FAQ

QCase is a quick and efficient way to file documents and manage civil proceedings in QCAT and Magistrates Courts.

Some of the benefits of using QCase include:

• View case information and documents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Access via desktop, laptop, mobile phone, and tablet.
• Receive case updates and notifications in real-time.
• Lodge documents any time on any day of the week.

Please note that any documents lodged using QCase outside normal registry hours will only be processed and filed during business hours. This means that documents lodged after 4:30pm will be taken to be filed the next business day, and date stamped as such.

Anyone seeking to commence proceedings or respond to an action in a minor civil dispute in QCAT can use QCase.

Using QCase is the preferred method, as it is an easy alternative and provides many benefits to progressing your minor civil dispute matter through QCAT. However, if you do not have access to QCase online, you can still lodge your documents in person or by post.

When you lodge an application through QCase, it will initially be visible to you and QCAT registry staff and decision makers. Other parties named in the application can join the case via QCase to see the documents, parties, and events.

Anyone can apply to search and copy certain documents in QCAT including matters lodged via QCase. See the search and copy FAQ below for more information.

Once a document has been filed (and where necessary approved by the registry), the document will be viewable by all parties with access to the case through QCase unless there is a non-publication order made by the tribunal. You will need to make this application through QCase and if approved, the registry will mark the document to prevent it appearing to the parties.

Some applications, including some types of residential tenancy disputes, will prompt you to consider whether a non-publication application needs to be made at the time of filing the residential tenancy application.

Depending on whether the entire document or just parts of the document are granted a non-publication order, you may still need to file a redacted copy of the document to then be served on the other party.

There are no fees to register and use QCase. However most initiating applications require the payment of a filing fee at the time of lodging the application.

You may be eligible to apply for a fee waiver if you are experiencing financial hardship.

To access QCase, users must have a Commonwealth MyGov account with myGovID or a Queensland Government QGov account. These options are a ‘tell-us-once’ registration service offered by the Australian and Queensland Governments, providing users access to multiple agencies using a single registration and log in.

Having a myGovID or QGov account is your online identity and keeps your transactions secure when using government online services. It makes it easier to prove who you are online, provides greater security to you, and helps to protect your information.

To register for a myGovID or a QGov account, you will need to provide certain identification requirements.

Find out about the ID requirements to register for a myGovID account.

Find out about the ID requirements to register for a QGov account.

No. You only need to have either a myGovID or QGov account to register and log in to QCase.

All minor civil dispute applications are prepared online using QCase. The applications are guided to provide you with assistance when completing them. You will need electronic versions of any supporting material you wish to upload along with the application.

Once the initiating minor civil dispute application has been lodged, additional documents can be uploaded into QCase for a case. Most QCAT application forms can be completed online following a guided process. However if this option is not available or you wish to upload supporting material, you will need to prepare the document/s before uploading them (QCAT forms).

You can also lodge minor debt applications in bulk.

Our business hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. If you lodge a document on QCase outside of these business hours (for example: before 8:30am, after 4:30pm, during a weekend/public holiday/closure period), QCase will record the document as being filed on the next business day.

No. Matters commenced before QCase was operational will continue to be managed outside of QCase.

QCase is only available for new matters lodged after QCase became operational.

No, at this stage you cannot lodge any other QCAT matter type using QCase. Proceedings such as guardianship, motor vehicles, retail shop leases, building disputes, tree disputes, anti-discrimination, or a review of an administrative decision will still need to be lodged in person, by post or in some circumstances by email.

QCase can only be used for minor civil disputes which include residential tenancy disputes, consumer or trading disputes, minor debt disputes and fence disputes.

For further information about lodging your applications with QCAT, visit Lodging your application and forms.

The type of application being made determines the urgency. Urgent applications are automatically identified and processed accordingly by the registries.

Yes, this appears as an in-built assistance tool on the screen.

Just click at the bottom right of the QCase screen and choose a topic from the list. It will then guide you through the process live using step-by-step instructions.

There are also smart tips and information icons to provide further assistance.

If you are experiencing difficulties, contact your local registry.

It is important to ensure your address for service and contact details are accurate. You can change your contact details in your Profile.

You can also update your address for service on all your current cases at once—select Cases and click the Update Address for Service button. If preferred, you can choose to update each case individually by lodging the appropriate document.

Anyone can apply to search and copy certain documents in QCAT, and this includes matters lodged using QCase. However, there are rules and legislation that may limit or prevent who can access documents.

You can make a search and copy request to QCAT using the ‘Public Access’ tab in QCase.

If you are unable to submit a document or the attachment is not uploading, try the following steps:

1. Confirm that all attachments are in the correct format: .doc, .docx, .pdf, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .xls, and .xlsx.
2. Confirm that the size of each document is not more than 100MB. If a document is more than 100MB, you will need to separate the document and save as multiple files before attempting to re-upload.
3. Confirm that you have completed all required fields. Required fields are marked with a red asterisk *

If these steps do not rectify the issue, contact your local courthouse or QCAT registry for assistance.

Firm administrators have the highest level of access within the QCase portal and can view all cases and user profiles that are related to their organisation. A general user will have limited access to cases within the QCase portal as per the permissions provided by the firm administrator.

The firm administrator is responsible for managing their employee’s user access within the QCase portal. This includes configuring new and existing employee access and granting or removing access to the organisation’s cases in QCase.

Yes, a firm administrator can nominate multiple users within their organisation.

Each organisation must have at least one firm administrator. A firm administrator cannot remove themselves as the administrator of their organisation unless another user has been assigned the role of an administrator.

Before a user can join an organisation, they must register to access the QCase portal as individuals via MyGovID or QGov and verify their business email address in the QCase portal. Ensure your employee has registered in the QCase portal and their registered business email address matches your organisations email domain.