The ABC board has commissioned an independent review of the national public broadcaster's editorial self-regulatory system and complaints handling.

The review will be headed by John McMillan, the former Commonwealth and New South Wales ombudsman, and Jim Carroll, former SBS news and current affairs director, who was previously head of news and public affairs for the Ten Network.

The review will examine how well the ABC manages external complaints and feedback about compliance with its own editorial standards.

It will also consider training, remedies and actions taken, resourcing and the handling of other audience responses that may have a bearing on the standards.

An independent review by Maurice Newman and Paul Chadwick, undertaken in 2008 and published in 2009, found the ABC's framework was "fundamentally sound" and was "well developed and transparent" compared to other media organisations in Australia.

That review made a number of recommendations to streamline and upgrade the ABC's complaints handling processes.

In 2018, the Australian National Audit Office also examined the ABC's management of complaints.

It found the national public broadcaster "effectively manages complaints" and that processes were accessible to its audience, easy to navigate and responsive.

The Australian National Audit Office added the ABC had "limited visibility over the progress and outcomes of the less significant but higher volume complaints managed directly by content areas".

ABC chair Ita Buttrose said the upcoming review was a timely initiative to ensure the ABC's complaints handling procedures met audience expectations.

"That role requires the most robust of accountability processes. I am pleased both Professor McMillan and Mr Carroll have agreed to bring their significant skills and experience to this review."

ABC managing director David Anderson said the work of the small team of complaint investigators in the independent Audience and Consumer Affairs unit was "essential to maintaining transparency and accountability".

"The ABC's commitment to the highest editorial standards and stringent complaints processes are why it remains one of the nation's most trusted public institutions," Mr Anderson said.

After consultation between the ABC, Professor McMillan and Mr Carroll, the following terms of reference have been adapted and updated from the 2008 review:

1. 1.The adequacy of the ABC Editorial Policies and ABC Code of Practice for upholding the requirements of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 (Cth).
2. 2.The suitability of the ABC complaint process for receiving and managing complaints relating to ABC editorial standards.
3. 3.Measures taken by the ABC to inform the public about the ABC complaint process.
4. 4.Whether complaints relating to ABC editorial standards are dealt with efficiently, fairly and reasonably.
5. 5.Whether appropriate actions are taken and remedies provided for breaches of ABC editorial standards.
6. 6.Measures taken by the ABC to ensure the organisation and its staff are fully informed about complaints and complaint outcomes.
7. 7.Measures taken by the ABC to ensure that the complaint process is tied to continuous improvement in ABC editorial standards, and feeds into standards-setting, training and day-to-day content-making.
8. 8.Measures taken by the ABC to provide information and training to staff and independent service and content providers about ABC editorial standards.
9. 9.Whether the capabilities and resourcing of teams responsible for complaint processes are fit for purpose.
10. 10.Measures taken by the ABC to ensure public transparency about complaints and complaint outcomes.
11. 11.Measures taken by the ABC for receiving and managing audience responses (other than complaints) that have a bearing on the standards.

The review panel is expected to report back to the ABC board in March 2022.