A definition of anti-Semitism described as dangerous by human rights advocates will be a guiding light for a royal commission triggered by the Bondi Beach terror attack.
Commissioner and former High Court judge Virginia Bell revealed her approach at the first public hearing in Sydney on Tuesday.
The prevalence of anti-Semitism nationwide, its drivers and how law enforcement and intelligence are equipped to combat it are key focuses of the inquiry.
The probe will use a definition of anti-Semitism published by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), which Ms Bell described on Tuesday as "uncontroversial".
That definition was also suggested in July by the government's special envoy to combat anti-Semitism Jillian Segal, who was present at Tuesday's hearing.
Ms Bell acknowledged the 11 examples listed by the alliance alongside its definition has led to concern it stifles legitimate political criticism of Israel.
"While I'm open to receiving submissions on the issue, my current view is that these concerns pay insufficient regard to the terms of the definition itself," she said.
"And they're apt to overlook the requirement to take account of the overall context in which the content occurs before determining whether the conduct is anti-Semitic."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also tasked the commission with making recommendations that strengthen wider social cohesion and counter the spread of ideological and religious extremism.
"I'm mindful that while anti-Semitism may be the oldest religious and ethnic prejudice, other religions and ethnicities are also subject to prejudice in Australia," Ms Bell said.
"I trust everyone will appreciate why the focus of this commission will be on tackling anti-Semitism as a starting point in strengthening our bonds of social cohesion."
An interim report will be handed down on April 30 with the full findings due to be handed down by December 14, the first anniversary of the attack.
“This imposes a tough timeframe, and it's done to impose limitations on how the commission approaches its terms of reference,” Ms Bell said.
Jewish advocacy groups have widely welcomed the royal commission, including the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, which described it as the only way that Australia’s time-honoured standards of decency and fairness can be upheld.
Other groups have urged the commission to include the voices of other affected communities to explore wider social cohesion.
While the commission has been tasked with examining the exact circumstances of the attack, no witnesses who may be called in a possible criminal trial will be heard to protect those legal proceedings from prejudice.
The production of sensitive documents from intelligence agencies may also cause delays, after an internal review was folded into the remit of the public royal commission.
"This is the first royal commission in nearly 50 years to investigate aspects of the work of the Australian intelligence community," Ms Bell said.
NSW announced a royal commission soon after the attack and the federal government came under intense political pressure to call its own as the prime minister steadfastly refused to do so.
But he relented in January, with the NSW commission cancelled and a separate inquiry, headed by former ASIO boss Dennis Richardson, to be folded in.
Mr Richardson's inquiry will scope how potential intelligence failures contributed to the attack.
Federal parliament has passed laws aimed at restricting the ability of hardline radical groups to incite violence against people based on their faith, while also making it easier to deport extremists and deny them entry to Australia.
