Table V – Social security reviews and appeals

Table V – Social security reviews and appeals

A lump sum preparation fee is payable for Authorised Review Officer (ARO) review, Social Security Appeals tribunal (SSAT) appeals and Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) appeals.

Separate appearance fees are provided for SSAT appeal and AAT appeal. A discrete grant of assistance is required for each stage.

These fees are effective from 1 January 2015. For fees payable prior to this see Archived versions of the Handbook.

ARO review

The lump sum preparation fee of $1271 includes:

  • taking instructions
  • making freedom-of-information (FOI) requests
  • reading all material
  • obtaining any necessary medical or other report
  • drafting submission
  • reading decision and advising client.

SSAT appeal

The lump sum preparation fees in the table below include:

  • taking instructions
  • making FOI requests
  • reading all material
  • obtaining any necessary medical or other report
  • taking instructions from witnesses
  • drafting submission
  • reading decision and advising client.
Service/proceeding Fee payable
Preparation fee if ARO review aided $723
Preparation fee if ARO review not aided $1447
Preparation fee: appearance before SSAT $928

AAT appeal

The lump sum preparation fees in the table below include:

  • taking instructions
  • making FOI requests
  • reading all material
  • obtaining any necessary medical or other report
  • taking instructions from witnesses
  • drafting submission
  • reading decision and advising client.
Service/proceeding Fee payable
If SSAT appeal aided $904
If SSAT appeal not aided $1628
Appearance before AAT: conference $194
Appearance before AAT: daily fee) $1504

Practitioners can claim these fees using ATLAS or submitting a tax invoice.