Schafer was first appointed to this position by the Governor-General in August 2006 and returns to sit on the general and veterans division with expertise as both a lawyer and an authority in the pharmaceutical industry.

Schafer has over 18 years experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries and her practice provides legal advice on the regulation of cosmetics, foods, agrochemicals, therapeutic goods and industrial chemicals, among other areas.

The AAT is the key body providing independent review of a wide range of administrative decisions made by the Australian Government and some non-government bodies