To start a case at SACAT, you need to make an initiating application. This tells SACAT and the other people involved in your case what you want SACAT to do.

Please be aware that an application will generally always be provided to the other party involved in your dispute.

All applications are made electronically through SACAT’s online portal. The online application form will prompt you for the information we need. If you make a SACAT Online Services account, you can return to your application at any time to provide more information or documents before submitting it.

Having this information organised and available will also help you throughout your case.

Before you start

Check the information requirements below before making your application otherwise your application may not be accepted.

Any documents you include must also meet our document requirements.

Important information that should be prepared prior to making an application include medical evidence regarding the person's decision-making capacity and evidence that decisions need to be made that cannot be made informally by the person's family or friends.  These are set out in more detail below.

Please be aware that an application and any documents provided to SACAT in support of a guardianship or administration application will be provided to the person that the application about, and other persons on request.

Make sure you understand what a guardian or administrator can do so you know what orders you want SACAT to make.

If you are making a guardianship or administration order application, consider preparing the following information:

  • The name and contact details of the various people involved in the life of the person you are making the application about, including where relevant:
    • Family members
    • Support workers
    • Medical professionals
  • The name and contact details of any attorney, trustee, administrator or guardian of the person already appointed, or any person appointed as a substitute decision-maker under an Advance Care Directive

Medical report

If you are submitting an application for a guardianship or administration order, you must provide a medical report. This is a SACAT form that must be completed by a doctor or psychologist about the person’s capacity.

SACAT Medical Report form (DOCX, 227.1 KB)

Other documents

Have these ready before starting an application. These relate to the person you are making an application about.

You may have one, many or none of these documents. Your application may also be about obtaining one of these documents:

  • Any advance care directive
  • Any enduring power of guardianship
  • Any power of attorney or medical power of attorney
  • Any current/past administration or guardianship orders
  • Any community treatment orders or inpatient treatment orders
  • The person’s Will, if they have a Will (the person’s will is not to be provided to anyone except with the permission of a Tribunal Member who is legally qualified)
  • Any available medical evidence about the person (doctor or psychologist reports, NDIS documentation)
  • Any documents relating to  the person's finances  (bank information,  details of their income,  outgoings and expenses, assets and liabilities,  current management of the person's finances)

You should only provide these documents when they are already lawfully in your possession.

If a copy is not reasonably available to you, provide sufficient details so SACAT can identify the relevant document and the person who holds it.

Apply to SACAT

All applications to SACAT are made online. You can use a computer, tablet or smart phone.

Make an application

The application form will prompt you for the information we need.

If you make a SACAT Online Services account, you can return to your application at any time to provide more information or documents before submitting it.

If you are unable to complete the form online, you can contact the Tribunal for assistance on 1800 723 767 and a staff member may assist you complete the form by telephone.

You can also visit SACAT’s offices at Level 4 or 7, 100 Pirie Street, and use a computer at one of SACAT’s public kiosks where staff may also provide assistance.