NTCAT Filing Fees 2026
NTCAT filing fees depend on three things: how much you are claiming, whether the applicant is an individual or a body corporate, and which Act governs your dispute. Fees are indexed annually and take effect on 1 July, so the figures below reflect the schedule effective 1 July 2026.
Small Claims Act and Fences Act Fee Schedule
These fees apply to general civil small claims and dividing fence disputes filed under the Small Claims Act 2016 (NT) or the Fences Act 1972 (NT):
| Claim Amount | Individual | Body Corporate |
|---|---|---|
| Under $2,000 | $129 | $160 |
| $2,000 – $10,000 | $259 | $324 |
| Over $10,000 (or unspecified) | $518 | $648 |
| Non-monetary relief | $259 | $324 |
A "body corporate" includes proprietary limited companies (Pty Ltd), public companies, incorporated associations, and unit plan bodies corporate. If you are a sole trader filing as an individual — even if you trade under a business name — you pay the individual rate.
Residential Tenancies Act Fee Schedule
Tenancy bond, lease-break, and rental disputes filed under the Residential Tenancies Act 1999 (NT) use a different fee scale:
| Claim Amount | Individual | Body Corporate |
|---|---|---|
| Under $2,000 or non-monetary | $84 | $105 |
| $2,000 – $10,000 | $259 | $324 |
| Over $10,000 or unspecified | $518 | $648 |
The lower entry point ($84 vs $129) reflects the policy goal of keeping tenancy disputes accessible. If your tenancy claim is under $2,000 — a bond retention dispute, for example — you pay less than you would under the general small claims schedule.
How to Pay
Since 1 June 2026, NTCAT no longer accepts payments through its legacy electronic payment form. Your options are:
- Phone: Call the registry on 1800 604 622 to pay by credit card (the standard method for email filings)
- In person: Cash, EFTPOS, or credit card at the Casuarina or Alice Springs registry counters
- Post: Cheque or money order payable to "Receiver of Territory Monies," posted with your application
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Fee Waiver for Financial Hardship
If the filing fee is a genuine barrier, you can apply for a fee waiver or reduction by completing Form 8 — Unattested Declaration (Request for Fee Waiver or Fee Reduction). Lodge it alongside your Form 1 Initiating Application and attach supporting documentation: a Health Care Card, pension or Centrelink statement, income assessment, bank statements showing hardship, or a letter from a financial counsellor.
NTCAT assesses waiver requests on a case-by-case basis. Having a concession card does not guarantee approval, but it substantially strengthens the application.
Internal Review Fee
If you want to challenge an NTCAT decision, an internal review application under s 140 of the NTCAT Act 2014 costs $454 for both individuals and body corporates. Requesting written reasons for a decision under s 36 (an order for reasons) is free.
Can You Recover the Filing Fee?
Under s 132(2)(ba) of the NTCAT Act 2014, a successful applicant can recover necessary out-of-pocket disbursements — including the filing fee, reasonable process server costs, and mandatory search fees like ASIC company extracts. Tick "YES" in Part F of Form 1 to claim these costs. NTCAT does not generally order the losing party to pay the winner's legal representation fees; the disbursement recovery rule is the exception, not the norm.
The NTCAT Small Claim Filing Guide includes a fee calculator worksheet and step-by-step Form 8 fee waiver instructions alongside the complete filing process.
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