The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) has an Appeal Panel that hears internal appeals against many of the Tribunal's own decisions. This page shows Appeal Panel matters listed in Sydney, including appeals from decisions of the Consumer and Commercial Division, for the current sitting day and the next one.
What the Appeal Panel does
NCAT began on 1 January 2014, when it replaced a number of separate tribunals in New South Wales. Most of its decisions are made in one of its divisions, such as the Consumer and Commercial Division, which deals with tenancy, strata, home building, consumer claims and motor vehicle disputes. If a party believes a division made an error, they may be able to appeal to the Appeal Panel instead of going straight to a court.
An appeal is not a fresh hearing of the whole dispute. In many cases a party can appeal as of right only on a question of law. Appeals on other grounds, such as a claim that the decision was unfair or against the weight of evidence, generally need the Appeal Panel's permission, which is called leave to appeal. The Panel is usually made up of one or more senior members of the Tribunal.
What you may see on the list
- Directions hearings that set a timetable for written submissions and evidence.
- Appeal hearings, where both sides make their arguments to the Panel.
- Stay applications, asking the Panel to pause the original orders while the appeal is decided.
Matters are generally shown by the names of the parties. Some appeals are decided on the papers without a hearing, so not every appeal will appear on a list.
Time limits and getting started
Strict time limits apply to lodging an internal appeal, and they run from the date of the decision or the date written reasons are given. Check the time limit on the NCAT website as soon as you receive a decision you want to challenge, because a late appeal may need a separate application to extend time. NCAT can be contacted on 1300 006 228.
Related lists
The original decisions are made at first-instance hearings, which appear on lists such as the NCAT Sydney CCD page. Appeal Panel matters in Western Sydney are listed on the NCAT Parramatta Appeal Panel page.
Attending a hearing
Hearings may take place in person, by phone or by video, so read your notice of hearing carefully. Arrive early if you are attending in person, bring copies of the decision being appealed and any documents you have filed, and keep your phone silent. Further appeals from the Appeal Panel go to the Supreme Court in limited circumstances. This page is general information only and not legal advice.