SACAT: choose your application or review route

Check whether SACAT can decide your particular issue

The SACAT Act operates with the law that gives the tribunal power over your case. The official jurisdiction list is a starting point; it is not a promise that every dispute in a broad category qualifies. Your decision notice and the orders sought help identify the correct route.

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A tenancy dispute in a strata property may still belong in SACAT. That is different from a dispute about the strata corporation itself. Federal-jurisdiction issues, including some disputes involving residents of different states, can also require a court route; obtain advice rather than assuming SACAT can decide every claim.

Compare application fees and available relief

The 2026 Fees Notice, pages 1424–1426 took effect on 1 July 2026. These selected fees are current at 24 October 2026; check the official fee schedule for the exact application and any later changes.

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1. Check the application category and your role. Under regulation 14, proceedings under the four specified advance-care, medical-treatment, guardianship/administration and mental-health Acts are generally fee-exempt, with exceptions for transcripts and internal review. For internal review, the exemption applies where the applicant is the person who is the subject of the proceedings.
2. If payment is difficult, read the fee-waiver and concession guidance. Relief is not automatic: provide the requested concession or financial evidence. Multiple applicants may each need to establish entitlement.
3. For hardship, the current guide requests the last four weeks of bank statements for all sole and joint accounts, and income evidence. A fee may be waived, reduced or postponed under the applicable powers; ask for a clear decision.
4. Do not assume an unpaid online form preserves every deadline. Deal with the required fee or relief request promptly and retain acknowledgement and payment/waiver correspondence.

This is not a quote for legal advice, representation, a court appeal or every SACAT service. A prescribed corporation excludes a corporation with fewer than 20 full-time-equivalent employees that is not a subsidiary of a corporation with 20 or more full-time employees, and excludes a not-for-profit organisation.

Apply or respond using the correct form and directions

SACAT’s current application guidance uses online applications. An account lets you manage applications, and a guest application is available for a one-off matter. If you cannot complete it online, call the registry on 1800 723 767 for assistance; staff may help by telephone or at the public kiosks.

State what decision or orders you want and why. Include the relevant agreement, decision, notices and supporting material. Use the lodgement or SACAT reference number when supplying further documents. Registry staff can explain procedure but cannot advise whether you should apply or whether you will win.

If you receive an application or hearing notice, read it in full. Check the case type, parties, attendance method, response date and document directions. Different streams and orders can impose different requirements; there is no safe single response deadline for every SACAT case.

Tell the registry early about interpreter, disability, safety or other participation needs. Seek directions about confidential or sensitive material rather than assuming everything you send will remain private from other parties.

Prepare for a conference or hearing

SACAT may use a conference to explore agreement, or a hearing to decide disputed issues. The member is impartial, not your adviser. A lawful settlement can be recorded in binding orders. If issues remain, a hearing may follow on another day or, sometimes, the same day.

Use the official hearing-preparation guide with your directions. Organise relevant documents, photographs, a short chronology and witnesses who can address the disputed facts. Supply material as directed before the event and have your own complete copy available.

Check whether you must attend in person or have permission for telephone or video participation. Ask early if you need another arrangement; do not treat a request as permission. Your notice controls the venue and method.

If you cannot attend, contact SACAT promptly, explain why and provide supporting material. Rescheduling is a decision for the tribunal. If your request is refused, the matter may proceed without you. Do not assume that sending an email or booking legal advice postpones the hearing.

Separate advice, representation and costs

Many parties represent themselves. Section 56 permits representation subject to the legislation governing the case. The ability to obtain legal advice is different from permission for a lawyer to speak at a particular hearing.

For a residential-tenancy dispute, section 113 of the Residential Tenancies Act sets the lawyer-representation tests. They include agreement of all parties plus the tribunal’s satisfaction about disadvantage; inability to present the case properly without assistance; another party being a lawyer or professionally represented; or involvement of the Commissioner as intervener or party. The actual test must be met.

Ask about a support person or other representative if needed. Their role is not necessarily the same as a lawyer’s, and the applicable law and tribunal directions matter.

The ordinary position is that each party bears their own costs, but SACAT can make costs orders under its statutory powers and applicable exceptions. Winning does not automatically reimburse your lawyer’s fees. Confirm the work, fee estimate and any available assistance before engaging representation.

Choose the correct way to challenge a decision

Keep the entire decision and reasons, the date made and the date you received them. An internal review is different from review of a government decision and from a court appeal. Not every SACAT decision is internally reviewable; check the official eligibility guidance and the governing Act.

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These are starting points, not a complete timetable for every special case. Relevant legislation can change the route or time. Extensions are discretionary. Under sections 36 and 73, starting a review or appeal does not automatically stop the decision operating; ask about a stay separately. Do not assume the clock begins only when you become aware of the decision.

Prepare a file that makes the next step clear

Put the next deadline and the outcome you need on the first page. Keep originals intact and use a short index so an adviser can find the decision, evidence and disputed issues quickly.

1. The application, response, every hearing notice, directions, complete decision/order and reasons, with the relevant dates and case number.
2. The law or case category identified in the notice, the orders you want, and a concise explanation of what is disputed.
3. A dated chronology, agreements, correspondence, photographs, receipts and other evidence relevant to those issues.
4. Witness details and availability, and any interpreter, accessibility, support or safety requirements.
5. For non-attendance review, evidence of why you were absent and not represented, when you learned of the decision, and what you did next.
6. For fee relief, the requested concession, bank and income records; keep lodgement, payment and registry acknowledgements.
7. Ask whether a stay, extension, representation permission or enforcement step is needed, who will lodge it, and which fees and further work are included.

An order to pay money does not guarantee payment. Under section 89, the amount of a monetary order may be recovered as a debt in the appropriate court by an entitled person. Ask about the correct enforcement step and its costs if an order is not obeyed.

Official help and free legal information

The registry explains procedure; independent services can help with legal questions. Check eligibility, availability and the scope of any assistance.

SACAT application and review questions

Related legal information