ABSTRACT

The Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) (‘the ADJR Act 1977’) was assented to on 16 June 1977 and commenced on 1 October 1980.

The ADJR Act 1977 is, in many respects, a codification of the common law mechanisms for judicial review of decisions made pursuant to Commonwealth enactments. (See definition of ‘enactment’ in s 3(1): ‘enactment’ includes most Commonwealth statutes and statutory rules.)

However, the grounds for review of Commonwealth administrative action:

• differ in some respects from those of the common law; and • may also be invoked in relation to ‘conduct engaged in for the

purpose of making a decision’ otherwise reviewable under the legislation.