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
2024 COAT NSW Conference
Friday, 11 October 2024 at the Pullman Hotel on Hyde Park in Sydney – In-person only.
This year’s conference – Back Together – Back to Basics – will involve a mix of topics designed to enhance the knowledge and skills relevant to anyone working in tribunals. Commissioner the Honourable Paul Brereton will be the keynote speaker and will discuss the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Justice Brian Preston of the NSW Land and Environment Court will present on the topic of decision writing and Justice Kristina Stern of the NSW Supreme Court has agreed to deliver a paper on procedural fairness. Provisional Program now available! Early bird discounted fees close 30 August – BOOK NOW! Please visit the conference website for further details and updates as they are confirmed.
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 March 2025 – dates TBA, 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 3-week Online Introductory Decision Writing Programs will be held 15 July – 3 August 2024. Please register your EOI with our Secretariat at secretariat@coat.asn.au.
