TASCAT and Tasmanian Court Applications

Last updated 17 October 2026 · Reviewed by the Claim Done team · Not legal advice

Most Tasmanian tenancy and money disputes are not decided by TASCAT. The first step is getting your matter to the right place, and ClaimDone drafts the application for whichever forum fits, for a flat fee of $97.

Tasmania does not use a single tribunal for every dispute. Most residential tenancy problems (bonds, rent, repairs and ending a tenancy) are dealt with first by the Residential Tenancy Commissioner through Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) and, where they cannot be resolved, by the Magistrates Court (Civil Division). General money and consumer claims (an unpaid debt, a faulty product, a service that was not delivered) are started as a minor civil claim in the Magistrates Court (Civil Division). The Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (TASCAT) handles specific areas such as planning, guardianship and anti-discrimination, and since March 2026 it also decides pet-consent disputes between tenants and owners.

ClaimDone prepares the application for whichever Tasmanian forum fits your dispute, in plain English, for a flat fee of $97. You answer a few questions about what happened and what you want, and our Programmatic Algorithms produce a properly formatted application and a short supporting letter that sets out your claim clearly. You then lodge it yourself and pay any court or tribunal fee directly to them.

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What this is, and what it is not

ClaimDone is a self-help document service. We are not a law firm and we do not give legal advice. We do not tell you whether you will win, and we do not act for you at a hearing. What we do is take the guesswork out of filling in the forms and putting your claim in order, so you can lodge with confidence.

What are the fees?

ClaimDone’s drafting fee is a flat $97. Any lodgement fee is set by the court or tribunal and paid separately. Tasmanian court fees are calculated in fee units, and the fee unit is $1.96 from 1 July 2026. As a guide, the Magistrates Court (Civil Division) fee to file a civil claim up to $5,000 is about $147 as at 1 July 2026, with higher fees for larger claims. Fee reductions and waivers are available if paying would cause you financial hardship. Confirm the exact fee with the court or tribunal before you lodge.

What can I claim?

A minor civil claim in the Magistrates Court (Civil Division) is for amounts up to $15,000, and the Court’s general civil jurisdiction runs up to $50,000. Tenancy outcomes follow the limits in the Residential Tenancy Act 1997.

How to lodge your Tasmanian application

Work out the right forum for your dispute: the Residential Tenancy Commissioner (CBOS) or the Magistrates Court for tenancy, the Magistrates Court for a money claim, or TASCAT for its specific areas. If you are unsure, start with the free CBOS guidance for tenancy matters.
Gather your evidence: the contract, lease or invoice, photos, messages, receipts and a simple timeline of what happened.
Answer ClaimDone’s questions in plain English and let our Programmatic Algorithms draft your application and supporting letter.
Check the draft, add anything specific to your situation, and download it.
Lodge the application with the correct court or tribunal and pay their fee, or ask about a fee waiver.
Send a copy to the other party if the court or tribunal directs, and keep proof of everything you lodge and serve.

Time limits apply and vary with the type of dispute, and some are short, so do not leave it too long. This page is general information, not legal advice.

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Frequently asked questions

Does TASCAT handle my tenancy or money dispute in Tasmania?

Usually not. Most residential tenancy disputes in Tasmania (bonds, rent, repairs and ending a tenancy) are handled first by the Residential Tenancy Commissioner and, if needed, the Magistrates Court. General money and consumer claims are started as a minor civil claim in the Magistrates Court (Civil Division). TASCAT deals with specific matters such as planning, guardianship, anti-discrimination and, since March 2026, pet-consent tenancy disputes.

Which form do I use?

For a money or consumer dispute, use the Magistrates Court (Civil Division) minor civil claim. For a TASCAT matter, use the TASCAT application form for the relevant stream. For a bond or general tenancy problem, contact the Residential Tenancy Commissioner (through CBOS) first.

How much is the fee?

Tasmanian court fees are set in fee units; the fee unit is $1.96 from 1 July 2026. As a guide, a Magistrates Court civil claim up to $5,000 is about $147 as at 1 July 2026, with higher fees for larger claims. Fee waivers are available for hardship. Confirm the exact fee with the court before you lodge.

What is the most I can claim?

A minor civil claim in the Magistrates Court (Civil Division) is for amounts up to $15,000; the Court’s general civil jurisdiction runs up to $50,000.

How long do I have to apply?

Time limits apply and depend on the type of claim. Many consumer and contract disputes have a six-year limit from when the problem arose, but tenancy and some other matters have much shorter deadlines. This is general information, not legal advice; confirm your own deadline before you apply.

Can I get my application drafted for me?

Yes. ClaimDone prepares your application for the correct Tasmanian forum for a flat fee of $97. Our Programmatic Algorithms turn your plain-English answers into a properly formatted application and a supporting letter. You lodge it yourself and pay any court or tribunal fee separately. ClaimDone is a self-help document service, not a law firm, and does not give legal advice.