Case types

If you have a dispute or need a decision, you may be able to come to VCAT to have it resolved. Find out what we can help with.

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Residential tenancies

If you’re part of a dispute about a rental property, you may come to VCAT to have it resolved.

Goods and services disputes

Consumer disputes and small claims about products and services you bought or sold.

Guardians and administrators

Appoint a guardian or administrator, a supportive guardian or administrator, reassess or cancel these appointments.

Planning disputes

Disputes about decisions on the use, development and subdivision of land, permits, objections and planning schemes.

Owners corporation disputes

Disputes about the management and use of common property and areas within subdivided land like apartments or units.

Building and construction disputes

Domestic or commercial building disputes between a property owner, builder, sub-contractor, architect, engineer or other building practitioner – or any combination of these. Disputes between a property owner and a warranty insurer.

Retail and commercial leases

VCAT hears and decides cases about retail tenancies and commercial leasing disputes.

Review and regulation

The Review and Regulation List has jurisdiction under a number of Acts of Parliament to review administrative decisions, conduct inquiries, accept referrals and make first instance decisions (orders in original jurisdiction).

Co-owned land and goods

We hear applications to make an order for the sale or division of co-owned land or goods under the Property Law Act 1958.

Unreasonable flow of water between properties

If there is an unreasonable flow of water onto your property or someone interferes with the reasonable flow of water onto your property, and this causes you to suffer loss or damage, you can make an application to us claiming compensation or seeking an order requiring the other person to do something to stop the unreasonable flow of water or interference.

Powers of attorney

Appoint a power of attorney or review decisions about powers of attorney.

Medical Treatment and Advance Care Directives

If you are concerned about an advance care directive or a medical treatment decision made by either the medical treatment decision maker or the person who made the appointment, apply to VCAT.

Voluntary assisted dying cases

In Victoria, a person in the late stages of a terminal illness can request access to medication that will end their life at a time they choose. This is called voluntary assisted dying.

Mental Health cases

VCAT can review decisions made by the Mental Health Tribunal under the Mental Health Act 2014. We hear and decide these cases in our Human Rights List.

Disability Act cases

VCAT makes orders about restrictive and compulsory treatment for people with an intellectual disability when there is a chance of them harming others. We also review decisions made by the Secretary to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Equal opportunity cases

VCAT can hear and decide cases about unlawful discrimination, sexual harassment, victimisation or vilification. We can also grant and revoke exemptions, which allow conduct that would otherwise be prohibited discrimination.

Land valuation disputes

Review of land valuations (for either rates and taxes or differential rating purposes) and disputes about compensation for acquisition of land.

Environment and resources

We review decisions made by government organisations about the use and development of natural resources such as water, rock, gravel, or sand, or decisions about activities or developments that can affect the environment.

Traditional owners and Aboriginal heritage

We review decisions made by government organisations about the use and development of land under the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010, Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 and Native Title Act 1993.

Privacy and health records cases

We make decisions about the collection of your health information and review decisions by the Patient Review Panel or Chief Medical Officer. We also resolve any complaints about information privacy when the Commissioner for Privacy and Data Protection cannot.

Legal practice disputes

The Legal Practice List hears and decides disputes between lawyers and clients about legal services and costs, and cases about lawyers’ conduct.