Your guide to Australian court forms
Choosing and completing the correct court form matters because the registry can reject non‑compliant documents, and the court can dismiss or delay an application. The right approach depends on your court, your jurisdiction (state/territory or federal), and your objective.
Common goals and typical forms
- Start a case: Initiating Application / Claim / Originating Application / Summons
- Respond to a case: Response / Defence / Notice of Address for Service
- Ask for orders mid‑case: Application in a Case / Interlocutory Application / Notice of Motion
- Provide evidence: Affidavit / Statement with annexures or exhibits
- Require documents/witness: Subpoena / Notice to Produce
- Agree on orders: Consent Orders / Terms of Settlement
- Challenge a result: Notice of Appeal / Application for Review
What to decide before you file
Confirm the correct court and rule set, the orders you want, the legal basis, any deadlines, and what evidence or annexures you will rely on. Check the latest version of the form and the filing fee or waiver options.
Important: This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. Court rules and forms change frequently—always download the latest form from the official court website or portal.
Find court forms by court and jurisdiction
Use official resources for the current version of each form. If you do not see your exact form below, search the court website for “forms”, “rules” or “practice notes”, or call the registry.
Federal courts and tribunals
- Family law: Commonwealth Courts Portal (FCFCOA) – forms and eFiling: https://www.comcourts.gov.au/
- Federal Court of Australia – forms and eLodgment: https://www.fedcourt.gov.au/online-services/elogment
- High Court of Australia – fees and forms: https://www.hcourt.gov.au/registry/fees-and-forms
- Administrative Appeals Tribunal – forms: https://www.aat.gov.au/apply-for-a-review/forms
State and territory courts
- New South Wales (Local/District/Supreme): NSW Online Registry – https://onlineregistry.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/
- Victoria (Magistrates/County/Supreme): start at the Magistrates’ Court forms page – https://www.mcv.vic.gov.au/forms
- Queensland (Magistrates/District/Supreme, QCAT): https://www.courts.qld.gov.au/
- Western Australia (Magistrates/District/Supreme): eCourts Portal – https://ecourts.justice.wa.gov.au/
- South Australia (Magistrates/District/Supreme): CourtSA – https://www.courts.sa.gov.au/
- ACT Courts and ACAT: https://www.courts.act.gov.au/
- Northern Territory (Local/Supreme): https://localcourt.nt.gov.au/ and https://supremecourt.nt.gov.au/
- Tasmania (Magistrates/Supreme): https://www.magistratescourt.tas.gov.au/ and https://www.supremecourt.tas.gov.au/
How to complete and file court forms correctly
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Confirm jurisdiction | Match the dispute to the right court and division. Check time limits and the governing rules. |
| 2. Get the latest form | Download directly from the court website or portal. Do not reuse old versions. |
| 3. Draft clearly | Use the court’s headings. State the orders sought, material facts, and legislation/rules relied on. Attach annexures with clear labels. |
| 4. Witness and sign | Affidavits and declarations often require a prescribed witness (e.g. JP/lawyer). Check your state’s requirements. |
| 5. File | eFile if available (portal account required) or file at the registry. Pay the fee or lodge a fee waiver with evidence. |
| 6. Serve | Serve each party by the permitted method and deadline. File proof of service if required. |
| 7. Track | Monitor the case file/portal for listing dates, directions and messages from the registry. |
Costs, fee waivers and help options
Typical filing fees (guide only)
- Lower court applications and small claims: often under $200
- Interlocutory applications and subpoenas: commonly $50–$200+
- Federal court filings and appeals: can exceed $1,000
- Most courts offer concessional rates and hardship waivers
Check current fees on your court’s website. If finances are tight, submit a fee waiver or reduction form with supporting evidence (e.g. concession card, income details).
Compare your options
- DIY: lowest cost if your matter is simple and timeframes are clear
- Fixed‑fee review: a lawyer checks your draft, spots risks, and confirms next steps
- Full‑service: lawyer drafts, files, serves and appears if needed
Common mistakes that delay or derail filings
- Using the wrong court or division for the issue
- Outdated form version or missing mandatory fields
- Affidavits not properly witnessed or signed
- Missing annexures or poor exhibit labelling
- Incorrect parties or addresses for service
- Late filing or service without an extension request
- Incorrect or missing filing fee/waiver evidence
- Unredacted confidential or identifying information
Jurisdictions and eFiling portals
Many Australian courts now prefer or require eFiling. Create an account where needed and keep your case reference safe.
Examples of portals
- Commonwealth Courts Portal (family law): https://www.comcourts.gov.au/
- Federal Court eLodgment: https://www.fedcourt.gov.au/online-services/elogment
- NSW Online Registry: https://onlineregistry.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/
- WA eCourts Portal: https://ecourts.justice.wa.gov.au/
- CourtSA: https://www.courts.sa.gov.au/
Practical tips
- Register early—identity checks can take time
- Combine annexures as the court specifies (single PDF vs separate)
- Name files clearly: “Affidavit‑Smith‑2026‑04‑17.pdf”
- Confirm accepted formats and size limits
- After filing, confirm listing dates and service requirements
Templates and example wording
Courts often provide editable PDFs or online forms. When drafting free‑text sections, keep language clear and factual. The examples below are generic and must be adapted to your court and rules.
Orders sought (example)
“The applicant seeks orders that: (1) the time for service be abridged to 4:00 pm on [date]; (2) the respondent produce the documents described in Schedule A; and (3) costs be reserved.”
Affidavit paragraph (example)
“On 17 April 2026 I attended the premises at [address]. I observed [facts]. Attached and marked ‘A’ is a true copy of the [document/photo] I took at that time.”
Get a template tailored to my court
Reminder: Check your court’s Practice Notes and Form Guidelines for any word limits, font/margin requirements, exhibit coversheets and page numbering rules.
Court Forms FAQ
How do I find the right court form?
Identify the correct court and division first, then download the latest form from the court’s website or portal. If uncertain, call the registry with your matter type and deadline to confirm the exact form.
Can I file forms online?
Often yes. Many courts use portals such as the Commonwealth Courts Portal, Federal Court eLodgment, NSW Online Registry, WA eCourts and CourtSA. Some documents still require filing at the registry.
What does it cost to file?
Fees vary by court and form. Lower court filings can be under $200, while complex federal filings or appeals may exceed $1,000. Concessions and hardship waivers are frequently available.
Do I need a lawyer?
Simple matters can be DIY. Consider legal help where orders are complex, evidence is sensitive, deadlines are tight, or the other side has a lawyer. A fixed‑fee review can reduce rejection risk.
What if the registry rejects my form?
Fix the issue (e.g. missing fields, outdated form, improper witnessing) and refile promptly. If a deadline is affected, apply for an extension or seek urgent advice.
How do I prove service?
Use an affidavit of service or the court’s proof of service form, attaching any required evidence (e.g. delivery confirmation). Methods and deadlines vary by court and document type.
Need help with court forms?
Get free guidance on form selection, filing steps and fee waivers. If you need more, we can connect you with fixed‑fee lawyers near you for drafting or review.