NCAT Virtual Hearing: Phone and Video Link Options

Attending NCAT Without Travelling to Sydney

NCAT's physical registry hubs sit in the Sydney CBD, Parramatta, Wollongong and Newcastle, with occasional circuit sittings in regional towns. If you live in Orange, Dubbo or Coffs Harbour, a day in the CBD means a lost workday, fuel, parking and possibly a hotel. Virtual hearings remove that barrier.

NCAT can conduct hearings by video or telephone. The Tribunal may direct a virtual hearing, or a party or witness can request permission to attend remotely.

How to Request a Virtual Hearing

Complete NCAT's Request for permission to attend by telephone or video form and lodge it as a secondary form on your case through NCAT Online Services. Make the request as soon as you know you need it and before the hearing date.

NCAT considers the reason for the request, the type and complexity of the matter, the other parties' views, and any disadvantage a party may suffer. Reasons can include:

• Geographic distance — the distance from the hearing venue makes in-person attendance difficult
• Health or disability — a medical condition that makes travel impractical
• Work obligations — hearings fall during standard business hours (9:00 AM to 4:30 PM weekdays), and some employers cannot accommodate a full day of leave
• Witness convenience — a key witness is interstate or overseas

The member has discretion. Agreement from the other parties is relevant, but NCAT may refuse a request even if all parties agree.

What to Expect on the Day

If NCAT approves your request, it will send instructions and a link to join the video hearing. Test your camera, microphone and internet connection at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time. The tribunal takes virtual hearings seriously — background noise, unstable connections or camera-off attendance can draw a direction to fix the setup or attend in person.

Key rules for virtual hearings:

• Be alone in a quiet room. No one should be coaching you or whispering answers during evidence.
• Have your evidence bundle open on screen. The member will refer to page numbers. If you filed a physical bundle, have the same paginated copy in front of you.
• Do not record the hearing. NCAT proceedings are not for recording unless the tribunal gives specific permission. The tribunal itself records the hearing, and you can order a copy of the sound recording for A$55.
• Dress and behave as if you were in the hearing room. The formality of the proceedings does not change because you are on a screen.

Phone Hearings

If you are approved to attend by telephone, follow the joining instructions in your Notice of Hearing; do not assume NCAT will call you. Phone hearings make it harder to present visual evidence like photos of defective goods. If your claim hinges on physical evidence, video is significantly better.

Can Witnesses Appear Virtually?

A witness can also request permission to attend by telephone or video using the same form. If approved, the witness should participate from a quiet, private location, have the relevant evidence available and not access documents that have not been admitted.

For the full hearing preparation checklist, including what to bring and how to structure your oral evidence, the NCAT Consumer Claim Guide for NSW covers every stage of the process.

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