Filing documents at courts and tribunals during COVID-19
Last updated 22 May 2020
Last updated 22 May 2020
Courts and tribunals across Australia are actively changing the way they operate in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Different approaches are being implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We recommend that you contact the specific registry hearing your matter for the most up-to-date information relevant to your case.
The following resource is to help self-represented litigants with existing matters in a Court or Tribunal understand how to file court or tribunal documents during COVID-19.
This information is for the following Victorian courts and tribunals:
Supreme Court of Victoria
County Court of Victoria
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)
The Supreme Court’s registries remain open, but the Court has asked that all court users minimise in person attendance.
If you must attend the Supreme Court’s registry, you are encouraged to make an appointment by calling the Registry Service on (03) 8600 2000.
If you are required to file documents with the Supreme Court of Victoria, please do so via the Court’s electonic filing system, RedCrest. This does not apply if your matter is a probate matter.
To use the Court’s e-filing portal, you will need to first register an account with RedCrest. Once you have verified your account, you will be able to use the email address you nominated as your user name to log in.
To file documents, make sure you click on the “Create Subsequent Filing” button and input your Court Case Number. If you have any questions about how to use the Red Crest, you should direct your enquiries to the Registry.
The information here is for court users in the County Court of Victoria’s Civil lists only.
The County Court’s registries remain open, but face-to-face services will be limited and will only be available in urgent circumstances after an initial assessment by telephone.
If you must attend the County Court’s registry, you are encouraged to contact the registry first to discuss alternatives to in-person attendance by calling (03) 8636 6508.
If you are required to file documents with the Country Court of Victoria, please consider whether you can do so via email. Remember to quote your Case Number when you file your document. If emailing is not an option for you, you should contact the registry to explore alternative options. You can contact the Registry by phone to pay any fees.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) registries are currently closed to the public but are working to hear matters remotely via telephone. This means that as your matter is still progressing, and you are required to file documents to VCAT as per the deadlines they have given you.
To file with VCAT, you should email or fax your documents to the VCAT list that is dealing with your matter. As their registries are currently closed, you cannot file your documents in person. If you are unsure what the correct email address or fax number is for the VCAT list that is dealing with your matter, you can call their customer service on 1300 018 228.
If you cannot access email or fax, you may still send your documents to VCAT by post. However, please be aware of potential delays in the postal system. You will need to make sure that you send your documents earlier than the due date to ensure that VCAT receives your documents prior to the deadlines.
Make sure you clearly label your correspondence, whether it is by email, fax or post, with your VCAT Proceedings Number.
You are still required to pay your hearing fees upfront if a hearing has been scheduled by phone. You can no longer pay your fees in person at the registry. You can pay your hearing fees by accessing VCAT’s online payment portal.
This information is for the following Federal courts and tribunals
Federal Court of Australia
Federal Circuit Court
Following the developments in the COVID-19 situation, the Federal Court and Federal Circuit Court have closed public facing counters and ceased face-to face services.
To minimise disruptions to filing of matters in the Federal Court and Federal Circuit Court, court users are encouraged to use the ComCourts Portal. Information on how to use the Portal can be found on their website. You should allow at least one (1) business day for your account to be approved once you register.
If you cannot file the documents through the ComCourts Portal, documents may be emailed or faxed to the Registry for electronic filing. The list of Registry emails and phone numbers can be found on the Federal Circuit Court’s website. Remember to reference your proceedings number and copy in the other party.
If you are unable to file via the Portal or use email, you should contact the Registry by phone and discuss alternative options.
If the Registry is unable to process any fee payment, the fee will be deferred until a later date. You can continue to make payments online, including when eFiling.
Information from courts and tribunals is changing all the time so we recommend that you contact the specific registry hearing your matter for the most up-to-date information relevant to your case.
We have collated links to the latest updates and information from some courts and tribunals, which are available in our resource on accessing courts and tribunals during COVID-19.
This resource was last updated on 22 May 2020. This is legal information only and does not constitute legal advice. You should always contact a lawyer for advice specific to your situation. Please view our disclaimer for more information.