National Disability Insurance Agency v Davis [2022] FCA 1002

Federal Court of Australia

National Disability Insurance Agency v Davis [2022] FCA 1002 File number(s): VID 64 of 2022

Judgment of: MORTIMER J

Date of judgment: 29 August 2022

Catchwords: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – whether Tribunal erred in construing National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth) s 24(1)(b) – whether Tribunal took into account irrelevant considerations – whether Tribunal made findings not open on the evidence – whether Tribunal denied applicant procedural fairness –meaning of "permanent" in s 24(1)(b) – meaning of "known, available and appropriate" in National Disability Insurance Scheme (Becoming a Participant) Rules 2016 (Cth) r 5.4 – whether includes affordability – appeal allowed – Tribunal decision set aside – matter remitted to Tribunal

Legislation: Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) ss 15AB(1), 46(1) Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 (Cth) s 44 Legislation Act 2003 (Cth) s 13(1) National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth) ss 3, 4, 17A, 18, 21, 24, 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(1)(c), 25, 27, 29, 30, 209(1) Social Services Act 1947 (Cth) National Disability Insurance Scheme (Becoming a Participant) Rules 2016 (Cth) rr 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8 Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, opened for signature 30 March 2007, 2515 UNTS 3 (entered into force 3 May 2008)

Cases cited: ADCO Constructions Pty Ltd v Goudappel [2014] HCA 18; 254 CLR 1 Attorney-General (NSW) v Quin [1990] HCA 21; 170 CLR 1 Berenguel v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2010] HCA 8; 264 ALR 417 Collector of Customs v Agfa-Gevaert Ltd [1996] HCA 36; 186 CLR 389 Commissioner of ACT Revenue v Alphaone Pty Ltd [1994] FCA 293; 49 FCR 576 Commonwealth v Baume [1905] HCA 11; 2 CLR 405 Cooper Brookes (Wollongong) Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation [1981] HCA 26; 147 CLR 297 District Council of Streaky Bay v Wilson [2021] FCAFC 181; 287 FCR 538 Dragojlovic v Director-General of Social Security [1984] FCA 6; 52 ALR 157 Drake v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs [1979] FCAFC 39; 24 ALR 577 EXT20 v Minister for Home Affairs [2022] FCAFC 72 Haritos v Federal Commissioner of Taxation [2015] FCAFC 92; 233 FCR 315 Harrison v Melhem [2008] NSWCA 67; 72 NSWLR 380 International Finance Trust Co Ltd v New South Wales Crime Commission [2009] HCA 49; 240 CLR 319 Master Education Services Pty Ltd v Ketchell [2008] HCA 38; 236 CLR 101 McGarrigle v National Disability Insurance Agency [2017] FCA 308; 252 FCR 121 Minister for Aboriginal Affairs v Peko-Wallsend Ltd [1986] HCA 40; 162 CLR 24 Minister for Immigration and Border Protection v WZARH [2015] HCA 40; 256 CLR 326 Mondelez Australia Pty Ltd v Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union [2020] HCA 29; 381 ALR 601 Mulligan v National Disability Insurance Agency [2015] FCA 544; 233 FCR 201 National Disability Insurance Agency v WRMF [2020] FCAFC 79; 276 FCR 415 Project Blue Sky v Australian Broadcasting Authority [1998] HCA 28; 194 CLR 355 Saeed v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2010] HCA 23; 241 CLR 252 Stead v State Government Insurance Commission [1986] HCA 54; 161 CLR 141 SZBEL v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs [2006] HCA 63; 228 CLR 152 SZLPH v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2018] FCAFC 145; 266 FCR 105 Wilkie v Commonwealth [2017] HCA 40; 263 CLR 487