ACAT Filing Fees for Civil Disputes — 2026–27 Fee Schedule and Exemptions

Filing a standard response to an ACAT civil dispute costs nothing. But the moment you add a counterclaim, join a third party, request a subpoena, or appeal a decision, the fee schedule under the Court Procedures (Fees) Determination 2026 applies.

2026–27 Fee Schedule

Fees are indexed to the monetary value of the claim and whether the filing party is an individual or a corporation:

Civil dispute application or counterclaim:

• Up to $3,000: $93 (individual) / $185 (corporation)
• $3,001 to $15,000: $195 (individual) / $392 (corporation)
• $15,001 to $25,000: $707 (individual) / $1,415 (corporation)

Other fees:

• Third-party notice (Form AF2021-30): $93 (individual) / $185 (corporation)
• Subpoena issuance: $48 (individual) / $96 (corporation), per subpoena
• Appeal to ACAT Appeal Tribunal: $707 (individual) / $1,415 (corporation)
• Removal/transfer to ACT Supreme Court: $796 (individual) / $1,592 (corporation)
• Litigation search / record inspection: $201 per hour (minimum 10-minute increment at $33.50)
• Set-aside application after ex-parte order: free ($0)

Corporate Fee Reductions

Corporations do not always pay the higher rate. A corporate entity qualifies for the individual fee rate if it is an incorporated not-for-profit organisation or can demonstrate gross annual turnover under $200,000 in the preceding financial year. Lodge supporting financial statements with the fee.

Concession Card Exemptions

Primary cardholders (not dependants) of any of these cards are fully exempt from ACAT application fees:

• Commonwealth Health Care Card
• Low Income Health Care Card
• Pensioner Concession Card

Submit an Exemption Form with evidence of the concession card to the registry when filing.

Hardship Waivers and Deferrals

If you do not hold a concession card but cannot afford the fee, apply for a hardship waiver or deferral using the Request About Payment of Fees form (199KB PDF from the ACAT website). Attach bank statements, income statements, and an asset listing. The ACAT Registrar decides the application. If your request is rejected, you can seek a review within 28 days at no additional cost.

How to Pay

In person at the registry counter: EFTPOS (debit or credit card, AMEX not accepted). By post: a completed Credit Card Payment Authorisation Form, or a bank cheque or money order. By email: payment is not possible — the registry automatically deletes emails containing credit card details unread, in line with PCI-DSS privacy mandates.

For a full fee breakdown alongside every procedural step — and guidance on which fees apply at each stage of a response — see the ACT ACAT Response Guide.

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