What the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) does
SACAT was established under the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 and brought together several former tribunals and boards, including the Residential Tenancies Tribunal and the Guardianship Board. It exercises an original jurisdiction (hearing disputes and making orders), a review jurisdiction (re-examining certain government and administrative decisions on their merits), and an internal review and appeal function for some of its own decisions. Hearings are deliberately less formal than a court: the focus is on resolving matters fairly, quickly and at low cost, and parties are often able to take part without a lawyer. SACAT can use conferences, conciliation and mediation to help people reach agreement before a matter goes to a full hearing.
What it hears
- Residential tenancy and housing disputes between landlords, agents and tenants - covering bonds, rent, repairs and terminations
- Guardianship applications - appointing a guardian to make accommodation, health and lifestyle decisions for a person with decision-making incapacity
- Administration applications - appointing an administrator to manage the financial and legal affairs of a person with incapacity
- Mental health and consent to medical treatment matters under the relevant South Australian legislation
- Administrative review of government decisions on their merits - for example public and community housing decisions, land valuation, and some licensing and agency decisions
- Internal reviews and appeals of SACAT's own decisions, heard by a differently constituted Tribunal
- Community, retirement village and strata or community titles disputes
- Advance care directives and other substitute decision-making matters
Before your first court date
You start a matter by lodging an application and paying the application fee. You can apply online, by phone with a Tribunal Case Officer, by post, or in person at the registry reception. Fee waivers or exemptions are available if you cannot afford the fee. Once your application is lodged, SACAT notifies the other parties and decides how the matter will be handled - some matters are listed for a conference, conciliation or mediation first, while others go straight to a hearing. You will be told the date and what type of event it is by email, post or phone. If you are a respondent, check whether you are required to lodge a response before the listed date, and read all the documents you receive carefully so you know what is being asked of you and by when.
What happens at your first appearance
Your first event at SACAT is often a conference rather than a formal hearing - a less formal meeting where the Tribunal tries to help the parties reach agreement. If agreement is reached, the Tribunal can record it; if not, a hearing date is set. At a hearing the proceedings are relatively informal: the applicant usually presents their case first, then the other party responds, and the Tribunal member may ask questions of both sides. You can bring your evidence and any witnesses, and you can represent yourself. Arrive early, bring copies of your documents, and be ready to explain clearly what outcome you are seeking. The Tribunal may give its decision out loud on the day or send it in writing afterwards, with reasons.
What to prepare
- All documents relevant to your matter - for example the lease, bond record, notices, letters, emails, photographs, invoices or medical and assessment reports
- Copies of your key documents for yourself, the Tribunal and the other party
- A short, clear written summary of what happened and the outcome or order you are asking SACAT to make
- The names and contact details of any witnesses, and any statements they have provided
- Your application or response reference details and the notice setting out your date, time and the type of event
- If relevant, evidence about your finances or capacity to pay, or any fee waiver or exemption request
When to get legal advice
SACAT is designed so that people can take part without a lawyer, and for many straightforward tenancy or fee disputes you may be comfortable representing yourself. Consider getting legal advice if your matter is complex or high-value, if it involves guardianship, administration, mental health or someone's capacity, if there is a lot of contested evidence, or if you are facing an internal review or appeal. A lawyer can help you understand the relevant law, prepare your evidence, and present your case. This page is general information only - for advice about your specific situation you can book a fixed-fee consultation with an admitted Australian lawyer through Legal Hotline.
Where it is
Principal registry: Level 4, 100 Pirie Street, Adelaide SA 5000. Postal address: GPO Box 2361, Adelaide SA 5001. The registry is open 9:00am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. Pirie Street is in the Adelaide CBD, close to public transport. Check your notice for the correct location, as some matters are heard at regional venues or by phone or video.
Frequently asked questions
Is SACAT a court?
No. SACAT is a tribunal, not a court. It is an independent body that resolves civil disputes and reviews certain government decisions, and its hearings are designed to be more informal, lower-cost and more accessible than court proceedings.
What kinds of matters does SACAT deal with?
SACAT handles a wide range of matters, including residential tenancy and housing disputes, guardianship and administration applications, mental health and consent to treatment matters, reviews of certain government decisions, and community, retirement village and strata or community titles disputes.
Do I need a lawyer at SACAT?
Not necessarily. SACAT is set up so that people can take part and represent themselves. You may still choose to get legal advice or representation, particularly for complex, high-value or capacity-related matters, or where there is a lot of contested evidence.
How do I start a matter at SACAT?
You lodge an application and pay the application fee. You can apply online, by phone with a Tribunal Case Officer, by post, or in person at the registry. Fee waivers or exemptions are available if you cannot afford the fee.
What is a conference at SACAT?
A conference is a less formal meeting where the Tribunal helps the parties try to reach agreement. Many matters go to a conference first. If you reach agreement, the Tribunal can record it; if not, a hearing date is set.
What happens at a SACAT hearing?
At a hearing the applicant usually presents their case first, then the other party responds, and the Tribunal member may ask questions. You can bring your documents and witnesses. The Tribunal may give a decision on the day or send it in writing afterwards with reasons.
Can I challenge a SACAT decision?
In many cases, yes. Some SACAT decisions can be the subject of an internal review by a differently constituted Tribunal, and certain matters may be appealed further. Time limits apply, so check your decision notice and consider getting advice quickly if you want to challenge an outcome.
Where is SACAT located and how do I contact it?
The principal registry is at Level 4, 100 Pirie Street, Adelaide SA 5000, open 9:00am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday. You can phone 1800 723 767 or email [email protected]. Always check your notice, as some matters are heard at other venues or by phone or video.