QCAT Filing Fees 2026: Current Costs, Fee Tiers and How to Apply for a Waiver
QCAT filing fees are non-refundable once the registry processes your application, so knowing exactly what you'll pay — and whether you qualify for a waiver — matters before you click "submit" on QCase or walk into the registry.
Current QCAT Filing Fees (Effective 1 July 2026)
QCAT fees increase annually in line with Queensland Government indexation. On 1 July 2026, fees rose by 3.4%. These are the current figures:
| Claim amount | Filing fee |
|---|---|
| No specific amount claimed | $119.00 |
| Up to $1,000 | $96.30 |
| $1,000.01 to $10,000 | $164.30 |
| $10,000.01 to $25,000 | $405.60 |
Motor vehicle property damage claims have their own tier: $31.60 for claims up to $500, and $81.20 for claims from $500.01 to $1,000.
Appeal and Reopening Fees
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| Reopening application (Form 43) | Matches your original filing fee tier ($96.30–$405.60) |
| Appeal — original claim was $10,000 or less | $405.60 |
| Appeal — original claim was over $10,000 | $811.30 |
Filing a response to a minor debt claim (Form 7) costs nothing. There's no fee for the respondent.
Can You Get the Filing Fee Waived?
Yes. If you meet QCAT's financial-hardship criteria, you can apply for a fee waiver using Form 49 (Application for waiver or reduction of fees by reason of financial hardship). Lodge it at the same time as your main application.
QCAT's eligibility grounds include receiving a full-rate pension or benefit from Centrelink or Veterans' Affairs, being under 18, being a protected person under a current domestic violence order, or receiving a Legal Aid grant. The supporting documents depend on the ground. A Health Care Card by itself is not considered a pension card.
For appeal proceedings, an approved hardship application reduces the fee to $113.30 rather than waiving it entirely.
Can You Recover the Filing Fee If You Win?
QCAT is a "no-cost" jurisdiction — each party pays their own way. But for minor debt disputes specifically, a successful applicant can recover certain out-of-pocket costs:
- The QCAT application fee
- Electronic filing service provider fees
- Bailiff or process server fees (capped at prescribed court rates)
- ASIC business name or company search fees
What you can't recover: legal costs, professional drafting charges, lost earnings, or your time.
Free Download
Get the Queensland QCAT Minor Civil Dispute Filing Checklist
Everything in this article as a printable checklist — plus action plans and reference guides you can start using today.
What the Filing Fee Doesn't Cover
The filing fee gets your application processed by the registry. It doesn't cover:
- Service costs — you're responsible for serving the application on the respondent. If you hire a bailiff or process server, that's a separate cost (though it's recoverable if you win a minor debt claim).
- ASIC searches — if the respondent is a company or trades under a business name, you'll need to pay for an ASIC search to confirm the correct legal entity name.
- Evidence preparation — printing and organising your evidence bundle for the hearing is your responsibility.
- Enforcement — if you win and the respondent doesn't pay, registering the order in the Magistrates Court for enforcement involves additional court fees.
Planning for the Total Cost
For a claim in the $1,000–$10,000 range, budget roughly:
- Filing fee: $164.30
- ASIC company or business-name extract: $10 online
- Process server (if needed): $80–$200 depending on location
- Evidence bundle printing and copies: $20–$50
That's roughly $275–$425 out of pocket, most of which is recoverable if you succeed in a minor debt claim.
The QCAT claim guide includes the complete fee schedule alongside a cost-recovery checklist so you can track every recoverable expense from filing through to enforcement.
Get Your Free Queensland QCAT Minor Civil Dispute Filing Checklist
Download the Queensland QCAT Minor Civil Dispute Filing Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.