Change a hearing date (adjournment)

Make your request for a change of date as early as possible.

Clearly state the reasons for your request. The reasons need to be exceptional and unexpected, such as a sudden serious illness or bereavement in the family. You must provide documents to support your request, for example a medical certificate.

Time limits

In certain cases, we must receive your request no later than 4:00 pm 2 business days before the scheduled hearing date.

Cases where a deadline applies include residential tenancy, goods and services, owners corporation, human rights, and guardianship applications. For example, for a hearing scheduled on Friday, we must have your request by no later than 4:00 pm on Tuesday.

If your application is not received within the time limits, your case will go to a hearing and your adjournment request will be considered then. When you come to the hearing, you need to bring evidence in support of your adjournment request.

How to make a request

To request a change of date:

• submit an Adjournment application form, clearly stating the reasons and providing supporting documents
• ask the other parties if they consent to the change of date. If they do, ask them to give us written confirmation or complete a Request for consent to an adjournment form and return it to us immediately by email.

Do not assume the date has changed. Your hearing will go ahead as originally planned, unless we contact you to confirm a new date and time.

Cases cannot be adjourned indefinitely.

A change of date may not be possible. VCAT may not agree to change the date, even if all the parties consent. While we try to meet such requests, it may not be possible to change the date.