What is AAT and what are the steps to respond to an AAT hearing invitation?

What is the AAT?

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal is an independent merits review body that can review decisions made by the Australian government which include the visas. The AAT goal is to be fair and take quick decisions and to consider the case with a fresh point of view. If you are facing such a situation, then make sure to contact the migration agents in Brisbane as they can tell you what needs to be done when you want to apply for AAT.

At this point, you can even submit the supporting documents and explain why the visa needs to be granted. If you lodged a visa application, then you will be given a Tribunal member who will judge the case. There is a hearing and you will be invited and any witness to go through the case. If your evidence makes them satisfied then a positive decision will be given without any hearing. Once the hearing is done, the AAT can:

• Affirm the department’s decision (i.e. you lose your AAT review), or
• Remit the application to the department (i.e. you win your AAT case)
• Finds it has no jurisdiction to hear your case. 

Hearing invitations and how to respond to them

Hearing invitation

You will be given a hearing invitation for a certain date and time. You need to respond within 7 days. Make sure your email is correct along with the postal address. If the representative is changed then make sure to inform AAT. You need to check the junk inbox daily.

What happens once you receive the invitation?

Once the invitation letter is received you need to:

• Read the letter completely to check the details such as the time, address, hearing, the member, and how long the hearing is expected to take.
• Make sure to take all the documents requested by the tribunal and when you need to submit them.
• Fill the form of ‘response to hearing invitation- MR Division’ and sign it.
• Within 7 days send the response form and confirm that you are going to attend it. The form will have all the options to return the form which can be done online, post, tax, or by email.

*In case you are not able to attend the hearing, then ask the tribunal to postpone it but it is up to them whether they want to consider your request or not. Only if you have good reasons then you will be given a scheduled time in the future.

Should I ask for an interpreter?

You can write whether there is a need for an interpreter or not. It is best to have an interpreter at the time of hearing. If English is not your first language then it can be beneficial for you. It is possible that you do not have the right words in your mind while hearing which makes the situation complex. Keep in mind, you do not have to pay extra to use the services of an interpreter. For more information, get in touch with the migration agent today only.