From 1961 to 1994 the ATCM generally met once every two years, but since 1994 the meetings have occurred annually. The ATCM is hosted by the Consultative Parties according to the alphabetical order of their English names.

The meeting consists of representatives of:

• the Consultative Parties
• non-Consultative Parties
• Observers - currently the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP)
• invited Experts, such as the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC) and the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO).

Measures, Decisions and Resolutions, which are adopted at the ATCM by consensus, give effect to the principles of the Antarctic Treaty and the Environment Protocol and provide regulations and guidelines for the management of the Antarctic Treaty area and the work of the ATCM. Decisions, which address internal organizational matters of the ATCM, and Resolutions, which are hortatory texts, are not legally binding on Contracting Parties.  In contrast, Measures are legally binding on the Consultative Parties once they have been approved by all Consultative Parties.

Only the Consultative Parties take part in decision-making. Other participants in the meeting, however, may contribute to the discussions.

The Antarctic Treaty Secretariat

The Antarctic Treaty operated without any continuing institution until 1 September 2004, when the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat was established and based in Buenos Aires.

Under direction of the ATCM, the Secretariat carries out the tasks specified in Measure 1 (2003), which can be summarized under the following headings:

• Supporting the annual Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and the meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP).
• Facilitating the exchange of information between the Parties required in the Treaty and the Environment Protocol.
• Collecting, storing, archiving and making available the documents of the ATCM.
• Providing and disseminating information about the Antarctic Treaty system and Antarctic activities.