The passage of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998 saw a total of 15 Boards and Tribunals in Victoria consolidated jurisdictionally into one institution known as VCAT. The objective was to create a 'super tribunal' offering a 'one-stop-shop' dealing with a range of civil and administrative disputes. VCAT is the biggest tribunal of its kind in Australia, if not the world.

The purpose of VCAT is to provide Victorians with modern, low cost, accessible, efficient and independent civil justice system, which delivers high quality dispute resolution.

VCAT has three Divisions with 14 Lists (sections) that deal with different types of issues.

The Civil Division assists Victorians to resolve a range of disputes involving:

• consumer matters;
• credit;
• domestic building works;
• legal practice matters;
• residential tenancies; and
• retail tenancies.

The Administrative Division deals with disputes between citizens and Government about:

• land valuation
• licenses to carry on business such clubs and bars, motor trading and clubs and bars;
• planning and environment;
• state taxation; and
• decisions made by government bodies, such as the Transport Accident Commission.

The Human Rights Division deals with matters relating to:

• guardianship and administration;
• discrimination; and
• racial and religious vilification

The types of cases that VCAT deals with range in complexity and can take as little as an hour or an entire day to resolve. In some exceptional circumstances cases may continue for several weeks.

The process for resolving disputes begins when an application is made to the relevant list. A mediation, directions hearing or compulsory conference will often take place to try and resolve cases prior to a hearing. However, many cases will proceed to a hearing, which give parties the opportunity to call or give evidence, ask questions of witnesses and make submissions. At the end of the hearing, a member of VCAT either gives a decision on-the-spot, or writes a decision after the hearing and delivers the decision as soon as possible.

A Supreme Court Judge heads VCAT as President and County Court Judges serve as Vice Presidents. Deputy Presidents are appointed to manage one or more Lists, and a Rules Committee develops the rules of practice and procedures.

Members serve on the Lists on a full-time or sessional basis. They have a broad range of specialised skills and qualifications, which enables VCAT to hear and determine cases of varying complexity and subject matter.

Since 1998 During 2007-2008 VCAT has acquired a number of new jurisdictions and has added the Human Rights Division to its original structure. This expansion has increased the both the number and the breadth of cases that are brought before VCAT. During 2007-2008 period VCAT finalised a total of 86 911 cases. It is predicted that the number of cases brought before VCAT will continue to increase.

In 2008 VCAT celebrated 10 years of operation. This milestone combined with the recent expansion and growth presents an ideal time to review VCAT's performance.