALRC provides a report to the Attorney-General that includes evidence-based recommendations for reform. The ALRC makes recommendations that:

• bring the law into line with current conditions and needs;
• remove defects in the law;
• simplify the law;
• „„ adopt new or more effective methods for administering the law and dispensing justice;
• „„ promote uniformity between states and territories; and
• „„ provide improved access to justice.

The ALRC is structured around inquiry teams which are led by the President or a Commissioner, supported by legal officers of various seniority.