Upcoming Events & Training Courses
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
We look forward to seeing you to celebrate 2025, the lead up to the holiday season and a New Year! Catch up with friends and colleagues and make new acquaintances.
BOOK NOW! $15. Click here to book.
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:
- 23 February – 1 May (extended to allow for Easter and ANZAC Holidays)
- 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, procedural obligations under s 43 of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 (Cth), and techniques for writing 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 2025 – 15 Jan 2027
Cost: $500 (members) | $650 (non-members) + GST.
