Someone has filed an application against you at the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT). In a minor debt claim you have 28 days to respond, and what you file shapes how well you protect your position.
For the forms, fees and each step, see our guide to making an QCAT application.
This guide covers how to respond to a QCAT application, including the forms you need, the deadlines that matter, and what goes into an effective defence pack.
What is QCAT and when do you need to respond?
QCAT is Queensland’s tribunal for civil and administrative disputes. It covers minor civil disputes (including consumer and debt claims up to $25,000), residential tenancies, and certain administrative reviews.
If someone files an application naming you as the respondent, you receive:
- The applicant’s application setting out their claim
- A Notice of Hearing with the date, time, and location
- Instructions on how and when to respond
In a minor debt claim, failing to respond means the applicant can lodge a request for a decision by default, and that decision is enforceable against you in the courts. In other minor civil disputes, the hearing goes ahead and the applicant’s version of events goes unchallenged.
In a minor debt claim (the applicant used Form 3) you have 28 days from the date you were served to file a response on Form 7. In consumer and trader, residential tenancy and dividing fence disputes no response form is required; you can file a reply and your evidence before the hearing. Check the documents you received carefully.
QCAT response forms: what you need to file
In a minor debt claim, your response is Form 7, Response to minor civil dispute – minor debt, on QCAT’s website. In other minor civil disputes, no response form is required; a reply covers the same points.
The response form
A response or reply should cover:
- Your full name and contact details
- The QCAT reference number (found on the application)
- Whether you admit, deny, or do not know about each allegation
- Your version of events — a clear, factual account of what happened
- Any legal grounds for your defence
- Details of any counterclaim you wish to make (not allowed in a minor debt claim)
Download the response form from the QCAT website or complete it online via the QCAT portal.
Supporting documents
Attach copies (not originals) of:
- Contracts, invoices, receipts, or agreements relevant to the dispute
- Correspondence (emails, text messages, letters) between you and the applicant
- Photos or videos showing the condition of goods, property damage, or other physical evidence
- Bank statements or payment records
- Any expert reports, quotes, or assessments
Do not attach irrelevant material. QCAT adjudicators read hundreds of pages. Focus on documents that directly support your defence.
Witness statements (if applicable)
If you have witnesses who can support your version of events, prepare a witness statement for each person. The statement should:
- Be in the first person (“I saw…”, “I heard…”)
- Set out the witness’s full name, address, and relationship to the dispute
- Include only facts the witness personally observed or knows
- Be signed and dated
Witnesses may be required to attend the hearing to give evidence in person.
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 claim or demand from?
2. How much are they claiming?
3. Do you have it in writing?
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Key deadlines for responding to QCAT applications
28-day response period
In a minor debt claim (the applicant used Form 3) you have 28 days from the date you were served to file a response on Form 7. In consumer and trader, residential tenancy and dividing fence disputes no response form is required; you can file a reply and your evidence before the hearing.
Urgent matters
Read the notice you received carefully for any date QCAT sets.
Counterclaims
In consumer and trader, tenancy and dividing fence disputes, you can file a counter application as soon as possible before the hearing. QCAT does not allow one in a minor debt claim.
Hearing dates
The hearing date is set when the application is filed. If you cannot attend, you must apply to QCAT to adjourn the hearing as soon as possible.
What to include in your QCAT defence pack
A defence pack is the complete set of documents you file in response to the application. It should be organised, indexed, and easy for the adjudicator to follow.
1. Completed response form
Be specific. Do not write “I deny the claim” without explanation. Set out:
- Which allegations you admit
- Which allegations you deny, and why
- Your version of what happened, in chronological order
- Any legal defences
2. Chronology of events
A one-page timeline helps the tribunal understand the sequence of events. Format it as a table:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 15/03/2024 | Contract signed |
| 22/03/2024 | Deposit paid |
| 10/04/2024 | Work completed |
| 15/04/2024 | Applicant raised complaint |
| 20/04/2024 | Respondent offered remedy |
3. Indexed bundle of evidence
Organise your supporting documents with numbered tabs or dividers:
- Tab 1: Contract or agreement
- Tab 2: Invoices and payment records
- Tab 3: Correspondence (emails, letters, texts)
- Tab 4: Photos or videos
- Tab 5: Expert reports or quotes
- Tab 6: Witness statements
Each document should be clearly labelled and referenced in your response.
4. Legal submissions (if complex)
For straightforward disputes, your response form is enough. For more complex matters, consider preparing a short written submission setting out:
- The applicable law
- How the law applies to the facts
- Why the tribunal should find in your favour
Keep it under three pages. QCAT is designed to be accessible without lawyers, but clear legal reasoning strengthens your case.
Common defences in QCAT matters
Debt and consumer disputes
- Payment already made: Provide bank statements or receipts showing payment.
- Goods were not defective: Photos, expert reports, or evidence the goods were fit for purpose.
- Contract was breached by the applicant: Evidence the applicant failed to meet their obligations first.
- Statute of limitations: The claim is out of time.
Residential tenancy disputes
- Bond was lawfully retained: Evidence of damage, unpaid rent, or cleaning costs supported by photos, quotes, and the entry condition report.
- Notice periods were complied with: Copies of notices served in accordance with Queensland tenancy legislation.
- Repairs were completed: Invoices, receipts, or evidence the landlord met their repair obligations.
Minor civil disputes
- No breach occurred: Evidence you met all contractual obligations.
- Damages are overstated: Expert quotes showing the applicant’s claimed loss is excessive.
- Contributory negligence: Evidence the applicant contributed to the loss or damage.
How to file your response with QCAT
You can file your response in three ways:
1. Online via the QCAT portal
The fastest method. Upload your response form and supporting documents as PDFs. You receive immediate confirmation and a reference number.
2. By post
Mail your response and supporting documents to:
Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal GPO Box 1639 Brisbane QLD 4001
Allow extra time for postal delays. The response is filed on the date QCAT receives it, not the date you post it.
3. In person
Deliver your response to any QCAT registry:
- Brisbane (ground floor, 259 Queen Street)
- Southport
- Townsville
- Cairns
- Rockhampton
- Toowoomba
Registry hours are typically 8:30am–4:30pm, Monday to Friday.
What happens after you file your response?
Once QCAT receives your response:
- The applicant is notified and given an opportunity to reply to any new matters you raised.
- The adjudicator reviews both sides before the hearing.
- Compulsory conference (if ordered): QCAT may direct both parties to attend a conference to attempt settlement.
- Hearing: If the matter does not settle, it proceeds to a hearing where both sides present evidence and the adjudicator makes a binding decision.
You must attend the hearing. If you do not, the tribunal may proceed in your absence and make orders against you.
Final checklist: responding to a QCAT application
Before you file, confirm:
- [ ] You have completed the response form in full
- [ ] You have attached all relevant supporting documents
- [ ] Your evidence is organised and indexed
- [ ] In a minor debt claim, you have filed within the 28-day deadline (or applied for an extension)
- [ ] You have kept copies of everything you filed
- [ ] You have the hearing date in your calendar
- [ ] You understand what happens next
Missing any of these steps weakens your defence. QCAT adjudicators expect both sides to be organised and prepared.
How Claim Done helps with QCAT responses
Preparing a QCAT defence pack is time-consuming. You need to organise evidence, draft a clear response, and ensure everything is filed on time.
Claim Done’s Tribunal Response / Defence Pack service drafts your side of the case. You complete a five-minute intake form, tell us what documents you have, and receive four separate A4 PDFs:
- A response summary
- A defence position statement
- A chronology
- An evidence list
In a minor debt claim, they support the Form 7 you complete and file yourself; in other disputes, they are the reply and evidence you file before the hearing. Claim Done does not complete QCAT forms, compile an evidence bundle, or lodge, file or serve anything for you.
The service is designed for respondents who want a structured, legally sound defence without paying hourly legal fees. For straightforward QCAT disputes, it gives you a clear, organised starting point. Prepare your QCAT defence pack with Claim Done and protect your position before the deadline runs out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I don't respond to a QCAT application?
The tribunal may proceed in your absence and make orders against you based solely on the applicant’s evidence. You lose the opportunity to present your side of the dispute or challenge their claims.
Can I file my QCAT response after the 28-day deadline?
You can apply for leave to file a late response, but you must provide a reasonable explanation for the delay. QCAT may refuse late responses if they prejudice the applicant or delay the hearing.
Do I need a lawyer to respond to a QCAT application?
No. QCAT is designed for self-representation. Most respondents do not use lawyers for matters under $25,000.
Can I make a counterclaim in my QCAT response?
In consumer and trader, tenancy and dividing fence disputes, you can file a counter application as soon as possible before the hearing. QCAT does not allow one in a minor debt claim.
What evidence should I include in my QCAT defence pack?
Include contracts, invoices, correspondence, photos, bank statements, expert reports, and witness statements that directly support your defence. Organise them in an indexed bundle so the adjudicator can easily locate each document.
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What changes when your answer is in writing
Same problem. What a prepared case looks like.