NSW Grafton NCAT CCD List Today

The Grafton NCAT Consumer and Commercial Division (CCD) list sets out the tribunal matters scheduled to be heard for the Grafton and wider Clarence Valley area on a given day. Unlike the Local Court or District Court list, which deal with criminal and general civil matters, the NCAT CCD list covers everyday disputes between people, tenants, landlords, traders and businesses. These include residential tenancy disputes, consumer claims about goods and services, home building disputes, motor vehicle claims, strata and community scheme issues, and retail lease matters. Checking the current Grafton NCAT CCD list helps parties confirm their hearing time, listing type and venue before they attend.

NCAT stands for the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. It began operating on 1 January 2014 and brought together 22 former tribunals into a single body under the Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013. The Consumer and Commercial Division is the busiest part of NCAT and handles the largest share of applications each year. For residents of Grafton, South Grafton, Maclean, Yamba, Ulmarra, Coutts Crossing and surrounding Clarence Valley communities, the Division offers a lower cost and less formal alternative to court for resolving civil disputes.

What the Grafton NCAT CCD list covers

The Consumer and Commercial Division hears a defined range of case types. A Grafton NCAT CCD listing will usually fall into one of the following categories:

• Tenancy and social housing matters under the Residential Tenancies Act 2010, including bond disputes, rental arrears, repairs, termination and possession.
• Consumer claims about faulty goods or poor services under the Australian Consumer Law and the Fair Trading Act 1987.
• Home building disputes under the Home Building Act 1989 involving builders, tradespeople and homeowners.
• Motor vehicle disputes about the purchase or repair of a vehicle.
• Strata and community schemes, covering by-laws, levies, repairs and management of shared property.
• Retail leases under the Retail Leases Act 1994, where NCAT can hear claims up to a monetary limit of $750,000.
• General list matters such as dividing fences, agent commissions, conveyancing costs, boarding houses and uncollected goods.

Because these matters are civil rather than criminal, a Grafton NCAT hearing is conducted by a Tribunal Member rather than a magistrate or judge, and it follows tribunal procedure rather than strict court rules. Parties are generally expected to present their own case, and legal representation is only allowed with the tribunal's permission in most CCD matters.

NCAT Consumer and Commercial Division by the numbers

The scale of NCAT's work gives useful context for anyone appearing on a Grafton CCD list. Verified figures from NCAT's published annual reporting include:

• In 2023-24 NCAT received 71,223 applications across all divisions, with 70,666 matters finalised and an overall clearance ratio of 99.2 per cent.
• Applications lodged in 2024-25 rose by 3.5 per cent compared with 2023-24, taking the total to more than 73,000 for the year.
• 83.3 per cent of Consumer and Commercial Division applications were lodged online in 2024-25, reflecting a strong shift to digital lodgement.
• NCAT held hearings and other listing events in 45 locations across New South Wales in 2024-25, including regional venues that serve areas like the Clarence Valley.
• The tribunal recorded 655 internal appeals lodged and an overall clearance ratio of 95.9 per cent in 2024-25.
• Only 0.62 per cent of all matters lodged in 2024-25 resulted in a complaint, which points to broadly consistent service across a very high caseload.

These numbers show why listing systems matter. With more than 100,000 hearings and listing events held in a typical year, group lists and scheduled hearing blocks keep regional matters moving efficiently.

NCAT application fees for Grafton CCD matters

Filing fees are set state-wide and are prescribed under the Civil and Administrative Tribunal Regulation 2022. They increase each year in line with the Consumer Price Index. The figures below apply as at 1 July 2026 and are the same whether your matter is heard at Grafton or any other NSW venue.

Matter type	Standard fee	Corporation fee	Reduced fee
Residential proceedings (tenancy, social housing, boarding houses, retirement villages)	$64	$128	$16
General consumer or commercial claims not more than $10,000	$64	$128	$16
Claims over $10,000 to $30,000	$133	$266	$33
Claims more than $30,000	$344	$688	$86
Strata and community schemes (general application)	$133	$266	$33
Retail leases	$132	$264	$33
Internal appeal	$540	$1,080	$135

The reduced fee is set at 25 per cent of the full fee and applies to eligible pensioners and people receiving legal aid or help from a community legal centre. Parties in serious financial hardship can apply for a fee waiver. Guardianship Division applications and certain community services matters carry no fee.

How Grafton NCAT hearings are run

Where Clarence Valley matters are heard

Grafton is a regional hearing location rather than a staffed NCAT registry. Consumer and Commercial Division matters are usually listed at the venue closest to the property or the place where the dispute or contract arose. Tenancy matters are heard near the rental premises, and home building matters near the building in question. For the Clarence Valley, this means local matters are commonly listed at the Grafton hearing venue on Victoria Street, or dealt with remotely.

Video and telephone group lists

Since August 2021, many tenancy and general first listings and conciliation sessions in the Consumer and Commercial Division have been conducted by video or telephone. Similar matters are grouped and listed at the same time, so a Grafton listing may show several cases sharing a start time. Parties should read their hearing notice carefully, as it explains whether to attend in person, join by video or dial in, and how to make contact with the Member.

Timeframes and conciliation

NCAT aims to list most tenancy and general CCD applications within four to six weeks of lodgement. Where there is a threat to personal safety or property, or significant hardship, an urgent hearing can be arranged, and if granted the matter is generally listed within seven days. Many first listings combine conciliation with the hearing, which gives both sides a chance to reach agreement before a Member decides the matter.

If your Grafton dispute is criminal or involves a general civil claim rather than a consumer or tenancy matter, you are looking at the wrong list. Those cases run through a different jurisdiction at the same address. Check the Grafton Local Court list for criminal, apprehended violence and small civil matters, or the Grafton District Court list for indictable trials, sentences and appeals from the Local Court.

How to read the Grafton NCAT CCD list today

Each entry on the daily list generally shows the parties (with names partially masked for privacy on this page), the listing time and the hearing room or listing type. To use the list well:

• Find your matter by the applicant and respondent names and confirm your allocated time.
• Note whether the listing is a conciliation, a first listing or a formal hearing, as this affects what you should bring.
• Check the room or the video and telephone details on your official notice of listing.
• Arrive or log in early, since group lists can move quickly once the Member begins.

Listings can change at short notice through adjournments, settlements or relisting. Always confirm the current details directly with NCAT before you travel.

Preparing for a Grafton NCAT hearing

Good preparation improves your chances of a fair and efficient outcome. A simple checklist for a Consumer and Commercial Division matter includes:

• Gather your evidence, such as the tenancy agreement, receipts, quotes, photographs, messages and any relevant reports.
• Organise documents in date order and prepare copies for the Member and the other party.
• Prepare a short, clear summary of the orders you are asking NCAT to make.
• Arrange an interpreter or disability support in advance if you need one.
• Confirm whether you need permission to be represented and lodge any request early.

Clarence Valley residents are not always listed at Grafton itself, since a matter usually follows the property or place the dispute arose. If your rental or contract sits closer to a neighbouring town, your listing may appear elsewhere. Nearby options include the Maclean Local Court down the river, while larger CCD centres such as the Port Macquarie NCAT list handle matters further along the coast.

Grafton hearing location and contact details

Address

Grafton hearings are held at the Grafton Court House, 47 Victoria Street, Grafton NSW 2460, in the heart of the Clarence Valley. The heritage-listed courthouse was designed by Government Architect James Barnet and built between 1877 and 1880, and it continues to serve the local community today.

Getting there and access

Grafton sits in the Northern Rivers region, about 620 kilometres north of Sydney and 315 kilometres south of Brisbane. The venue is a short distance from Grafton Railway Station, which is served by the NSW TrainLink XPT, and local bus routes run along Victoria Street and Prince Street. Free and metered parking is available on nearby streets, and arriving early is sensible on busy sitting days. The building offers wheelchair access and accessible facilities.

Contacting NCAT

For enquiries about a Consumer and Commercial Division matter, the NCAT enquiry line is 1300 006 228 during business hours. Applications for CCD matters can be lodged online through NCAT Online Services, which now handles the large majority of CCD lodgements, or by post using the relevant application form.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Grafton NCAT CCD list the same as the Local Court list?

No. The NCAT Consumer and Commercial Division list covers civil tribunal matters such as tenancy, consumer, building and strata disputes. The Local Court and District Court lists deal with criminal and general civil matters. They are separate systems, even though hearings may be held at the same Victoria Street building.

Do I need a lawyer for a Grafton NCAT hearing?

Most Consumer and Commercial Division matters are designed for people to present their own case, and legal representation usually requires the tribunal's permission. Many parties attend without a lawyer, though you can seek legal advice before your hearing.

Can I attend my Grafton NCAT hearing by phone or video?

Often, yes. Many first listings and conciliations are held by video or telephone group list. Your notice of listing will confirm the format, and you can request permission to attend remotely if your matter is listed in person.

How long will it take to get a hearing?

NCAT aims to list most tenancy and general CCD applications within four to six weeks. Urgent matters involving safety, property or hardship can be listed within about seven days if the tribunal agrees an urgent hearing is warranted.

How much does it cost to lodge a CCD application?

As at 1 July 2026, a residential or small consumer claim costs $64 for an individual, with a reduced fee of $16 for eligible parties. Larger claims and appeals attract higher fees, and hardship waivers are available.