Hearings are usually held at:
- South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT)
- 4th Floor, 100 Pirie Street, Adelaide.
Hearings are usually open to the public and recorded. Decisions may be published.
You will be asked to make an oath or affirmation at the start.
Published decisions and access to records
Some SACAT decisions made under the Act are published on the Australasian Legal Information Institute website.
SACAT decides whether a decision will be published. If a decision has not been published, you can contact SACAT to ask whether the information is available and how to access it.
Request transcripts, audio and other documents form SACAT.
Preliminary hearing
The Tribunal member will usually:
- decide whether there is a case to answer
- decide whether legal representation is allowed
- identify whether further information is needed.
If the matter proceeds, SACAT will set a full hearing date.
Evidence and witnesses
SACAT is not bound by the rules of evidence, but it considers whether information is reliable.
Written statements may be used. Evidence given in person may be more persuasive.
Witnesses may be required to attend the full hearing. If a witness is unwilling to attend, SACAT may issue a summons.
Decision and orders
After hearing from both sides, SACAT may:
- make a decision and issue an order that must be followed
- provide a written copy of the order to the parties.
For retirement village matters, SACAT may reserve its decision to a later date.
SACAT can provide written reasons for its decision if requested by a person affected by the order.
If you or a party does not attend
If you cannot attend for a serious reason (for example, illness), contact the SACAT Registry as soon as possible. SACAT may be able to arrange another date.
If a party does not attend and SACAT is satisfied notice was sent to the correct address, the hearing may proceed without them.
