Understanding the Criminology Research Council

The Criminology Research Council (CRC) was established by the 'Criminology Research Act 1971' and is an integral part of a State, Territory and Commonwealth funded approach to research on criminological issues in Australia today. The 'Act' specifies that the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) advise Council in relation to the need for, and programs of, criminological research, as well as provide secretarial and administrative services to the Council. The function of the CRC is to control and administer the Criminology Research Fund and, for that purpose, to examine and determine the relative importance and urgency of proposed projects. The CRC supports research that is relevant to current and future public policy issues, fosters the undertaking of quality criminological research, and ensures that this research is disseminated effectively. The CRC is essential to the effort by Australian Governments to provide facilities for studying the causes and effects of criminal behaviour and the means for its correction and prevention.