VCAT Fees Victoria 2026: Application Costs, Fee Waivers and Concession Rates

Do Respondents Pay VCAT Fees?

If you have been served with a VCAT claim and you are simply defending it, you pay nothing. Responding to an application — filing Points of Defence, uploading evidence, attending the hearing — is free. Fees only apply if you file your own application, such as a counterclaim against the person who sued you.

This catches many respondents off guard. They receive a stack of tribunal papers and assume the process will cost them money upfront. It does not. The applicant paid the filing fee when they lodged the claim. Your obligation is to respond within the directed timeline, not to pay a fee.

2026 Fee Structure

VCAT fees are set by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Fees) Regulations 2026 and update annually on 1 July based on statutory fee units. Between 27 June 2026 and 30 June 2026, one fee unit is $16.81. From 1 July 2026 onward, one fee unit is $17.27.

There are three fee categories based on the applicant's circumstances:

• Concession rate (11% of the full fee): Available to holders of a Healthcare Card or Pensioner Concession Card. Some concession fees are waived entirely for small claims.
• Standard rate (33% of the full fee): For individuals, sole traders and small businesses with annual turnover under $300,000.
• Corporate rate (100%): For entities with annual turnover of $300,000 or more.

Goods and Services Application Fees (from 1 July 2026)

These fees apply to applicants filing a claim or to respondents filing a counterclaim. If you are only defending, the fee column that matters to you is the counterclaim row — and only if you choose to counterclaim.

Fee Waivers and Concessions

If you hold a current Healthcare Card or Pensioner Concession Card issued by Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs, you qualify for the concession rate automatically. For small claims (up to $15,000), the concession fee is waived.

To claim the concession rate, provide a copy of your concession card when lodging any application through the myVCAT portal or by email. The card must be current — an expired card will not be accepted.

If you do not hold a concession card but are experiencing genuine financial hardship, you can apply for fee relief by completing the VCAT Fee Relief form. You will need to demonstrate that paying the fee would cause you substantial hardship, usually by providing evidence of your income, assets and essential expenses. There is no guarantee of approval — the registrar assesses each application individually.

What About Counterclaim Fees?

If the person who sued you actually owes you money — say a contractor left work unfinished and you want compensation for the cost of fixing it — you may want to file a counterclaim. This is a separate application through myVCAT, and it carries its own fee based on your claim value and fee category.

The counterclaim fee is calculated the same way as a standard application fee. If your counterclaim is for $12,000 and you are an individual with turnover under $300,000, you would pay the standard rate for claims up to $15,000: $67.40. If you hold a concession card, it would be waived.

Filing a counterclaim links your claim to the existing case so both matters are heard together. You will need to quote the existing VCAT reference number when lodging the counterclaim application.

The $15,000 Threshold and Representation

The $15,000 small claim classification does more than set fee tiers. Under section 62 of the VCAT Act, claims of $15,000 or less generally restrict professional legal representation. Both sides must represent themselves unless the Tribunal grants leave.

For claims over $15,000, legal representation remains subject to applicable statutory rules and any required leave. The standard application fee is higher for this tier.

Other Fees You Might Encounter

Beyond application fees, a few other VCAT fees can arise during proceedings:

• Summons to witness: If you need to compel a reluctant witness to attend the hearing or produce documents, applying for a summons under section 104 of the VCAT Act carries a fee plus conduct money payable to the witness.
• Section 120 reopening: If an order was made against you in your absence and you want to apply to reopen it under section 120, there is an application fee.
• Certified copy of order: Requesting a certified copy of a VCAT order for enforcement purposes in the Magistrates' Court may involve a small administrative fee.

None of these fees apply unless you specifically request that service. The core process of defending a claim remains free.

For the full procedural walkthrough of responding to a VCAT goods and services claim, including deadlines, Points of Defence and hearing preparation, see our complete guide.

See more Victoria guides →