Occupational licences

NCAT can review a government agency decision to refuse or revoke an occupational licence.

Occupational licence cases are managed through NCAT's Occupational Division.

NCAT can review decisions by government agencies about occupational licences for:

  • drivers and operators of taxis, buses, hire cars and tow trucks
  • security guards, builders, real estate agents, motor dealers and repairers, pawnbrokers and second hand dealers, stock and station agents, business agents, travel agents and licensed conveyancers.

You should have received a letter from the government department or agency telling you of your right to have the decision reviewed by NCAT.

The government agency decision must have been made under an Act which gives NCAT jurisdiction. If you are not sure NCAT can deal with your matter, please seek legal advice or check the legislation.

How to apply

Download and complete an Administrative review application form (PDF, 166.9 KB) and lodge with the application fee at any NCAT Registry Office.

Application fee

View our current application fees and charges. Concession card holders are eligible for a reduced fee.

Steps in an occupational licence case

Step by step guide to applying to NCAT for the review of a occupational licence decision.

Step 1: Check that NCAT can review the decision

The government agency will tell you if the decision can be reviewed by NCAT.

Before coming to NCAT, you must first ask the NSW Firearms Registry to review the decision. This is called an 'internal review'. You must request an internal review within 28 days of being told of the decision.

If you do not agree with the internal review decision, or you have not received a response within 21 days, you can apply to NCAT to have the decision reviewed.

In some cases, you can apply to NCAT without an internal appeal:

  • a decision is exempt from an internal review; or
  • an urgent review of the decision is needed to protect your interests

Check with the government agency if your decision is exempt.

Step 2: Consider legal representation

You can either present your own case to NCAT or have a lawyer or non-lawyer agent represent you. You will usually need to attend the hearing to give your instructions to your lawyer or agent.

  • Your lawyer or agent needs to complete a Notice of Representation and submit to NCAT in person or by post
  • Send a copy of the Notice of Representation to the government agency you are applying against.

A non-lawyer agent needs to ask for permission to represent you from the Tribunal Member the next time the case is listed. You should attend with the agent in case NCAT does not allow the agent to appear for you. A lawyer does not need to ask for permission from the Member.

Step 3: Apply to NCAT

In most cases, you can apply to NCAT within 28 days from when you are notified of the internal review decision. 

You will need to provide following information on your application form:

  • Your name, address and telephone number
  • Name of the government agency that made the decision you want reviewed
  • Date the original decision and the internal review decision were made
  • Copy of the original decision and internal review decision (this is  the letter sent to you by the government agency)
  • A brief outline of why you think the decision is wrong.

Do you need a stay of the decision?

While you wait for NCAT to review the original decision, the decision still applies and the agency can implement it.  You can complete the Application for stay or interim order and lodge with your Application for review form.

Step 4: Receive a letter from NCAT and documents from the government agency

You will receive a letter from NCAT telling you that your application has been received. You will be given a date for a directions hearing.

You will also receive documents from the government agency that it considers are relevant to the decision.

Step 5: Attend a directions hearing

The purpose of a directions hearing is to agree on what the parties need to do to prepare the case for hearing.  

Normally you will be given a timetable to file your submissions and evidence with NCAT and provide a copy to the government agency.

Step 6: Prepare for the hearing

Look through the documents that the government agency has provided to you and decide what further information NCAT will need when hearing your case.

Comply with the directions made at the directions hearing:

  • You may have been asked to file and serve a statement or affidavit from yourself or other witnesses. Learn more about evidence and witnesses.
  • Other relevant information may be character references from people who know you well, medical reports and police reports or statements.
  • You must give a copy of any statements or other documents you want to rely on to NCAT and to the other party by the deadline given to you at the directions hearing.
Step 7: Take part in the hearing

NCAT's hearings are less formal than court hearings. In most cases, the application will be heard by a single Tribunal Member.

When the Tribunal reviews administrative decisions, the respondent (the agency) will usually give its evidence first. After the agency has given its evidence, the applicant will present their evidence.

In these cases the Tribunal’s role is to decide whether the agency made the correct decision.

In some cases, the Tribunal Member will be able to give you their decision at the end of the hearing. The Member will usually need time to consider the case and will give their decision at a later date. You will usually receive the decision in less than 3 months. Complex matters may take longer.

Step 8: Receive NCAT's decision

You will receive a letter telling you of the decision that NCAT has made.

The decision may also be available on the NSW Caselaw website. You will be notified by phone before the reasons are published.

NCAT does not generally make an order for one party to pay the costs of another party's lawyer. Learn more about legal costs.

Right of appeal

If you are not satisfied with NCAT's decision may have the right of appeal to the Appeal Panel, if you can establish that the Tribunal went wrong either in the procedure it followed, or the way it applied the law to the facts of your case.

In some instances there is also a right of appeal to the NSW Supreme Court. If you are not sure of your appeal rights you should seek legal advice.

Last updated:

01 Apr 2025

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