USTRALIAN LAW REFORM COMMISSION (ALRC)

Australians Unified – Attorney‑General’s Portfolio

The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) is Australia’s independent law reform body. It conducts inquiries, reviews legislation, and provides evidence‑based recommendations to modernise, simplify, and strengthen Australia’s legal frameworks.

The ALRC works closely with government, courts, legal bodies, academia, and the community to ensure Australia’s laws remain fair, modern, accessible, and responsive to emerging challenges.

 

OUR ROLE

The ALRC exists to:

  • Conduct independent reviews of Commonwealth laws

  • Provide evidence‑based recommendations for legal reform

  • Improve fairness, clarity, and accessibility of legislation

  • Support government decision‑making with expert analysis

  • Consult widely with legal, academic, and community stakeholders

  • Identify outdated, inconsistent, or ineffective laws

  • Strengthen public trust in Australia’s legal system

The ALRC ensures Australia’s laws evolve with society and remain fit for purpose.

OUR STRENGTHS

Legal & Research Strengths

  • Deep expertise in legal analysis and statutory interpretation

  • Strong research capability and evidence‑based methodology

  • National and international credibility in law reform

  • Extensive consultation networks across legal and community sectors

  • Proven track record of influential law reform reports

Sovereign Strengths

  • Independent statutory authority

  • Transparent, rigorous, and impartial review processes

  • Critical role in shaping Australia’s legal future

OUR WEAKNESSES

Structural Weaknesses

  • Limited resources for large‑scale or concurrent inquiries

  • Slow reform cycles due to legislative complexity

  • Outdated digital systems for submissions and research

  • Heavy reliance on small specialist teams

  • Inconsistent public awareness of ALRC’s role

Operational Weaknesses

  • Rising demand for law reform in emerging areas (AI, cyber, privacy)

  • Limited outreach to regional and disadvantaged communities

  • Workforce pressures in specialist legal research roles

  • Fragmented data and research systems

 

OUR THREATS

External Threats

  • Rapid technological change outpacing legislation

  • Increasing legal complexity and regulatory burden

  • Public misinformation undermining trust in legal institutions

  • Global instability affecting legal and human rights frameworks

Internal Threats

  • Resource constraints

  • Outdated research and consultation systems

  • Workforce fatigue and retention challenges

  • Limited capacity for simultaneous inquiries

BETTER INTEGRATION WITH GOVERNMENT & COMMUNITY

One national law reform system

Key Actions

  • Integrated consultation and submissions platforms

  • Stronger partnerships with legal bodies and academia

  • National community engagement programs

  • Shared data and analytics systems

Outcome: A more coordinated, community‑connected law reform network.

 

5. A FAIRER, MORE ACCESSIBLE LEGAL SYSTEM

Modern laws that reflect Australia’s values

Key Actions

  • Simplification of complex legislation

  • Strengthened protections for vulnerable groups

  • Digital rights and privacy reform

  • Community‑led law reform initiatives

Outcome: A legal system that is fair, modern, and accessible.

HE FUTURE‑READY ALRC

A national blueprint for modern, fair, accessible law reform

 

1. FASTER, MORE RESPONSIVE LAW REFORM

Strengthening national legal capability

Key Actions

  • Modern digital consultation systems

  • Faster inquiry processes

  • Improved research and analysis tools

  • Strengthened coordination with government

Outcome: A more agile, efficient law reform system.

 

2. STRONGER SOVEREIGN LAW REFORM CAPABILITY

Building Australian capability for modern legislation

Key Actions

  • Specialist teams for emerging legal issues

  • National legal data and research platforms

  • Strengthened oversight and governance

  • Expanded international engagement

Outcome: A more resilient, future‑focused legal system.

 

3. A MODERN, RESILIENT ALRC WORKFORCE

Supporting the people who shape Australia’s laws

Key Actions

  • Workforce wellbeing and retention programs

  • Specialist legal training pathways

  • Diversity and inclusion initiatives

  • Modern research tools and digital systems

Outcome: A strong, supported ALRC workforce.

7‑TILE VERTICAL STRATEGIC ROADMAP POSTER — ALRC

 

TILE 1 — TITLE TILE

AUSTRALIAN LAW REFORM COMMISSION

Strategic Roadmap Future‑Ready ALRC: Modern, Fair, Accessible Law Reform Colour: Deep Navy

TILE 2 — PHASE 1: FOUNDATION (Years 1–2)

Stabilise & Strengthen Core Systems

  • National law reform framework audit

  • Priority upgrades to digital consultation systems

  • Faster inquiry initiation processes

  • Governance and compliance uplift

  • Research capability improvements Delivers: Faster, more responsive law reform Colour: Sage Green

TILE 3 — PHASE 2: ACCELERATION (Years 2–4)

Expand Capability & Modernise Operations

  • Specialist law reform teams

  • Digital submissions and analytics tools

  • Strengthened community engagement

  • National legal research partnerships

  • Improved government integration Delivers: Better integration with legal and community partners Colour: Blue‑Grey

TILE 4 — PHASE 3: EXPANSION (Years 4–6)

Grow Sovereign Law Reform Capability

  • National legal data platform

  • International collaboration expansion

  • Community partnerships

  • Policy innovation initiatives

  • Regional and remote outreach Delivers: Stronger sovereign capability Colour: Sand / Gold

TILE 5 — PHASE 4: FUTURE‑READY (Years 6–10)

A Modern, Independent ALRC

  • Smart consultation technologies

  • Climate‑resilient facilities

  • Integrated national law reform ecosystem

  • Continuous legal innovation

  • Fully modernised ALRC estate Delivers: A competitive edge in legal reform Colour: Deep Teal

TILE 6 — PEOPLE & COMMUNITY

Supporting Researchers & Australians

  • Workforce wellbeing programs

  • Specialist legal training

  • Community engagement

  • Diversity and inclusion

  • Public trust and transparency Delivers: A strong, supported ALRC workforce Colour: Olive Green

TILE 7 — OUTCOME TILE

THE FUTURE‑READY ALRC

  • ✔ Faster, more effective law reform

  • ✔ Stronger sovereign capability

  • ✔ A modern, resilient workforce

  • ✔ Better national legal coordination

  • ✔ A fairer, more accessible Australia Colour: Navy + Gold Accent

AUSTRALIAN LAW REFORM COMMISSION

CONDENSED COSTING MODEL (Baseline + Uplift)

Future‑Ready ALRC Investment Profile

 

BASELINE FUNDING (Already Provided)

  • Annual baseline: $0.03B (≈ $30 million per year)

 

PHASE 1 — FOUNDATION (Years 1–2)

Annual uplift: $0.06B – $0.08B 2‑year uplift total: $0.12B – $0.16B

 

PHASE 2 — ACCELERATION (Years 2–4)

Annual uplift: $0.09B – $0.12B 3‑year uplift total: $0.27B – $0.36B

 

PHASE 3 — EXPANSION (Years 4–6)

Annual uplift: $0.12B – $0.16B 2‑year uplift total: $0.24B – $0.32B

 

PHASE 4 — FUTURE‑READY (Years 6–10)

Annual uplift: $0.15B – $0.20B 4‑year uplift total: $0.60B – $0.80B

 

TOTAL INVESTMENT SUMMARY

6‑YEAR TOTAL (Years 1–6)

  • Uplift: $0.63B – $0.84B

  • Baseline (6 years): $0.18B

Total 6‑Year Investment:

$0.81B – $1.02B

 

10‑YEAR TOTAL (Years 1–10)

  • Uplift: $1.23B – $1.64B

  • Baseline (10 years): $0.30B

Total 10‑Year Investment:

$1.53B – $1.94B