Rachel Matulis

Current practice

Rachel practises in public law including planning and environment. Rachel has advised private and government clients on administrative decision‑making, statutory interpretation and complex public law litigation, including matters under the Environment Protection Act 2017 and the Freedom of Information Act 1982. Her experience also includes advices in relation to disciplinary and regulatory regimes.

Rachel drafts pleadings and provides written advice across jurisdictions, and appears in all divisions of VCAT, including the Planning and Environment Division, as well as guardianship and administration, residential tenancies and retail leasing disputes.

Background

Rachel was Associate to the Honourable Justice Quigley during her Honour's tenure as President of VCAT, assisting across a broad range of matters including judicial review proceedings in the Supreme Court and significant planning and environment cases at VCAT.

She was subsequently a senior government lawyer advising on statutory interpretation, regulatory frameworks, freedom of information and policy development, and led legislative development projects, including the implementation of federal jurisdiction procedure in the Magistrates' Court following Meringnage v Interstate Enterprises & Ors [2020] VSCA 30.

Rachel is a Sessional Academic at the University of Melbourne and Monash University, a contributor to Thomson Reuters Practical Law Australia, and an Assistant Convenor of the Women Barristers' Association. She read with Haroon Hassan and her senior mentor is Kylie Evans SC.

Recent presentations

• VCAT & Rental Dispute Resolution Reforms 2025
• VCAT Intensive: When can costs be awarded at VCAT?