Administrative Review Tribunal

If you have received a decision that you do not agree with, you may have the right to apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) for review of that decision. This includes decisions made by the Veterans’ Review Board (VRB).

What is the ART

The ART is a tribunal who conducts independent reviews of administrative decisions made under a wide range of Commonwealth laws. It was formerly known as the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).

The tribunal considers each case on its merits by taking a fresh look at the facts, law and policy relating to the original decision, and considers any new information. The tribunal has the power to:

• affirm a decision (agree with the original decision).
• vary (make an alteration to) a decision.
• set aside (disagree with) a decision and substitute a new decision.
• remit (send back) a decision to the original decision-maker for reconsideration.

You can find out more about the ART on its website: Homepage | Administrative Review Tribunal 

The scope of the ART

The ART can review a wide range of decisions including certain veterans’ entitlements and military compensation decisions including under the following Acts:

• Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA)
• Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA)
• Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA).

Not all decisions are directly reviewable by the ART. In many cases, a review must first be completed by the Veterans’ Review Board (VRB) before an application can be made to the ART.

Your decision letter will let you know your application review rights.

More information can be found at Veterans' entitlements.

Appeal timeframes

Your decision letter will include the timeframe for lodging an application for review with the ART.

If you cannot apply within the required timeframe, you can request an extension of time from the ART. It is not guaranteed that your application will be accepted out of time. However, if it is, this may impact the backdating of your benefits.

VEA

You must lodge an application for review with the ART within 3 months of receiving the VRB decision.

Applications may be accepted up to 12 months after the decision, at the ART’s discretion.

MRCA

You must lodge an application for review with the ART within 3 months of receiving the VRB decision.

Applications may be accepted up to 12 months after the decision, at the ART’s discretion.

DRCA

Time limits for DRCA matters depend on when the original decision was made:

• For certain decisions made before 21 April 2025 and reviewed internally by DVA, applications must be lodged within 60 days of receiving the review decision.
• For other DRCA decisions, applications must be lodged within 3 months of receiving the decision.

In most cases, applications may be accepted up to 12 months after the decision, at the ART’s discretion.

How to apply to the ART

To apply for a review, visit the ART website: Veterans' Entitlements | Administrative Review Tribunal.

Costs

No fees apply to requests for review by the ART of decisions under the VEA, DRCA and MRCA.

In limited circumstances the ART may award you legal or associated costs relating to your application.

Who can represent you at the ART

You can deal directly with the ART or you can ask someone to help you, such as:

• veterans' advocate
• family member or friend
• lawyer

Legal Aid

If the ART is reviewing a VRB decision, Legal Aid may be available to you. Legal Aid commissions are independent bodies established under state and territory legislation.

Visit the National Legal Aid website at www.nationallegalaid.org for more information.

Contact the ART

You can find more information on the ART Contact Us page.