How long a VCAT case takes

Case durations and wait times to get to a hearing depend on the type of dispute you've brought to VCAT.

How long does it take for a tribunal hearing?

We have put in place a range of measures to reduce our current backlogs and waiting time for a hearing. We are gradually reducing the number of cases that have been on hold, and will contact you as soon as it’s possible to take the next steps in your case.

You can find an estimate of how long it takes to get to a hearing after submitting your application, and whether we are experiencing any delays. It may take more or less time. Some cases may be scheduled more quickly for a hearing because they are considered urgent.

Estimated time to get to a hearing

  • The average time it takes from applying to your VCAT hearing is about 4 weeks. It may be earlier or later depending on what you're applying about.

    We prioritise cases that the renting laws say must be heard within a certain time, and those we consider urgent. For example, urgent repairs are heard within 2 business days, and applications involving personal or family violence are heard within 3 business days.

    It takes about 7 business days to hear cases about non-urgent repairs.

    Applications for possession due to danger, damage, or disruption are scheduled for hearing as soon as possible within 3-4 weeks. Possession applications due to unpaid rent are heard in about 4 weeks, and most other applications for possession are heard within 8 weeks.

    Applications involving bond, compensation or pets lodged from 1 October 2023 will be heard within 12 weeks. We’ll contact you when we need more information from you or are ready to hear your case. 

    Did you submit an application related to bond or compensation issues before 1 October 2023? Find out how we’re managing your case. 

  • Different timeframes apply depending on the type of mediation or hearing your case needs. In general, expect to wait 52 weeks from the time you apply to the date of your mediation or hearing.

    About 16 weeks after we receive an application in the Civil Claims List, we send a VCAT order that sets a timetable for when you need to send us supporting documents about your case. It takes about 9-12 weeks for all the steps to be completed. This helps parties prepare for their case and ensure everyone is ready before we schedule a hearing. At the end of the timetable, we will decide whether your case will be scheduled for a hearing, mediation, or fast-track mediation and hearing.

  • It usually takes about 4-8 weeks from submitting the application to a hearing.

    If you apply for an urgent order after contacting the Office of the Public Advocate on 1300 309 337, we'll review the order at a hearing as soon as possible.

    • For standard cases, we estimate 25 weeks to a hearing from the time we receive your application.
    • Fast track cases take about 13 weeks after we receive your application.
    • If your case is eligible for the major cases list, we estimate 13 weeks to a compulsory conference or hearing.
    • If your case is eligible for the short cases list, we estimate 14 weeks to a hearing.

    If you are asked to come to a practice day hearing, preliminary hearing, or compulsory conference, this will be sooner.

    Check the order we sent you for when you should come to VCAT.

  • It takes about 28 weeks to get to a mediation, compulsory conference, directions hearing or hearing from the time you apply. It may be earlier or later depending on what you're applying about.

  • The average time it takes from applying to your VCAT hearing is about 44 weeks. It may be earlier or later depending on what you're applying about. We may try to help you resolve your dispute quicker by facilitating a mediation or compulsory conference.

    We understand the impact of these delays to you and are working hard to reduce the backlog. As soon as a case opens, we make directions to get it moving. This means you won't have to wait for a directions hearing, but you can still apply for one if you think it's necessary.
     

  • The average time it takes from applying to your VCAT hearing is about 44 weeks. It may be earlier or later depending on what you're applying about. We may try to help you resolve your dispute quicker by facilitating a mediation or compulsory conference.

    We understand the impact of these delays to you and are working hard to reduce the backlog. As soon as a case opens, we make directions to get it moving. This means you won't have to wait for a directions hearing, but you can still apply for one if you think it's necessary.

  • The average time it takes from application to hearing is about 38 weeks. It may be earlier or later depending on what you're applying about.

  • The average time it takes from applying to your hearing is about 44 weeks. It may be earlier or later depending on what you're applying about. We may try to help you resolve your dispute quicker by facilitating a mediation or compulsory conference.

    We understand the impact of these delays to you and are working hard to reduce the backlog. As soon as a case opens, we make directions to get it moving. This means you won't have to wait for a directions hearing, but you can still apply for one if you think it's necessary.

  • It usually takes about 4-8 weeks from submitting the application to a hearing.

  • It usually takes about 25 weeks from the time we receive your application to a hearing.

    If you are asked to come to a preliminary hearing or compulsory conference, this will be sooner.

  • It usually takes about 25 weeks from the time we receive your application to a hearing.

    If you are asked to come to a practice day hearing, preliminary hearing, or compulsory conference, this will be sooner.

  • The average time it takes from application to hearing is about 29 weeks. It may be earlier or later depending on what you're applying about.

  • It usually takes about 12-16 weeks from submitting the application to a hearing.

  • It usually takes about 12-16 weeks from submitting the application to a hearing.

  • It usually takes about 25 weeks from the time we receive your application to a hearing.

    If you are asked to come to a practice day hearing, preliminary hearing, or compulsory conference, this will be sooner.

  • The average time it takes from applying to your hearing is about 44 weeks. It may be earlier or later depending on what you're applying about. We may try to help you resolve your dispute quicker by facilitating a mediation or compulsory conference.

    We understand the impact of these delays to you and are working hard to reduce the backlog. As soon as a case opens, we make directions to get it moving. This means you won't have to wait for a directions hearing, but you can still apply for one if you think it's necessary.

How long does the entire VCAT process take?

The entire VCAT process, from the time we start processing your application to giving you our decision, can take several months, but the exact timeframe will depend on the specifics of the case.

The following timeframes to finalise a case are estimates only, and can be sooner or later depending on current backlogs and the complexity.

Estimated time to resolve a case