Commonwealth Tribunals and Boards

The Commonwealth has tribunals, commissions and boards too numerous to mention which are part of the vast web of laws and policies it administers. The most important ones are the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), Child Support Division, and Veterans Review Board. The AAT reviews numerous decisions made by Commonwealth public servants, officials and ministers, and also decisions of many tribunals, boards and commissions. It can only review decisions where legislation says that it can. Many other administrative decisions can be reviewed by the Federal Court under the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth).

Commonwealth crimes or offences, created under the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) are heard and determined in the State Court system (Magistrates or Supreme Court). There is no separate Commonwealth court system to try commonwealth charges. The only difference with a hearing of a Commonwealth charge in a state court is that the Commonwealth sentencing penalties will apply rather than the state sentencing penalties. Examples of Commonwealth crimes are fraud against the Commonwealth, the importation of drugs, and offences on planes.