What happens after I lodge my application?
We will send you a confirmation letter explaining what will happen next.
We will also notify the Child Support Registrar in the Department of Human Services (the Department) that we have received the application.
You and the Department are the parties to the review.
We have a video guide which explains more about what happens after you lodge your application.
If representing yourself, we will usually call you within 6 weeks after we receive the application to explain the review process and ask whether you need additional assistance, such as an interpreter.
What if we cannot review the decision?
We will write to you and give you a chance to tell us why you think we can review the decision. If you do not respond or cannot show us that we can review the decision, we might dismiss the application. Sometimes a hearing is held to decide if we can review the decision.
Does the decision continue to operate during the review?
The decision will usually continue to operate during the review. In some cases, we can make an order which 'stays' (suspends) the operation or implementation of the decision until the review is finalised.
You can use the Request for stay order form to ask for a stay order.
Documents relevant to the review
T documents
The Department will send us the decision and all relevant review documents within 28 days after being told the application has been received. These are called ‘T documents’.
They will also send the T documents to you. If you have a representative, we will usually send the T documents to that person.
T documents are provided under section 37 of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975.
Confidential T Documents
The Department can ask the AAT for a direction that certain content within the T documents is not to be disclosed to you. We will consider any application and tell you our decision.
Request the T documents earlier
You can ask for the T documents to be provided earlier if a delay would cause you hardship. You must complete the Request for order to shorten time for lodging documents form. We will consider any request and tell you our decision.
Giving us new information
You can give us new information that you think supports your case.
Confidentiality orders
In limited circumstances, we can order that:
- the hearing is held in private
- the name or address of a party or witness, or other information that we hold, be kept confidential
- a written decision is not made public.
You or the Department can ask for a confidentiality order at any stage of the review by telling us in writing what it is that you want to be kept confidential and why.
We will only make a confidentiality order if we are satisfied there is a good reason for doing so.
Alternative dispute resolution
We use alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to:
- talk with the parties to the review about the decision and that has been made and the issues in dispute
- if possible, help parties to the review reach an agreement before a hearing
- if an agreed outcome cannot be reached, prepare for a hearing.
We will usually hold a conference first. Many cases are resolved without the need for a hearing.
You can look at the Alternative dispute resolution guidelines for more information.
Directions Hearing
We might decide to hold a directions hearing by telephone or in person at the AAT's offices to talk about any issue in the review. This could happen if you or the Department request it, or if we decide it is necessary.
Hearing
If the review is not resolved at an earlier stage, we will usually hold a hearing.
The hearing is an opportunity for you to present information and talk about why you disagree with the decision under review.