Which tribunal handles my dispute?
Starting at the wrong place is the most common way a self-represented person loses time. Each state and territory runs its own civil and administrative tribunal — but the rules differ, and some disputes don’t go to the tribunal at all. Find your state below.
The “wrong front door” trap
Most people assume their dispute “goes to the tribunal” — and often it does. But the front door changes by state. In some states a bond or building dispute must clear an upstream body first (conciliation, a commissioner, a certificate). In a couple of states, renting disputes aren’t heard by the tribunal at all — they go to a commissioner or the Magistrates Court.
Pick your state to see the right body, what it covers, and the one thing people most often get wrong about it.
By state & territory
- New South WalesNCAT
NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Residential tenancy & bond, consumer claims, home building, strata, and more.
Open the NCAT guide - VictoriaVCATEarly access
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Residential tenancies, owners corporation, domestic building, and consumer claims.
Watch out: Bond, compensation, repairs and excess-rent disputes now start at Rental Disputes Resolution Victoria (RDRV) before VCAT; building disputes go through DBDRV first. VCAT has no internal appeal panel — appeals run to the Supreme Court.
Open the VCAT guide - QueenslandQCATEarly access
Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Minor civil & tenancy disputes, consumer claims, building, and body corporate.
Watch out: 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.
Open the QCAT guide - South AustraliaSACATEarly access
South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Residential tenancies, housing, and administrative review.
Watch out: Bond and tenancy disputes start with Consumer and Business Services (CBS), and there is an 'absolute' 28-day bond window. An interstate party can move the matter to the Magistrates Court.
Open the SACAT guide - Western AustraliaSATEarly access
State Administrative Tribunal (WA). Commercial & civil disputes, building, strata, guardianship, and vocational regulation.
Watch out: Residential tenancy and bond disputes are NOT heard at SAT — they go to the Magistrates Court and the Consumer Protection Commissioner. Building disputes go through the Building Commissioner first.
Open the SAT guide - TasmaniaTASCATEarly access
Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Guardianship, anti-discrimination, planning, and (some) tenancy streams.
Watch out: Residential tenancy disputes are NOT heard at TASCAT — they run through the Residential Tenancy Commissioner and the Magistrates Court. TASCAT is new (2021) and still expanding.
Open the TASCAT guide - Australian Capital TerritoryACATEarly access
ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Residential tenancy, civil disputes, guardianship, and administrative review.
Watch out: The ACT caps rent increases at 110% of the CPI 'rents' component, with a $25k civil ceiling and a non-extendable 20-working-day window to seek review of a development decision.
Open the ACAT guide - Northern TerritoryNTCATEarly access
Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Tenancy, guardianship, and administrative review (civil claims capped at $25k).
Watch out: The NT has no bond board — the landlord holds your bond, with a 7-business-day notice clock and a 3-month window to apply to keep it. Some matters route through the Commissioner of Tenancies.
Open the NTCAT guide
Found your tribunal? Start your case
TribunalReady tracks every deadline, reads your tribunal letters, and walks you through the process — for self-represented people. Live for NSW NCAT; VCAT and QCAT in early access.
TribunalReady is not a law firm. This page is information, not legal advice. Which body hears a dispute can turn on the specific facts and change over time — confirm with the tribunal or a community legal centre before you lodge.