Navigating the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for your NDIS
The AAT was replaced by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) on 14 October 2024. Same idea: an independent look at an NDIA decision. Dates are strict.
Pathways
More than one door can help.
Local people
Health, housing, and community.
What to take
Notes you already keep.
This is general information, not legal advice. Plan Decoder cannot represent you. If you are in crisis, call Lifeline 13 11 14. If you are in danger, call 000.
Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion — independent explainer. The AAT is now the ART.. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOizkbyHD-4. This is not an NDIA video. Check ndis.gov.au for official steps.
A calm order of steps
- Keep the decision letter and the date you received it.
- Ask the NDIA for an internal review first (usually within 3 months).
- If you still disagree, apply to the ART, usually within 28 days of that internal review.
- If the NDIA has not finished the internal review in 90 days, ask the ART whether it can start anyway.
- There is no application fee for NDIS reviews.
- Ask for an NDIS Appeals Program advocate, or Legal Aid.
The ART can look at
Access decisions, supports in a plan, some nominee and child decisions — after internal review.
The ART cannot
Investigate a complaint about NDIA service, or change the law. Use the Commission or Ombudsman for those.
How to apply (official ART video)
Administrative Review Tribunal — official. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOEaT71ZKhg. This is not an NDIA video. Check ndis.gov.au for official steps.
Apply: online NDIS form · art.gov.au NDIS page · phone 1800 228 333 · email reviews@art.gov.au
Free advocate: NDIS Appeals Program