NCATdeadlines, forms & process
NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal
Residential tenancy & bond, consumer claims, home building, strata, and more. TribunalReady tracks every statutory clock, reads your tribunal letters automatically, and walks you through the process — built for self-represented people.
What NCAT handles
Rental bond dispute
Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW)
Repairs / maintenance
Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW)
Termination / eviction
Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW)
Excessive rent increase
Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW)
Home building defects
Home Building Act 1989 (NSW)
Builder payment dispute
Home Building Act 1989 (NSW)
Motor vehicle (lemon)
Australian Consumer Law
Consumer goods / services
Australian Consumer Law
Strata dispute
Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW)
Other / not sure
Get the front door right
The most common way a self-rep loses time is starting at the wrong place. In New South Wales, some disputes must clear an upstream step before NCAT will hear them.
Fair Trading complaint before NCAT (home building)
Required firstLodge a Fair Trading complaint and obtain a rectification order or closure letter before applying to NCAT for a residential building dispute.
Home Building Act 1989 (NSW) Pt 3A
Fair Trading mediation before NCAT (strata)
Required firstMost strata disputes must go through NSW Fair Trading mediation before NCAT will hear the matter.
Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW) — Fair Trading mediation
Deadlines that bite
These are the clocks NCAT runs. Miss one and you can lose the right, the money, or the chance to be heard.
- Lodge NCAT bond dispute within 14 days of Notice of ClaimResidential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW) / Rental Bond Board
- Challenge excessive rent increase within 30 days of noticeResidential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW) s44
- Request warrant of possession within 30 days of possession dateNCAT enforcement — Warrants for possession
- Major defect claim within 6 years of completionHome Building Act 1989 (NSW) s18E(1)(a), s18E(2A)
- Non-major defect claim within 2 years of completionHome Building Act 1989 (NSW) s18E
- Lodge appeal within 28 days of ordersNCAT Guideline 1 — Internal Appeals
- Work orders can be renewed within 12 months if not complied withNCAT enforcement — work order renewal
- Apply within 3 months of becoming aware of the breachResidential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW) — general breach time limit
- Warrant of possession is executable within 28 days of issueNCAT enforcement — warrant executable within 28 days of issue
- Lodge Fair Trading complaint before applying to NCATHome Building Act 1989 (NSW) Pt 3A
What it costs to file
Residential tenancy (bond, rent, repairs, termination)
Residential proceedings; corporation $124.
$62$16 concessionConsumer / general claim up to $10,000
$62$16 concessionConsumer / general claim $10,001–$30,000
$128$32 concessionConsumer / general claim over $30,000
Many home-building defect claims land here.
$330$83 concessionStrata / community scheme
$128$32 concessionGuardianship
$0Internal appeal (Appeal Panel)
$519$130 concession
NSW tenancy and bond disputes ARE heard at NCAT. Fees are value-banded by claim amount and CPI-indexed every 1 July.
Figures as at 1 July 2025. Source: official NCAT fees. Fees re-index — confirm the current amount before you lodge.
Start your NCAT case in two minutes
Track every deadline, organise your evidence, and walk in prepared. One-off pricing, no subscription. Australian data, Sydney region.
TribunalReady is not a law firm. This page is information, not legal advice. Statutory periods and fees are amended and CPI-indexed from time to time — verify on the tribunal’s official website before you lodge.