AASB |
Australian Accounting Standards Board |
AAT |
Administrative Appeals Tribunal |
ADR |
Alternative dispute resolution |
Affirm |
If the Tribunal affirms a decision under review, the original decision stands (is unchanged). |
Alternative dispute resolution |
A process for resolving a dispute, other than at a hearing. The AAT employs five processes: conference, conciliation, mediation, case appraisal and neutral evaluation. |
Applicant |
The person, organisation, department or agency that has lodged an application with the AAT. |
Application for extension of time |
An application for review of a decision must be lodged with the AAT within a certain time limit. However, an application may be made to extend the time for lodging an application. |
APRA |
Australian Prudential Regulation Authority |
APS |
Australian Public Service |
ASIC |
Australian Securities and Investments Commission |
ASIO |
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation |
AVS |
Australian Valuation Solutions |
CASA |
Civil Aviation Safety Authority |
Case appraisal |
An alternative dispute resolution process conducted by an AAT member or other person, chosen on the basis of their knowledge of the subject matter, who assists the parties to resolve the dispute by providing a non-binding opinion on the facts in dispute and likely outcomes. |
COAT |
Council of Australasian Tribunals |
Conciliation |
An alternative dispute resolution process in which an AAT member or Conference Registrar assists the parties to identify the issues in dispute and endeavour to reach an agreement. The conciliator has no determinative role but may advise on or determine the conciliation process, make suggestions on terms of settlement and actively encourage the parties to reach an agreement. |
Conference |
A meeting conducted by an AAT member or Conference Registrar with the parties and/or their representatives. Conferences provide an opportunity to discuss and define the issues in dispute, identify further evidence that may be gathered, explore whether the matter can be settled and discuss the future conduct of the matter. |
Confidentiality order |
The Tribunal may make an order directing that a hearing or part of a hearing be held in private. The Tribunal may also give directions prohibiting or restricting the publication or other disclosure of information tending to reveal the identity of a party or witness, evidence given before the Tribunal or matters contained in documents lodged with the AAT. |
CSS |
Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme |
Directions hearing |
A hearing to deal with procedural matters such as the exchange of statements or documents, to clarify issues relating to the conduct of a hearing or to progress a matter in which there has been delay by a party. Directions hearings are conducted by AAT members. |
Dismissal of application |
The Tribunal may, in certain circumstances, dismiss an application without proceeding to review the decision. An application may be dismissed, for example, at the request of the parties, if the applicant fails to appear at an ADR process, directions hearing or hearing, or if the Tribunal is satisfied that the application is frivolous or vexatious. |
GST |
Goods and Services Tax |
Hearing |
The occasion at which the parties may present to the Tribunal evidence and submissions in relation to the decision under review. Parties may call witnesses to give evidence. A hearing is conducted by one, two or three members. |
IASAJ |
International Association of Supreme Administrative Jurisdictions |
Interlocutory application |
Any application made by a party that relates to an application for review of a decision, including an application for an extension of time to lodge an application, to stay the operation of the decision under review or for a confidentiality order. |
Mediation |
An alternative dispute resolution process during which an AAT member or Conference Registrar assists the parties to identify the issues in dispute, develop options, consider alternatives and endeavour to reach an agreement. The mediator has no advisory or determinative role in relation to the content of the dispute but may advise on or determine the mediation process. |
MRT |
Migration Review Tribunal |
NAATI |
National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters |
NDIA |
National Disability Insurance Agency |
NDIS |
National Disability Insurance Scheme |
Neutral evaluation |
An alternative dispute resolution process in which an AAT member or other person, chosen on the basis of their knowledge of the subject matter, assists the parties to resolve the dispute by evaluating the facts and law at issue in the dispute and providing a non-binding opinion on the likely outcomes. |
NOOT |
Negotiating Outcomes on Time competition held by the AAT for university law students. |
OPA |
Official Public Account |
Outreach |
An AAT program that provides self-represented parties with information about AAT practices and procedures and other assistance in the review process. |
Party |
A participant in the proceedings before the AAT. A party can be the person who makes the application, the decision-maker or other respondent to the application and any other person joined to the proceedings. |
Party joined |
A person, department or agency whose interests are affected by a decision under review may be made a party to the proceeding by order of the Tribunal. This person, department, or agency is a party joined. |
PBS |
Portfolio Budget Statements which are prepared to explain the Budget appropriations for agencies within a portfolio in terms of outcomes and programs. |
PSPF |
Protective Security Policy Framework |
PSS |
Public Sector Superannuation Scheme |
PSSap |
Public Sector Superannuation accumulation plan |
RRT |
Refugee Review Tribunal |
Remit |
The Tribunal may set aside a decision and remit it (send it back) to the original decision-maker to be reconsidered in accordance with any directions or recommendations of the Tribunal. |
Respondent |
The party who responds to or answers an application; usually the department, agency or organisation that made the original decision. |
Section 37 Documents |
The statement and documents that a decision-maker must provide to the AAT and the other party under section 37 of Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975. They are generally known as the ‘T Documents' and include the reasons for the decision under review and all other relevant documents. |
Set aside |
The Tribunal may set aside a decision under review. The effect is that the Tribunal disagrees with the original decision and may make a new decision or remit the matter (send it back) to the original decision-maker. |
SSAT |
Social Security Appeals Tribunal |
Stay order |
An order of the AAT to suspend the operation or implementation of the decision under review until the matter is determined or resolved. |
Summons |
A notice issued by the AAT calling a person to appear before it to give evidence or to produce documents to it. |
STCT |
Small Taxation Claims Tribunal |
TRACS |
The AAT's electronic case management system. |
Vary |
The Tribunal may vary a decision under review. This means that the Tribunal changes or alters the original decision. |
VRB |
Veterans' Review Board |