Organisational structure
QCAT is part of the justice administration division within the Department of Justice and Attorney-General. The Minister responsible for QCAT is the Honourable Paul Lucas MP, Deputy Premier and Attorney-General, Minister for Local Government and Special Minister of State.
QCAT is led by the President and Deputy President. The tribunal is made up by members, adjudicators and the registry.
The President
The President, Justice Alan Wilson, was admitted as a barrister to the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1982 and appointed Senior Counsel in 1999. He was appointed a District Court Judge in 2001 and in the same year appointed as a judge of the Planning and Environment Court. Justice Wilson was appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2009.
The President's roles and responsibilities include:
- the efficient operation of the tribunal
- giving directions about the practices and procedures of the tribunal
- overseeing the selection process for members
- the management of members and adjudicators
- as a member, hearing significant matters in the tribunal
- developing a positive and cohesive culture
- advising the Attorney-General about how QCAT could better meet its objectives, and about the ongoing effectiveness of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2009 and the enabling Acts.
The Deputy President
The Deputy President, District Court Judge Fleur Kingham, was admitted to the Bar in 1984 having completed her legal studies at the University of Queensland with honours in 1981. She subsequently completed a Master of International Law at the University of Nottingham in 1990.
The Deputy President’s roles and responsibilities include:
- assisting the President in the management of the business of the tribunal to ensure it operates efficiently
- assisting the President in managing members and adjudicators
- as a member, hearing significant matters in the tribunal including appeals of QCAT decisions.
Members
Members are appointed on a full-time, part-time or sessional basis to conduct hearings and make decisions for QCAT matters. They may also be involved in compulsory conferences and mediation.
The President decides which members and the number of members who will hear a matter. No more than three members may hear a matter.
When deciding this, the President considers the nature, importance and complexity of the matter. In some cases the President must also consider whether legislation dictates a specific person must be included. For example, under the Legal Profession Act 2007 a Supreme Court judge must hear matters related to legal practitioners.
Members can either be lawyers or other people who have knowledge, expertise or experience about the matter being heard. For example, a social worker can be a member of the tribunal to hear child protection matters and a person who represents the interests of a landlord or tenant can be a member of the tribunal to hear retail tenancy disputes. QCAT has both senior and ordinary members depending on the extent of their relevant experience.
Judges of the Supreme and District court and magistrates can also be appointed as supplementary members. All Magistrates are automatically appointed as members of QCAT to hear minor civil disputes.
Members reflect the social and cultural diversity of the community and include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Adjudicators
Adjudicators are lawyers who are limited to hearing minor civil disputes or other simple matters. They have the same power and functions of a member and may also be involved in conducting compulsory conferences or mediation.
The Registry
The role of the registry is to support the President, Deputy President, members and QCAT clients. The registry is responsible for accepting client applications, administrative support and managing client enquiries. Staff in the registry cannot provide legal advice.