COAT is the national body through which tribunals can come together to examine and compare ideas, working methods, organisation and management, member trainings and support programs.
About the Council of Australasian Tribunals
The COAT is intended to facilitate liaison and discussion between the heads of tribunals. It will support the development of best practice models and model procedural rules, standards of behaviour and conduct for members and increased capacity for training and support for members.
At the inaugural meeting on 6 June 2002 Commonwealth, State, Territory and New Zealand tribunal heads supported a proposal for establishing a Council of Australasian Tribunals… Learn more
Contacting the Council of Australasian Tribunals
If you would like more information about COAT, please contact the COAT Secretariat, on 0418 281 116 or at info@coat.asn.au
Latest News & Events
2026 COAT National Conference – Save the Date
‘Respect, Flexibility, Excellence’
Hosted in Adelaide 4-5 June 2026 at the National Wine Centre of Australia
This year’s conference is now open for registration, and promises a plethora of fabulous speakers, discussions, networking and valuable information. Please visit the conference website for further details and to register: https://coatconference.com.au/
From 2026 and then every two years, the Council of Australasian Tribunals (COAT) will offer an Award of up to $10,000 to encourage research and best practice in an area of tribunal excellence in Australia and New Zealand. The successful applicant will be invited to present the outcome of their study at the COAT annual conference. Find out more / Apply now
2026 Professional Development Courses Now Open for EOI & Registration
Online Induction Program
The Online Induction Program is COAT’s flagship professional development course, designed to support recently appointed Tribunal members — including those with specialist expertise and without legal backgrounds.
Developed and reviewed by a committee of Tribunal experts, the program offers practical guidance on procedural fairness, fact-finding, decision writing, and conducting hearings (including managing self-represented applicants).
Delivered online and self-paced, it combines flexible learning with expert feedback, interactive activities, and two live Teams Meet-ups with senior Tribunal members and the COAT Education Consultant.
2026 Course Dates:
- 13 April – 26 June
- 24 August – 31 October
Cost: $595 + GST. Limited to 20 participants per intake.
Introduction to Decision Writing (Online)
This short, intensive online program helps Tribunal members strengthen their decision-writing skills and gain confidence in preparing clear, reasoned, and persuasive decisions.
Designed primarily for members with less than two years’ experience, the program is also ideal as a refresher for more experienced members. Delivered over three weeks, participants will explore decision structure, complying with the obligation to give adequate reasons, and techniques for writing concise, cogent and timely reasons
2026 Course Dates:
- 20 April – 8 May
- 13 July – 31 July
- 14 September – 2 October
Cost: $495 + GST. Limited to 20 participants per intake.
Advanced Decision Writing (Online) 26-27
This advanced online course is designed for experienced Tribunal members seeking to deepen their decision-writing expertise.
Through a series of in-depth interviews with leading judicial officers — including Justices Jagot, Leeming, Griffith, Pepper, and Deputy President McCabe — participants explore real-world challenges in complex decision writing.
Topics include findings of fact where evidence is finely balanced, dealing with technical or voluminous material, exercising discretion, and structuring multi-issue decisions.
Each interview is paired with practical exercises to reinforce learning and support reflection on personal writing practice.
2026–27 Course Dates:
- 1 Mar – 30 Apr
- 1 Jul – 31 Aug
- 1 Sep – 31 Oct
- 1 Nov 2026 – 15 Jan 2027
Cost: $500 (members) | $650 (non-members) + GST.
LATEST VACANCIES
The Administrative Review Tribunal is seeking applications for multiple Senior Lawyers to join the Legal Services team. Opportunities are available on an ongoing and non-ongoing basis for a period of up to 12 months, with the possibility of extension.
These roles offer hybrid working arrangements following an initial period of onsite training and completion of probation.
Positions are available in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth or Sydney.
Remuneration: The annual salary range for the position is EL1 – $121,755 – 143,202 p.a., plus a generous employer superannuation contribution of 15.4%.
About the opportunity
The Senior Lawyer undertakes a range of duties within the Legal Services section to support Tribunal staff and members to perform their roles lawfully and efficiently.
Key responsibilities include:
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- undertaking legal research
- responding to requests for legal advice
- developing legal resources
- development and delivery of training programs
- supervising and leading lawyers and/or support staff
The Legal Services section is led by Principal Lawyers (EL2) and comprises Senior Lawyers (EL1) and Lawyers (APS5 and APS6) located across multiple offices nationally. You will work collaboratively with colleagues to deliver high-quality, accessible legal services to internal clients.
The section has a presence in most of the Tribunal’s Registry locations across Australia. While there are opportunities to work across multiple jurisdictional areas of specialisation such as Migration, Protection, Social Security, Child Support, National Disability Insurance Scheme and Corporate Law; applications are particularly encouraged from candidates with experience in Migration, Protection and Social Security.
Applications Close: 27/05/2026 11:45 PM
For more information and to apply visit: https://art.bigredsky.com/page.php?pageID=160&windowUID=0&AdvertID=909712
