DownloadOrganisational Overview
About ASADA
The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) is a statutory authority established in 2006 to provide a comprehensive anti-doping program for the Australian sports community.
As a signatory to the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport, Australia is required to implement anti-doping arrangements consistent with the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code). ASADA has legislative responsibility for delivering national anti-doping programs to meet this international commitment.
ASADA’s vision is to be Australia’s driving force for pure performance in sport.
ASADA’s mission is to protect Australia’s sporting integrity through the elimination of doping.
Legislative basis
ASADA is an agency within the portfolio of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Ministerial responsibility resides with Senator the Hon Mark Arbib, Minister for Sport. The powers of the responsible Minister are outlined in Appendix D.
ASADA operates under the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Act 2006 (the ASADA Act) and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Regulations 2006 (ASADA Regulations), including the National Anti-Doping (NAD) scheme. ASADA is a prescribed agency for the purposes of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (the FMA Act) and its staffing arrangements are governed by the Public Service Act 1999.
Our activities are governed by our legislative framework and our obligations to implement the Code, the Prohibited List of substances and methods that are prohibited in sport, and the International Standard for Testing.
Role and functions
ASADA’s role is to develop a sporting culture in Australia free from doping, where an athlete’s performance is purely dependent on talent, determination, courage and honesty.
To achieve this pure performance, our programs encompass deterrence, detection and enforcement activities.
Our primary functions are to:
- design and deliver a range of education and awareness-raising programs
- help the sporting community meet their anti-doping responsibilities
- monitor compliance with anti-doping policies
- detect and deter anti-doping rule violations
- manage potential anti-doping rule violations.
Our functions, powers and delegations (in accordance with the ASADA legislation) are outlined in Appendix E.
Goals
ASADA aims to be an influential leader for anti-doping in sport, so that Australia meets its international obligations under the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport and the Code, and Australia’s sporting culture continues to be held in high regard internationally. We give priority to deterrence strategies, to prevent the use of prohibited substances and methods in sport and to protect clean athletes and the sports in which they participate. We do this through education and by raising awareness of the risks and the repercussions of doping.
Our aim is to establish a level playing field in sport to protect the health of athletes and the reputation of sports and clean athletes. To achieve this, we provide programs to help national sporting organisations (NSOs) meet their anti-doping responsibilities, and we operate a strategic, targeted detection program that incorporates testing and investigations.
With clear legislative powers we have sought to develop a leading-edge capability to manage potential anti-doping rule violations, such as the presence and use of prohibited substances, in ways that are lawful, ethical and fair.
We place great importance on working positively with athletes, support personnel, sports and all other stakeholders, to build relationships and partnerships that are based on principles of respect, openness, responsiveness and integrity.
ASADA seeks to be respected by the Australian community for operating with integrity, professionalism, passion, commitment and agility.
Australia’s anti-doping structure
Australia’s anti-doping framework includes ASADA, as well as three statutory bodies established under the ASADA Act:
- the ASADA Advisory Group
- the Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee (ASDMAC)
- the Anti-Doping Rule Violation Panel (ADRVP).
Figure 1 shows Australia’s anti-doping framework and its mechanisms for implementing the principles of the Code as at 30 June 2011.
Figure 1: Australia’s anti-doping framework
Outcome and program structure
In the 2010–11 Budget, ASADA’s outcome is defined as, ‘Protection of the health of athletes and the integrity of Australian sport, through deterrence, detection and enforcement to eliminate doping’.
Our programs encompass deterrence, detection and enforcement activities. We are expected to provide education and communication programs, undertake sports forums and liaison activities, and improve capabilities in the detection and management of alleged anti-doping rule violations.
Figure 2: Outcome and program structure 2010–11
