Thousands of submissions to Commission lay bare antisemitism in daily Australian life
The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has received more than 3500 submissions, far exceeding expectations and underscoring the scale of antisemitism affecting Jewish Australians.
A spokesperson confirmed the figure on 24 April 2026, noting that many confidential submissions detail lived experiences across education, employment, media, health, the arts, sport and online platforms. Many also highlight the added financial burden on Jewish communities and institutions, often described as a “safety tax” required to fund heightened security measures not faced by others.
Many submissions expressed the view that Jews should not have to pay a “safety tax”
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, many submissions expressed the view that Jews should not be required to pay a “safety tax” for schools, synagogues and other institutions to be safeguarded.
The commission was formally established on 9 January 2026 by the Albanese government in response to the terrorist attack at a Chanukah celebration in Bondi on 14 December 2025, which killed 15 people. It is led by former High Court justice Virginia Bell, with terms of reference covering the nature and prevalence of antisemitism, the circumstances of the Bondi attack, institutional responses, and measures to strengthen social cohesion while countering extremism.
An interim report is due by 30 April 2026 and will include recommendations on urgent issues and aspects of the Bondi attack, even before full public evidence-taking begins. The final report is expected by 14 December 2026.
Public submissions remain open until the end of May 2026 via an online form on the commission’s website. Contributions are invited from individuals and organisations, including anonymous submissions, with staff available to assist in preparing statements.
Jewish groups such as the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, JCCV, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and Combat Antisemitism Movement have actively promoted submissions, with the latter drawing on nationwide consultations across six cities.
In her opening statement on 24 February 2026, Commissioner Bell stressed the importance of hearing directly from Jewish Australians, saying the inquiry would focus on “the impact of antisemitism on the daily life of Jewish Australians” and inviting accounts from those affected “at school or at university or in the workplace or elsewhere”.
The first block of public hearings will begin in Sydney on 4 May and run until 15 May, initially examining the definition of antisemitism, lived experiences and metrics for assessing its prevalence in institutions and society.
Commisioner Virginia Bell (Youtube)
The surge in submissions reflects a sharp rise in reported antisemitic incidents since the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, intensified by the Bondi tragedy. Jewish institutions have pointed to rising security costs, fear among students and professionals, and a sense that antisemitism has become more normalised in public discourse.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the commission in January, stating that former Justice Bell had “the deep experience and expertise to conduct her inquiry in such a way that meaningfully examines the impact of antisemitism on the daily life of Jewish Australians and works to promote social cohesion”.
With hearings imminent and the interim report due within days, the commission is under pressure to deliver timely recommendations while processing a large volume of personal testimonies.
Submissions continue to flow in, ensuring a broad range of voices will inform efforts to address antisemitism, improve community safety and reinforce social cohesion in Australia.
