How to Apply to QCAT for Unpaid Debt: Forms, Fees, and What to Expect

If you’re owed money in Queensland and the debtor refuses to pay, the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) offers a straightforward way to recover debts up to $25,000. The minor debt process is designed for everyday disputes — unpaid invoices, rental bonds, loans between individuals, or defective goods — without needing a lawyer.

What is QCAT and when should you use it?

QCAT is Queensland’s tribunal for resolving civil disputes quickly and affordably. The minor debt jurisdiction covers claims up to $25,000 where the debt is a specific, ascertained amount and the debtor cannot genuinely dispute the liability on reasonable grounds.

Common QCAT minor debt claims include:

• Unpaid invoices for goods or services supplied
• Rental bond disputes where the landlord or agent refuses to refund
• Money lent to a friend, family member, or business that has not been repaid
• Defective goods where the seller will not provide a refund or replacement
• Overpayments or deposits not returned

QCAT cannot hear claims involving personal injury, defamation, or disputes already before another court or tribunal.

Before you file: send a letter of demand

QCAT expects applicants to make a genuine attempt to resolve the dispute before filing. A letter of demand is not legally required, but it demonstrates good faith and often prompts payment.

Your letter of demand should:

• State the exact amount owed and how it was calculated
• Cite the relevant agreement, invoice, or consumer law provision
• Give the debtor a clear deadline to pay (typically 7-14 days)
• Warn that you will file a QCAT application if payment is not received

Keep a copy of the letter and proof of delivery. If the debtor ignores it, this evidence strengthens your application.

Step 1: Check the QCAT minor debt threshold and jurisdiction

Before you file, confirm:

• Claim amount: Must be $25,000 or less (excluding interest and filing fees)
• Debtor location: The debtor must be in Queensland, or the debt must have arisen in Queensland
• Debtor type: QCAT can hear claims against individuals, sole traders, partnerships, and companies

If the debt exceeds $25,000, you need to file in the Queensland Magistrates Court instead. If the debtor is a registered company and owes $4,000 or more, a statutory demand may be more effective.

Step 2: Gather your evidence

QCAT decisions are based on the evidence you provide. Collect:

• Written agreement or invoice showing what was owed and when
• Proof of delivery or completion of work (delivery dockets, photos, emails)
• Payment records showing partial payments or acknowledgment of the debt
• Letter of demand and proof it was sent
• Correspondence where the debtor admits the debt or makes excuses

Organise your evidence chronologically. QCAT members appreciate clear, well-presented documentation.

Step 3: Complete the QCAT minor debt application form

QCAT applications are lodged online through the QCAT Online Portal at www.qcat.qld.gov.au.

You will need to create an account and complete the Application – minor debt dispute form. The form asks for:

• Your details (name, address, contact information)
• Respondent’s details (the debtor’s full legal name and address)
• Amount claimed (principal debt only — interest is calculated separately)
• Brief description of the dispute and the basis of your claim
• Details of any attempts to resolve the matter

Attach your supporting documents as PDFs. The portal allows multiple file uploads.

Step 4: Pay the QCAT filing fee

QCAT filing fees are scaled based on the amount claimed:

• Up to $5,000: $141.70
• $5,000.01 to $10,000: $212.50
• $10,000.01 to $25,000: $425.10

Fees are current as of 2025 and are indexed annually. Payment is made online by credit card when you submit the application.

If you succeed at the hearing, you can ask QCAT to order the respondent to reimburse your filing fee.

Step 5: QCAT serves the application on the respondent

Once lodged, QCAT serves the application on the respondent by post. The respondent has 28 days to file a response.

If the respondent does not file a response within 28 days, you can apply for a default order — QCAT may make an order in your favour without a hearing, based on your evidence alone.

If the respondent does file a response, QCAT will schedule a hearing and notify both parties of the date, time, and format (in-person, phone, or video).

Step 6: Prepare for the QCAT hearing

QCAT hearings are informal compared to court, but you still need to be prepared. The tribunal member will ask questions and review the evidence from both sides.

What to bring:

• All original documents (invoices, contracts, receipts, letters)
• A written timeline or summary of events
• Any witnesses who can support your claim (optional, but helpful)
• A copy of your QCAT application and the respondent’s response

What to expect:

• The hearing usually lasts 30-60 minutes
• Both parties present their case and answer questions
• The tribunal member may ask clarifying questions about the evidence
• QCAT may try to facilitate a settlement before making a decision

Tips for presenting your case:

• Stick to the facts — avoid emotional arguments
• Refer to specific documents and dates
• Be concise and answer questions directly
• If the respondent raises a genuine dispute, be ready to address it with evidence

Step 7: QCAT makes a decision

After the hearing, QCAT will make a decision. This may happen on the day, or the tribunal member may reserve their decision and issue it in writing within 1-2 weeks.

If QCAT finds in your favour, the order will specify:

• The amount the respondent must pay
• Whether the respondent must reimburse your filing fee
• The timeframe for payment (usually 28 days)

If QCAT finds against you, you may appeal to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Appeal Tribunal, but only on a question of law.

Step 8: Enforce the QCAT order if the debtor still won’t pay

A QCAT order is legally enforceable. If the respondent does not pay within the timeframe specified, you can enforce the order through:

• Garnishee order — directing the debtor’s bank or employer to pay you directly
• Warrant for redirection of earnings — deducting payments from the debtor’s wages
• Warrant for sale of property — seizing and selling the debtor’s assets

Enforcement applications are lodged separately and incur additional fees. If the debtor is a company and still refuses to pay, you may consider a statutory demand or wind-up proceedings.

How ClaimDone helps with QCAT applications

ClaimDone prepares QCAT minor debt applications based on the evidence you upload. You complete a 5-minute intake form, upload your invoices, contracts, and correspondence, and our Proprietary AI Engine drafts your application presenting your case clearly.

We prepare the application form, organise your evidence, and generate a cover sheet for filing. You lodge it yourself through the QCAT portal, saving the cost of a lawyer while ensuring your application is professionally presented.

ClaimDone does not give legal advice. For complex disputes, high-value claims, or cases involving genuine factual disputes, consult a Queensland lawyer.

Ready to file your QCAT application?

QCAT’s minor debt process is designed to be accessible, fast, and affordable. With the right preparation, most applicants can represent themselves successfully.

If you’re ready to recover your unpaid debt, ClaimDone can prepare your QCAT application in under 24 hours. Upload your evidence, answer a few questions, and we’ll generate a tribunal-ready application at a fixed fee. Get started with your QCAT tribunal application today.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a QCAT minor debt claim take?

From filing to hearing, most QCAT minor debt claims take 8-12 weeks. If the respondent does not file a response, you can apply for a default order within 28 days, which may resolve the matter in 4-6 weeks.

Can I claim interest on the unpaid debt at QCAT?

Yes. QCAT can award interest at the prescribed rate (currently 10% per annum). You do not include interest in your claim amount — QCAT calculates it separately if you succeed.

What happens if the debtor disputes the claim at the hearing?

If the respondent raises a genuine dispute (e.g., defective work, goods not delivered), QCAT will hear evidence from both sides and make a decision based on the balance of probabilities. You need clear evidence to prove your version of events.

Do I need a lawyer to apply to QCAT for unpaid debt?

No. QCAT is designed for self-representation. Most applicants in minor debt matters represent themselves successfully. However, if the dispute is complex or high-value, a lawyer may be helpful.

Can I apply to QCAT if the debtor is a company?

Yes, but if the company owes $4,000 or more, a statutory demand may be more effective. QCAT can still hear claims against companies, but enforcement may be more difficult if the company has no assets.