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.
Online Divorce Information
Fee exemption, waiver and refund
In some cases fees do not have to be paid.
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
Links to fee exemption, waiver and refund forms appear below.
Application exemption form: payment of court fees
Application for waiver of court fees on the basis of financial hardship
Payment of court fees request for refund
Worksheet for waiver of court fees on the basis of financial hardship
Guidelines for waiver of court fees on the basis of financial hardship
Notice of decision for waiver of court fees on the basis of financial hardship