QCAT Directions Hearing — What to Expect and How to Prepare

A Directions Hearing Is Not Your Final Hearing

If you receive a notice for a QCAT directions hearing, this is not the hearing where the tribunal decides your case. A directions hearing is a procedural step — an administrative session where the adjudicator sets the timetable for how your matter will proceed.

Directions hearings are common in minor civil disputes that involve contested claims, multiple parties, or evidence that needs to be exchanged in stages.

What Happens at a Directions Hearing

The adjudicator will address the practical logistics of your case:

• Document exchange deadlines — when each party must file and serve their evidence on the other side
• Witness statements — whether written witness statements are required and when they are due
• Hearing date — the date (and estimated duration) of the final hearing where the matter will be decided
• Mediation — claims over $1,500 are listed for mandatory mediation before a hearing is assigned; check your QCAT notices for the scheduled mediation date
• Any preliminary issues — jurisdictional questions, party names that need correcting, or procedural defects that need to be addressed before the hearing

The adjudicator may also ask each party to briefly outline their position so the tribunal can assess how much hearing time to allocate.

What You Should Bring

You do not need to bring your full evidence bundle to a directions hearing. But you should come prepared with:

• Your QCAT case number and any correspondence from the tribunal
• A general understanding of your case — what the claim is about, what your position is, and what evidence you plan to rely on
• Your calendar — the adjudicator will likely set dates on the spot, and you need to know which dates you are available

If you cannot attend in person, request telephone or video attendance at least 7 days beforehand.

Directions Are Binding Orders

The timetable set at a directions hearing is not a suggestion. Each direction is a binding procedural order issued under section 48 of the QCAT Act. If you fail to comply — by not filing evidence by the stated deadline, for example — the tribunal can penalise you by striking out your response or proceeding to a decision without your input.

If a genuine reason prevents you from meeting a direction deadline, apply for a variation as soon as you know, before the deadline passes. Do not wait until the final hearing to explain why you did not comply.

What Happens After

Once directions are issued, the case follows the timetable. You will typically have a set period to file your evidence, the other party files theirs, and then the final hearing takes place on the scheduled date.

Between the directions hearing and the final hearing is your preparation window. This is when you organise your evidence bundle, prepare any witness statements, and make sure everything is filed and served on time.

For a step-by-step guide to the entire QCAT response and hearing process, the Responding to a QCAT Minor Civil Dispute guide covers every stage from reading your papers through to the final decision, with checklists for each procedural step.

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