Section 179 — Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024: Transfer of appeals

General rule—Federal Court may transfer appeal (1) If an appeal under Subdivision A of Division 2 is pending in the Federal Court, the Federal Court may, by order, transfer the appeal to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2). (2) The Federal Court may do so: (a) on the application of a party to the appeal; or (b) on its own initiative. Matters to which Federal Court must have regard (3) In deciding whether to transfer the appeal, the Federal Court must have regard to the following: (a) any Rules of Court made for the purposes of section 181; (b) whether proceedings in respect of an associated matter are pending in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2); (c) whether the resources of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) are sufficient to hear and determine the appeal; (d) the interests of the administration of justice. Jurisdiction and powers of Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (4) If the Federal Court transfers the appeal, Subdivision B of Division 2 (jurisdiction and powers of Federal Court) applies in relation to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) in the same way as it applies in relation to the Federal Court. Exception—certain appeals must not be transferred (5) However, the Federal Court must not transfer the appeal if it: (a) relates to a decision given by the Tribunal constituted by a member who is, or by members at least one of whom is, a Judge or a Non-Judicial Deputy President; or (b) is of a kind prescribed by the rules.