Office of Parliamentary Counsel |

About the Office of Parliamentary Counsel

The Office of Parliamentary Counsel is responsible for drafting and publishing the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia.

We draft Bills for introduction into the Parliament, and a wide range of subordinate legislation such as regulations and proclamations for Government agencies.

We also publish the authorised, up-to-date version of Commonwealth laws.

We also provide other services, including training in understanding the legislative process and in drafting legislative and other instruments.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been no change to the services we provide. Our Business Continuity Plan ensures that we monitor and take appropriate action to protect our staff and clients while providing these essential services. For the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from government agencies across Australia, please visit www.australia.gov.au

Services

OPC is the Commonwealth’s principal provider of legislative drafting and publishing services. Our services include:

drafting and advisory services for Commonwealth Bills and legislative, notifiable and other instruments
publishing legislation, including maintaining the Federal Register of Legislation
providing training in relation to drafting and Commonwealth legislative processes

Training

We offer a range of training courses for staff of Australian government agencies, including courses that explain the legislative process and courses in how to draft legislative instruments in-house.

Drafting resources

We have a wealth of information available to help agencies work with us in the legislative drafting process, including tips on providing drafting instructions and contact details if you need quick, informal advice about drafting issues.

We also have templates, drafting guides and other documents available for agencies who wish to draft legislative and other instruments in-house.

Federal Register of Legislation

The Federal Register of Legislation is the authorised website for Commonwealth legislation and related documents. It contains the full text of all Commonwealth laws.

Go to the Register

For Government agencies who require registration services please see the Registering instruments page for more information.

ExCo instruments

Information on the drafting program for legislative instruments made by the Governor-General

Client advisers

Find our list of client advisers and our Guide for Clients here

FAQs

Careers

View careers available at the Office of Parliamentary Counsel

Corporate information

Access to our annual reports and other information about OPC