Reviewing the appointed administrator
A review is a hearing which gives interested parties an opportunity to give QCAT their views in writing about:
- the actions of an administrator, or
- any new or relevant information about the adult's circumstances that may affect the appointment.
If QCAT is satisfied that there are sufficient grounds for an appointment to continue, it can either:
- continue the QCAT order, or
- alter the QCAT order for example, change the terms of the appointment, remove an administrator or appoint a new administrator.
However if QCAT is not satisfied that the grounds for the appointment are adequate, it must revoke the order and remove the administrator.
There are four different types of reviews that QCAT can conduct about an administrator:
Requested reviews
The adult or an interested party may apply for a review of the appointed administrator, showing evidence of changed circumstances or new information.
Periodic reviews
QCAT conducts an automatic periodic review of the appointed administrator just before the QCAT order expires.
QCAT initiated reviews
QCAT can initiate and conduct a review of any order appointing an administrator at any time. In the majority of cases, QCAT initiates reviews because an administrator has not provided documentation within a certain time frame or issues or concerns have been raised about the information contained in the documentation.
Random reviews
Where the Public Trustee of Queensland or a trustee company has been appointed, QCAT is able to review the appointment at any time.
QCAT’s decision about the review
QCAT can give its decision at the end of the review hearing and set out the terms of the appointment in an order. Sometimes the decision will be made at a later date. In this case the order will be sent to each party who received notice of the review hearing, in the post within a reasonable time. In certain circumstances parties have the right to appeal the QCAT decision if they are dissatisfied with the outcome.