What the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) does
ACAT hears and decides a broad range of matters for people who live or do business in the ACT. It handles civil disputes (such as debts and consumer claims), residential tenancy disagreements between landlords and tenants, guardianship and management of property for adults who cannot make their own decisions, mental health and treatment orders, and reviews of administrative decisions made by ACT government agencies. The tribunal works to resolve disputes early through preliminary conferences and mediation, and where no agreement is reached, a Member holds a hearing and makes a binding decision (an order). It aims to be quicker, cheaper and less formal than going to court, and many people represent themselves. ACAT can also hear certain internal appeals from its own first-instance decisions.
What it hears
- Civil and commercial disputes, such as debts and claims (generally up to $25,000)
- Residential tenancy and rental disputes between landlords and tenants
- Guardianship and management of property for adults unable to make their own decisions
- Administrative review of decisions made by ACT government agencies
- Mental health and treatment or care orders
- Discrimination and human rights complaints
- Energy, water and other utility complaints, and consumer or fair trading matters
- Occupational discipline, unit titles, retirement village and common boundary (dividing fence) disputes
Before your first court date
A case usually starts when one party (the applicant) lodges an application for the relevant type of dispute. You will need to identify the correct case type, complete the right application form, pay any applicable fee, and notify or serve the other party. It helps to gather your key documents early — for example a tenancy agreement, contract, invoices, letters or photos — and to bring or organise copies for the tribunal and the other side. The Registry counter and phone line are open 9:00am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday if you need to check which form or case type applies. If your matter is first listed for a conference or mediation, think in advance about what outcome you would accept, because many cases are resolved by agreement before any hearing.
What happens at your first appearance
Many matters are first listed for alternative dispute resolution rather than going straight to a hearing. A preliminary conference is a meeting where the parties try to resolve the dispute with the help of an ACAT Member or Registrar, and mediation may also be offered; if you reach agreement, the matter can be finalised without a hearing. If no agreement is reached, the case usually moves to a directions hearing — a short hearing where a Member or Registrar decides how the case will be managed and issues directions setting out what each party must do (such as filing evidence) and by when. If the matter then goes to a final hearing, both sides present their evidence and arguments and the Member makes a binding decision. Arrive early, bring your documents and any witnesses, and you can usually attend in person or remotely; some case types, such as guardianship and mental health, are heard confidentially.
What to prepare
- The correct application form for your case type, plus the application fee if one applies
- All documents that support your case — contracts, the tenancy agreement, invoices, receipts, letters, emails, texts or photos
- Copies of your documents for the tribunal and for the other party
- A short, clear summary of what happened and what outcome you are asking for
- Details of any witnesses and what they can confirm, if your matter goes to a hearing
- Any directions already made and the dates by which evidence or material is due
When to get legal advice
This page is general legal information, not legal advice. ACAT is designed so that many people can represent themselves, and for a straightforward dispute that may be all you need. But it is worth getting advice from an admitted Australian lawyer if your matter is complex or high-value, if the other side has a lawyer, if you face possible occupational discipline, or if guardianship, mental health, discrimination or an appeal is involved — these can have serious or lasting consequences. A lawyer can explain how the law applies to your specific facts, help you prepare evidence, and advise on your prospects. Legal-Hotline.com can give you free legal information any time and, if you want tailored advice, can book you a fixed-fee consultation with an admitted Australian lawyer.
Where it is
Allara House, 15 Constitution Avenue, Canberra City ACT 2601. The entry faces the outdoor plaza off Constitution Avenue, between the Nara Centre and Allara House. Postal address: GPO Box 370, Canberra ACT 2601. Registry phone: (02) 6207 1740. ACAT is in central Canberra City, within walking distance of public transport, and the Registry counter is open 9:00am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday — check the official site for parking and access details before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
What types of cases can ACAT decide?
ACAT covers a wide range of matters including civil and commercial disputes (such as debts and consumer claims, generally up to $25,000), residential tenancy disputes, guardianship and management of property, mental health and treatment orders, discrimination and human rights complaints, utility and fair trading complaints, occupational discipline, unit titles, retirement villages and common boundary (dividing fence) disputes, and reviews of ACT government decisions.
How do I start a case at ACAT?
You start by lodging an application for the relevant case type. You need to choose the correct case type, complete the right application form, pay any applicable fee, and notify or serve the other party. If you are unsure which form applies, the Registry can point you to the right one — its counter and phone line are open 9:00am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday on (02) 6207 1740.
Where is ACAT located?
ACAT is at Allara House, 15 Constitution Avenue, Canberra City ACT 2601, with the entry facing the outdoor plaza off Constitution Avenue, between the Nara Centre and Allara House. The postal address is GPO Box 370, Canberra ACT 2601, and the Registry phone number is (02) 6207 1740.
Do I need a lawyer to go to ACAT?
No. ACAT is designed to be accessible and relatively informal, and many people represent themselves, especially in straightforward tenancy or small civil disputes. That said, getting advice from an admitted Australian lawyer is sensible for complex, high-value, or serious matters — such as occupational discipline, guardianship, mental health or appeals — or where the other side is legally represented.
Will my case go straight to a hearing?
Often not. Many matters are first listed for alternative dispute resolution, such as a preliminary conference or mediation, where the parties try to resolve the dispute with the help of a Member or Registrar. If you reach agreement, the case can be finalised without a hearing. If not, the matter usually proceeds to a directions hearing and then, if needed, a final hearing where a Member makes a binding decision.
What is a directions hearing?
A directions hearing is a short hearing where a Member or Registrar decides how your case will be managed. They issue directions setting out what each party must do — for example, what evidence to file — and the dates by which it must be done, to get the matter ready for a final hearing. It is not the hearing where the final decision is made.
Are ACAT hearings open to the public?
Hearings are generally open to the public, but some case types are confidential because of their sensitive nature — for example, guardianship and mental health matters. Depending on the case, you may be able to attend in person or remotely. Check with the Registry about your specific matter.
Can I appeal an ACAT decision?
In many cases, yes. A number of ACAT decisions can be the subject of an internal appeal to the ACAT Appeal Tribunal. Appeal rights and time limits depend on the type of decision, so it is wise to act promptly and to get legal advice about whether an appeal is available and worthwhile in your situation.