About The SSAT
Introduction to the SSAT
Structure and Operations
Outreach and Community Education
Definitions
Contract Listing
Statement of Intent and Statement of Expectations
Freedom of Information Statement
Contact Us
Centrelink Appeals
Child Support Appeals
Careers at the SSAT
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Updated: 28/01/2010
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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 ‘fair, just, economical, informal and quick’.
On this page:
History of the SSAT
Our Role
Our Service Standards
Annual Report
History of the SSAT
The SSAT was originally established in 1975 by the Honourable WG (Bill) Hayden to review appealed decisions made by the then Department of Social Security.
It is now a statutory body established under the
Social Security (Administration) Act 1999
to conduct merits review of administrative decisions made under the social security law, the family assistance law, child support law and various other pieces of legislation. The
Social Security (Administration) Act 1999,
the
A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999
and the
Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988
set out the powers, functions and procedures of the SSAT.
The SSAT is within the portfolio of the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Administrative arrangements of long standing exist between FaHCSIA and the Tribunal that allow the Tribunal to benefit from the Department’s administrative infrastructure. The SSAT retains responsibility for and control of decision-making in relation to the deployment of its human resources, information technology and financial resources. It also has its own national case management system to manage and administer appeals.
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Our Role
The SSAT’s applicants are usually people whose interests are affected by a Centrelink decision or a CSA decision and who want to apply to the SSAT for a review of that decision. Centrelink appeals can be lodged any time after a review of the original decision by a Centrelink Authorised Review Officer. If the hearing is more than 13 weeks after the decision which is being appealed it can have an impact if a favourable decision is made.
Before the SSAT can review a CSA decision, it must first be reviewed by a CSA Objections Officer. Child Support appeals must be lodged within 28 days of receiving an objection decision.
Please note:
The SSAT can only review CSA objection decisions made on or after 1 January 2007.
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Our Service Standards
The SSAT’s Service Charter describes its commitment to providing high quality, timely and courteous service to applicants and other parties to appeals. It also lists rights and responsibilities of applicants and other parties in their dealings with the SSAT and the SSAT’s complaints handling process.
The SSAT Service Charter is available below and on request from any SSAT office.
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Annual Report
The most recent SSAT Annual Reports are available below.
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