Parties can be represented by a lawyer or other representatives at a hearing.

The State Administrative Tribunal Act says:

• a body corporate can be represented by its director, secretary or other officer;
• a public sector body can be represented by an authorised public sector employee; and
• a public sector employee whose performance or purported performance of their duties is the subject of the application, may be represented by another public sector employee.

Parties may choose to be represented by a person:

• with special knowledge or expertise relevant to the matter (not counting expertise obtained by being involved in another proceeding); or
• who is authorised by the SAT, the Regulations, Rules & Practice Notes.

These rules apply unless an enabling Act provides otherwise, or an applicant involved in a minor proceeding makes a 'no representation' election. See Minor Proceedings.

Under these rules, a licensing officer under the Pawnbrokers and Second-hand Dealers Act 1994 may be represented by a member of the WA Police or an officer of that department as defined in Part 1, s 3(1) of that Act.

The SAT has the power to appoint a litigation guardian to conduct proceedings on a person's behalf if it believes the person is not of full legal capacity.