The Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs is appointed under Standing Order 215 which was passed by the House of Representatives on 26 July 2022.

The Committee may inquire into and report on any matter referred to it by either the House or a Minister, including any pre-legislation proposal, bill, motion, petition, vote or expenditure, other financial matter, report or document.

The Committee consists of nine members (five government Members, three opposition Members and one crossbench Member) and may have its membership supplemented by up to four members for a particular inquiry, with a maximum of two extra government and two extra opposition or crossbench Members. Supplementary members shall have the same participatory rights as other members, but may not vote.