Amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 start on 3 March 2021. See our news.

ACT Civil & Administrative Tribunal (ACAT)

ACAT is an independent body that hears and determines a range of cases and disputes.

Get started

ACAT hears cases and resolves disputes through conferences, mediation and hearings. To make an application, you first need to identify your case type.

Civil disputes

Disputes about contracts, damages, debt, consumer law, nuisance, trespass and other matters (usually for claims up to $25,000).

Discrimination cases

A discrimination case must first be considered by the ACT Human Rights Commission.

Energy and water cases

Complaints about energy and water companies, applications about hardship and supply disconnection.

Fence disputes

Disputes about new fences, fence repairs or replacements between adjoining land.

Guardianship and management of property cases

To appoint a person to make decisions on behalf of an adult whose decision making ability is impaired.

Mental health cases

ACAT can make orders about a person’s mental health treatment, care or support.

Motor accident injuries

ACAT can review some insurer decisions, make orders or determine some matters about payments to a person injured or the dependants of a person who dies in a motor accident in the ACT.

Occupational regulation and discipline cases

Regulatory authorities can apply to discipline licensees or registered persons in some occupations.

Rental property disputes

Disputes arising from a lease or occupancy agreement, such as disbursing bond, termination and eviction. ACAT also endorses some tenancy terms.

Unit title disputes

Disputes arising in owners corporation or community title schemes.

Retirement village disputes

Disputes within an ACT retirement village, such as resident rights, operator obligations or village rules.

Review of ACT Government decisions

Some administrative decisions made by the ACT Government can be reviewed by ACAT.

Appeal a decision

You may be able to appeal an ACAT decision on a question of fact or law.

Resolve your case

We use a range of methods to resolve or decide your case.

Conferences and mediation

Many ACAT disputes can be resolved early through preliminary conferences and mediation, where all parties can discuss ways to resolve the case at an informal and confidential meeting. You may have to attend a conference or mediation before a matter goes to a hearing.

Hearings

There are different types of hearings at ACAT, including directions hearings, interim hearings, urgent hearings, final hearings and appeal hearings. ACAT uses hearings to decide how your case will progress, to deal with preliminary issues, and to hear and decide the case.