Submissions guide for the Royal Commission

Who can make a submission?

In her opening statement, Commissioner Virginia Bell stressed that she is interested in hearing from Jewish Australians who have experienced antisemitism, whether at school, university, the workplace or elsewhere.

Anyone who has experienced or witnessed antisemitic conduct, or has views on antisemitism and social cohesion in Australia, may make a submission – regardless of whether you are Jewish, from another community, an organisation, a friend or an observer. Submissions can express personal experiences, community-wide concerns, or professional and organisational insights.

The vast majority of people who make submissions will not be called upon to give evidence and a person who does not wish to give evidence will not be compelled to do so.

How submissions are being used

Submissions are a vital part of the Commission’s work. They allow individuals and organisations to directly inform the inquiry’s understanding of antisemitism and social cohesion; recount the experiences, particularly from Jewish Australians which illustrate the nature and impact of antisemitic conduct; and help shape recommendations that may influence policy, law, education and community safety.

What are the deadlines?

At this stage the deadline for making submissions is May 2026. The Commission’s final report is due by December 14, 2026 and will include its findings and recommendations.

How to make a submission

The Commission is collecting submissions through its secure online form: asc.royalcommission.gov.au/share-your-story/submissions

Submissions are accepted in a variety of formats (written text, file uploads). The online form will ask you to provide information such as your contact details (you may request anonymity); whether you represent yourself or an organisation; details about your experience with antisemitic conduct; the impact this conduct has had on you or others; and what you think the Commission should know or recommend.

Please follow the prompts in the online form carefully – that is the official process used by the Royal Commission.

Keep ECAJ informed

As ECAJ produces an Annual Antisemitism Report, it is very important that we are aware of antisemitic conduct experienced by members of the community. To assist with this, we welcome you to either contact us regarding your submission (where appropriate, we may refer your email to the Jewish Centre for Law and Justice or our lawyers, Arnold Bloch Leibler); or provide us with a Word version of the content of your submission that you have submitted through the Royal Commission website.

Submissions shared with us help us understand and track the range of issues being raised by members of the community with the Royal Commission.

Personal information provided to the ECAJ will be treated confidentially, and we will seek your consent before using it in any public reporting.

What to include

There is no single “correct” way to make a submission. However, the most useful submissions are clear, personal, specific and include the following:

1. Describe the conduct or issue clearly. Explain what happened in your own words:

• What did you experience or witness?

• Date(s), place(s) and circumstances. Please be as precise as possible.

• Who was involved (if known)?

• Was the conduct reported to police, a school, workplace, institution or another authority?

• What happened as a result of that reporting (if reported)?

Try to be factual and avoid speculation. Your testimony is most powerful when grounded in your own experiences.

You may choose to focus on specific incidents of antisemitic conduct (verbal, physical, online harassment, discrimination); patterns of conduct you have observed in an institution or community setting; institutional responses (whether helpful or inadequate); or barriers to reporting or seeking help.

A short, personal submission can be just as powerful as a longer one.

2. Explain the impact.

Explain how the conduct affected:

• your own physical, emotional, economic or social wellbeing or that of your family or friends

• your (or their) sense of safety or belonging

• your (or their) studies, work or community involvement.

Try not to address matters beyond your personal experiences or knowledge unless you have something important to contribute to the work of the Royal Commission. Remember that Jewish representative bodies will make careful submissions identifying recommendations the Royal Commission should make.

3. Explain why the commission should hear your story.

You may want to explain very briefly why you think your submission matters to the Royal Commission, and the broader policy questions to which you think your experiences are relevant.

Anonymity and privacy

The online form allows you to request that your identity not be published or shared publicly. You may also upload supporting documents if relevant.

If you have concerns about privacy or safety, consider contacting ECAJ; using the anonymity features in the submission form; and/or contacting trusted support services that can advise you on the process.

Support services

Discussing difficult or traumatic experiences can be distressing. If you need emotional support, contact appropriate counselling services such as Lifeline, Jewish Care support services, or other mental health resources in your area.

Further information

For official materials, terms of reference, updates and contact details, visit the Royal Commission’s website: asc.royalcommission.gov.au

For ECAJ resources and community guidance, visit: ecaj.org.au/royal-commission-on-antisemitism-and-social-cohesion or email royalcommission@ecaj.org.au.

This is an edited version of the ECAJ’s guide to submissions.