ADRA's Constitution defines "Alternative Dispute Resolution" (ADR) as 'dispute resolution processes:

(a) which encourage disputants to reach their own solution, and
(b) in which the primary role of the third party neutral is to facilitate the disputants to do so.'

ADRA is run by a Board of Management that is elected at each Annual General Meeting. The Board organises conferences, seminars and workshops, makes representations and submissions on behalf of members, prepared discussion papers and policy documents and undertakes a range of other activities. A Newsletter that is prepared with other ADR associations is distributed to members three times a year.

• Promoting and encouraging ADR throughout Australia.
• Encouraging and providing for the exchange and dissemination of ideas, information and experience in ADR.
• Developing, maintaining and promoting ADR standards and achieving uniform national standards.
• Providing and supporting education and research in the theory and practice of ADR.
• Printing publishing and circulating information pertaining to ADR
• Enhancing professional skills of mediators, conciliators and other practitioners in ADR and of administrators of ADR
• Making representations in the interests of all members of the Association in all matters concerning the Association and the resolution of disputes by ADR.
• Co-operating and affiliating with other organisations in order to achieve the objectives.