Overview — fees are modest
Australian tenancy tribunals are designed to be accessible. Application fees for residential tenancy disputes are deliberately kept low — significantly less than court fees — so that tenants can afford to pursue their rights without needing a lawyer.
Application fees by state
Fees vary by state and the type of matter. These are approximate figures for standard residential tenancy applications:
Fees are updated periodically. Check your state tribunal's official website for current fees before filing. The figures above are indicative for 2025–26.
| State | Tribunal | Approximate Fee | Fee Waiver Available? |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | NCAT | $55–$110 (tier-based on amount claimed) | Yes — Financial hardship |
| VIC | VCAT | $70.70 (standard tenancy) | Yes — Health Care Card holders |
| QLD | QCAT | $0 for bond disputes via RTA; $103 for other matters | Yes |
| WA | Magistrates Court | $131–$321 depending on claim amount | Yes — financial hardship |
| SA | SACAT | $62 (standard) | Yes — Concession Card holders |
| ACT | ACAT | $85 (standard) | Yes — financial hardship |
| TAS | TasCAT | $50–$100 (standard) | Yes |
| NT | NTCAT | $40–$80 (standard) | Yes |
Fee waivers — who qualifies?
All tribunals have a fee waiver or reduction process for people experiencing financial hardship. Common qualifying criteria include:
- •Holding a Centrelink concession card (Health Care Card, Pension Concession Card)
- •Receiving certain government payments (JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy)
- •Demonstrable financial hardship (bank statements, statutory declaration)
- •Being represented by a community legal centre or tenancy advocacy service
Can you recover your fee from the other party?
In most cases, tenancy tribunals follow a 'no costs' rule — each party pays their own application fee regardless of who wins. However, there are exceptions. If the other party has acted vexatiously, unreasonably, or wasted tribunal time, the tribunal can make a costs order. For bond disputes, some tribunals will order the landlord to pay your application fee if their claim was clearly unreasonable.
Free legal help before you file
Before paying any fee, consider getting free advice from your state's tenancy advice service or a community legal centre. In many cases, they can help you file the application, improve your case, and confirm whether your matter is strong enough to pursue.
- •NSW — Tenants' Union of NSW
- •VIC — Tenants Victoria
- •QLD — Tenants Queensland
- •WA — Tenancy WA
- •SA — Tenants Information and Advocacy Service (TIAS SA)
- •ACT — Tenants' Union ACT
- •TAS — Tenants' Union of Tasmania
- •NT — Darwin Community Legal Centre
This guide provides general information based on current Australian tenancy legislation. It is not legal advice. Always verify with the relevant state tenancy authority or a qualified professional for your specific situation. Last verified: January 2026.