QCATdeadlines, forms & process

Non-urgent tenancy disputes need RTA conciliation (Form 16 → Notice of Unresolved Dispute) first, and there is a tight 7-day dual-action clock after it. Building disputes go through the QBCC.

• Residential tenancy dispute

  Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (Qld)

  Up to $25,000

• Minor debt

  QCAT Act 2009 (Qld) (Sch 3)

  Up to $25,000

• Consumer / trader dispute

  Fair Trading Act 1989 (Qld) / Australian Consumer Law (Qld)

  Up to $25,000

• Dividing fence dispute

  Neighbourhood Disputes (Dividing Fences and Trees) Act 2011 (Qld)

  Up to $25,000

• Motor vehicle dispute (licensed dealer)

  Motor Dealers and Chattel Auctioneers Act 2014 (Qld) / Fair Trading Act 1989 (Qld)

  Up to $100,000

• Property damage caused by a motor vehicle

  Fair Trading Act 1989 (Qld) / civil

  Up to $25,000

• Tree / overhanging-branch dispute

  Neighbourhood Disputes (Dividing Fences and Trees) Act 2011 (Qld)

• Building & construction dispute

  Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991 (Qld)

• Retail shop lease dispute

  Retail Shop Leases Act 1994 (Qld)

  Up to $750,000

• Body corporate / community title

  Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 (Qld)

• Guardianship / administration

  Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 (Qld); Powers of Attorney Act 1998 (Qld)

• Review of a government agency decision

  QCAT Act 2009 (Qld) review jurisdiction + enabling Act

• Discrimination complaint

  Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld)

The most common way a self-rep loses time is starting at the wrong place. In Queensland, some disputes must clear an upstream step before QCAT will hear them.

• RTA conciliation → Notice of Unresolved Dispute (NURD)

  Required first

  Non-urgent tenancy disputes (incl. BOND — bond is non-urgent) must go through RTA conciliation: lodge a Dispute Resolution Request (Form 16); if unresolved the RTA issues a Notice of Unresolved Dispute (NURD) with a conciliation number, which you attach to QCAT Form 2. Urgent matters (termination, emergency repairs, warrant, abandonment, DV, database listings) skip the RTA (s415).

  RTRA Act 2008 (Qld) — conciliation gate (s416/s417 [VERIFY]); urgent definition s415; bond is non-urgent (Form 2 Appendix 1)

• QBCC complaint first (building) — unwaivable

  Required first

  A QBCC complaint is a mandatory first step; you need the QBCC outcome letter (or 'no process required' letter) before lodging at QCAT. QCAT CANNOT use its s61 extension/waiver power to excuse a missing QBCC process (Walsh [2016] QCAT 187). There is no fixed statutory clock to QCAT after the letter — it is a gate, not a clock.

  Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991 (Qld) s77(2)

• QSBC mediation (retail shop lease)

  Required first

  Retail shop lease disputes go to QSBC mediation first; the mediator refers the matter to QCAT (the party does not self-lodge).

  Retail Shop Leases Act 1994 (Qld) s55; Small Business Commissioner Act 2021 (Qld)

• BCCM Commissioner conciliation → adjudication (body corporate)

  Required first

  Body-corporate disputes start with the BCCM Commissioner: internal resolution → conciliation → adjudication. Complex disputes go to a specialist adjudicator or QCAT; an adjudicator's order is appealed to the QCAT Appeal Tribunal (6 weeks, question of law only).

  Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 (Qld) s289

• QHRC referral (discrimination)

  Required first

  A discrimination complaint is lodged with the QHRC and referred by it to QCAT — there is no self-filed QCAT application; parties file contentions after referral.

  Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld) (QHRC referral)

These are the clocks QCAT runs. Miss one and you can lose the right, the money, or the chance to be heard.

• Bond dispute — within 7 days of the NURD, file at QCAT AND notify the RTA in writing (BOTH actions, or the RTA pays the bond to the first claimant)
  RTRA Act 2008 (Qld) s136B
• General breach of the tenancy/rooming agreement: apply within 6 months (NON-extendable)
  RTRA Act 2008 (Qld) s419(3)
• Retaliatory action by the lessor: apply within 1 month
  RTRA Act 2008 (Qld) s246A (s276A rooming)
• Termination for failure to leave (vacant possession not given): apply within 2 weeks of handover day
  RTRA Act 2008 (Qld) s293
• Abandonment — apply to SET ASIDE the Form 15 notice within 7 days (after 7 days unchallenged, abandonment is deemed)
  RTRA Act 2008 (Qld) s356
• Appeal a BCCM adjudicator's order to the QCAT Appeal Tribunal within 6 weeks (question of law only)
  BCCM Act 1997 (Qld) s289
• Appeal / apply for leave to appeal (Appeal Tribunal) within 28 days of the relevant day (written reasons) — Form 39; extendable via s61. For MCD users leave is always required
  QCAT Act 2009 (Qld) s143 (grounds s142; extension s61)
• File the appeal within 21 days after leave to appeal is granted
  QCAT Act 2009 (Qld) s143
• Onward appeal to the Queensland Court of Appeal (judicial-member decisions) within 28 days of written reasons (leave may be needed)
  QCAT Act 2009 (Qld) s149/s150/s151 [VERIFY s no.]
• Warrant of possession must take effect within 3 days of the QCAT termination order (date nominated by the member)
  RTRA Act 2008 (Qld) s350

• Minor civil dispute — claim ≤ $1,000 (e.g. small bond claim)

  $93.15

• Minor civil dispute — no amount claimed

  $115.10

• Minor civil dispute — claim $1,001–$10,000

  $158.90

• Minor civil dispute — claim $10,001–$25,000

  $392.40

• Guardianship / discrimination

  $0

• Appeal

  Appeals are reduced (hardship), not waived.

  $784.80$109.60 concession

Tenancy/bond IS at QCAT as a minor civil dispute, but non-urgent matters need RTA conciliation (NURD) first, and a bond claim has a 7-day clock after it. Fees are in fee units ($1.096), re-indexed each 1 July.

Figures as at 1 July 2025 (FY2025/26). Source: official QCAT fees. Fees re-index — confirm the current amount before you lodge.