A lawyer can:

• consider and give advice about the applicable law;
• determine whether your matter can be heard by the tribunal:
  • not all matters can be heard by tribunals. For example the AAT cannot hear all federal law matters. The federal law must state that the AAT has jurisdiction (authority) ;
• determine how to approach the matter:
  • most tribunals will not consider a matter unless you have made previous attempts to negotiate a solution to your dispute. A lawyer can assist you with this;
• prepare the relevant documents required by the tribunal; and
• in some instances appear on your behalf before the tribunal at conferences and hearings.

The AAT has a legal advice scheme in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia. Under this scheme a Legal Aid solicitor attends most days at the AAT registry to advise and provide minor legal assistance to self-represented parties.  If you wish to seek further support you can apply to Legal Aid. Please see our Legal Aid topic for more information. People attending a tribunal can also seek assistance from a Community Legal Centre.

Tribunals can only review a decision if the law (through an Act, Regulation or other legislative instrument) declares that the decision is subject to review by the tribunal. A lawyer can determine whether your matter can be heard at a tribunal, the appropriate tribunal to apply to and what rules and procedures apply in that tribunal.