In a recent case an unrepresented applicant was found to have been denied procedural fairness by his Honour Judge street at the FCC.
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/FCAFC/2016/68.html
This case highlights the risks faced by unrepresented applicants at the FCC.
I have been on the receiving end of a summary dismissal and it is very unpleasant and on top of that expensive to take the matter to the federal court on appeal.