Role of a Tribunal
Tribunals are set up to deal with specialist areas, such as workers compensation, mental health, planning and discrimination issues. The courts exercise a supervisory control on these tribunals to ensure that they operate fairly. Decisions of tribunals may be appealed in the Supreme Court.
Tribunals are usually less formal than courts. They resolve disputes such as
- arguments between neighbours about plants and trees
- planning applications and appeals
- workers compensation claims
- social security disputes
Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
The Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (TASCAT) is a statutory independent body that resolves disputes and makes decisions where required by law.
The scope of TASCAT’s decision-making functions is very broad, including:
- Guardianship matters, mental health matters and some review rights in the new Community, Children and Families Stream under the Protective Division
- administrative reviews, appeals and originating proceedings related to personal compensation, resource and planning, Anti-Discrimination, civil disputes, disciplinary proceedings and a miscellaneous group of Acts under the General Division.
TASCAT is arranged into divisions and streams to ensure efficient and effective decision-making functions occur, with appropriate supervision by the President, Division Heads/Deputy Presidents, and the Principal Registrar/Deputy Registrars.
TASCAT’s objectives are set out under section 10(1) of the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2020.
For information about making an application to the Tribunal, what happens when a matter is with the Tribunal, decisions of the Tribunal and more, go to the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (TASCAT) website.
Parole Board of Tasmania
The Parole Board makes decisions about which prisoners will be released on parole and any conditions of a prisoners parole. For information about how the Parole Board makes these decisions and a listing of decisions, go to the Parole Board of Tasmania website.
Tasmanian Industrial Commission
The Tasmanian Industrial Commission role is to conciliate and arbitrate industrial disputes, set wage rates and terms and conditions of employment, mainly for the Tasmanian State Service.
For daily lists for hearings with the Tasmanian Industrial Commission, information on going to hearings, decisions and more, go to the Tasmanian Industrial Commission website.
Tasmanian Planning Commission
The Tasmanian Planning Commission assesses and determines major projects, planning schemes and planning scheme amendments, and planning scheme amendments with associated developments.
For planning schemes for Tasmanian municipalities, outcomes of hearings and more, go to the Tasmanian Planning Commission website.
Mining Tribunal
The Mining Tribunal deals with disputes, mediation and other matters around a mineral tenement, prospecting, exploring or mining.
Go to the Mining Tribunal webpage.