---
title: "VCAT application for review of a planning decision by a permit applicant (Victoria): preparation guide"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/precedents/planning-and-environment/vcat-application-for-review-planning"
type: "precedent"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "a12-vcat-application-for-review-planning"
area_id: "A12"
kind: "form"
ai_level: "yellow"
version: 1
law_stated_as_at: "2026-10-17"
---

# VCAT application for review of a planning decision by a permit applicant (Victoria): preparation guide

> Guide for permit applicants seeking VCAT review of a refusal, a failure to decide in time, or permit conditions under the Victorian Planning and Environment Act 1987, including time limits, grounds and documents.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/precedents/planning-and-environment/vcat-application-for-review-planning  
Law stated as at: 2026-10-17

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

- Kind: Form. A form to complete, or a guide to completing an official one.
- Practice area: [Planning & Environment](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/planning-and-environment.md)
- Jurisdictions: Victoria
- AI level: Yellow. AI can help in set ways. A lawyer checks specific points before use.
- Law stated as at: 2026-10-17
- Status: Maintained. Checked on 2026-10-17 against the official form at vcat.vic.gov.au and the 6 authorities it cites, for Victoria.

## When to use it

Use when a permit applicant or permit holder wants VCAT to review a responsible authority's refusal (s 77), failure to decide within the prescribed time (s 79) or conditions (s 80). Objectors use a different VCAT form under s 82.

## How AI may be used

AI may draft grounds and an index of the permit file for the lawyer to review; the lawyer confirms the review type, the time limit and every planning scheme reference.

**AI may:**

- Index the permit application, further information requests, referral responses and the notice of decision.
- Draft grounds responding to each refusal ground or condition, with planning scheme references for checking.
- Prepare a list of documents to upload with the application.

**AI must not:**

- Must not decide which review type applies or calculate the final deadline.
- Must not cite planning scheme clauses without the lawyer checking the current scheme.
- Must not prepare statements of evidence for witnesses or experts.

**The lawyer checks:**

- The application is within the time limit for its type.
- The responsible authority and permit application number are correct.
- Grounds address each refusal ground or condition and are consistent with any amended plans.

## Authorities

- [Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic) s 77 (review of refusal)](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/planning-and-environment-act-1987)
- [Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic) s 79 (review of failure to grant a permit within the prescribed time)](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/planning-and-environment-act-1987)
- [Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic) s 80 (review of conditions)](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/planning-and-environment-act-1987)
- [Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic) s 82 (objector review)](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/planning-and-environment-act-1987)
- [Planning and Environment Regulations 2015 (Vic) regs 30, 32, 33, 35 (time limits), as summarised in the Victorian Government guide to reviews](https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/guides-and-resources/guides/guide-to-victorias-planning-system/reviews)
- [Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998 (Vic)](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/victorian-civil-and-administrative-tribunal-act-1998)

## Official form

[Official form](https://www.vcat.vic.gov.au/documents/forms/review-planning-decision-permit-applicant)

## Where this comes from

The official form is published by vcat.vic.gov.au; this page is a completion guide. Last checked on 2026-10-17.

## Full text and drafting notes

The full text and the drafting notes are not part of this public page. Signed-in firm accounts can read them at https://ailawframework.com/precedents/planning-and-environment/vcat-application-for-review-planning and through the signed-in MCP connector https://ailawframework.com/mcp/firm.

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*