Home         Accessibility        
To Advanced Search

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 decision, it must first be reviewed internally by the agency that made the decision. In the case of social security appeals, the decision must first be reviewed by a Centrelink Authorised Review Officer.

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 amounts outstanding may not be payable if a successful appeal is lodged more than 13 weeks after the Centrelink review.

Will the appeal cost me anything?
You do not have to pay to appeal to the SSAT. The SSAT will reimburse you for reasonable public transport costs to get to the hearing. If required, an interpreter will be provided for the hearing, at no cost to you.
The SSAT does not pay the fees of solicitors or other professionals, should you choose to be represented at the hearing. It also does not pay the travel costs of friends or relatives who accompany you to the hearing.

How long will it be before I have my hearing?
Once an appeal is lodged, an SSAT Case Manager will contact you and provide information at each step of the appeal process. The SSAT will arrange a hearing date as quickly as possible, usually within six to eight weeks. The SSAT will provide you with copies of relevant information from the Centrelink file at least seven days before your hearing.

How formal is the hearing?
The hearing itself is less formal than a court. In Centrelink cases it is a discussion between the applicant, other parties (if applicable) and SSAT members. Centrelink appeal hearings usually last up to an hour. No one from Centrelink comes to the hearing.

At the hearing, SSAT members will ask you questions and listen to your side of the story. You will have the opportunity to tell the SSAT what you think is important and ask questions if you are unsure about anything. You do not need to express yourself in ‘legal language’. The SSAT members will usually take notes to assist them in writing reasons for the decision..

What do I bring to the hearing?
To prepare for the hearing, you should write down any questions you wish to ask the SSAT members. It is a good idea to make notes about events, dates and persons involved in the matter under review.

When you come to the hearing, you should bring with you any information relevant to your appeal. The SSAT already has all the relevant information from your Centrelink file. You can provide additional information if you wish.

What if I need help in preparing for the hearing?
You might find it helpful to contact a community or other organisation to assist you in preparing your case and/or be with you during the hearing. Links to a number of relevant organisations are given on the How to Appeal page. Your nearest SSAT office can provide details of local agencies that may be able to assist you.

You can also contact your nearest SSAT office if you would like more details about the hearing.

Can I bring someone with me to the hearing?
Ordinarily yes. If the SSAT needs to hear from the other person (e.g. if they are also an applicant) the SSAT may prefer that people are not in the hearing room at the same time.

Can you help me with my special needs?
The SSAT can arrange assistance with your special needs. Contact your nearest SSAT office to discuss how your individual requirements may 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).

Call Freecall™ 1800 060 116 for teletypewriter service.

For information in another language, call 131 450 from anywhere in Australia. The Translating and Interpreting Service can call the SSAT on your behalf.

Contact your nearest SSAT office if you require large print formats or an audio CD of the SSAT’s general information documents (including the Service Charter and the SSAT: Guides).

How long will it be before I get the decision?
About 14 days after your hearing, you will receive the SSAT’s written decision in the mail. You will be notified if the SSAT has had to adjourn your matter until a later date. This could be to allow time for you to provide further information, for the SSAT to obtain further information or to allow the SSAT to research the law.

What if I disagree with the SSAT’s decision?
The SSAT’s decision is final. However, both you and Centrelink have the right to appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. This must be done within 28 days of the date of the SSAT’s decision.

What are my chances of success?
The SSAT looks at each individual case on its merits. It will consider all the relevant facts and law before reaching a decision. The Case Manager cannot give you advice about this. In recent years, the SSAT has changed the decision in about a third of all Centrelink cases appealed.

Is the SSAT independent?
The SSAT is an independent statutory body whose members are people such as welfare workers, doctors, lawyers and public administrators. It is not part of Centrelink. It has the power to change Centrelink decisions, but only according to the law. Where the SSAT sets aside (i.e. changes) a decision under review, it may substitute a new decision or send the matter back to Centrelink with directions for further action.
Back to top