First day of the Administrative Review Tribunal

The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP
Media Release

Today the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) replaces the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).

The creation of the ART is the most significant reform to Australia’s system of administrative review in decades.

The new ART will be efficient, accessible, independent and fair for the tens of thousands of people every year who seek independent review of government decisions, such as whether they qualify for an age pension, are compensated for an injury they suffered while serving their nation or receive NDIS funding for essential support.

A central feature of the new ART is a transparent and merit-based selection process for the appointment of non-judicial members.

The Honourable Justice Emilios Kyrou AO is the inaugural President of the ART. Mr Michael Hawkins AM is the inaugural Chief Executive Officer and Principal Registrar.

The foundational non-judicial membership of the Tribunal, comprising Deputy Presidents, Senior Members and General Members, were appointed following a transparent and merit-based selection process.

The reform delivers a modern, fit for purpose tribunal that contributes to the Albanese Government’s goal of restoring trust and confidence in government. Its key features include:

  • improved accessibility for users
  • a responsive, demand-driven funding model
  • more flexible procedures and greater harmonisation across different case types
  • mechanisms to effectively escalate issues of significance to administrative law and decision-making, and
  • funding for a new case management system.

All ongoing and non-ongoing Australian Public Service employees who were employed at the AAT have now transitioned to the ART.

All matters that were before the AAT have now automatically transferred to the ART. People who have applied to the AAT for review of a decision do not need to submit a new application to the ART.

The ART has the same jurisdiction as the AAT, and from today people can apply to the ART for review of a decision. Information on how to make an application can be found on the ART’s new website.

All AAT decisions that have already been finalised will not be considered again by the Tribunal.

A fact sheet for ART applicants is available on the Attorney-General’s Department website.