NCAT Consumer Claim Fees: Filing Costs, Concessions, and Fee Waivers

Current NCAT Filing Fees (July 2026)

Filing fees at NCAT are set by the Civil and Administrative Tribunal Regulation 2022 and update each financial year. As of 1 July 2026, consumer claim fees are structured in three tiers based on your claim value:

Your claim value determines your tier. If you're claiming a A$7,500 refund for defective goods, you pay the A$64 standard fee. If you're claiming A$25,000 for an abandoned renovation, it's A$133.

Corporate Rates

Any company registered as a Pty Ltd or Ltd entity pays the corporate rate — double the standard fee. This applies automatically based on the applicant's entity type at filing. Under section 57A of the Corporations Act 2001, lodging under the wrong fee tier will result in the registry rejecting your application or requiring you to pay the balance before your claim gets listed.

If you're a sole trader filing in your personal name (even if you trade under a business name), you pay the standard rate, not the corporate rate.

Who Qualifies for Concession Fees

Concession rates — roughly 25% of the standard fee — apply if you hold any of these:

• Centrelink Health Care Card
• Pensioner Concession Card
• Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
• A grant of legal assistance from Legal Aid NSW or an accredited Community Legal Centre

You'll need to attach proof of your concession card or legal aid grant when filing. If you're filing online through NCAT Online Services, upload a scan or photo of the card. For paper applications, include a photocopy.

Fee Waivers for Financial Hardship

If you don't hold a concession card but genuinely can't afford the filing fee, the Principal Registrar has discretionary power to waive or postpone fees. You'll need to provide verified documentation of your income and expenses — bank statements, Centrelink payment summaries, or a statutory declaration of financial hardship.

Fee waivers aren't automatic and aren't guaranteed. Apply in writing to the registry, explaining your circumstances and attaching supporting documents. It's worth applying before your limitation period expires — a rejected waiver application still gives you time to find the fee, but a missed deadline can't be fixed.

Other NCAT Fees You Might Encounter

Beyond the initial filing fee, several other fees can come up during proceedings:

• Summons to produce documents or attend: A$59 per summons (same rate for all applicant types)
• Set aside application (if the other side didn't attend and wants to reopen): A$133 standard / A$33 concession
• Internal appeal: A$540 standard / A$1,080 corporate / A$135 concession
• Copy of hearing sound recording: A$55 per hearing event
• Certified copy of an order: A$105

The summons fee is particularly relevant if you need a third party — like a bank or subcontractor — to produce records for your case. You pay the A$59 fee plus "conduct money" to cover the witness's reasonable travel costs.

NCAT vs Local Court Costs

NCAT operates as a no-cost jurisdiction by default. Each side bears its own costs, and the tribunal won't order one party to pay the other's expenses unless there are "special circumstances" — like a frivolous claim, refusal to participate in conciliation, or persistent non-compliance with procedural directions.

This is a significant advantage over the Local Court General Division, where the losing party typically pays the winner's legal costs. In the Local Court Small Claims Division (claims up to A$20,000), costs are strictly capped but can still add up.

The practical upshot: each side normally bears its own legal costs, but you may also incur other NCAT fees and a costs order is possible in special circumstances.

For a complete walkthrough of the filing process — from checking your claim qualifies through paying fees and uploading evidence — the NCAT consumer claim guide covers every step.

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