The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators primary objective is: "to promote and facilitate the determination of disputes by arbitration and alternative forms of dispute resolution". The Institute provides the following services:

• Education and training programmes for potential and practising arbitrators and users of the arbitral process.
• Maintenance of a panel of Chartered Arbitrators, panel of Mediators and a Register of Expert Witnesses.
• Appointment and nomination service of suitably qualified persons to act as arbitrators and mediators.
• Nomination service of expert witnesses.
• Nomination, under legislation enacted in some Australian States, of adjudicators for parties involved in commercial disputes in the construction industry.
• Setting up and administration of small claims dispute resolution schemes
• Provision of adjudicators to resolve disputes arising from Internet domain name registration processes under auDA rules.
• Providing a platform for eminent Australian and overseas authorities to discuss developing trends in ADR. Providing continuing advice to governments and the legal profession on ADR issues.