Administrative Review Reform Issues Paper

Closed 12 May 2023

Opened 3 Apr 2023

Contact

AATReformEnquiries@ag.gov.au

Feedback updated 7 Aug 2023

We asked

The Administrative Review Taskforce (Taskforce) conducted public consultation on reform to the administrative review system between April and May 2023. An Issues Paper was published seeking views on the development of a new federal administrative review body. The Issues Paper asked 67 questions on a wide range of matters relating to the design of the new federal administrative review body.

We sought public input through:

  • short survey
  • Issues Paper 
  • meetings with selected individuals and organisations, including AAT staff and members 
  • user experience sessions. 

You said

During the consultation period, we spoke with:

  • 147 stakeholders with wide-ranging interest in the reform, including:
  • people with experience as applicants in the AAT 
  • migration and refugee representatives and advocacy groups
  • disability representatives and advocacy groups
  • social security representatives and advocacy groups
  • veteran support
  • legal organisations, including Legal Aid Commissions and Community Legal Centres
  • academics
  • government
  • State and Territory civil and administrative tribunals
  • Over 400 AAT staff
  • Over 160 AAT members.

We received 287 short survey responses and 120 submissions in response to the Issues Paper.

We did

Feedback provided through the public consultation is being used to inform the development of legislation and to plan the implementation of the new federal administrative review body. 

The Expert Advisory Group, chaired by former High Court Justice, the Hon. Patrick Keane AC KC, has considered the results of consultation to inform their advice to government on the reform.

Published responses

View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.

Overview

On 16 December 2022, the Government announced reform to Australia’s system of administrative review. This reform will abolish the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and establish a new federal administrative review body. The reform will also include a transparent, merit-based system of appointments.

We have released an Issues Paper seeking views on the development of a new federal administrative review body. The Issues Paper asks 67 questions about a wide range of matters including the purpose, structure, membership, powers and procedures of the new federal administrative review body. 

There are two ways that you can provide a response to the Issues Paper:

  1. If you would like to provide a submission responding to the questions in the Issues Paper, or you want to provide a response on behalf of an organisation, please use the ‘Make a submission’ link below. 
  2. If you would prefer to answer targeted questions about the new body, please complete our short survey. 

Consultation closed on 12 May 2023. Extensions will not be granted. 

Why are we consulting?

We are consulting with members of the public to understand what the government should consider when developing legislation for the new federal administrative review body. 

Who do we want to hear from?

This consultation seeks views from any stakeholders interested in the key features of the new federal administrative review body. This may include:

  • AAT staff and members 
  • migration and refugee stakeholders (refugee advocates, migration agents)
  • people with disability, disability advocates and disability service providers 
  • veterans and veterans’ advocacy and support groups
  • social security recipients and welfare rights advocates
  • tax advisors and practitioners
  • worker’s rights and workplace health and safety groups
  • legal practitioners and peak legal bodies, including Legal Aid Commissions, Community Legal Centres, and Bar Associations 
  • academics.

Publishing responses

You can submit your response under your name or anonymously. We will publish responses after the consultation period, provided the author consented, and there is no potential legal issue with publishing the submission.

Submissions may be subject to freedom of information requests, or requests from the Parliament. Personal information shared through the consultation process will be treated in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988. For more information on how we collect, store and use personal information, visit our Privacy Policy. 

Interests

  • Government
  • Legislation