Your first case event will usually be a case conference. We will send you a listing notice telling you the date and time. The case conference might be in person, by telephone or by video using Microsoft Teams. We will book an interpreter for you if you need one and you tell us before the case conference.
What is a case conference?
A case conference is an informal, private meeting arranged by the us to talk about your case. It is used in most applications as part of our alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process, and the parties often come to an agreement at this stage.
Shortly before the case conference, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will send you a statement of issues that sets out what they think are the issues that need to be discussed and what you can do to help them make a different decision.
Initial case conferences are usually listed for 90 minutes, and we can use as much or as little of that time as we need. If we hold more than one case conference, the next one may be shorter.
The case conference is usually conducted by an AAT Conference Registrar but can also be conducted by an AAT Member. The case conference must be attended by:
- you and/or your representative, such as a lawyer or disability advocate, if you have one
- a representative of the NDIA. This may be a lawyer appointed by the NDIA or a case manager, or sometimes both
- the AAT Conference Registrar or AAT Member.
The following people may also attend a case conference:
- a support person for you, such as a friend or family member
- an interpreter provided by the AAT if you need one.
There may be more than one case conference held during your review process.
How can I prepare for the case conference?
Representation
You do not need a lawyer when you come to the AAT. However, if you want legal advice or representation, you should arrange this before the case conference.
Further information
Give us any new information before the case conference.
Read everything you have been given
Read all the documents you have been given and make sure you bring them to the case conference. This includes all the documents we have sent you, the T documents and any other documents sent to you by the NDIA or their lawyers after you applied.
Future availability
Be ready to tell us suitable dates for a future case conference, conciliation or hearing, in case you and the NDIA cannot reach an agreement at the first case conference.
What happens if I cannot attend the case conference?
You should tell us as soon as possible and we might be able to change the date.
If you do not attend the case conference and you do not have a good reason, we might dismiss the application.
What happens at the case conference?
The Conference Registrar or Member will help the parties to:
- talk about why the decision was made and identify the issues in dispute
- consider any new evidence, and identify any extra evidence that will be needed
- explore whether they will be able to agree on any issues
- talk about what happens next.
The Conference Registrar might ask you and the NDIA to give us more information. The AAT can issue a direction for you or the NDIA to do what has been asked. If you are directed to provide information by a certain date, you must do so, or ask for more time and give reasons for your request.
A Conference Registrar is not a decision-maker and cannot change the decision made by the NDIA. However, through the conferencing process, parties may agree to change the decision.