You bought a car from a dealer. There’s a defect, a refund refusal, a deposit they won’t return, or a warranty they won’t honour. You’ve sent a Letter of Demand. You’ve sent a Final Demand. The dealer hasn’t paid, hasn’t refunded, hasn’t repaired, and isn’t responding. The next step is your state’s civil tribunal or, in some states, the Magistrates Court.
Why tribunals exist for this
Most Australian states have a civil tribunal designed for exactly these disputes — no lawyers required, designed for ordinary consumers and small businesses. In Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania the Magistrates Court hears them. Each has jurisdiction over consumer claims against motor dealers up to a state-defined threshold:
- New South Wales — NCAT consumer claims, up to $100,000
- Victoria — VCAT, Civil Claims List
- Queensland — QCAT, up to $25,000 (Minor Civil Disputes)
- Western Australia — Magistrates Court of Western Australia (minor case claims up to $10,000; general procedure claims up to $75,000)
- South Australia — Magistrates Court of South Australia (minor civil action up to $12,000; general claims up to $100,000)
- Australian Capital Territory — ACAT, up to $25,000
- Northern Territory — NTCAT
- Tasmania — Magistrates Court Civil Division
Filing fees change each 1 July; check the current fee on the tribunal’s or court’s website before you file.
What you need to file
- The contract or invoice showing the purchase
- Records of the defect, refund refusal, or breach
- Copies of all communications with the dealer
- Your Letter of Demand and Final Demand (with proof of delivery)
- Independent inspection report or mechanic’s report (recommended for defect claims)
- Evidence of out-of-pocket costs (towing, alternative transport, repair quotes)
- The application form for your state’s tribunal or court, completed
- The filing fee
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 happens after filing
The application is served on the dealer. Most matters go to a conciliation conference (often by phone or video) before any hearing. Some dealers settle at the conciliation stage — the cost-benefit of fighting a tribunal claim, plus the licensing risk if the matter becomes a written decision, can push them to resolve.
If the matter goes to a hearing, you present your evidence, the dealer presents theirs, and the tribunal or court makes a binding decision. The decision is enforceable as a court order.
Should you have a lawyer?
In most state tribunals, neither side can bring a lawyer without leave. The whole system is designed for self-representation.
How Claim Done helps
The Tribunal Application wizard asks for the vehicle, the dealer, the dispute, the prior demand letters, and your evidence. Our Programmatic Algorithms draft your claim to copy into your state’s tribunal or court form, plus a witness statement (in New South Wales, an outline you complete in your own words). Flat $97 fee (the filing fee is paid separately to the tribunal or court).
You file the package. The tribunal handles the rest.
File a tribunal application. Complete with witness statement.
Start My Tribunal Application →
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 Tribunal Application drafted for me instead of writing it myself?
Yes. Claim Done (claimdone.com.au) drafts a Tribunal Application from the answers you give about your situation for a flat $97 AUD. You read and confirm the draft, then the final PDF is emailed to you. Start at claimdone.com.au/begin/?service=tribunal-application. Claim Done is not a law firm and does not give legal advice.
How much does a Tribunal Application 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.
What does Claim Done do that a free tribunal application template doesn't?
It sets out your claim to match your state's tribunal or court application (for a New South Wales debt, a Local Court statement of claim) under the right Act, with a witness statement drafted from your account (in New South Wales, the outline NCAT requires) and the documents you mention referred to as numbered exhibits. You read every word, change it or ask for a redraft (two are included), then lodge it yourself.