About medical appeals
If a person does not agree with the decision to decline or cancel Child Disability Allowance, Invalid’s Benefit or Sickness Benefit, made using information provided by a health practitioner, they may choose to appeal it through the Medical Appeals Board. A decision to apply or to continue to apply part-time work obligations to people on Sickness Benefit can also be appealed through the Medical Appeals Board when the original decision was based on medical grounds or on grounds relating to capacity for work.
A Medical Appeals Boards is made up of three members and can include:
- medical practitioners
- rehabilitation professionals including:
- occupational therapists
- physiotherapists
- nurses
- psychologists
- other people with expertise in the fields of vocational training or vocational support for people with ill health and/or disability.
The practitioner who provided the initial information which resulted in the decision to decline or cancel the person’s benefit will not be included on the Medical Appeals Board.
In accordance with the Social Security Act 1964, the role of the Medical Appeals Board is to take an impartial look at all the information available on the person’s medical condition and capacity for work.
The appellant is encouraged to attend and present any additional medical documentation and/or evidence that would support their appeal. The hearing may last up to an hour and the appellant is welcome to bring a support person with them. If the appellant decides not to attend the hearing, the Medical Appeals Board is able to convene a hearing and consider the appeal based on the information provided.
In some cases the Medical Appeals Board may request the person be examined by a specialist or other health practitioner to assist in reaching their decision. The person may decline this, in which case the information provided will be used to make a decision.
Decisions are expected within 1–2 weeks of the hearing and a copy of the decision is provided to the appellant.
The decision of the Medical Appeals Board is final and there is no further right of appeal on medical grounds.
For more information on medical appeals board see:
Process for medical appeals board reviews
