ACAT Fees, Exemptions, and Fee Waivers: 2026 Filing Cost Guide
ACAT filing fees are set by the Attorney-General each year under the Court Procedures Act 2004. The current rates come from the Court Procedures (Fees) Determination 2026 (DI2026-112), effective 1 July 2026. Fees depend on your claim amount and whether you're filing as an individual or a corporation.
Current Filing Fees (Individuals)
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to $3,000 | $93 |
| $3,001–$15,000 | $392 |
| $15,001–$25,000 | $707 |
Corporate Filing Fees
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to $3,000 | $185 |
| $3,001–$15,000 | $785 |
| $15,001–$25,000 | $1,415 |
Corporations pay roughly double the individual rate. However, if your company had gross turnover under $200,000 in the last financial year, or you're a registered non-profit, you can apply for the individual fee rate by lodging a Statement as to Nature and Turnover of a Corporation with your application.
Other Fees
Counterclaims: If the respondent files a counterclaim, they pay a filing fee matching the tier of their counterclaim amount.
Registry file inspection: $223 per hour, with a minimum 10-minute charge.
Appeals: Filing an appeal to the ACAT Appeal Tribunal carries its own fee.
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Payment Methods
Online filing: Visa or Mastercard only. AMEX is not accepted.
Counter filing (15 Moore Street, Canberra City): EFTPOS, debit card, credit card, bank cheque, or money order.
Postal filing: Bank cheque, money order, or Credit Card Payment Authorisation Form. Never email credit card details to the tribunal — emails containing payment information are automatically deleted by security filters without being processed.
Fee Exemptions
You're automatically exempt from filing fees if you hold a current Health Care Card, Low Income Health Care Card, or Pensioner Concession Card. You're also exempt if a legal assistance organisation (Legal Aid ACT, Canberra Community Law, Care Consumer Law, or Women's Legal Centre) is formally representing you.
To claim the exemption, lodge a Request for Exemption from Paying Fees form with a copy of your concession card or a letter from the legal service confirming representation.
Fee Waivers (Hardship)
If you don't hold a concession card but can't afford the filing fee, you can apply for a waiver on financial hardship grounds. The ACAT Registrar assesses your income, assets, liabilities, and family commitments.
Lodge a Request About Payment of Fees form with supporting evidence — recent bank statements, payslips, Centrelink statements, or other financial records showing you can't afford the fee.
Fee Deferrals
If you can afford the fee but not right now, a deferral lets you lodge the application immediately and pay the fee later, either by a set date or in instalments. Same form — Request About Payment of Fees.
If your waiver or deferral request is refused, you have 28 days to request a formal review of that decision, at no cost.
One Critical Warning
Applying for fee relief does not pause your limitation period. If the fee isn't sorted and the application isn't accepted before the 6-year mark, you may lose the right to claim entirely. File early.
The ACAT filing guide includes a fee calculator and walks through the full application process including fee relief options.
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