Local Court NSW Filing Fees: 2026 Fee Schedule for Civil Claims and Enforcement

Where NSW Local Court Fees Come From

Every fee you pay at the NSW Local Court registry is set by Schedule 1 of the Civil Procedure Regulation 2017. The schedule is updated periodically — usually aligned with the financial year — and applies across all Local Court registries in New South Wales.

Fees split into two tiers. Individual litigants pay the standard rate. Corporations generally pay the corporate rate, which is double the standard figure; a corporation with annual turnover below $200,000 may apply for the standard rate by providing evidence to the registrar.

Key Filing Fees for 2026

These are the most relevant fees for someone pursuing a civil claim or enforcing a judgment:

Starting a claim:

• Statement of Claim (amounts up to $20,000): $179 standard / $358 corporate
• Statement of Claim ($20,001–$100,000): $370 standard / $740 corporate

Registering an external order (e.g., NCAT s 78 certificate):

• Registration of Certificate via UCPR Form 45: $121 standard / $242 corporate

Enforcement motions:

• Notice of Motion (examination orders, garnishee applications, and a writ for levy): $114 standard / $228 corporate

Sheriff execution:

• Execution of a Writ for Levy of Property: $111 per address and attempt, plus 3% of proceeds

These figures are from the NSW Local Court fee schedule effective 1 July 2026. Corporations generally pay the corporate rate; a corporation with annual turnover below $200,000 may qualify for the standard rate by providing evidence to the registrar.

Fee Waivers and Postponements

If you face financial hardship, you can apply to postpone, remit, or waive a court fee. Submit the Application to Postpone, Remit or Waive Payment of a Court Fee alongside your main filing. The Court Registrar assesses the application — you will need evidence of your financial situation (Centrelink statements, bank records, or a statutory declaration of income).

If approved, the fee is either waived entirely or deferred until you recover money from the debtor. This does not guarantee approval, but it exists specifically so that cost alone does not lock someone out of enforcement.

Can You Recover These Fees From the Debtor?

Yes. Court filing fees are recoverable costs. When you register a judgment or file an enforcement motion, the fee amount is added to the total debt the judgment debtor owes. The Local Court tracks these additional amounts — they accumulate on top of the original judgment debt, post-judgment interest, and any prior enforcement costs.

These fees are added to the amount sought from the debtor, but you recover them only if the debtor pays or enforcement produces funds.

How These Fees Fit Into NCAT Order Enforcement

If you won a money order at NCAT and the other party has not paid, your first fee is $0 — NCAT issues a Section 78 certificate at no charge. The costs begin when you register that certificate in the Local Court ($121) and continue as you file enforcement motions.

A typical enforcement pathway might incur $121 (registration) + $114 (examination order motion) + $114 (writ motion) = $349 in standard court fees before Sheriff execution costs of $111 per address and attempt, plus 3% of proceeds. All of these amounts are added to the judgment debt.

Our step-by-step enforcement guide walks through each fee at the point where you incur it, with a running ledger so you always know the total recoverable balance.

Checking Current Fees

Fee schedules can change between financial years. The current schedule is published by the NSW Government under the Civil Procedure Regulation 2017. You can also confirm exact amounts at any Local Court registry counter or through the NSW Online Registry portal before filing.

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