News

Stay up-to-date with news from VCAT.

VCAT makes significant progress in residential tenancy backlog

Following the announcement of VCAT’s refresh of the Backlog Recovery Program (BRP) in October 2023, the Tribunal has made significant headway towards our goal of clearing the residential tenancy backlog by the end of 2024.

Strategic Directions 2024-27 released

VCAT is pleased to launch our strategic direction, Towards Excellence.

VCAT fees updated on 1 July 2024

Some fees for VCAT services increased on 1 July 2022, in line with Victorian Government policy.

myVCAT – new portal for goods and services claims launches

VCAT reaches significant milestone launching phase one of myVCAT, a new online portal designed to improve the community’s access to information and a new online application form.

2022-23 Annual Report tabled to Parliament

VCAT has tabled its annual report for the 2022/23 financial year. We would like to take this opportunity to celebrate the many achievements and milestones of the last year, which has featured positive outcomes and significant challenges.

VCAT to clear residential tenancy backlog within a year

The VCAT Backlog Recovery Program now seeks to eliminate the Residential Tenancies List backlog by the end of 2024.

Planning hearings and compulsory conferences at suburban VCAT venues

Some planning cases will now be heard at VCAT locations outside the Melbourne CBD, specifically at Bundoora, Frankston and Oakleigh.

Celebrating 25 years of VCAT

Watch a series of four short videos in celebration of VCAT's 25th anniversary. Take a look at our past, present and future.

Changes to being added as a party in planning permit cases

These changes affect objectors and referral authorities from 1 July 2023.

Fees change 1 July 2023

Fees for VCAT services increase on 1 July 2023, in line with Victorian Government policy.

Remuneration of solicitor administrators - scale of costs

VCAT has engaged the help of an external consultancy service to explore the possibility of setting a scale for the remuneration of solicitor administrators.

How to enter the VCAT building - 55 King Street

Due to nearby construction work, you must walk in to the venue from the corner of Flinders Lane and King Street.

More in-person hearings at VCAT

VCAT is increasing the number of in-person hearings. Check for updates.

Compulsory conferences to increase in the Planning and Environment List

From 1 January 2023, the number of proceedings listed for a compulsory conference in VCAT’s Planning and Environment List will increase.

2021-22 Annual Report tabled to Parliament

Our 2021-22 Annual Report was tabled to Parliament and is now available.

Strategic Directions 2023-2025 released

We are pleased to launch our new Strategic Directions for 2023-25.

VCAT fees updated on 1 July 2022

Some fees for VCAT services increased on 1 July 2022, in line with Victorian Government policy.

Fast track cases to be introduced

VCAT will introduce the Fast Track List for primarily ‘post permit’ applications with VCAT from 1 July 2022 onwards.

Make life easier with Koori Support

Our Koori Support Team have plenty of experience working in our community, for our community.

Law Week 2022

Law Week is an annual festival designed to make learning about the legal profession easy.

How we help people with disability access VCAT

This International Day of People with Disabilities, meet the dedicated team helping people with disabilities gain better access to VCAT services.

Status of hearings during COVID-19 Stage 4 restrictions

In accordance with the current Stage 4 Restrictions, as head of jurisdiction, VCAT President Justice Michelle Quigley has determined that all matters which are currently listed for hearing will remain so.

Further changes to August Covid-19 Restrictions - Message from the Chief Justice of Victoria

The following 17 August update is from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria and Chair of Courts Council, Anne Ferguson, on behalf of the Victorian courts and VCAT.

Changes to August COVID-19 restrictions - Message from the Chief Justice

The following 12 August 2021 update is from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria and Chair of Courts Council, Anne Ferguson, on behalf of the Victorian courts and VCAT.

Easing July lockdown restrictions - Message from the Chief Justice

The following update on 6 August 2021 is from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria and Chair of Courts Council, Anne Ferguson, on behalf of the Victorian courts and VCAT.

New COVID-19 restrictions - message from the Chief Justice

The Victorian courts and Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) will implement their contingency plans in response to the latest five-day lockdown announced yesterday to address the recent outbreak of a highly infectious strain of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Environment Protection Act 2017 commences

From 1 July, the Environmental Protection Act 2017 comes into effect.

25 members transitioned to non-sessional status

On 16 June 2021 the Governor in Council formally approved the conversion of the following 25 sessional members to non-sessional status for the duration of their appointments.

Extension of Covid-19 Circuit Breaker Restrictions - Message from the Chief Justice of Victoria

The following update is from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria and Chair of Courts Council, Anne Ferguson, on behalf of the Victorian courts and VCAT.

COVID-19 circuit breaker restrictions - message from the Chief Justice

The following update is from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria and Chair of Courts Council, Anne Ferguson, on behalf of the Victorian courts and VCAT.

Government investment in VCAT’s service transformation

We welcome the Government's announcement in the State Budget of $56.7 million to expand VCAT's digitally enabled Service Transformation.

Further easing of COVID-Safe settings

The following update is from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria and Chair of Courts Council, Anne Ferguson, on behalf of the Victorian courts and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

Report on Sexual Harassment in Victorian Courts and VCAT

On 14 July 2020, the Attorney-General of Victoria and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria jointly initiated a review of sexual harassment across the Victorian courts and VCAT.

Revised COVID-safe settings - Message from the Chief Justice

The following update is from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria and Chair of Courts Council, Anne Ferguson, on behalf of the Victorian courts and VCAT.

New renting laws and transitional regulations

Transitional Regulations have been introduced that affect some VCAT orders and applications as we transition to the new laws.

End of COVID-19 circuit breaker restrictions

The following update is from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria and Chair of Courts Council, Anne Ferguson, on behalf of the Victorian courts and VCAT.

Re-introduction of Stage 4 COVID-19 restrictions

The following update is from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria and Chair of Courts Council, Anne Ferguson, on behalf of the Victorian courts and VCAT.

VCAT Annual Report 2019-20 now available

The VCAT Annual Report 2019-20 has tabled in the Victorian Parliament and is now available.

For older news articles, see archived news.