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
2026 COAT NSW Conference
Join us for the 2026 COAT NSW Conference, exploring how tribunals and their members can maintain performance under pressure and better serve their communities.
The program will cover inclusive practice, access to justice, emerging challenges in tribunal work, and member wellbeing.
View the full program, speakers and registration details on the conference webpage.
2026 Professional Development Courses
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
Lead complex legal matters, influence strategic decisions, and shape outcomes that make a real difference.
We are currently seeking an experienced Legal Director/Principal Lawyer to join our legal services team.
This is an opportunity to lead high-performing legal teams, contribute to nationally significant administrative review work, and support the Tribunal’s delivery of accessible, fair and efficient reviews.
This hybrid full-time role is available on an ongoing basis. Non-ongoing working arrangements may also be considered. This role can be located in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth or Sydney.
Remuneration: The annual salary range for the position is APS EL 2–$145,680 – $165,622 p.a., plus a generous employer superannuation contribution of 15.4%.
About the opportunity
Lawyers within Legal Services typically provide legal advice and services within one or more specialist areas (including corporate and regulatory, social security, child support, migration, protection and the national disability insurance scheme) with opportunities to work across multiple specialisations.
About you:
Working alongside other Legal Directors/Principal Lawyers, you will lead and undertake work in one or more jurisdictional areas.
You will lead a specialist team of lawyers, providing strategic advice on complex matters to Tribunal members, staff and senior leaders, and collaborate to promote best practice, continuous improvement and ensure the Tribunal’s compliance with the Legal Services Directions 2025.
To be successful you will:
- Be able to lead and develop a team of lawyers to provide specialist strategic legal services, consistent with the Tribunal’s statutory objectives.
- Have demonstrated conceptual and analytical skills of a high order and a strong ability to interpret and apply relevant legislation and legal principles to complex cases and situations.
- Have highly developed interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to negotiate and communicate with influence.
- Provide expert strategic, practical and technically sound legal advice on complex matters relevant to the Tribunal’s functions and operations, with the ability to identify and manage legal risk, escalating issues and potential solutions as appropriate.
- Have a demonstrated ability to think strategically, exercise judgement and provide sound advice on matters relevant to the role.
Qualifications
Essential:
- Admission as a legal practitioner, however described, of the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory.
- Holder of (or eligible to hold) a current unrestricted practising certificate.
Eligibility
- Australian Citizenship
- Australian Federal Police Check
More information about this position, the scope of the role, duties and required capabilities and experience, is contained within the Position Description, which is available via the below link.
Applications close: 20 August, 2026 at 11:45pm AEST
For more information and to apply, visit: https://art.bigredsky.com/page.php?pageID=160&windowUID=0&AdvertID=922281
Do you thrive in a role where you are required to manage multiple priorities whilst delivering a high-quality service?
Join our team as a Member Support Officer – Legal and launch your Legal Career.
With an immediate vacancy in Perth and the possibility of future vacancies across Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, or Sydney, this hybrid, full-time opportunity is available on an ongoing basis within the Member Services section.
Remuneration: The annual salary range for the position is APS4, $79,501 – $86,318 p.a., plus a generous employer superannuation contribution of 15.4%.
About the opportunity
As a Member Support Officer – Legal, you will play a key role in supporting Tribunal Members and Deputy Presidents by providing paralegal, high-quality administrative and case management support that contributes to the efficient progression of Tribunal reviews.
You will work closely with a range of internal and external stakeholders, ensuring matters are managed effectively and proceedings run smoothly. You will assist with hearing preparation, provide in-hearing support when required, and contribute to the delivery of high-quality services.
This is a fantastic opportunity to undertake supervised Practical Legal Training (PLT) work placement and progress your career.
About you:
Proactive and organised, with strong attention to detail you will enjoy working in a collaborative environment,and be committed to continuous improvement and delivering excellent stakeholder service.
To be successful you will have:
- Knowledge of the operations, jurisdiction, practices and procedures of the Tribunal, or an ability to quickly acquire that knowledge, and an ability to apply that knowledge when working on cases and liaising with internal and external stakeholders.
- Highly developed organisational skills, including an ability to manage priorities and workloads, deal with conflicting demands, meet deadlines with limited supervision, and use case management systems.
- Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate clearly, accurately, and respectfully with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrate sound judgement, use initiative, develop new skills, and accept responsibility for personal development, productivity and adherence to policy and procedures.
- Well-developed research skills to facilitate general online research, legal research and research on government policies and procedures.
Qualifications
Essential:
- Completed, or substantially completed, recognised degree in Laws.
Eligibility
- Australian Citizenship
- Australian Federal Police Check
More information about this position, the scope of the role, duties and required capabilities and experience, is contained within the Position Description, which is available via the below link.
Applications close: Sunday 16 August 2026 at 11:45pm (AEST)
For more information and to apply, visit: https://art.bigredsky.com/page.php?pageID=160&windowUID=0&AdvertID=921200
