We can help you understand what the form is asking. If you need to help to fill in the VCAT application form, contact us.

We can:

• ask you questions about what you want
• explain what the questions mean
• explain what documents you need
• explain the process.

We can’t give you legal advice. This means we can’t:

• tell you what to write
• give you advice on how to present your case
• give you advice on how to win the case.

If you do choose to get legal advice, you’ll need to pay their fees (if any).

If you want to talk about what you should do, you can access free or low-cost legal advice or find a private lawyer.

Sometimes we order someone to do or stop doing something temporarily.

This is called an interim injunction. Applying for an interim injunction is serious. You must explain to us why the situation is urgent, for example it will cause major damage.

If you think you need an interim injunction, make sure you’re able to show some important reasons for your application. Include these reasons when you apply, or be ready to explain them at the urgent hearing.

Find out more about how to apply for an injunction

If you are making a claim against a business or company you need to provide an ASIC extract with your application. It confirms you’re taking legal action against the right person and the address is correct. We can't progress your application without it.

ASIC Current Company Extract

You must buy this document if your dispute is with a company. It confirms you're taking legal action against the right company and that the registered address is correct. To do this:

• Watch the video: How to download an ASIC Current Company Extract.
• Search the ASIC Registers.
• Buy the Current Company Extract document.
• If the company is trading under a business name in your dispute, you must also get a Business Names Extract from the ASIC Registers.
• Don't get the free Summary PDF. It doesn't have the information you need.

If you need help, call ASIC on 1300 300 630.

ASIC Business Names Extract

You must buy this document if your dispute is with a business. It confirms you're taking legal action against the right business holder and that the business address is correct. To do this:

• Watch the video: How to download an ASIC Business Names Extract.
• Search the ASIC Registers.
• Buy the Business Names Extract document.
• Look at the holder of the business name. If it's a company, go back and change the respondent to 'Company'.
• Don't get the free Summary PDF. It doesn't have the information you need.

If you need help, call ASIC on 1300 300 630.

Incorporated Association Extract

You must buy this document if your dispute is with an incorporated association. It confirms the incorporated association is registered and your application is sent to the correct contact person and registered address.

Buy and download the Extract from the Consumer Affairs website.

For help watch the video or call Consumer Affairs Victoria on 1300 55 81 81.

VCAT’s fees are set by the Victorian Government.

We charge fees in 3 categories:

• concession rate
• standard rate
• corporate rate.

When you make an application tell us what your fee category is and provide proof of your status. The fee rate category applies to any fees payable throughout your case. You must apply separately for each case you want to bring to VCAT.

When you automatically pay no fees

You automatically don’t need to pay any fees if you are:

• represented by:
  • Victoria Legal Aid
  • a community legal centre
  • a provider under the Tenancy Assistance Advocacy program
  • a recognised provider who has deemed you eligible through a means test.
• in a prison or other public institution – you must provide evidence of your status such as your Criminal Record Number
• under 18 years of age – you must provide a copy of your birth certificate, passport, learner's permit or other proof of age
• a protected person or an affected family member who is the applicant in a residential tenancies case arising from family violence
• a victim of crime seeking review of a Victims of Crime Financial Assistance Scheme decision.

You must provide a letter from the organisation that represents you with your application.

Who pays the concession rate

If you hold an eligible card, you're automatically entitled to a fee reduction (concession rate). When you apply, you must provide us with a coloured copy of the front and back of your card.

You can pay the concession rate if you hold:

• an Australian Government Health Care Card
• a Commonwealth Pensioner Concession Card
• a Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold Card - you need to be eligible for treatment under Part V of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.

We don't accept Gold Card's held by a veteran's dependants, other than a widow or widower.

Concessions and fee relief

Who pays the standard rate

People and businesses who pay the standard rate include:

• individuals
• sole trader businesses
• businesses set up as a partnership
• businesses with a turnover of less than $300,000 in the last financial year
• not-for-profit organisations.

If your company wants to apply as a standard fee payer, you need to provide a statutory declaration with your application that proves your turnover is less than $300,000.

Who pays the corporate rate

Businesses with a turnover of $300,000 or more in the last full financial year pay the corporate rate.

For example, if you apply in April 2025, use the turnover from the 2023/2024 financial year.

Schools and government organisations are part of this fee category.

If your financial circumstances change

Your fee category might change if:

• your financial circumstances change – for example, if you get a concession card
• you change your application to apply as a different person – for example, if you want to apply under your business name and not as an individual.

Tell us in writing about these changes. Make sure you include a copy of any relevant documents to prove this.

Contact us

VCAT cannot give legal advice. If you do choose to get legal advice, you will need to pay any costs. 

If you want to talk about what you should do, you can access free or low-cost legal advice or find a private lawyer.
  
If you want a lawyer or other professional representative to speak on your behalf at VCAT, let the other party know in writing before the hearing and ask permission when the hearing starts. You will need to explain why. 

For some case types you have an automatic right to representation.

If the claim is for goods and services under $15,000, we generally don’t allow a lawyer or other professional representative to speak for you at VCAT. 

If you do choose to get legal advice, you’ll need to pay any costs. 

Read more about legal and professional representation
 

We offer a range of support services including interpreters, disability, security, family violence and Koori support. 

Make sure you let us know what support you need to early as possible - when you apply to VCAT or get a notice from us.

If you’ve been in touch with us about support before you come to VCAT, see our customer service staff at the counter or meet the support person at the location you’ve agreed on before the hearing.

You can also contact us by phone, email, post or in person. Our staff can help answer questions about the VCAT process, but they can’t give you legal advice about your case or the outcome.

Who you can bring to VCAT