Administrative law

Administrative law is the division of law that governs the activities of executive branch agencies of government. Administrative law concerns executive branch
rule making, adjudication, or the enforcement of laws. Administrative law is considered a branch of public law.

Administrative law is the body of law that regulates government decision making. Access to review of government decisions is a key
component of access to justice.

The Australian Government works to improve the quality of access to justice for individuals by adopting:

 best practice in administrative decision making

 effective review and accountability mechanisms.

The federal administrative law system

Administrative law offers accountability mechanisms that apply to government decision making about individual matters.

Accountability mechanisms include:

 merits review—by government agencies and by tribunals

 investigations—by the Commonwealth Ombudsman- external site and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner- external site
 internal agency practices—including codes of conduct and alternative dispute resolution
 judicial review—conducted by the federal courts.

The Australian Government Administrative Law Policy Guide helps policy makers understand and identify administrative law issues in
draft legislation or proposals.