Social Security Appeals Tribunal

Structure and Operations On this page: Structure Operations Administrative Area Structure The membership of the SSAT comprises the Executive Director, Directors and full and part-time members. All members are appointed by the Governor-General. The Executive Director of the SSAT is supported by staf

Accessibility The SSAT aims to make information on its website accessible to all users. If you are having difficulty accessing or reading information, please contact us and we will arrange to get the information to you in another form. On this page: Document Format Office Facilities Translating and

Definitions The list below, shown alphabetically, contains terms that are commonly used throughout the appeal process. Added party Where the interests of a person who is not a party to a review are affected by a decision (ie. someone other than the person who has lodged the appeal), that person can

Further Appeal Rights The SSAT operates as the first tier of external review in the social security appeals system. Applicants who are not satisfied with an SSAT decision regarding their Centrelink appeal have the right to take the matter further by lodging an appeal for: A full merits review by th

Further Appeal Rights Applicants and other parties who are not satisfied with an SSAT decision regarding their child support appeal can appeal to a court but only on a question of law. There are time limits for instituting appeals. The court which most frequently deals with such appeals is the Fede

How to Appeal On this page: How to Appeal When can appeals be lodged? International applicants Costs Forms Checklists Help How to Appeal Centrelink appeals can be lodged over the telephone, in writing (using an appeal form) or in person at any SSAT office. Centrelink appeals can also be lodged in w

How to Appeal On this page: How to Appeal When can appeals be lodged? International Cases Costs Forms Help How to Appeal Child support appeals can be lodged over the telephone, in writing (using an appeal form) or in person at any SSAT office. Child support appeals can also be lodged in writing at

Introduction To The SSAT The SSAT is the first level of external review of decisions made by Centrelink and the Child Support Agency (CSA) about social security, family assistance, education or training and child support payments. Its statutory objective is to provide a mechanism of review that is

Decisions that can be appealed Almost any decision made by Centrelink can be appealed including: Rejection of a claim for payment; Reduction, suspension or cancellation of a payment; The raising or recovering of an overpayment; Issues with the rate of a payment. If you want to appeal a Centrelink d

Decisions that can be appealed On this page: Decisions that CAN be appealed to the SSAT Decisions that CANNOT be appealed to the SSAT Court Appeals Decisions that CAN be appealed to the SSAT Most child support decisions of the CSA can be appealed to the SSAT. Child support reviews by the SSAT typic

The Appeal Process On this page: After an appeal is lodged Case Managers The Hearing Panel The SSAT's Function Hearing Options After an appeal is lodged After an application for a review of a Centrelink decision is received by the SSAT, a Case Manager is assigned to each case. An acknowledgement le

The Appeal Process On this page: After an appeal is lodged Case Managers Security Concerns Pre-hearing Conferences Withdrawing an application The Hearing Panel Hearing Options After an appeal is lodged After an application for a review of a CSA decision is received by the SSAT, a Case Manager is as

Structure and Operations On this page: Structure Operations Administrative Area Structure The membership of the SSAT comprises the Executive Director, Directors and full and part-time members. All members are appointed by the Governor-General. The Executive Director of the SSAT is supported by staf

Definitions The list below, shown alphabetically, contains terms that are commonly used throughout the appeal process. Added party Where the interests of a person who is not a party to a review are affected by a decision (ie. someone other than the person who has lodged the appeal), that person can

Disability-Related Needs The SSAT aims to make information on its website accessible to all users. If you are having difficulty accessing or reading information, please contact us and we will arrange to get the information to you in another form. Individual Assistance Please contact your local SSAT

Welcome to the website of the Social Security Appeals Tribunal. The Tribunal is the first level of external review of decisions made by Centrelink about social security, family assistance, education or training payments. As of 1 January 2007, the Tribunal is also the first level of external review

Structure and Operations On this page: Structure Operations Administrative Area Structure The membership of the SSAT comprises the Executive Director, Directors and full and part-time members. All members are appointed by the Governor-General. The Executive Director of the SSAT is supported by staf

Accessibility The SSAT aims to make information on its website accessible to all users. If you are having difficulty accessing or reading information, please contact us and we will arrange to get the information to you in another form. On this page: Document Format Office Facilities Translating and

How to Appeal On this page: How to Appeal When can appeals be lodged? International applicants Costs Forms Checklists Help How to Appeal Centrelink appeals can be lodged over the telephone, in writing (using an appeal form) or in person at any SSAT office. Centrelink appeals can also be lodged in w

Decisions that can be appealed On this page: Decisions that CAN be appealed to the SSAT Decisions that CANNOT be appealed to the SSAT Court Appeals Decisions that CAN be appealed to the SSAT Most child support decisions of the CSA can be appealed to the SSAT. Child support reviews by the SSAT typic

Downloads Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the PDF version of forms. It is available as a free download from the Adobe web site. Viewing options and tools to assist with visually impaired access to PDF files are available at the Adobe Accessibility Resource Centre. Rich Text Format (RTF) do

Frequently Asked Questions Lodgement of Appeals 1. Why can my ex-partner appeal the decision? Under changes made to the Child Support legislation, the SSAT was given the powers to review an objection decision that was made on or after 1 January 2007. An objection decision is a decision taken as a r

Further Appeal Rights Applicants and other parties who are not satisfied with an SSAT decision regarding their child support appeal can appeal to a court but only on a question of law. There are time limits for instituting appeals. The court which most frequently deals with such appeals is the Fede

How to Appeal On this page: How to Appeal When can appeals be lodged? International Cases Costs Forms Help How to Appeal Child support appeals can be lodged over the telephone, in writing (using an appeal form) or in person at any SSAT office. Child support appeals can also be lodged in writing at

Role of the SSAT in Child Support matters On this page: The SSAT is an Independent Tribunal Powers Jurisdiction The Inquisitorial Model Adverse Decisions The SSAT is different to a government department The SSAT is an Independent Tribunal The SSAT is an independent administrative merits review trib

The Appeal Process On this page: After an appeal is lodged Case Managers Security Concerns Pre-hearing Conferences Withdrawing an application The Hearing Panel Hearing Options After an appeal is lodged After an application for a review of a CSA decision is received by the SSAT, a Case Manager is as

The Hearing Process On this page: SSAT Hearings Who can attend a hearing? Representatives Support persons Witnesses Interpreters Telephone Hearings Video-conference Hearings Information Exchange Financial Information Statement of Financial Circumstances Formal Directions/Notices Privacy The Decisio

Statement of Intent The Statement of Intent identifies the commitment made by the SSAT to the Minister and other stakeholders in respect to Corporate Governance. Statement of Expectations The Statement of Expectations to the Social Security Appeals Tribunal by the Minister for Families, Housing, Co

Complaints The SSAT's charter is to provide a mechanism of review which is fair, just, economical, informal and quick. On occasions there are tensions between these competing principles. Sometimes the more complex matters take longer to finalise. If a person has a complaint about SSAT process they

Contact Details On this page: National Office State Offices The SSAT aims to make information on its website accessible to all users. If you are having difficulty accessing or reading information, please contact us and we will arrange to get the information to you in another form. See also Disabili

Feedback You can direct any comments and enquiries to the nearest SSAT office or via this website. We treat complaints about the SSAT seriously and may use the information you provide to improve our service to all SSAT users by changing the way we work. To make a complaint, please contact us either

Contract Listing On this page: Senate Order Listing Funding Agreements Cost of Compliance Enquiries Senate Order On Government Agency Contracts Senate Order 192 of 20 June 2001 (amended 27 September 2001, June 2003 and 4 December 2003) requires government agencies to publish at regular intervals a

Copyright and Privacy Copyright Notice Disclaimer Privacy Statement Site Visit Data Collection of Personal Information Copyright Notice The material contained here constitutes Commonwealth copyright and is intended for your general use and information. You may download, display, print and reproduce

How to Appeal On this page: How to Appeal When can appeals be lodged? International applicants Costs Forms Checklists Help How to Appeal Centrelink appeals can be lodged over the telephone, in writing (using an appeal form) or in person at any SSAT office. Centrelink appeals can also be lodged in w

How to Appeal On this page: How to Appeal When can appeals be lodged? International Cases Costs Forms Help How to Appeal Child support appeals can be lodged over the telephone, in writing (using an appeal form) or in person at any SSAT office. Child support appeals can also be lodged in writing at

Copyright and Privacy Copyright Notice Disclaimer Privacy Statement Site Visit Data Collection of Personal Information Copyright Notice The material contained here constitutes Commonwealth copyright and is intended for your general use and information. You may download, display, print and reproduce

Decisions that can be appealed Almost any decision made by Centrelink can be appealed including: Rejection of a claim for payment; Reduction, suspension or cancellation of a payment; The raising or recovering of an overpayment; Issues with the rate of a payment. If you want to appeal a Centrelink d

Decisions that can be appealed On this page: Decisions that CAN be appealed to the SSAT Decisions that CANNOT be appealed to the SSAT Court Appeals Decisions that CAN be appealed to the SSAT Most child support decisions of the CSA can be appealed to the SSAT. Child support reviews by the SSAT typic

Definitions The list below, shown alphabetically, contains terms that are commonly used throughout the appeal process. Added party Where the interests of a person who is not a party to a review are affected by a decision (ie. someone other than the person who has lodged the appeal), that person can

Role of the SSAT in Centrelink matters On this page: The SSAT is an Independent Tribunal Powers Jurisdiction The SSAT is an Independent Tribunal The SSAT is an independent administrative merits review tribunal. It is completely separate from Centrelink. The role of the SSAT is not to decide whether

Role of the SSAT in Child Support matters On this page: The SSAT is an Independent Tribunal Powers Jurisdiction The Inquisitorial Model Adverse Decisions The SSAT is different to a government department The SSAT is an Independent Tribunal The SSAT is an independent administrative merits review trib

The Hearing Process On this page: SSAT Hearings Face-to-Face Hearings Telephone Hearings Video-conference Hearings Regional Hearings The Decision SSAT Hearings Hearings are held in an informal environment. Telephone hearings are sometimes held, if convenient for the applicant or added parties. To e

The Hearing Process On this page: SSAT Hearings Who can attend a hearing? Representatives Support persons Witnesses Interpreters Telephone Hearings Video-conference Hearings Information Exchange Financial Information Statement of Financial Circumstances Formal Directions/Notices Privacy The Decisio

Definitions The list below, shown alphabetically, contains terms that are commonly used throughout the appeal process. Added party Where the interests of a person who is not a party to a review are affected by a decision (ie. someone other than the person who has lodged the appeal), that person can

Executive Director General Directions These Directions are made pursuant to subsection 103ZA(1) of the Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 (the Act) which provides that the Executive Director may give General Directions as to the procedure to be followed by the SSAT in connection w

Disability-Related Needs The SSAT aims to make information on its website accessible to all users. If you are having difficulty accessing or reading information, please contact us and we will arrange to get the information to you in another form. Individual Assistance Please contact your local SSAT

Copyright and Privacy Copyright Notice Disclaimer Privacy Statement Site Visit Data Collection of Personal Information Copyright Notice The material contained here constitutes Commonwealth copyright and is intended for your general use and information. You may download, display, print and reproduce

Definitions The list below, shown alphabetically, contains terms that are commonly used throughout the appeal process. Added party Where the interests of a person who is not a party to a review are affected by a decision (ie. someone other than the person who has lodged the appeal), that person can

Getting There Adelaide Office 12th Floor, 45 Grenfell Street, Adelaide view map § The SSAT office is on Grenfell Street, between King William and Pulteney Streets. § Limited street parking is available and the nearest parking garages are located at Harris Scarfe in Grenfell Street, and in Wyatt Str

Frequently Asked Questions Who can appeal to the SSAT? Anyone affected by a decision of Centrelink, who disagrees with the decision, can appeal to the SSAT. Appeals relate to decisions that affect people’s pensions, benefits, allowances, student assistance etc. Before the SSAT can review a decisio

Frequently Asked Questions Lodgement of Appeals 1. Why can my ex-partner appeal the decision? Under changes made to the Child Support legislation, the SSAT was given the powers to review an objection decision that was made on or after 1 January 2007. An objection decision is a decision taken as a r

Contact Details On this page: National Office State Offices The SSAT aims to make information on its website accessible to all users. If you are having difficulty accessing or reading information, please contact us and we will arrange to get the information to you in another form. See also Disabili

Feedback You can direct any comments and enquiries to the nearest SSAT office or via this website. We treat complaints about the SSAT seriously and may use the information you provide to improve our service to all SSAT users by changing the way we work. To make a complaint, please contact us either

The Hearing Process On this page: SSAT Hearings Who can attend a hearing? Representatives Support persons Witnesses Interpreters Telephone Hearings Video-conference Hearings Information Exchange Financial Information Statement of Financial Circumstances Formal Directions/Notices Privacy The Decisio

Downloads Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the PDF version of forms. It is available as a free download from the Adobe web site. Viewing options and tools to assist with visually impaired access to PDF files are available at the Adobe Accessibility Resource Centre. Rich Text Format (RTF) do

How to Appeal On this page: How to Appeal When can appeals be lodged? International applicants Costs Forms Checklists Help How to Appeal Centrelink appeals can be lodged over the telephone, in writing (using an appeal form) or in person at any SSAT office. Centrelink appeals can also be lodged in w

How to Appeal On this page: How to Appeal When can appeals be lodged? International Cases Costs Forms Help How to Appeal Child support appeals can be lodged over the telephone, in writing (using an appeal form) or in person at any SSAT office. Child support appeals can also be lodged in writing at

Freedom of Information: Section 9 Statement Some documents held by the SSAT are available free of charge upon request. Others are publicly available for inspection and/or purchase. Applications for access to documents may be submitted to any office of the SSAT. Please refer to the following documen