COVID-19 changes to the Housing Appeals Committee

To help reduce the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), the Housing Appeals Committee (HAC) has made the following temporary changes to the way it operates.

No visits to the HAC office

For the safety of our clients and staff, the HAC office in Burwood is currently closed for face to face service and hearings. This temporary change keeps the HAC operating while removing the need for clients and their supports to attend in person.

Get in touch, we’re still open!

Even though clients can’t visit us in person, our online and phone help services are still available.

The appeals process

Applying for an appeal

Clients can still apply for appeals by:

• appealing online
• emailing hac@facs.nsw.gov.au
• posting your appeal application addressed to:
  
  HAC appeals
  PO BOX 1030
  Westfield Burwood
  NSW 2134

Attending an appeal hearing

We are holding all appeal hearings via telephone and not in person until further notice. There will be minimal disruption as telephone hearings are already a preferred option for clients.

A telephone hearing follows the same format as an in person hearing. At the time of the hearing, the HAC will call the client, interpreter and any other support persons nominated by the client. Please note that the client doesn’t have to pay for the cost of the phone calls.

Unable to attend an appeal hearing

If a client doesn’t have access to a phone or is unable to attend the hearing it will be decided ‘on the papers’.

‘On the papers’ is an appeal without a hearing with the HAC considering documentation provided by all parties before making a decision.