Former security boss David Irvine is conducting an independent assessment of efforts made to reform parts of Australia's special forces.
The former ASIO and ASIS head has been commissioned by the army for the review, following a range of cultural and governance reforms in the special forces since 2015, a defence department statement published by Fairfax Media and the ABC on Sunday revealed.
News of the assessment comes amid allegations some special forces soldiers may have committed war crimes in Afghanistan, raised in a confidential defence inquiry report obtained by Fairfax.
The inquiry was told of unsanctioned and illegal application of violence on operations and disregard for human life.
Defence Minister Marise Payne on Friday confirmed the inquiry started in May 2016 at the request of the chief of the army and the direction of the chief of the defence force.
She said the government will respond to any recommendations it makes.
Another investigation by the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force will also make recommendations on how to deal with the claims, the defence department said.
Veterans Affairs Minister Darren Chester says he's keen to see the report finalised so the government can take appropriate action if needed.
However Mr Irvine's report is intended to show that work is underway to address concerns about "some elements" of the special forces, Mr Chester said.
"It's important that the command can take action even before the IGAF (Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force) does its final work," he told ABC TV on Sunday.
Australian War Memorial Director Brendan Nelson said if any laws of armed conflict were breached it should be known, but he stressed the need for people to reserve their judgment until the facts are clear.
"I think it's better that we not pass judgment on any of these men, and the women by the way, who are part of special operations until we know precisely what the facts are," he told the ABC on Sunday.
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