The AIHW Board has adopted a Charter of Corporate Governance (400KB PDF) that outlines the governance framework of the Institute. The charter describes, among other things:

  • legislation governing the operations of the AIHW
  • constitution of the Board
  • conduct of Board members and the Director
  • roles of Board members
  • Board delegations
  • Board processes (such as conduct of meetings and dealing with role conflicts)
  • Board committees.

The AIHW was established as a statutory authority in 1987 by the Australian Institute of Health Act 1987 to report to the nation on the state of its health. In 1992, the role and functions of the then Australian Institute of Health were expanded to include welfare related information and statistics, making it the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The Act is now titled the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Act 1987.

The Act establishes the Board as the governing body, with the role and composition of the Board specified in s. 8(1) of the Act. The AIHW Board is accountable to the Parliament of Australia through the Minister for Health.