(AAT) Administrative Appeals Tribunal: Veterans' entitlements and military compensation

Can we help? 

What we can review 

We can review a range of decisions about veterans’ entitlements and military compensation, primarily decisions made under the following laws: 

the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 

the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related claims) Act 1988, and 

the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986. 

The decision letter should tell you if we can review the decision or you can check the List of reviewable decisions. 

What we cannot do 

review every decision made about veterans’ entitlements and military compensation 

review most decisions made under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act or decisions made about attendant allowance, disability pension or war widow(er)’s pension under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act unless the decision has been reviewed by the Veterans’ Review Board 

review most other decisions made under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act unless they have been internally reviewed by the Repatriation Commission 

review most decisions made under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act unless they have been internally reviewed by the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission. 

How to apply 

An easy way to apply for a review is online.  

You can also apply by: 

filling in an application form 

email (limit 10MB) 

letter. 

What information do I need to give? 

If you write a letter or email, make sure you include: 

your name, postal address, telephone number and email address 

the date you received the decision 

a copy of the decision 

brief reasons why you think the decision is wrong. 

If you cannot send us a copy of the decision, then include: 

the name of department, agency or organisation that made the decision 

a brief description of the decision 

the date the decision was made. 

Time limits 

Is there a time limit for applying? 

Yes. You can check the decision letter to find out what the time limit is to lodge an application for review. 

Military compensation decisions 

The time limit to apply for a review of a decision under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 made by the Veterans’ Review Board is 3 months after you receive the decision. 

The time limit to apply for a review of a reconsideration decision made by the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related claims) Act 1988 is 60 days after you receive the decision. 

Veterans’ entitlements decisions 

The time limit to apply for a review of most veterans’ entitlements decisions is 3 months after you receive the decision. 

What can I do if the time limit has expired? 

You can apply to us to extend the time to lodge your application. You must apply in writing and include reasons why the application is late. You can do this: 

when you lodge your application for review online; or 

by filling in an application for extension of time form and sending it to us with the application for review of decision form; or 

by writing an email or letter. 

Check our contact details to lodge the application at one of our registries, or send the application by post, email or fax.  

What happens after you apply for an extension of time? 

We will send a copy of your extension application to the decision-maker. They have 14 days to tell us if they oppose the application. 

If they do not oppose the application, we will generally make a decision without holding a hearing. If they oppose the application, we will usually hold a hearing before deciding the application. The hearing might be by telephone or in person at the AAT's offices. 

We will only start the review if we decide to extend the time limit. 

Fees 

Do I have to pay an application fee? 

No. There is no fee to apply for a review of a decision made under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related claims) Act 1988 or the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986.