Magistrates Court fees

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Please note

Our fees and charges typically increase on 1 July each year. On 1 July 2025, our fees and charges were increased by 3.4 per cent in line with the Government’s indexation policy.
All cheques should be made payable to the Department of Justice.
The Department of Justice does not accept cheques from:
- Macquarie Bank
- Suncorp Bank
- RACQ Bank.
AmEx cards are not accepted.
all fees are subject to change without notice.

This section provides key information on Magistrates Court fees, including applicable charges, available payment options, and tools to support fee calculations.

Magistrates Court fees in a criminal proceeding

Task	Fee ($)
Filing a complaint and summons under section 54(2) of the Justices Act 1886	115.50
Filing a copy of a summons to a witness issued under section 78 or 83 of the Justices Act	22.10
Filing a copy of the written evidence on oath relied on to obtain a warrant under section 81 of the Justices Act	22.10
*Inspection of a record for a matter under the Justices Act* heard and decided:**
Up to four years ago—for each record	17.75
More than four years ago—for each record	30.65
Supply of a copy of a record of a decision under section 154 of the Justices Act, including an order or a record of conviction	17.75
*Supply of a copy of a record for a matter, under section 154 of the Act, to which the Recording of Evidence Act 1962* doesn’t apply, other than a copy of a record mentioned above:**
First copy—each page	3.25 per page
Maximum fee for first copy	84.10
Additional copy—each page	0.70 per page
Maximum fee for additional copy	33.55
Any rule mentioned in the table below refers to a rule from the Criminal Practice Rules 1999.
Inspecting an exhibit other than a document under rule 56(2)	21.35
Searching for, or inspecting, a document on a court file under rule 57(3)	21.35
Obtaining a certified copy of a document under rule 57(3) or (5)	78.55
Copying all or part of a document, other than an appeal record book or subsequent appeal record book:
First copy—each page	3.25 per page
Maximum fee for first copy	84.10
Additional copy—each page	0.70 per page
Maximum fee for additional copy	33.55
Filing an application to the Magistrates Court under rule 56A(1):	125.40
Copying an exhibit under an order made under rule 56A(3):
First copy—each page	3.25 per page
Maximum fee for first copy	84.10
Additional copy—each page	0.70 per page
Maximum fee for additional copy	33.55
Opening or keeping the registry open between 4:30pm and 8:30am, or on a Saturday, Sunday or court holiday for the purpose of making an application or copying an exhibit under rule 56A	206.70

Magistrates Court fees in a civil proceeding

The fees payable to enforcement officers under the Uniform Civil Procedure (Fees) Regulation 2019 have changed. The charges are no longer calculated by fee units. The same fees apply for enforcement officers performing services and enforcement functions, regardless of jurisdiction.

Also see our online tool to find fees for serving or executing civil documents in the Magistrates Court.

Task	Fee ($)
Originating process—filing a claim
The amount claimed is $2,500 or less	204.20
The amount claimed is more than $2,500 but less than $10,000	282.60
The amount claimed is $10,000 or more but less than $50,000	303.30
The amount claimed is $50,000 or more but less than $100,000
If the plaintiff, or each plaintiff, is an individual	388.90
Otherwise	610.70
The amount claimed is $100,000 or more
If the plaintiff, or each plaintiff, is an individual	460.60
Otherwise	762.20
Registering a judgment or order issued out of a court other than a State court or tribunal (including enforcement action taken on the judgment)
The amount claimed is less than $10,000	125.40
The amount claimed is $10,000 or more	135.00
Filing documents
Filing a document, other than a claim, to start a proceeding	129.70
Filing an employment claim mentioned in the Magistrates Courts Act 1921, section 42B	71.95
Inspecting records in a proceeding
Within 4 years after filing of claim—by a person other than a party to the proceeding	17.75
More than 4 years after filing of claim—by any person, including a party to the proceeding	30.65
Copy of records in a proceeding not subject to the Recording of Evidence Act 1962
First copy — each page	3.25 per page
Maximum fee for first copy	84.10
Additional copy — each page	0.70
Maximum fee for additional copy	33.55
Additional fee for certifying copy	32.75
Poundage
Poundage if an enforcement officer enforces an enforcement warrant or other process under or because of which money is received by the bailiff or the enforcement creditor—the greater amount of:
(a) 5% on the first $200 and 2.5% on the balance; or
(b) the minimum amount	79.95
Opening registry
Opening or keeping the registry open between 8:00am and 8:30am or between 4:30pm and 6:00pm on a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or court holiday	206.70
Assessment of costs
Making an appointment for directions or for assessment of a costs statement by an assessing registrar	59.05
Assessment by an assessing registrar of a costs statement, or part of a costs statement, under the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999, rule 708—for each hour or part of an hour	131.00
Assessment by an assessing registrar of a costs statement other than under the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999, rule 708—for each $100 or part of $100 allowed	16.40
For an order for the amount assessed	81.30
Miscellaneous	Fee ($)
Drawing an advertisement of sale, if the sale is under an enforcement warrant for the seizure and sale of property	197.10

Fee information

Fees are stated in fee regulations as fee units and not in dollars. The current fee unit value for court fees is $1.096. Rounding rules apply when calculating fees.

These fees display dollar amounts, including roundings.

Current fees

The current fee unit value for court fees is set under:

Rounding rules

Rounding rules apply to ensure fees are calculated accurately. These rules are outlined in:

Fee legislation in proceedings

The applicable legislation for Supreme Court fees depends on the type of proceeding:

Criminal proceedings: Refer to the Criminal Practice (Fees and Allowances) Regulation 2021 for details on fee units and rounding rules.
Civil proceedings: Refer to the Uniform Civil Procedure (Fees) Regulation 2019, which also includes details on fee units and rounding rules.

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