NCAT

Published 29 September 2022Updated 23rd January 2023

NCAT

What is NCAT?

The New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) is an independent tribunal that deals with a wide range of disputes and makes binding decisions in the state of New South Wales, Australia. NCAT has the power to hear and decide disputes in a wide range of areas, including consumer complaints, strata disputes, tenancy disputes, guardianship, and administrative and government decisions.

NCAT aims to provide a fair, informal, and accessible forum for resolving disputes, with the goal of providing a quick and cost-effective alternative to court proceedings. It has the power to make binding decisions and can also make orders to enforce its decisions.

FAQs about NCAT

Do you need a lawyer to go to NCAT?

In tenancy disputes, the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) encourages tenants and landlords to represent themselves in order to keep costs low and reach a solution efficiently. While hiring a lawyer is possible, approval from NCAT is required. However, in certain cases such as retail leases, professional discipline, and administrative disputes, automatic legal representation is granted, eliminating the need for NCAT approval.

How long does it take to get a hearing at NCAT?

The time it takes to get a hearing at the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) can vary depending on the nature of the dispute and the current backlog of cases. NCAT strives to resolve disputes as quickly as possible, but some cases may take longer to schedule a hearing due to the number of cases on the docket.

However, it mainly depends on the urgency of the dispute. If you convince NCAT that you run the risk of immediate harm, you can get a hearing within 1 to 7 days.

Can tenants appeal an NCAT ruling?

Tenants in New South Wales have the right to appeal a ruling made by the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) under certain conditions such as decision was made without jurisdiction, induced or affected by fraud or bias, significant error or defect in the proceedings, decision was not reasonably open to the Tribunal on the evidence, decision is contrary to the weight of the evidence, decision is clearly wrong, decision is harsh, unjust or oppressive.

However, It's important to note that an appeal must be made within 28 days of the decision, and it must be made to a higher court, such as the District Court or Supreme Court, it's advisable to consult with a lawyer before making an appeal to ensure that you meet the criteria and have a good chance of success.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only. All information is provided in good faith; however, we do not account for specific situations, facts or circumstances. As such, we make no representation or warranty of any kind whatsoever, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information presented.

This blog may also contain links to other sites or content belonging to or originating from third parties. We do not investigate or monitor such external links for accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness, and therefore, we shall not be liable and/or held responsible for any information contained therein.

Ready to get more out of your rent roll?

Contact sales

Gain predictable cash flow

Retain full ownership and control

Scale your rent roll efficiently

Our owner experience

Who we are

Join our team

NCAT

What is NCAT?

FAQs about NCAT

Want more insights into the world of property management and real estate?

Ready to get more out of your rent roll?