Disclaimer: The material in this print-out relates to the law as it applies in the state of Victoria. It is intended as a general guide only. Readers should not act on the basis of any material in this print-out without getting legal advice about their own particular situations. Victoria Legal Aid disclaims any liability howsoever caused to any person in respect of any action taken in reliance on the contents of the publication.

We help Victorians with their legal problems and represent those who need it most. Find legal answers, chat with us online, or call us. You can speak to us in English or ask for an interpreter. You can also find more legal information at www.legalaid.vic.gov.au

Our Geelong office is closed to the public from 22 May until 8 August due to renovations. You can call the office on (03) 5226 5666.
Read more about our renovations.

Our submission to the Statutory Review of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal

Our recent submission uses client stories to highlight the important role of the AAT, as well as the impact on individuals and the system when merits review is not available.

Published:
Friday, 31 August 2018 at 10:00 am

We have made a submission to the review of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), which is currently being undertaken by the Hon Ian Callinan AC QC, former Justice of the High Court of Australia.

Our submission, On the Merits – Getting important and complex decisions right, contains the stories of four clients whose lives have been directly and significantly impacted by decisions relating to:

  • their access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
  • their visa and whether they were able to continue to live in Australia with their family
  • overwhelming robo-debts.

These clients’ stories highlight the important role of the AAT, as well as the impact on individuals and the system when merits review is not available.

In 2017–18 we provided legal advice on AAT matters on approximately 850 occasions, and opened more than 130 files in AAT matters.

Informed by this work and the evidence and insights it provides, we made five recommendations to the review. The recommendations aim to maintain and strengthen the AAT as a fair, just, economical and crucial mechanism of review in the Australian legal system.

The written report of the review is to be provided to the Attorney-General by 31 October 2018.

Read On the Merits – Getting important and complex decisions right.

On the Merits – Getting important and complex decisions right
Word 203.15 KB
(opens in a new window)

More information

Read more about the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Updated

Back to top
Legal Help Chat