Royal Commissions are a major independent public inquiry into an issue, initiated by the Australian Government.

However, the powers of the Commissioner are restricted to the terms of reference of the commission handed down by the Governor-General in the letters patent.

[4] The Commission has a discretion whether it will require a person appearing at a hearing to take an oath or give an affirmation to tell the truth.

A person served with a summons or a notice to produce documents must comply with that requirement, or face prosecution for an offence.

A Royal Commission may authorise the Australian Federal Police to execute search warrants.