In most cases, decisions made by SACAT in housing disputes can be reviewed. In these cases, any party to the original case before SACAT can apply to review a decision.

SACAT decisions relating to guardianship, administration, medical treatment and mental health that can be reviewed include:

SACAT decisions that cannot be reviewed

SACAT cannot review some procedural and administrative decisions, for example, but not limited to:

  • The adjournment of proceedings or the refusal to adjourn proceedings;
  • Certain directions regarding hearings being heard in private or restricting the publication of  information/evidence;
  • Allowing parties and their representatives and any witnesses to participate in a hearing in any proceedings by means of telephone, video link or any other method of communication;
  • A decision to conduct all or part of any proceedings entirely on the basis of documents without the parties or their representatives or any witnesses attending or participating in a hearing;
  • Whether a fee is waived, remitted or refunded;
  • A decision regarding an application to stay the operation of an order or decision of the Tribunal;
  • Certain decisions relating to the inspection and copying of material.

The following decisions cannot be reviewed again by SACAT:

  • Disciplinary decisions;
  • Freedom of information decisions;
  • Equal opportunity decisions;
  • Reviews of Government decisions , for example, Freedom of information decisions, Working with Children Check decisions and Firearms decisions.

In some cases there will be a right of appeal to the Supreme Court against decisions that SACAT cannot internally review. You should seek independent legal advice about whether you have a right of appeal.

Applying for an internal review

Section 70(2) of the SACAT Act 2013 allows a period of one calendar month from the date of the decision to lodge your review (except when consent is given to terminate pregnancy).

You should take all steps necessary to submit your review within that timeframe.

If you still want to submit your review after the time has expired, you may apply to SACAT for an extension of time to review. This can be done when completing your notice of review.

SACAT will either allow you to submit your review out of time, or refuse permission for you to do so.

The person who the proceedings are about (eg the patient or protected person) does not have to pay a fee for cases under the:

  • Guardianship and Administration Act 1993
  • Mental Health Act 2009
  • Consent to Medical Treatment and Palliative Care Act 1995
  • Advanced Care Directives Act 2013.

Any other Internal Review applicants are required to pay the relevant fees. If you don’t think you can afford to pay this fee you may be eligible for a fee waiver.

Apply to SACAT

All applications to SACAT are made online. You can use a computer, tablet or smart phone.

Make an application

The application form will prompt you for the information we need.

If you make a SACAT Online Services account, you can return to your application at any time to provide more information or documents before submitting it.

If you are unable to complete the form online, you can contact the Tribunal for assistance on 1800 723 767 and a staff member may assist you complete the form by telephone.

You can also visit SACAT’s offices at Level 4 or 7, 100 Pirie Street, and use a computer at one of SACAT’s public kiosks where staff may also provide assistance.