Law, justice & securityAgencyExists today
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
CDPP · Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions
5 March 1984 – present
The independent federal prosecution service, prosecuting offences against Commonwealth law referred by the Australian Federal Police and other investigating agencies. It also conducts proceeds-of-crime and related confiscation work.
How it came into existence
Established on 5 March 1984 under the Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1983, with Ian Temby QC as the first Director. It took over the prosecution work of the Commonwealth Crown Solicitor's Office and the matters handled by the special prosecutors appointed in 1982.
- Prosecution of Commonwealth offences
Legislation: Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1983
Changes during its life
- Prosecution of bottom-of-the-harbour tax evasion offences
- Prosecution of matters arising from the Costigan Royal Commission
Main functions
- Prosecution of offences against Commonwealth law
- Advice to investigating agencies on prosecutions
- Appeals in Commonwealth criminal matters
- Proceeds of crime proceedings
Where it sits
In the portfolio of Attorney-General's Department.
- Type of body
- Non-corporate Commonwealth entity
- Portfolio
- Attorney-General's
- Accountable authority
- Director – Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1983 section 5(5)(b)
- ABN
- 41 036 606 436
Lineage
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Sources
Primary sources
- List of Commonwealth entities and companies under the PGPA Act, 1 July 2026 (Department of Finance) (as Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP))
- Australian Government Organisations Register (Department of Finance, data.gov.au) (listed from 11 December 2014 to the latest release (30 June 2026))