A review for non-attendance is a review available to a party who was unable to attend or participate in a hearing, and/or was not represented at the hearing.

You can apply for this type of review if:

  • SACAT has made an order or decision (the original decision) and you are named as a party and
  • you were unable to attend or participate in the original hearing and/or
  • you were not represented at the original hearing and
  • you can satisfy SACAT that you had a reasonable excuse for not attending, participating and being represented at the original hearing.

You can apply for SACAT to review the original decision.

Applicable hearings are those where a decision was made or which preceded the making of the decision. This includes hearings and compulsory conferences; however, does not include mediation.

Applying for a review for non-attendance

You must:

  • complete an application (usually within 7 days of the original decision) that includes:
    • details of the relevant proceedings and decision
    • when and how you became aware of SACAT's decision
    • your reasons for not appearing or being represented at the relevant hearing.
  • pay the application fee (or apply for a fee waiver)
  • lodge any supporting documents with SACAT.

You may only make one application for a review for non-attendance in respect of the same matter without the permission of the Tribunal.

About non-attendance hearings

Once you have lodged your application, SACAT will then list your application for a hearing. If possible, the hearing will be conducted by the Tribunal member who made the original decision.

The Tribunal member will conduct the hearing in two stages:

  1. The Tribunal member will decide whether you had a reasonable excuse for not attending the original hearing.
  2. If the Tribunal member decides you did have a reasonable excuse for not attending the original hearing they will then review the original decision. If the Tribunal member decides it is appropriate to do so, they can change or revoke the original decision.

If you simply disagree with a decision made by SACAT you should consider lodging a request for an internal review of a SACAT decision.

Reasonable excuses

SACAT must be satisfied that you had a reasonable excuse for not attending and/or not being represented at the original hearing.

You must lodge supporting documentation with the application.

Examples of what may constitute a reasonable excuse:

  • The party was ill and unable to attend, or a member of the party’s immediate family was ill resulting in the person being unable to attend (supported by a medical certificate or evidence of hospital admission)
  • The party did not receive notice of the hearing
  • The party was overseas or interstate and was unaware of the hearing (supported by a copy of an itinerary or airline tickets)
  • The party was working in a remote location and was unable to be contacted (supported by a pay slip or roster)
  • The party was attending a funeral
  • The party was incarcerated.

Examples of what may NOT constitute a reasonable excuse:

  • The party has work
  • The party has a routine dentist appointment
  • The property manager or agent has pre-booked property inspections
  • The property manager or agent has taken sick leave or annual leave.