How to Appeal

On this page:

How to Appeal
When to lodge an appeal
International applicants
Costs
Withdrawing an appeal
Appeal Forms
Help with my appeal

How to Appeal

Appeals against Centrelink decisions can be lodged with the SSAT over the telephone, in writing (using an SSAT appeal form or by sending an email to the SSAT) or in person at any SSAT office.

Appeals against Centrelink decisions can also be lodged in writing at any Centrelink office. Please contact the SSAT if you require further information.

Each appeal received by the SSAT is assigned to an individual Case Manager who will handle the appeal.

It is helpful, although not essential, if you can provide the SSAT with your Centrelink reference number and the date of the Centrelink decision you are appealing. This information will be on the Authorised Review Officer’s written decision on your case.

When to lodge an appeal

Appeals against Centrelink decisions can be lodged anytime after a review of the original decision by a Centrelink Authorised Review Officer (ARO). 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 ARO’s decision.

International applicants

There are two options to appeal for overseas applicants.

Telephone: Reverse charges +61 3 62 112800 - the toll free 1800 number does not work for international calls.
Email: Hobart@ssat.gov.au

It is helpful and efficient if international applicants can supply the SSAT with an email address for communication.

Costs

It costs nothing to appeal to the SSAT. There are also no penalties or fees if an application is withdrawn.

The SSAT may pay reasonable public transport travel expenses for an applicant to attend the hearing.

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

Withdrawing an appeal

If you decide that you no longer wish to proceed with your appeal you simply need to contact your SSAT Case Manager and advise him or her of your decision. The SSAT will then take no further action in relation to your appeal.
Appeal Forms

SSAT appeal forms are available in both Portable Document Format (PDF) and Rich Text Format (RTF). Hard-copies are available from any office of the SSAT upon request.

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) documents can be opened in most major word processing programs (such as Microsoft Word and WordPerfect).

Appeal Forms
To apply for a review of a Centrelink decision by the SSAT, print out the following appeal form, complete it and post it to the SSAT (online application is not yet available). You may want to make a copy for your own records.


Authority for Information
To authorise the SSAT to obtain information relevant to your Centrelink appeal, please complete and return the following form. You may want to make a copy for your own records.


Authority for Medical Information
To authorise the SSAT to obtain medical information relevant to your Centrelink appeal, please complete and return the following form. You may want to make a copy for your own records.


Applicant Statement of Financial Circumstances (Centrelink appeals)
As your financial circumstances may be relevant to the SSAT’s decision, please complete this form and bring it to your hearing or post it to us as soon as possible. You may want to make a copy for your own records.

Applicant Record of Expenditure and Savings
The information you give in this form will help the SSAT decide your Youth Allowance or Austudy appeal. You may want to make a copy for your own records.

Help with my appeal

See also:

Links – Support Organisations
Disability-Related Needs
Information in Other Languages

Below are contact details for organisations in each State or Territory for assistance with your appeal. The organisations listed in the following documents may be able to assist you with your Centrelink appeal.

Please note these organisations are independent of the SSAT and may have their own rules for providing assistance.

Australian Capital Territory
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia