Frequently asked questions

A Royal Commission is a public inquiry. In Australia, Royal Commissions are the highest form of inquiry on matters of public importance. A Royal Commission is also independent of government.

A Royal Commission has broad powers to gather information to assist with its inquiry. The Royal Commission has the power to summons witnesses to appear before it and the power to request individuals or organisations produce documents as evidence.

The terms of reference set out the Royal Commission’s key areas of investigation and when the inquiry must be completed. 

This Royal Commission is sometimes referred to as the Bushfire Royal Commission and focused on the 2019-20 bushfire season (also referred to as the ‘Black Summer Bushfires’).

The Commission focused on Australia’s national natural disaster arrangements. It examined how Australia is prepared for and coordinated with the states and territories to respond to bushfires and other natural disasters as well as mitigation and recovery.

The inquiry also considered the legal framework for Commonwealth involvement in responding to natural disasters.

For more details, please refer to the National Natural Disaster Arrangements Royal Commission’s terms of reference.

A submission is a statement to the Royal Commission which assists the Commission in its collection of information that is relevant to the inquiry as set out in the terms of reference.

Individuals, organisations, community groups and the broader community were invited to make submissions on the 2019-20 bushfire season.

Public submissions closed on Tuesday, 28 April 2020.

Contributions to the 2019-20 Bushfire History Project closed on Wednesday, 28 October 2020.

Yes, you are free to publish and share your own submission once you have sent it to the Royal Commission.

The Royal Commission has published submissions to its website unless the author has requested it not be made public or the Royal Commission considers that it shouldn’t be made public. Submissions may have been published anonymously where requested. Submissions that are made public may include redactions made as the Royal Commission considered appropriate.

Some people have asked that their submission not be made public or to have content removed so that they cannot be identified publicly.

Submissions which are made public may include redactions (words blacked out) as the Royal Commission considers appropriate.

The community forums allowed people to engage with the Royal Commission in a less formal way than in public hearings and submissions.

While these forums were not formal sittings of the Royal Commission they provided important background and context which informed the inquiry.

The Commission has concluded its consultation with the community. 

The Commission has concluded consultation with the community and contributions to the 2019-20 Bushfire History Project ended on 28 October 2020.

Information about the Royal Commission’s hearings is available on the Commission website.

Hearing transcripts and videos of proceedings are also available on the Hearings page.

A Royal Commission hearing is very similar to court. Please check the website for hearing details.

You will be able to watch or listen to hearings through the webcast available on the Royal Commission website. You will also be able to watch previous hearings on replay through the webcast portal.

Transcripts of hearings are available on the website.

Counsellors were available during all hearings for witnesses to talk to if required.

If necessary, a witness' identity is protected. The witness will not appear in any webcast and their name will be suppressed and redacted from all transcripts. A non-publication direction may also be issued.

Yes, individuals who are visually impaired were able to call our public information line on 1800 909 826 for assistance. The Royal Commission also provided an Auslan interpreter at hearings on request.

There is more information about accessibility on our website.

The Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements has now concluded but did not deal with individual disputes or complaints, cannot order an insurer or person to take particular action, or make a payment. However, the National Bushfire Recovery Agency may be able to provide advice on available support.