Directions hearings are brief hearings to deal with procedural issues and progress your review. They are mostly managed by registrars but may also be conducted by Tribunal members. A directions hearing usually goes for about an hour.

Directions hearings are the first case event for many applications. At these events the Tribunal will help the parties:

• talk about the decision under review and identify the issues in dispute
• identify any further evidence to gather (including by issuing summons)
• consider if dispute resolution may be appropriate
• identify the appropriate second case event, if any.

After the first directions hearing we will:

• hold another directions hearing to deal with any remaining procedural issues, or
• in some types of reviews, hold a conference or conciliation, or
• list the review for hearing.

A directions hearing may also happen if:

• you, the decision-maker or another party ask for it, or
• if we decide it is needed to progress a matter where a party has not complied with a legal requirement or with a direction made by us.  

Interlocutory hearings are brief hearings conducted by a Tribunal member to deal with issues such as:

• whether we have jurisdiction (or the power) to deal with your application
• extensions of time
• questions about the relevant law
• summons objections. 

A conference is an informal, private discussion arranged by us to talk about your review. Conferences are held in some types of reviews and might resolve your case. 

Conferences are usually conducted by a registrar and go for about an hour. At the first conference the registrar will help the parties:

• talk about the decision under review, including to identify and try and to narrow the issues in dispute
• clarify the positions of each of the parties
• consider any new evidence, and identify any further evidence to gather (including by issuing summonses)
• explore whether the parties can reach an agreed outcome
• consider if further dispute resolution like a conciliation may be appropriate
• talk about what happens next.

If you and the decision-maker come to an agreement about the decision, the terms of the agreement must be put in writing, signed by all the parties and sent to us. If you are the applicant, you might decide you want to withdraw the application after the conference. 

If you do not reach an agreed outcome at the conference we might:

• hold another case conference, or
• hold a conciliation, or
• hold a directions hearing, or
• list the review for hearing.

The registrar might ask or direct you or the decision-maker to give us more information. You must give us any information we ask for by the date we tell you.

If the parties can't agree, we will list the review for a hearing before a Tribunal member to make a decision on your review.

A conciliation is an informal, private discussion conducted by a registrar or Tribunal member to help the parties try to reach an agreement. 

A conciliation usually goes for 2-3 hours but they can be longer. 

The conciliation must be attended by:

• you and your representative, such as a lawyer or advocate, if you have one
• a representative of the original decision-maker with the authority to discuss and resolve the matter
• the decision-maker’s legal representative, if they have one
• any other party to the review and their representative.

The following people may also attend a conciliation:

• a support person for you, such as a friend or family member
• an interpreter provided by the Tribunal if you need one. 

We prefer that you and the decision-maker attend in person or via videoconference, but a telephone conciliation can be arranged if necessary.

You should read through all the documents you have been given before the conciliation, including the T documents.  You should also think about:

• what outcome you want from the review
• what you are willing to negotiate and compromise on

and be prepared to participate in the conciliation in good faith and with an open mind. 

At the conciliation, the registrar or Tribunal member will help the parties to:

• talk about the issues in the case and decide which issues have not been resolved
• talk about the evidence in the case and hear each other’s point of view
• consider the strengths and weaknesses of the case
• consider the alternatives to resolving the matter
• talk about what you and the decision-maker can do to reach an agreement
• set a timetable to put an agreement in place.

If you and the decision-maker come to an agreement about the decision, the terms of the agreement must be put in writing, signed by all the parties and sent to us. 

If you are the applicant, you might also decide you want to withdraw the application after the conciliation.

If you don't reach an agreed outcome at the conciliation and want to proceed with your review, we will:  

• make directions (send you information) to help you prepare for the hearing and
• discuss hearing matters with you including the mode of hearing, party and witness availability, estimated hearing duration, and any accessibility requirements.  

We will then list the review for hearing before a Tribunal member to make a decision on your review.  

For most types of cases, the hearing is an opportunity for you, a representative of the decision-maker and any other party, to present information and arguments about the decision under review.

In immigration, protection visa and Centrelink cases, there will not be a representative of the decision-maker at your hearing.

The hearing follows a legal process but it is informal. It will usually be conducted by one Tribunal member. The member is the person who will make a decision about the review. 

Learn more about what happens during a hearing.

We will write to you to tell you what to do to arrange an interpreter. You can't have a relative or friend interpret for you.

If you tell us before the hearing, we can arrange and pay for a qualified interpreter to attend the hearing.