12-OCT-2018 AAT – Refunds with the use of EFT

Applications to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) for migration matters generally attract an application fee and a refund for the review of migration decisions may be paid where an application is resolved in the applicant’s favour, when the AAT does not have jurisdiction to review the matter, or where a fee reduction or waiver is granted.
The AAT will be moving to the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) by default for all refunds. Applicants due a refund will be contacted at the same time as their decision is made where possible, advising them of the need to provide EFT details in order to receive their refund. AAT will pay the applicant their refund within 7 days of receiving their bank details.
In the event that no contact is received, the AAT will still record that an amount is due to the applicant, and follow up via email, phone or postal mail at least three times before ceasing active follow up activity. A refund will still be issued if the applicant contacts the AAT in the future. However if the applicant is living overseas the AAT will still issue a cheque in these situations, but will require the applicant to contact AAT us to confirm their address and refund requirements first.
The AAT’s current practice is to contact refund beneficiaries requesting bank details so that a direct deposit can be made. If no response is received within 2 weeks, the AAT issues a cheque to the last known mailing address. This practice has been problematic, with a large number of cheques returned to sender or not banked. By the time the AAT has realised that there is a problem, enough time has passed that follow up to find those individuals who have not yet banked their refund is often unsuccessful.
It is hoped that this new approach will result in a greater number of applicants receiving their refund promptly.