What does the Duty Officer do?

The Duty Officer provides independent advice to VCAT and supports the staff of the Office of the Public Advocate when they are working on cases that come before. The Duty Officer also gives advice to anyone attending VCAT hearings. This includes people who are the subject of VCAT applications, their family and friends and service providers. The Duty Officer screens all applications to VCAT.

Can the Duty Officer represent me at a VCAT hearing?

No. The Duty Officer provides advice, but not legal representation. Most people do not need legal representation at VCAT hearings. The hearings are less formal than other courts.

How can I contact the Duty Officer?

The Duty Officer has an office on the ground floor at VCAT. If you want to talk to the Duty Officer in person it’s best to make an appointment. You can contact the Duty Officer between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday on 03 9628 9020.

The work of the Duty Officer – Victor’s story - a case example

VCAT received an application from a social worker seeking the appointment of both an administrator and guardian for Victor. Victor, a 33-year-old Tasmanian, had fled his home state because of paranoid beliefs about his family. After arriving in Victoria, Victor soon came to the attention of police. Ultimately, he was admitted to a mental health inpatient unit with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia.

Victor told the mental health team he had given away his car and possessions before leaving Tasmania. He had also instructed a real estate agent to sell his only remaining asset – his home. The mental health team was concerned that Victor lacked the insight to make reasonable decisions because of his illness. They were worried that giving away and selling his assets would make it hard for Victor to recover.

To clarify the issues and the urgency of the situation, the Duty Officer:

telephoned the Tasmanian real estate agent who agreed to stop the sale of Victor’s house and wait for further advice and authorisation.
learnt from the social worker that Victor had left the inpatient facility three days previously and had not returned. It was believed he had returned to Tasmania.
confirmed that Victor had returned to Tasmania, and that an application for administration had been made to the Tasmanian Guardianship and Administration Board which had prioritised the matter.
established a link between the real estate agent and the Tasmanian Guardianship and Administration Board.

Having clarified that Victor had left Victoria, and that the Tasmanian Guardianship and Administration Board was protecting Victor’s interests, the Duty Officer helped the social worker withdraw her VCAT application.