After the Migration & Refugee Division of the AAT issued COVID-19 Special Measures Practice Direction dated 27 April 2020 (“the Direction”) with effect from 29 April 2020, the AAT is now working towards resuming limited in-person hearings in the registries at Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Perth and Sydney.
The AAT is preparing to schedule in-person hearings within the next few weeks for matters in which a remote hearing is not practicable and deferment is not an option.The AAT is considering to list in-person hearings in accordance with the Direction on a case by case basis. In appropriate matters, the AAT will contact the parties as to hearing arrangements.
However, for the time being, most AAT hearings will continue to be conducted remotely via video conference or telephone.