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 2023, a person who is named on a Commonwealth-issued Health Care Card, Low Income Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, or who is receiving Legal Aid assistance are exempt from paying court fees. People named on a Commonwealth-issued Health Care Card, Low Income Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card are also exempt from paying fees for transcripts of court hearings.

A Request for exemption from paying fees for ACT Courts form must be submitted along with a copy of a valid Health Care, Low Income Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card.