QCAT Fees for Bond Disputes in Queensland (2026–27)

You have been through RTA conciliation, it failed, and you are holding a Notice of Unresolved Dispute. The next step is QCAT — and the filing fee depends on how much bond money is at stake.

QCAT fees are indexed every 1 July. Here is the current fee schedule for the 2026–27 financial year, along with what the hearing process actually looks like for a landlord.

Current Filing Fees (From 1 July 2026)

Bond disputes fall under QCAT's Minor Civil Dispute jurisdiction. The fee scales with the monetary amount you are claiming:

Most bond disputes involve claims well under $10,000 — a four-week bond on a property renting at $500 per week is $2,000 — so the typical landlord filing fee is $164.30.

QCAT can waive a fee in eligible financial-hardship cases. To apply, submit Form 49 with supporting documents at the same time as the main application.

The 7-Day Filing Deadline

Under Section 136B of the RTRA Act, the window to file at QCAT is tight. Once you receive the RTA's Notice of Unresolved Dispute (NURD), you have seven calendar days to:

1. Complete and lodge a QCAT Form 2 — Application for Minor Civil Dispute (Residential Tenancy Dispute)
2. Attach the NURD to the application
3. Notify the RTA in writing that you have filed

Day one of the clock is the day after you receive the NURD. If you miss the seven-day window, the RTA automatically releases the entire bond to the tenant.

What Happens at the Hearing

Under QCAT Practice Direction 1 of 2026, residential tenancy disputes skip the general minor-debt mediation step and go straight to a formal hearing.

Self-representation is the default. Under Section 43 of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2009, parties in minor civil disputes must represent themselves. A lawyer or agent can appear only with the tribunal's explicit permission, which is typically reserved for cases involving serious illness or genuinely complex legal arguments.

What QCAT expects from you:

• Entry condition report (Form 1a) and exit condition report (Form 14a)
• Date-stamped photographs from both entry and exit
• Itemised repair quotes or paid invoices
• A rent ledger showing any arrears
• Proof of asset age and depreciation calculations (for damage claims)
• Proof that you delivered evidence to the tenant within 14 days of your bond claim (Section 136AA compliance)

The adjudicator will compare the entry and exit documentation, apply the depreciation rules (no betterment — you cannot claim full replacement cost for an aged item), and make a binding order.

After the Decision

QCAT's order is legally binding. The RTA will distribute the bond according to the tribunal's direction.

If you disagree with the decision, an appeal is possible — but only on questions of law (not on facts or evidence), and you must file with the QCAT Appeal Tribunal within 28 days. An appeal of a bond dispute is rare and generally not cost-effective for the amounts involved.

If the other party does not comply with a QCAT order, the decision can be enforced as a civil debt through the Magistrates Court.

Is Filing Worth the Cost?

The filing fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. Before committing to a QCAT application, weigh the claim amount against the fee, the time spent preparing evidence, and the time required for the hearing.

For a $400 cleaning dispute, a $164.30 filing fee plus a day off work may not justify the recovery. For a $1,500 damage claim supported by strong documentation, it usually does.

The Queensland Rental Bond Guide includes a pre-QCAT dispute checklist covering the NURD-to-filing timeline, evidence requirements, and a decision framework for whether to proceed.

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