The royal commission into antisemitism in Australia has built what its chair describes as the most detailed archival record of antisemitic activity in the country since the Second World War, according to an assessment made public this week.

Commissioner Philip Crutchfield said the inquiry had developed an 'extraordinary truth-telling process' that has allowed victims, witnesses and experts to provide testimony in an environment designed to encourage candour while protecting participants from reprisals.

'We have assembled evidence that captures not only the scale of antisemitic incidents but the lived experience of Jewish Australians in ways that have never been systematically recorded before,' Crutchfield said. 'The closest parallel is the documentation that emerged from the aftermath of the Holocaust.'

The commission, which began hearings in early 2025, has collected testimony from hundreds of witnesses across multiple cities, examined thousands of documents and received submissions from community organisations, law enforcement agencies and academic experts. Its work has focused on both physical attacks and online harassment, including the role of social media platforms in amplifying hate speech.

Jewish community leaders have cautiously welcomed the commission's progress, though some have expressed concern that the final report's recommendations may be slow to implement. The executive council of Australian Jewry praised the commissioner's statement, calling it 'a vital recognition of the trauma the community has endured.'

However, questions remain about how the federal and state governments will respond to the commission's eventual findings. Critics on civil liberties grounds have warned that some proposed measures to combat antisemitism could infringe on free speech protections, while others argue that stronger hate speech laws are long overdue.

The royal commission is expected to deliver its final report to the governor-general by mid-2027, with the government yet to commit to a timeline for acting on any recommendations.

The inquiry continues to accept submissions from the public.