Land management, fire and emergency service agencies obtain their authority to act from legislation enacted through Parliament. This legislation establishes the legal basis upon which they are able to provide services to communities and guide the decisions they make. 

Supplementing this authority are a range of other tools that are used to further explain, specify and determine how key activities will be managed in support of community safety outcomes. These tools can include industry positions, policies, guidelines and codes of practice.

Agreed and collective views on matters of national and industry importance are determined by senior representatives of AFAC's network of member agencies. This occurs in consultation with its key stakeholders. The collective views articulated represent the latest thinking of the indusry and have regard for the new knowledge emerging from a wide variety of research.