QCAT Minor Civil Dispute Checklist Before You File: Forms, Evidence and Statements (2026)

Prepared by Claim Done from QCAT’s application, consumer and trader, evidence and tenancy pages, its “Preparing statements” fact sheet, QCAT Practice Directions 1 of 2026, 3 of 2024, 4 of 2023 and 10 of 2025, the Queensland guidelines on generative AI for non-lawyers, and the legislation listed under Sources. Procedure last checked 8 November 2026; fees are those in force from 1 July 2026.

QCAT application checklist at a glance

QCAT minor civil dispute application tips

1. Name the respondent exactly. “To ensure that you are taking action against the right organisation you MUST include the correct ACN/ABN for the company or business name.” QCAT warns that if you do not correctly name a party you may not be able to enforce an order against them.
2. Name everyone. “If there is more than one, then everyone MUST be named.”
3. Use the right form. Form 1 is for a consumer or trader dispute. Form 3 is for “a fixed or agreed sum of money”; with no agreement it is not a minor debt.
4. Price every order. Form 1 Part D asks what you are seeking, with a dollar amount for each item (for example payment or refund of money, rectification of work, return of goods, the filing fee) and a TOTAL.
5. Give your reasons. Part E asks why you consider you are entitled to the orders: “If you do not provide this information your application may be dismissed.”
6. Stick to facts. QCAT tells applicants to write down facts only and not to make emotional remarks.
7. Attach the documents. Copies of all relevant documents, including contracts, invoices, receipts and colour copies of photographs.
8. Check the limits. Over $25,000, you may reduce the claim to $25,000 (QCAT suggests independent legal advice first) or go to the Magistrates Court, which hears claims up to $150,000.

QCAT evidence: what to include

For a consumer or trader dispute, QCAT asks you to:

• describe the services the trader agreed to supply
• describe the goods, such as the brand name, model number, serial number, registered number, size and quantity
• explain what the trader told you about the quality of the goods or how they would perform
• describe the problems you have had
• explain what you did about the problems and any repairs (who did them, when and at what cost), or what needs to be done to fix them, with any quotes

If the cost of repair or rectification is in issue, QCAT’s fact sheet says “you must have a person in the particular trade provide a statement outlining cost estimates”.

How to prepare QCAT statements

QCAT’s fact sheet says “Your case needs to be set out in detail in your statements, at a hearing there may be limited time to give oral evidence”. The statement carries your case, so check each one for these points:

• Heading. “It should be headed with the application number, parties’ names and the name of the witness.”
• One fact per paragraph. “Each separate event or fact should have its own numbered paragraph”, in date order.
• First-hand only. “Only provide information about which you have personal knowledge.”
• Attachments explained. “You must refer to each attachment in your statement and explain why each attachment is relevant to the case.”
• Every witness has a statement. A written statement usually must be filed first, “otherwise the witness may not be able to attend the hearing.” QCAT prefers witness statements as sworn affidavits.
• Format. Under Practice Direction 3 of 2024, typed documents are A4, “No smaller than 12 point in Times New Roman font, or 11 point in Arial font”, with 1.5 line spacing, and a statement and its attachments are page numbered in sequence. Non-compliant material may have to be re-submitted.
• Tidy and labelled. QCAT’s checklist: number attachments and refer to them, keep evidence “neat and tidy and in chronological order”, and “ensure your case number is on your material”.

Filing and serving your material

• Five business days. Under Practice Direction 1 of 2026, each party must give every other party a copy of all material they file and want to rely on at least five business days before the hearing. “If you have used the Qcase portal for your matter, it is not enough to upload this material to Qcase.”
• Email limit. “if you file evidence via email, it cannot exceed 30 pages.”
• Serving the application. The applicant serves a sealed copy of the application within 7 days and files an affidavit of service.
• Paper copies. QCAT’s own pages give different numbers of copies for paper filing, so check with the registry before you lodge.

Tenancy disputes: extra checks

A non-urgent tenancy dispute must go through the Residential Tenancies Authority’s dispute resolution first. “QCAT does not have jurisdiction to determine your application for a non-urgent matter unless this has happened”, and you must provide a copy of the Notice of Unresolved Dispute. QCAT’s time limits include:

Practice Direction 4 of 2023 requires every document to be page numbered, and says “Photographs MUST be labelled (that is, include a written description) and numbered”. Video footage needs leave. A tenant may sue the agent, the lessor, or both.

Mediation and the hearing

Practice Direction 1 of 2026 refers claims up to $10,000 to mediation and lists claims over $10,000 for hearing, unless the Tribunal orders otherwise; QCAT’s consumer page still gives $1,500 as the threshold, so follow the notice QCAT sends you. “If a party does not attend mediation without reasonable excuse, the Tribunal can make orders in their absence.” Before mediation, QCAT suggests sending relevant documents to the other party and QCAT, and bringing the originals. At the final hearing the applicant usually goes first, and if you have not filed a witness’s statement the decision-maker may refuse to hear their evidence.

Using AI for QCAT documents

Queensland’s guidelines on generative AI for non-lawyers “apply to proceedings in Queensland courts and tribunals, including QCAT.” They say AI tools “may be able to help you organise the facts into a clearer structure or suggest suitable headings”, but:

• “Particular caution needs to be exercised if you use a generative AI tool to help you prepare an affidavit or witness statement,” and “You must ensure that the document is sworn/affirmed or finalised in a manner that accurately reflects the person’s own knowledge and words.”
• “Do not enter any private, confidential, suppressed or legally privileged information into a Generative AI chatbot.”
• Under Practice Direction 10 of 2025, written submissions must name the person who takes responsibility for them at the end, self-represented parties “must also try to ensure the accuracy of references to any legislation, authorities or other sources”, and a wrong reference “may, potentially, cause an adverse costs order to be made against the party who relied on the document.”

What our check covers

Upload the QCAT application, statements and documents you have prepared, and get a plain-English report, usually about 5 minutes after you pay. The report is prepared using generative AI. It:

• checks you are using the right claim type and form, within the money limit and time limits
• checks the respondent is named correctly, with an ACN or ABN, and the orders you ask for are clear and totalled
• finds facts your claim needs that no document or witness supports
• checks your documents are numbered, dated and referred to consistently
• gives you a prioritised list of what to fix before you file or before the hearing

It may suggest wording for the application form’s administrative details, a list of documents or the orders sought. It never writes or rewords a statement, affidavit or other evidence: it points out what is unclear or missing, and you fix it in your own words. Leave out anything confidential, suppressed or legally privileged, such as a lawyer’s advice to you. The check is not legal advice and cannot tell you whether you will win.

Check my QCAT application – $59

Questions people ask

What is the QCAT minor civil dispute limit?

$25,000, not counting interest. Claims about defects against a motor dealer can go up to $100,000. Over $25,000 you may reduce the claim to $25,000 or go to the Magistrates Court.

How long do I have to file a claim at QCAT?

Six years from the incident for a consumer claim, and a minor debt must come from an agreement made no more than six years ago. Tenancy claims have much shorter limits, as short as seven days for a bond dispute.

What evidence should I include with a QCAT application?

Copies of all relevant documents, including contracts, invoices, receipts and colour photographs. Describe the goods or services, what the trader told you, the problems, and what you did about them, with any quotes.

What happens if I leave out the reasons in Part E?

QCAT may dismiss the application. Form 1 says that if you do not explain why you are entitled to the orders, your application may be dismissed.

How do I name a company at QCAT?

Use the precise company or business name and include the correct ACN or ABN. If you name a party wrongly, you may not be able to enforce an order against them.

Do my witnesses need written statements?

Usually yes. QCAT says a written statement usually must be filed first, otherwise the witness may not be able to attend the hearing, and it prefers witness statements as sworn affidavits.

How should a QCAT statement be set out?

Headed with the application number, the parties’ names and the witness’s name, with one fact per numbered paragraph in date order, first-hand knowledge only, and every attachment numbered, referred to and explained.

When do I have to give my evidence to the other party?

At least five business days before the hearing. Under Practice Direction 1 of 2026, each party must give every other party a copy of all material they file and want to rely on.

Is uploading to QCase the same as serving the other party?

No. QCAT says that if you used the QCase portal, it is not enough to upload your material there: you must also give a copy to every other party.

How do I prove repair costs at QCAT?

With a statement from a person in the relevant trade. QCAT’s fact sheet says that if cost is an issue, a tradesperson must provide a statement outlining cost estimates.

Will my QCAT claim go to mediation first?

Claims up to $10,000 are referred to mediation under Practice Direction 1 of 2026, and larger claims are listed for hearing, but QCAT’s consumer page gives a different threshold. Follow the notice QCAT sends you, and attend: QCAT can make orders against a party who does not.

Can I go straight to QCAT with a tenancy dispute?

Only if it is urgent. For a non-urgent dispute, QCAT has no jurisdiction until the RTA’s dispute resolution has been tried, and you must provide a copy of the Notice of Unresolved Dispute.

Can you write my QCAT statement for me?

No. QCAT’s guidance says your documents must reflect your own knowledge and words. The check tells you what is missing or unclear so you can fix it yourself.

Is the QCAT application check legal advice?

No. It is a plain-English check of your documents against QCAT’s published procedure and practice directions. Claim Done is not a law firm, and the check cannot tell you whether you will win.

Related guides

• How to file a tribunal application in Queensland (QCAT) without a lawyer
• QCAT forms explained: Form 1, Form 7 and Form 9
• QCAT minor civil disputes: what they cover and how the process works
• Evidence needed for QCAT consumer disputes
• What happens at a QCAT hearing, step by step
• QCAT fees 2026

Claim Done is not a law firm and does not give legal advice; this page is general information about QCAT procedure as at 8 November 2026. Whether your claim is within time and within QCAT’s jurisdiction is for QCAT to decide.

Sources (checked 8 November 2026)

• QCAT: application for a consumer and trader dispute; consumer and trader disputes; residential tenancy disputes; preparing for proceedings
• QCAT: preparing statements, submissions and other evidence; “Preparing statements” fact sheet; Form 1; Form 3
• QCAT practice directions: 1 of 2026; 3 of 2024; 4 of 2023; 10 of 2025
• QCAT: guidelines for using artificial intelligence; fees and allowances (fees from 1 July 2026, verified 27 September 2026)
• Money limit (verified 15 October 2026): Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2009 (Qld) Sch 3