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 writing at Centrelink offices.

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.

International applicants

There are 2 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 There are also no penalties or fees if an application is withdrawn.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.

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.

Checklists

The following checklists are for SSAT reviews of Centrelink decisions.

The checklists below may be helpful as you prepare for your hearing. They are intended as a guide only.

Carer Payment Cases (Child)
It will help the SSAT make its decision if you bring to the hearing:

• A report from the doctor of the person you are caring for that explains:
  - The extent of the child’s disability;
  - Whether the child needs continuous personal care;
  - How often the child needs attention with bodily functions;
  - Where the care is provided; and
  - Any other useful information.
• A list of things that you do for the person you are caring for and how often you have to do them.

Disability / Sickness Cases
It will help the SSAT make its decision if you bring to the hearing:

• Any doctor’s reports you have about compensation claims or accident claims written in the last four years (you may need to ask your lawyer for these);
• Any reports of X-rays (but not actual X-rays);
• Any other doctor’s report that you have;
• Prescriptions;
• Medicines and tablets that you are taking (actual bottles or packets); and
• Hospital appointment books.

Compensation Cases
It will help the SSAT make its decision if you bring the following items with you to the hearing:

• Your compensation or damages award (your lawyer may have these);
• Your compensation or damages release; and
• The Statement of Financial Circumstances form (Centrelink appeals), fully filled out.

Help

You may wish to contact an organisation in your 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.

See also:

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

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