The State Administrative Tribunal reviews decisions made by State Government and local governments regarding a range of matters concerning development, subdivision, notices, fisheries, water, rating, land valuation, land tax and soil and land conservation.

It is also the primary decision maker hearing cases regarding compensation for compulsory acquisition of land.

The following Acts give the SAT the power to make or review decisions in this stream.

An initial directions hearing takes place before a member within about three weeks after an application is filed.  The proceedings are then actively case managed by the member.  This hands-on process enables SAT to quickly identify the key elements of the dispute and to direct it toward a prompt and cost effective resolution, whether by settlement between the parties facilitated by a member as mediator or conducting a compulsory conference or by a Tribunal imposed determination.

If you are applying for a review of a decision of an original decision maker, refer to Practice Note 2 - Review Proceedings for important information on practice and procedures.

More information on practice and procedures for applications made under the Land Administration Act 1997 is outlined in Practice Note 3 - Original Proceedings.

If your application involves a development valued at less than $250,000 (or $500,000 if it is a house or a subdivision of a lot to create no more than three lots) it is considered a Class 1 application.

Otherwise, your application is a Class 2 application.

Class 1 applications are treated more informally than Class 2 and different fees apply. The procedures and fees are explained on the application form. Use the SAT Wizard to view the application form. See Applications.

A person who is not an applicant or a respondent is known as a “third party”.The Tribunal has published a pamphlet explaining how third parties can participate in a SAT planning matter.

The pamphlet notes that there are generally no third party appeal rights in relation to planning decisions in Western Australia and that, under section 243 of the Planning and Development Act 2005, SAT’s general power to join a person as a party to a proceeding under section 38 of the State Administrative Tribunal Act 2004 is excluded in planning matters.

However, there are four ways in which it may be possible for a third party to participate in a planning matter.  These are–

1. being called as a witness by the respondent;
2. making submissions under section 242 of the Planning and Development Act 2005;
3. intervening under section 37(3) of the State Administrative Tribunal Act 2004; and
4. possible participation in mediation.

The pamphlet discusses each of these possibilities.

The pamphlet is available on this page under 'Downloads'.

The full text of all written development and resources decisions can be found in the decisions database on the SAT website (view Decisions Database ).

SAT also publishes a monthly bulletin which contains summaries of all written development and resources decisions.  Published bulletins are available by selecting DR Decisions Bulletins.  If you would like to receive our monthly bulletins by email, please register your interest by subscribing here.

A table of development and resources decisions made since January 2005 is also maintained and updated periodically on the website.  The current table can be viewed by searching the DR Decisions Bulletins  web page.

SAT has also compiled a summary of all written decisions of its predecessors the Town Planning Court of WA (1975-1979), the WA Town Planning Appeals Tribunal (1979-2002) and the Town Planning Appeal Tribunal of WA (2003-2004).  The summary can be viewed by searching  the DR Decisions Bulletins  web page.

The SAT does not deal with:

• appeals under the Environmental Protection Act 1986; and
• liquor licensing matters.

For more information on areas not covered by the SAT see Matters Not Dealt By SAT in Jurisdiction.

• Department of Land Information
• Department for Planning and Infrastructure
• East Perth Redevelopment Authority
• Office of Racing, Gaming and Liquor
• Local Government websites
• Office of the Appeals Convenor (Environmental Protection Act)
• Planning Schemes
• Subiaco Redevelopment Authority
• WA Planning Commission