QCAT vs VCAT vs NCAT: Which Tribunal Hears Your Dispute?

Every Australian state and territory has its own civil and administrative tribunal — they look similar from a distance but have different jurisdictional limits, fee structures, and procedural quirks. Filing in the wrong one means filing fees lost, time wasted, and sometimes a limitation period missed. The first question is never “which tribunal is best” — it is “which tribunal has jurisdiction over this dispute”.

The jurisdictional rule

The general principle is that the tribunal of the state where the cause of action arose, or where the contract was performed, or where the respondent is located, will have jurisdiction. NCAT (NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal) hears matters under the Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 (New South Wales). VCAT (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal) operates under the VCAT Act 1998 (Victoria). QCAT (Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal) operates under the QCAT Act 2009 (Queensland). SAT (State Administrative Tribunal) covers Western Australia, although money claims there go to the Magistrates Court of Western Australia. SACAT covers South Australia, where money claims go to the Magistrates Court of South Australia. ACAT covers the Australian Capital Territory. NTCAT covers the Northern Territory. In Tasmania, money claims go to the Magistrates Court of Tasmania under the Magistrates Court (Civil Division) Act 1992.

Money-claim limits at a glance

• NCAT — Consumer & Commercial Division: consumer claims up to $100,000, brought by the consumer. A business owed money in New South Wales has a debt claim for the Local Court of New South Wales, not NCAT: Small Claims Division up to $20,000; General Division over $20,000 up to $100,000
• VCAT — Civil Claims List (goods and services disputes, including unpaid money)
• QCAT — Minor Civil Disputes: $25,000
• Western Australia — money claims go to the Magistrates Court of Western Australia, not SAT: minor case claims up to $10,000; general procedure claims up to $75,000
• South Australia — money claims go to the Magistrates Court of South Australia, not SACAT: minor civil action up to $12,000; general claims up to $100,000
• ACAT — civil disputes up to $25,000
• NTCAT — small claims up to $25,000
• Tasmania — Magistrates Court of Tasmania (Civil Division), claims up to $50,000

Common pitfalls when picking the tribunal

Three mistakes recur. Choosing by convenience instead of jurisdiction — your home tribunal may not have power over a contract performed interstate. Splitting one claim to fit the cap — tribunals consistently strike out claims artificially divided to avoid the monetary limit. Confusing the tribunal divisions — a residential tenancy claim sits in a different list from a consumer-trader claim, with different forms and fees.

What the application does

A tribunal application sets out the parties, the cause of action, the relief sought, and the statutory basis (the section of the relevant Act giving the tribunal power). Done poorly, it bounces back with a deficiency notice and adds weeks.

What Claim Done delivers

For a flat fee, Claim Done drafts your Tribunal Application package for the correct forum — NCAT, VCAT, QCAT, SAT, SACAT, ACAT, NTCAT, the Magistrates Court of Western Australia, South Australia or Tasmania, or a Local Court statement of claim for a New South Wales debt — with your claim drafted to copy into your tribunal’s or court’s form, plus a witness statement (in New South Wales, an outline you complete in your own words). Around 15 minutes in the wizard, no solicitor appointment.

What happens after

Most tribunals list the matter for a directions hearing or compulsory conference (listing times vary; check your tribunal’s website). From there the path forks — settlement, hearing, or dismissal. Whatever the next step, having the application drafted properly the first time is the cheapest move.