High Court of Australia

Information on reviewing the decision to refuse an application to pay financial hardship fee

If you think that the decision to refuse your application to pay the financial hardship fee is wrong you can apply to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal ("AAT") to review it.  

Please note that you should do this within 28 days of receiving the decision.  (If you cannot comply with this time limit, you can ask the AAT for an extension of time.)  Application forms are available from the AAT’s website: www.aat.gov.au.  

You can also apply to the AAT by providing the following information in a letter:
•	your full name, 
•	your residential and postal address(es), 
•	your telephone number and email address, 
•	the date you received the decision, 
•	brief reason(s) why you think the decision is wrong. 

Ideally you should also send a copy of the decision with your review application.  If you can’t do this, please include the following details:
•	a brief description of the decision,
•	the contact details of the person who made that decision,
•	the date the decision was made,
•	the reference number of the decision. 

A fee of $932 is currently payable when making an application to the AAT.  If however you hold a Commonwealth health care card (or a Commonwealth seniors' health care card) that fee is reduced to $100.  If you are suffering from financial hardship, you can also apply to pay the reduced fee of $100.  Please note that you will receive a partial fee refund if:
•	you have paid the full fee, and
•	you are successful in your application.

If your application is unsuccessful however, you will not have to pay the High Court of Australia’s costs.

Please phone the AAT on 1800 228 333 or visit their website for further information.  If you have a hearing or speech impairment, you can call through the National Relay Service  (www.relayservice.com.au).  Legal Aid offices, Community Legal Centres or a privately engaged lawyer may also be able to help you with your application.  

The AAT’s street addresses are available here: https://www.aat.gov.au/contact-us 

Its postal address is: 
GPO Box 9955
In your capital city