In January 2005, the Australian Bar Council received a report proposing the establishment of an ABA Advocacy Training body along the lines of the Advocacy Training Council of the Bar of England and Wales.

In response to that Report, a planning meeting of the constituent bars was held in Sydney in April 2005 which enthusiastically endorsed the establishment of an Australian Bar Training Council. Subsequently, the Australian Bar Council resolved to create the Advocacy Training Council (the "ATC").

Its establishment was an important first step for the ABA, as the peak body for Australian barristers, to become directly involved in the initial and ongoing training of barristers practising at the independent referral Bars. It was also a clear recognition of the ABA’s emphasis on the maintenance and enhancement of professional standards, in particular, advocacy training.

The present function and responsibilities of the Advocacy Training Council are stated to be:

• To provide a forum for:

• the development and dissemination of good practice in relation to advocacy training for the Bar;
• communication between advocacy training providers as to the provision of advocacy training for the Bar.

• To provide advice, support and encouragement to advocacy trainers to assist them to become more efficient trainers.
• To provide advice, support and encouragement to providers of advocacy training within the constituent bodies to enable them to develop courses for barristers and those enrolled in vocational training for barristers.
• To promote the development of course materials for advocacy training and maintaining a library of training materials and providing materials to trainers subject to appropriate consent.
• To liaise with and provide assistance to other jurisdictions in respect of advocacy training if requested to do so.
• To consult with the constituent bodies with a view to establishing a system whereby pupils of advocacy may be assessed.