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 Ms Kathryn McKenzie, COAT Secretariat, on 0418 281 116 or at info@coat.asn.au
Latest News & Events
COAT NATIONAL 2023 CONFERENCE 8-9 JUNE
WESLEY CONFERENCE CENTRE, SYDNEY CBD AND ONLINE
The theme for this year’s conference is “Independence, Integrity and Impartiality in a Changing World”. Preliminary Program now available. Click here to register.
COAT Practice Manual for Tribunals 5th Edition
Please click here for details on the latest edition, the downloadable web version, or to purchase hard copies of the Manual.
ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW REFORM UPDATE – Submissions close 12 May 2023
This notice provides an update on the reform of Australia’s administrative review system. As part of the reform, the Government will abolish the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and establish a new federal administrative review body (new review body) that is user-focussed, efficient, accessible, independent and fair. Key features of the reform include a transparent and merit-based appointments process, appointing additional Members to tackle the existing backlog, a new case management system, process improvements, and accessible support services.
An Expert Advisory Group has also been established to guide the reform to Australia’s system of federal administrative review. For more information, please visit the website.
Public Consultation. A Public Issues Paper has been released to explore the key legislative and policy design questions for a new review body. As part of the Issues Paper consultation, they will also be conducting targeted consultations with a range of stakeholders, including existing AAT staff and members.
ADVANCED DECISION WRITING COURSE
Enrol now in COAT’s online Advanced Decision Writing course designed for experienced Tribunal members. The course features interviews and a series of exercises with some of Australia’s most respected decision-writers who discuss their approach to decision-writing: Justice Jayne Jagot (High Court of Australia), Justice Mark Leeming (NSW Court of Appeal), Justice John Griffith (A/ Justice of the Court of Appeal, formerly justice of the Federal Court of Australia), Justice Rachel Pepper (NSW Land and Environment Court) and Deputy President Bernard McCabe (Administrative Appeals Tribunal).
COAT ON-LINE MEMBER INDUCTION PROGRAM
COAT’s on-line training program designed for recently appointed Tribunal members will continue to be offered. Please register your EOI online for the next intake 21 August to 13 October 2023, or contact our office at secretariat@coat.asn.au.
COAT’s professional development consultant, Annabel Mornement, can be contacted at education@coat.asn.au if you have any queries or requests in relation to professional development.
DECISION WRITING COURSES
COAT’s Decision Writing Courses are designed to improve decision writing skills through analysis, discussion and rewriting aspects of reasons for decision. Please contact our office to note your expression of interest to be included in the next courses, or if you would like an in-house group workshop, or to host a state-based workshop.
Our next 2-week Online Introductory Decision Writing Program will be held 17 July to 4 August 2023. Please register your EOI with our Secretariat at secretariat@coat.asn.au.
