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 determined court or tribunal fee, where the Registrar considers that payment of the full fee would result in hardship.
To ask the Registrar to waive a determined court fee, you must submit an Application for a fee waiver form detailing your current financial situation so the Registrar can make an informed decision.
A person seeking a waiver of fees for a written transcript or audio recording of an ACT court proceeding must submit an Application for Fee Waiver for a Written Transcript or Audio Recording form. These fees are not determined fees, and each application will be considered by the ACT Courts and Tribunal Chief Executive Officer.
Exemption from fees
Under section 15(2)(a) of the Court Procedures Act 2004 and the Court Procedures (Fees) Determination (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 legally assisted under a scheme or service provided or approved by the Attorney-General, 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 an ACT Supreme Court or ACT Magistrates Court matter form must be submitted to the registry, along with a certified copy of either a current, eligible concession card or letter confirming legal assistance.
Please note that fees for a written transcript or audio recording in an ACT court proceeding are not eligible for exemption.