It is important that everyone involved in your case receives the information they need to participate in a hearing and for the Tribunal Member to make a decision about your case.

For your document to be accepted by SACAT, it must meet a few requirements so it can be understood and relied upon. Your document must:

  • Clearly identify the person who is providing it to SACAT or on whose behalf it is provided
  • Include the SACAT reference number for your matter
  • Be in English - if it is not in English, it must have a translation into English by an accredited professional translator

Relying on new documents at a hearing

You should provide all your evidence and documents to SACAT at least a week before your hearing where possible, or by any date stipulated by the Tribunal.

At a hearing you cannot rely on or present any new evidence without the other people involved in your matter having a reasonable opportunity to consider it.

If you do not provide your evidence and documents as above, then SACAT may refuse to accept and consider it at the hearing. SACAT may also adjourn your hearing for a brief period but this is at the Tribunal member's discretion.

Providing documents

If you have a lawyer or other representation, they must give SACAT and the other people involved in your case the documents and evidence you want to form part of your case. If you have a lawyer, then SACAT will send all correspondence to them.

If you are representing yourself, you must give SACAT and the other people involved in your matter the documents and evidence you want to form part of your case.

For a document to be considered a 'certified copy' it must be certified by a Justice of the Peace (JP).

A JP acts as an independent and objective witness who can certify a true copy of an original document.

You will need to take the original documents, together with photocopies, to a JP. Most local councils provide free JP services.