Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Regulation 2019

🆓 Fee Waivers and Hardship

If paying would cause you financial hardship, you can apply to the principal registrar (the senior administrative officer) to have your fee waived entirely. For appeals, there's a reduced fee of 100 fee units available. If a waiver is granted after you've already paid, you get a refund.

👁️ Witness Allowances

People required to attend hearings as witnesses are entitled to compensation:

• Ordinary witnesses (e.g. a neighbour or bystander): ~$50.60/day (under 16) or ~$101.10/day (16 and over)
• Professional or expert witnesses (e.g. doctors, engineers): ~$118.20 to $313.40/day depending on hours absent
• Travel and accommodation costs are also covered, calculated using public transport fares or a per-kilometre rate if no public transport is available

🏛️ Justices of the Peace at QCAT

QCAT can be constituted (i.e. formally made up) by justices of the peace (community members with legal authority to witness documents and perform minor legal functions) at five locations: Brisbane, Ipswich, Maroochydore, Southport, and Townsville. They receive a daily sitting fee of $117.30.

📋 Oaths of Office

Tribunal members must swear an oath (or make a formal affirmation if they prefer not to swear on religious grounds) to carry out their duties fairly and without bias.

Why does it matter?

This regulation is the practical backbone of QCAT. Without it, people wouldn't know what it costs to use the tribunal, whether they qualify for a fee waiver, or what witnesses get paid. It directly affects the cost and accessibility of resolving disputes through this important public institution.