Enforcing a tribunal order

The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) resolves disputes, including unpaid debts.

If QCAT orders someone to pay you and they don’t, you can enforce the order by filing it with a Queensland court.

QCAT itself does not enforce orders.

Once filed, the QCAT decision is taken to be an order of the court and can be enforced in the same ways as an order of that court.

What is enforcement?

Enforcement is the legal process of making someone comply with a court or tribunal order.

This may involve recovering money, property, or compelling a debtor to take specific actions.

When to file the order

You have up to six years from the date of the QCAT order to file it with a court for enforcement.

Where to file the order

Order amountFie it with
Up to $150,000Magistrates Court
Between $150,001 and $750,000District Court
Over $750,000 or complex casesSupreme Court

Tip: It’s often more practical to file the QCAT order with the court registry closest to your or the debtor’s home or workplace. Find the nearest court registry.

How to file the order

Provide the court registry with:

  1. A copy of the QCAT order.
  2. An affidavit confirming the unpaid amount or other non-compliance:
    • use the correct affidavit form (ask the court registry)
    • sign it in front of a Justice of the Peace, Commissioner for Declarations, or solicitor.

No filing fee

Filing a QCAT order with a court is free.

What happens next?

You may need to apply for an enforcement hearing to assess the debtor’s financial situation and decide the best way to recover the debt.

Debt recovery options

To recover the money owed, you may decide to, for example:

  • apply for an enforcement warrant (e.g. a garnishee order to deduct money from wages or a warrant to seize and sell property)
  • negotiate a repayment plan, if the debtor is willing to cooperate.

Legal advice

If you’re unsure, seek legal advice to understand your rights and options.

Money disputes in QCAT

QCAT generally handles disputes valued at $25,000 or less, including unpaid debts, consumer disputes, and minor claims.

However, depending on the type of matter there may be instances where QCAT makes an order for an amount more than $25,000.

More information

For more details, visit QCAT’s Enforcing a QCAT decision web page.

Relevant legislation