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Education & researchAgencyExists today

Australian Research Council

ARC

1 July 2001 – present

Statutory agency that funds research and research training across most disciplines (other than clinical medical and dental research) through the National Competitive Grants Program, and advises the government on research matters.

How it came into existence

Established on 1 July 2001 by the Australian Research Council Act 2001 as an independent statutory agency. It took over the competitive grants role of the Australian Research Council that had been a council of the National Board of Employment, Education and Training, and the grants administration previously carried out within the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs.

Legislation: Australian Research Council Act 2001

Changes during its life

  1. 2006The Australian Research Council Amendment Act 2006 abolished the ARC Board and made a Chief Executive Officer responsible for the agency.
  2. 3 December 2007Moved to the Innovation, Industry, Science and Research portfolio.
  3. 18 September 2013Returned to the Education portfolio.
  4. 2024Amendments made in response to the 2022–23 review of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 re-established an ARC Board as the agency's accountable authority.

Main functions

  • National Competitive Grants Program (Discovery and Linkage schemes)
  • Research fellowships and research centres
  • Advice to the government on research matters
  • Research evaluation, including Excellence in Research for Australia (discontinued 2023)
  • Research integrity and grant compliance

Where it sits

In the portfolio of Department of Education.

Type of body
Non-corporate Commonwealth entity
Portfolio
Education
Accountable authority
Board – Australian Research Council Act 2001 section 5(3)(b)
ABN
35 201 451 156

Lineage

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Sources

Government records and websites