Practitioners can download a summary of the latest VCAT fees via the link below:
Summary of the latest VCAT fees
Those regularly associated with Planning matters before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) would be aware that VCAT fees are reviewed periodically and updated each financial year. The most recent changes to VCAT’s fee structure came into effect on 27 June 2026 and introduced more changes than usual.
Under new Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Fees) Regulations 2026, the changes affect application fees, daily hearing fees, site visit fees and for the first time introduce new fees for some mediations and compulsory conferences.
Three Types of Fee-Payers
The three-tiered fee-payer classifications remain with some small changes to each classification’s definition, as summarised below:
- Concession: the lowest rate, for people with an eligible concession card
- Standard: for individuals, not-for-profits, and smaller businesses (with an annual turnover of less than $300,000, the application must be accompanied by a statutory declaration to this effect)
- Corporate: the full rate, for larger businesses, companies and government agencies.
New Fees for Conferences & Mediations
Previously, fees were generally only payable at commencement (application fees) and daily hearing fees. The most recent changes introduce a new fee of up to $1316 for compulsory conferences and dispute-resolution events.
New Cost of Fees
A summary of the new fees recently published on the VCAT website, associated with the most common type of planning matters, is provided below in two tables entitled “Individual Applicants” and “Corporate Applicants”.
Individual Applicants
The following table is applicable to individuals, sole trader businesses, businesses set up as a partnership, businesses with a turnover of less than $300,000 in the last financial year and not-for-profit organisations.
Corporate Applicants
The following table is applicable to businesses with a turnover of $300,000 or more in the last full financial year, schools and government organisations
Additional Information
Practitioners should also be aware that:
- Accompanied site visits are also likely to attract an additional daily hearing fee (of up to $4805)
- If you have already paid the applicable fee to VCAT, no further payment will generally be required
- If the new fee is lower than the amount you paid, you may be eligible to apply for a refund of the difference, an application to request a refund can be found on VCAT ‘s website.
- If you were notified of a fee before 27 June 2026 but paid afterwards, the new fee schedule is likely to apply
- Where VCAT administratively reschedules a hearing, your original fee will remain unchanged.
- If a hearing is rescheduled at a party’s request, the applicable fee may be reassessed under the new fee schedule.
- For hearings that continue over multiple days, any hearing days occurring on or after 27 June 2026 may attract the new daily hearing fee.
- Where a matter settles or is withdrawn before the hearing, you may also be eligible for a refund of hearing fees
- Previously daily hearing fees were payable prior to 9.30am on the day of the hearing. The new regulations generally require payment of no later than 5 business days before the hearing.
- If fees are payable, VCAT will send you an email containing a payment link. Failure to pay may result in your matter being vacated or struck out.
- Those experiencing financial hardship, may be eligible for fee relief, including a fee waiver, fee reduction or deferred payment. Applications for fee relief should be lodged online with VCAT as soon as possible.
Closing
The recent VCAT fee changes are substantial. We expect the increased costs may deter some permit applicants from pursuing legitimate and meritorious applications. We would encourage applicants concerned about the cost of VCAT proceeding to get in touch with our office and discuss their situation.
Practitioners wanting to download the above tabulated summaries of the new VCAT Fees, in pdf format, can do so from the link below:
Summary of the latest VCAT fees
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