The FIA, representing automobile clubs the world over, exercises its authority through a General assembly. Each country has a Sporting Power recognised as its representative within the FIA and responsible for enforcing international regulations at events in that country. In Australia, that body is CAMS - the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport, whose headquarters are in Melbourne.

A crucial body within the FIA is the World Motor Sport Council, whose 24 members must be nationals of a country having at least one events on the International Sporting Calendar of the current year.

The council is assisted by several specialist commissions, including a Formula 1 Commission, whose Presidents and Members are elected every year by the General Assembly.
The President of the FIA is currently Mr. Max Mosley of Great Britain.

Formula 1 is governed by a 1992 Concorde Agreement, A Sporting Code and, most importantly, by a set of Technical Regulations and its companion set of Sporting Regulations.

A Grand Prix relies on the collective efforts of the FIA, the ASN (in Australia's case, CAMS), the organizers of the race, the competitors and the circuits.

Last but not least, a Grand Prix happens thanks to FOCA - the Formula 1 Constructors' Association, headed by Mr. Bernie Ecclestone, which puts on the racing show.

At each race the FIA appoints a number of delegates in specialist areas including safely (also the permanent starter), medical, technical and media. It also appoints two stewards, of different nationality from those of the host country, and a Race Director.

The ASN appoints one steward, who works with the FIA appointees as the small committee overseeing procedural and disciplinary matters throughout race weekend.

The ASN also appoints another pivotal individual: the Clerk of the Course, who works at all times in close consultation with the Race Director. The Clerk of the Course is the only person who can stop a practise session or a race, and the only one who can bring the Safety Car into operation. The Clerk of the Course for the Albert Park event will be CAMS' National Motor Sport Manager Tim Schenken, himself a former Grand Prix driver.