Administrative Review Reform Short Survey

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. 

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 survey below will take about 15 minutes and invites feedback from members of the public and AAT users on key aspects of the new administrative review body.

If preferred, or if you are responding on behalf of an organisation, you can make a detailed submission in response to the Issues Paper.

The consultation process considers matters relating to the design of the new federal administrative review body, including its purpose, structure, membership, powers and procedures. It does not consider the conduct or outcome of any specific matter before the AAT.

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

Why we are consulting

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

Who we want to hear from

We want to hear from a wide range of members of the public, including users of the current AAT.

Publishing responses

You can submit your response under your name or anonymously.

We will publish aggregate information from the survey (e.g. "Thirty-six per cent of respondents reported they were AAT users"). No individual submissions will be made public.

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