General Federal Law Fees
A number of fees apply to Federal Magistrates Court proceedings pursuant to Schedule One of the Federal Magistrates Court Regulations 2000. For matters that do not attract a fee, see Regulation 7 of the Federal Magistrates Court Regulations 2000.
Regulation 14 specifies a biennial increase in fees.
The fees listed below were effective from 1 July 2008.
Unlawful termination
Filing an application for unlawful termination under section 663 of the Workplace Relations Act 1996.
$57.30
The fee is payable under subsection 644 (2) or (3) of the Workplace
Relations Act 1996.
Human rights (under Section 46PO or 46PP of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986)
Filing an application
$50
Filing an application
$745 Corporations
$374 Others
Response
Seeking different orders sought by applicant
$745 Corporations
$374 Others
Interlocutory – interim/procedural orders
$447 Corporations
$223 Others
Hearing fee/Setting down fee
$894 Corporations
$447 Others
Mediation by a court officer (For the first attendance)
$297 Corporations
$297 Others
Fee exemption and waiver
In some cases fees do not have to be paid.
Fee exemption
Regulation 8 of the Federal Magistrates Court Regulations 2000 sets out when fees may be exempted.
If you are an individual, you will not have to pay a fee if you
- have been granted Legal Aid
- hold a health care card
- hold a pensioner concession card
- hold a Commonwealth seniors health card
- hold another card issued by the Department of Family and Community Services or the Department of Veterans' Affairs
- are an inmate of a prison or are otherwise lawfully detained
- are a child under the age of 18 years
- are in receipt of Youth Allowance or Austudy or
- are receiving benefit under ABSTUDY.
Fee waiver
Regulation 9 of the Federal Magistrates Court Regulations 2000 sets out when fees may be waived.
A Registrar may waive the payment of a fee if, having regard to your income, day-to-day living expenses, liabilities and assets, he or she is satisfied that payment of the fee would cause you financial hardship.
If you want to know more, or are unsure about fees, you can ask registry staff at the Court.
Links to fee exemption, waiver and refund forms appear below.
Application for Waiver or Exemption Form - Individual,
Statement of Financial Position Form – Individual,
Guide to an application by an individual for exemption or waiver of fee,
Application for Waiver or Exemption Form – Corporate,
Statement of Financial Position Form – Corporate,
Guide to application by a corporation for waiver of fee
[Please note these links will take you out of this web site and into the Federal Court of Australia web site. To get back to the FMC web site use the "back" button of on your browser.]
See also
Fees Payable (1 July 2008) PDF
Legal Costs in General Federal Law Matters |