The Commission’s publication scheme provides information we routinely make available to the public. Our publication scheme has been developed to give you enhanced access to information.
Where possible the information provided is available for you to download. Some PDF versions may not be readable by accessibility devices such as screen readers. If you require assistance to access any of this information, contact the Commission on 07 4081 8400 or contact us at the email address provided through the Contact Us link and we will provide the information in a suitable format.
Information in our publication scheme is grouped and accessible through seven classes:
Information about who we are and what we do can be found at:
Information about the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner (if appointed) and Local Commissioners can be accessed through our Annual Reports.
The structure of the Commission is set out in our organisational chart.
Office locations and how you can contact the Commission can be found at Contact Us.
The Commission operates within a legal framework to assist clients and their families living in welfare reform communities to address complex antisocial behaviours. The FRC Act sets out the statutory obligations of relevant Queensland Government departments to notify the Commission when a community member is not meeting pre-determined obligations. The FRC can intervene when it receives notification (an agency notice) in the following circumstances:
The main objects of the Family Responsibilities Commission Act 2008 (referred to hereinafter as the FRC Act) are:
In order to achieve the above objectives, the Commission:
The purpose of a conference is to facilitate early intervention whilst making appropriate use of community support services.
Further information about the services of the Commission and its conferencing functions can be located at: About the FRC and How We Work.
The Commission is funded for the outputs it delivers by parliamentary appropriations to restore socially responsible standards of behaviour and help people to resume primary responsibility for the wellbeing of their community and their families.
The Commission is a Statutory Body under the Financial Accountability Act 2009 and its financial statements are prepared in accordance with section 43 of the Financial and Performance Management Standard 2019.
Information included in the latest tabled annual report on actual income and expenditure can be found in the Review of Financial Performance. Click here for the full Financial Statements.
The Commission focuses on early intervention and the outcomes sought are to increase school attendance, encourage responsible tenancy, and reduce substance abuse, violence, crime and child neglect in Indigenous communities. The Commission’s approach is socially orientated with conferencing, referral to support services and case plan management and monitoring. One of the Commission’s primary objectives is to support the community by nurturing, protecting and educating the future generation. The Commission’s methodology is aimed at being preventative, proactive and collaborative. Our priorities are:
Our strategic objectives are to:
The Commission has adopted a strategic plan which incorporates goals consistent with current whole-of-government priorities. Our strategic plan establishes our vision, purpose, values, outcomes sought, strategic objectives, strategies to achieve the objectives and key performance indicators. The strategic plan is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure currency of performance indicators and that the Commission’s vision and values adequately reflect its main objects as legislated under the Family Responsibilities Commission Act 2008.
Information about how we have performed is contained in our Annual Reports.
The Family Responsibilities Commission Act 2008 (the FRC Act) dictates the Commissioner’s functions and decision-making capabilities. Subject to section 22 the Commissioner must:
Subject to section 24 of the FRC Act, the Commissioner may:
Section 35 of the FRC Act dictates the Registrar’s functions and decision-making capabilities. Subject to this section and subject to the directions of the Commissioner, the Registrar is responsible for managing the registry and the administrative affairs of the Commission including but not limited to:
Subject to section 37 of the FRC Act, the Registrar may:
The Commission’s Executive Management Team (EMT) is comprised of the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Registrar and Executive Officer (Finance). The EMT plays a critical decision-making role in the corporate governance and service delivery of the Commission by:
Due to the small size of the Commission the role of the EMT also encompasses the corporate stewardship functions associated with the Commission’s operational performance. In addition, the EMT oversees the operations of finance, information management, human resources and planning, audit, risk management, systems review and workload and performance management.
In performing the functions of the Commission, a conference may be held between the Commissioners and a person (community member) to discuss matters to which an agency notice relates. An agreement under section 68 of the FRC Act is reached if possible at the conference about appropriate actions to take in relation to the agency notice. If, after holding a conference about an agency notice, the Commission does not enter into an agreement with the person the subject of the conference, the Commission may make a decision under section 69 of the FRC Act to help achieve the objectives of the FRC Act. The FRC Act governs the decision-making of the Commission and determines:
Further, the FRC Act specifies that as soon as a decision in regard to a person is made, notice of that decision must be given to the person stating what the decision is and the reasons for making the decision.
Subject to section 139 of the FRC Act, in making decisions the Commission must make every reasonable effort to reach a unanimous decision and should the Commission not reach a unanimous decision, the majority decision of the Commission members is the decision of the Commission.
Subject to section 26 of the FRC Act, in performing its powers or functions (decision-making capabilities) the Commission:
Further information about how the Commission performs its functions can be found in the following documents:
The Commission has policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines which govern our relationships with and between the Commissioners, staff, clients, service providers and members of the public. The relevant documents can be located at Policies and Guidelines.
The Commission currently maintains the following registers:
You have the right to complain if information identified in our publication scheme is not available. Complaints about the availability of information under our scheme may be lodged via the Commission’s Contact Us, by email, or posted to the address provided on the web site. Personal information provided to the Commission when you send us an e-mail message or other electronic format will only be used for the purpose of dealing with and contacting you in relation to your complaint. Your details will not be added to a general mailing list. Unless required by law, the Commission will not disclose this information without your consent.
Complaints will be managed in accordance with the Commission’s External Complaints Management Policy located under Policies and Guidelines.
Last reviewed June 2022
