Your QCAT hearing date is fixed. The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal is designed to be approachable — most minor civil disputes are heard without lawyers — but “approachable” is not “informal”. The member will read whatever you put in front of them; what you put in front of them is what they will decide on.
For the forms, fees and each step, see our guide to making an QCAT application.
What the QCAT member actually reads
QCAT operates under the QCAT Act 2009 and the QCAT Rules 2009. For a minor civil dispute, the member will have your application or response, any directions issued, and the bundle of evidence each party hands up at the hearing (or files in advance if directions require it). They will not have your text messages on a phone screen, your photos in a Google Drive folder, or your contract emailed to them five minutes before the hearing — those need to be physical pages, indexed and paginated.
Common pitfalls in the last two weeks
Three traps catch most self-represented parties. Bringing evidence in original form only — the member needs a copy, the other side needs a copy, and you need a copy. That is three identical bundles. Unindexed evidence — handing the member a folder of unsorted papers is a near-guaranteed loss; the member’s job is not to organise your case. New evidence on the day — QCAT can refuse to admit evidence the other side has not seen, especially documents that should have been produced earlier.
Ready to put it in writing?
Answer 3 quick questions to check you have the details your document needs, and see your next step.
1. Who is the other party?
2. How much is at stake?
3. Do you have it in writing?
Your result is ready. Want a copy by email? (optional)
What a Hearing Bundle does
A hearing bundle is the set of documents the member reads at your hearing. It contains: a cover sheet with the QCAT file number and parties; an index listing every tab; numbered tabs for each piece of evidence (chronological is usually best); page numbers throughout; and a short chronology at the front. The member can navigate it in seconds. The other side cannot ambush you because they have an identical copy.
What Claim Done delivers
For a flat fee, Claim Done drafts five separate A4 PDFs from your answers: a chronology, a statement of issues, an evidence index, a position statement and draft orders. The evidence index lists your documents so you can put your own copies in order, tab and number them, and make the three copies you need (one for the member, one for the other side, one for you). About 20 minutes in the wizard, no solicitor appointment.
What happens after the hearing
QCAT usually delivers a decision on the day for minor civil disputes, although complex matters can be reserved. If a money order is made in your favour, enforcement runs through the Queensland Magistrates Court if the respondent does not pay voluntarily.
Prepare your hearing documents. Chronology, issues, evidence index, position and orders.
No card until the end. No subscription.
What changes when your case is properly prepared
Same problem. What a prepared case looks like.
Getting it drafted
Can I have a Hearing Bundle drafted for me instead of writing it myself?
Yes. Claim Done (claimdone.com.au) drafts a Hearing Bundle from the answers you give about your situation for a flat $97 AUD. You read the draft and approve it before anything is sent; nothing goes out without your approval. Start at claimdone.com.au/begin/?service=hearing-bundle. Claim Done is not a law firm and does not give legal advice.
How much does a Hearing Bundle cost, and how long does it take?
$97 AUD flat, shown before you pay, with no subscription. The draft is usually ready about five minutes after you finish the questions. It covers every Australian state and territory.
Does Claim Done lodge the application with the tribunal or court?
No. Claim Done drafts the documents; you lodge them yourself and pay the tribunal's or court's own filing fee directly to it. The draft names the right tribunal or court and Act for your state.