ABOUT ASAC

ASAC was established by the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975.

Under subsection 18(1) of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975, the Council is to advise the Minister and the Australian Statistician on:

1. the improvement, extension and co-ordination of statistical services provided for public purposes in Australia;
2. annual and longer term priorities and programs of work that should be adopted in relation to major aspects of the provision of those statistical services; and
3. any other matters relating generally to those statistical services.

The Act enables the Minister and/or the Australian Statistician to seek the advice of Council on these matters. The Council works closely with the Australian Statistician and the Council Chair meets regularly with the Minister to ensure advice and assistance is readily available to them.

The Act provides that the Council shall consist of a part-time Chair, the Australian Statistician (ex officio), and between 10 and 22 part-time members, including one nominee from each State Premier or Territory Chief Minister. The responsible Minister appoints the Council Chair for five years and members for periods of up to three years. Members are eligible for reappointment when their membership expires. The membership of the Council as at 30 June 2015 is detailed in the Membership of ASAC section.

Subsection 24(2) of the Act provides that: the Council shall, as soon as practicable after 30 June in each year, prepare and submit to the Minister, for presentation to the Parliament, a report relating to matters connected with the operation of this Act.