Appointments to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal

The Australian Government announced on 16 December 2022 it will abolish the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and replace it with a new federal administrative review body. The government also announced new AAT Appointment Guidelines (guidelines). These guidelines set out a transparent and merit-based process for the appointment (including reappointment) of members.

This page provides information on appointment opportunities for the AAT and for the new administrative review body. This page will be updated periodically as opportunities are advertised.

President of the AAT

On 24 May 2023, the Attorney-General announced his intention to recommend to the Governor-General that he appoint the Hon Justice Emilios Kyrou AO as the next President of the AAT and as a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia. It is proposed that the appointment be for a term of 5 years and begin on 9 June 2023.

The new President will lead the AAT through the period of reform and will become the inaugural President of the new federal administrative review body, once established, for the remainder of his term.

Additional AAT members to address the backlog

The government will appoint at least 75 additional members to the AAT to address an existing backlog of cases. These members will be appointed for a fixed term of up to 2 years. The process is being conducted in accordance with the new guidelines.

Expressions of interest for these positions closed on Wednesday 8 March 2023.

Successful appointees will be announced in due course.

Members of the new administrative review body

Expressions of interest for membership of the new administrative review body will be advertised later in 2023. People interested in an appointment to the new administrative review body will need to apply through this process, which will be conducted in accordance with the new guidelines. This includes all current non-judicial members of the AAT.