Input from Victorian communities is critical to the Royal Commission's task to fully investigate the causes, circumstances, planning and responses to the bushfires from late January to February 2009.

Submissions are one of the main ways that individuals and organisations can contribute to the Commission.

Submissions received by 18 May 2009 have been considered for the interim report delivered on 17 August 2009.  

Submissions received after 18 May 2009 are being considered as part of the Commission's further work and final report which is due July 2010.

Submissions should relate to at least one of the Terms of Reference of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission.

Submissions around specific areas of interest of the Commission may also be invited at a later date.

Important information

• All submissions must be accompanied by a coversheet.

• All submissions are thoroughly reviewed by the Commission's legal team and this may delay posting to the Commission's website.

• All submissions will be treated as public documents unless agreed otherwise by the Commission. This means that in all but exceptional cases, submissions will be published on the Commission’s website. They may also be cited in reports or materials published by the Commission.

• The name and town or suburb of each submitter will be identified as part of every published submission. Other contact details will be removed before publishing.

• Should you wish to make a confidential submission, you are requested to contact the Commission in advance of lodging your submission at enquiries@royalcommission.vic.gov.au or on 1800 243 650 to notify us of your request.

• Anonymous submissions will not be accepted.

• The Commission will not publish submissions if it believes that the submission material is or could be defamatory.

Making a submission
Submissions can be made electronically (via this website) or via post. Electronic format is preferred.

Supporting materials, such as photos and footage, are welcome if they are considered relevant to the Commission’s Terms of Reference. Materials can be lodged as part of electronic or postal submissions. We request that submitters do not send any original materials.

While submissions which include DVDs, CDs or photographic material will be reviewed and considered by the Commission, it will not be possible for these to be published on the website.

Download the Making a Submission guide to find out more.

Electronic Submissions
Use the Make a Submission form to lodge your submission electronically.

Postal Submissions
Postal submissions must include a coversheet and should be sent to:

Submissions
2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission
GPO Box 4358
Melbourne VIC 3001
Australia

Need assistance in preparing your submission?
The Bushfire Legal Help service, a coalition of legal assistance providers, is offering free information and advice to those affected by the Victorian bushfires about ways to contribute to the Royal Commission.

For further information, visit www.bushfirelegalhelp.org.au or call 1800 113 432.