Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Support

Acknowledgement of Country  

Kaya, the State Administrative Tribunal acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Western Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the people, their cultures and the elders, past, present and future.

Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who need to resolve a legal problem at SAT. 

The Tribunal’s Senior Aboriginal Advisory Officer (SAAO) is placed within the Guardianship and Administration division of the Tribunal. Currently there is no SAAO within the Civil and Commercial, Vocational Regulation and Developmental Resources (CCVRDR) division of the Tribunal. We apologise for any frustration this may cause and urge parties seeking assistance within the CCVRDR division to consider contacting the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA (ALSWA) who are a not-for-profit organisation that provides legal services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in WA.

Do you need help with your Guardianship or Administrator hearing at the State Administrative Tribunal?

As the Senior Aboriginal Advisory Officer, I can help you by listening to your story and have a yarn if you are worried or have any questions about anything leading up to, during or after your hearing.

I can assist in making you feel culturally safe attending the tribunal hearings by supporting you at the hearings and making sure SAT Members are aware, understand and respect cultural differences, practices and behaviours of all Aboriginal People attending.

We can have a yarn about what being a Guardian and Administrator also means and the roles of the Public Trustee and Office of the Public Advocate.

I can explain what to expect in the hearing, explain what types of orders may be made and what happens after an order is made.

This can also involve what parties will be attending, the different appearance types from attending in person, via telephone link or teams video link.

I may be able to guide you to get help from other services.

I also have the Cultural responsibility to show up for family, community and Country, and advocate for rights as Aboriginal people to self-determine health, wellbeing and healing needs through the tribunal.

What is SAT?

To learn more about what SAT can assist you with, click here: Get Started (justice.wa.gov.au)

How is SAT different to court?

• SAT is much more informal than court. You do not need a lawyer and are encouraged to speak for yourself.
• You and other parties will be asked to tell your side of the story. SAT will then decide what is fair based on what you and the other party tell the Tribunal Member.
• SAT will make orders which everyone has to follow and respect.

We offer the following services to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people:

• Booking an interpreter: Interpreters at SAT (justice.wa.gov.au)
• Senior Aboriginal Advisory Officer (please see below);
• Providing general information about SAT processes in Aboriginal language groups: 
  • Kriol Information Videos (justice.wa.gov.au).
  • Martu Information Videos (justice.wa.gov.au).
  • Noongar Information Videos (justice.wa.gov.au).
  • Nyangumarta Information Videos (justice.wa.gov.au).
  • Walmajarri Information Videos (justice.wa.gov.au).
• If you would like to know about other ways in which the Tribunal can assist you, please call us on 9219 3111.

Where to get Legal Help:

• The Aboriginal Legal Service of WA (ALSWA) is a not-for-profit organisation that provides legal services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in WA. For more information about services, visit ALSWA's website or call 1800 019 900.
• For other assistance, please click here: Legal Help and Advice Services (justice.wa.gov.au)

Meet our Senior Aboriginal Advisory Officer

Anthea Mitchell

Anthea Mitchell

A proud Badimia and Tjupany Nyarlu from Meekatharra on Wajarri Yamatji barna (country).

Anthea had a great childhood growing up in her large family in Meekatharra.

She completed high school then went to Boorloo (Perth) to complete years 11 and 12.

She joined Department of Justice 17 years ago and was part of the team who initiated the Aboriginal Justice Program and the Aboriginal Justice Open Days where people can get their drivers licences, birth certificates, Fines, Centrelink and access to community services in one place.

Completing an associate degree in Indigenous Community Management and Development through Curtin University helped Anthea better understand the impacts of colonisation, racial bias, intergenerational trauma resulting from the Stolen Generations and about self-determination – while enabling her to also learn about some of the Aboriginal trailblazers who have helped advance Aboriginal people through the decades.

With a wide range of experience in community engagement, she is very devoted to being a voice for Aboriginal people who are going through the State Administrative Tribunal process.

If you would like the assistance of the Tribunal's Senior Aboriginal Advisory Officer for your matter, please contact us on 9219 3111.