In December 2013 the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to a more streamlined council system that focused on its immediate priorities and reduced bureaucracy and unnecessary red tape.

The council system aligns with the Commonwealth’s commitment to respect state sovereignty and allow them to get on with policy development and service delivery in areas they are responsible for. Councils are responsible for their own management, with minimal interference from COAG.

There are eight COAG councils:

• COAG Council on Federal Financial Relations
• COAG Disability Reform Council
• COAG Education Council
• COAG Energy Council
• COAG Health Council
• COAG Industry and Skills Council
• COAG Law, Crime and Community Safety Council
• COAG Transport and Infrastructure Council

The council system will be reviewed biennially by COAG to assess the alignment of councils with COAG priorities.