Appealing To The SSAT

Which Centrelink decisions can be appealed?
Which Child Support Agency decisions can be appealed?
How To Appeal
When can appeals be lodged?
Cost
Services For Applicants


Which Centrelink decisions 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 decision, first ask for a Centrelink authorised review officer to take a fresh look at the decision. If you are still not satisfied with the decision, you can appeal to the SSAT.



Which Child Support Agency decisions can be appealed?

Most CSA decisions can be appealed to the SSAT including:

§ Rejection of an application for an extension of time to lodge an objection decision;
§ Acceptance or refusal of an application for assessment;
§ Acceptance or refusal of a child support agreement;
§ Failure to collect arrears;
§ Refusal to remit penalties.

If you want to appeal a CSA decision, first ask for a CSA objections officer to take a fresh look at the decision. If you are still not satisfied with the decision, you can appeal to the SSAT.


How To Appeal

Centrelink and child support appeals can be lodged over the telephone, in writing (there are appeal forms for both types of appeals) or in person at any SSAT office. Centrelink appeals can also be lodged in writing at Centrelink offices. Child support appeals can also be lodged in writing at any CSA, Centrelink, Department of Human Services or Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs office.
When can appeals be lodged?

Centrelink appeals can be lodged anytime after a review of the original decision by a Centrelink authorised review officer. If the appeal is about payment of a Centrelink benefit, it is best to lodge the appeal as soon as possible (certainly within 13 weeks), because back-pay may not be possible if a successful appeal is lodged more than 13 weeks after the Centrelink review.

Child support appeals must be lodged within 28 days of receipt of the CSA objection decision. If it has been more than 28 days since the objection decision was received, the applicant can apply to the SSAT for an extension of time to lodge an appeal.

Once a Centrelink or child support appeal is lodged, an SSAT case manager will contact the applicant and provide information at each step of the appeal process, to ensure that applicants know what to expect and who to ask for help. With child support appeals, the SSAT case manager will also contact the other party (usually parent) and provide them with the same information.


Cost

It costs nothing to appeal to the SSAT. In the case of Centrelink appeals, there are also no penalties or fees if an application is withdrawn (there are no provisions for child support appeals to be withdrawn).

The SSAT will help the applicant and other parties to the appeal to get to the hearing, by paying reasonable public transport travel expenses.

If required, an interpreter will be provided for the hearing, at no cost to the party requiring the interpreter.


Services For Applicants

Translating and Interpreting Service
For information in another language, telephone 13 14 50 from anywhere in Australia. The Translating and Interpreting Service can call the SSAT on your behalf.

Disability-Related Needs
Please contact your local SSAT office to discuss how your individual requirements can best be met. Assistance may include sign interpreters, hearing loop, help getting to and from the hearing and flexible hearing options (such as hearings by telephone or video-conference).

Teletypewriter Service (TTY)
Please call Freecall 1800 060 116 for teletypewriter service.

Large Print
Please contact your local SSAT office if you need large print formats of the SSAT’s general information documents (including the Service Charter and A Guide).

Audio CD
Please contact your local SSAT office if you would like an audio CD of the SSAT’s general information documents (including the Service Charter and A Guide).