The Government will abolish the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and replace it with a new federal administrative review body.

Key features of this new body will include:

• • implementing a transparent and merit-based appointments process
  • providing additional capacity to enable the rapid resolution of existing backlogs
  • implementing consistent funding and remuneration arrangements
  • implementing a single, updated case management system
  • introducing procedural efficiencies and process improvements, and
  • support services and emphasising early resolution where possible.

The Attorney-General will introduce legislation into Parliament in 2023 to establish the new federal administrative review body.

All matters currently before the AAT will continue. Many cases currently before the AAT will be finalised before the new federal administrative review body is established. As an interim measure, while the new body is being established, the government will move quickly to address the backlogs that have developed over recent years by appointing 75 new members to the AAT.

Once the new body is established, any remaining cases will transition to the new body.