Application for Waiver or Request for Exemption of Court or Tribunal Fees

Waiver of fees

Under section 15(2)(b) of the Court Procedures Act 2004, the Registrar of a Court or of the ACAT has the power to waive all or part of a court or tribunal fee, including fees for court transcripts, where the Registrar considers that payment of the full fee would result in hardship.

To ask the Registrar to waive court or transcript order fees, you must submit an Application for a fee waiver or a free transcript of audio recording form detailing your current financial situation so the Registrar can make an informed decision.

Exemption from fees

Under section 93 of the Legal Aid Act 1977 and the Court Procedures (Fees) Determination 20235 (Determination), a person who is the primary cardholder (not a dependent of a primary cardholder) of  Health Care Card, Low Income Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card issued by Services Australia, or a Pensioner Concession Card issued by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, or who is receiving Legal Aid assistance, is exempt from paying the court fees outlined in items 1000 to 1317 of the schedule to the Determination.

A Request for exemption from paying fees for ACT Supreme Court or ACT Magistrates Court matter form must be submitted along with a certified copy of the current, relevant card.