NSW Port Kembla Local Court List Today

The Port Kembla Court House sits on Darcy Road in the heart of Port Kembla, roughly 8 kilometres south of the Wollongong CBD in the Illawarra region of New South Wales. As a general Local Court within the wider Wollongong circuit, it acts as the first point of contact for the overwhelming majority of criminal and civil matters that arise across Port Kembla, Warrawong, and the surrounding South Coast suburbs. If you are searching for the Port Kembla court list, checking a hearing date, or simply confirming where and when your matter will be heard, this page brings together the verified details you need alongside a clear explanation of how the court works.

The Local Court is the busiest tier of the New South Wales court system by a wide margin. According to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), the Local Court accounted for 94 per cent of all finalised criminal court appearances in the state in the 12 months to June 2025, and Local Court magistrates deal with more than 90 per cent of all matters in NSW. That volume is exactly why understanding the process at a venue like Port Kembla matters so much for anyone with a listing.

Port Kembla Local Court contact details and opening hours

Knowing the correct address, phone number and hours before your court date saves stress on the day. The following details are current for the Port Kembla Court House.

• Address: Darcy Road, Port Kembla NSW 2505 (nearest cross street: Military Road)
• Postal address: PO Box 87, Port Kembla NSW 2505
• Phone: 1300 679 272
• Fax: 02 4276 3239
• Email: local-court-port-kembla@justice.nsw.gov.au
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm. Reception is closed between 1pm and 2pm.

The registry handles filing, general enquiries and payment of fines during opening hours. Because reception closes over the lunch hour, it is best to arrive well before your listed time so you can pass through the entrance, find your courtroom and speak with your solicitor or the duty officer if needed.

Getting to the Port Kembla Court House

The courthouse is well served by public transport, which is helpful given that street and metered parking near Darcy Road can be limited on busy sitting days.

• Train: The court is approximately a 5 minute walk (around 300 metres) from Port Kembla railway station on the South Coast Line.
• Bus: Services run from Port Kembla station and Five Islands Road.
• Parking: Street and metered parking is available within walking distance.
• Amenities: Food outlets, cafes and shops are within a 5 to 10 minute walk, and Warrawong Plaza is roughly a five minute drive away.

What matters are heard at Port Kembla Local Court

As a general Local Court, Port Kembla exercises both criminal and civil jurisdiction. Magistrates here hear a broad range of everyday legal matters, and understanding which category your case falls into helps you prepare properly.

Criminal and traffic matters

The criminal workload of the Local Court is dominated by everyday offending. Statewide BOCSAR data for the year to June 2025 shows that traffic and vehicle offences were the single largest category of finalised matters, followed by offences against justice procedures, acts intended to cause injury, and drug offences. At Port Kembla, magistrates commonly deal with:

• Summary offences and less serious indictable offences dealt with summarily
• Drink driving and drug driving charges, along with other traffic infringements
• Bail applications and mention hearings
• Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs), including domestic and personal orders
• Committal proceedings, where serious indictable matters are tested before being referred to a higher court

Domestic violence remains a significant and growing part of this work. BOCSAR reported that domestic violence related finalisations rose 12.1 per cent in 2024/25 and now make up 27.1 per cent of all Local Court finalisations, or more than one in four cases. Serious indictable charges that cannot be finalised summarily, such as major assaults or significant drug supply, are referred upward to the Wollongong District Court for trial or sentence.

Civil disputes

On the civil side, the Local Court of NSW hears claims up to $100,000. This work is split into two divisions: the Small Claims Division, which handles matters up to $20,000, and the General Division, which deals with claims above $20,000 and up to $100,000. Disputes above that ceiling are dealt with in the District Court or the Supreme Court. The Port Kembla registry can also handle certain licence appeals and industrial matters, since every NSW magistrate is also appointed as an Industrial Magistrate and a Coroner.

How to read the Port Kembla court list

Court lists tell you the date, time and courtroom for each matter, generally covering up to three weeks in the future and one week in the past. You can search a listing by the defendant or party name, by case number, or by date. Reviewing the daily law list before you attend helps you confirm your courtroom and gives you a realistic sense of how many matters are ahead of yours, since listings are not always heard in strict order.

If your matter is listed at Port Kembla, it is worth remembering that the venue operates as part of a connected regional circuit. Nowra, Goulburn, Port Kembla and Moss Vale courts share Audio Visual Link (AVL) facilities, which allows certain appearances, particularly bail and procedural mentions, to be conducted remotely. Residents whose matters are ultimately listed nearby may also wish to review the Wollongong Local Court list or the Nowra Local Court list for related proceedings across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.

Court delays and what to expect on the day

Timeframes are a common concern for anyone with a listing. Encouragingly, BOCSAR data shows the median time from arrest to finalisation for defended Local Court hearings fell to 263 days in 2024/25, some 16 days shorter than the year before, although still longer than pre pandemic levels. Most matters, however, are resolved far more quickly through a guilty plea or a straightforward mention rather than a contested hearing.

On the day, plan to arrive early, dress neatly, and bring any paperwork relating to your matter. If you do not have a lawyer, a duty solicitor may be available at court for eligible people, and registry staff can direct you to the right courtroom. For matters that may proceed to the District Court, or for tribunal proceedings, it can help to familiarise yourself with related venues such as the Kiama Local Court list within the same coastal circuit.

Frequently asked questions

Is Port Kembla Local Court the same as Port Kembla Children's Court?

The Darcy Road courthouse hosts both the Local Court and the Children's Court. The Children's Court deals with criminal, care and protection matters involving young people, while the Local Court handles adult criminal, traffic and civil matters. They share the same address and contact number.

What is the maximum civil claim Port Kembla Local Court can hear?

The Local Court can hear civil claims up to $100,000. Claims up to $20,000 are dealt with in the Small Claims Division, and claims between $20,000 and $100,000 in the General Division. Larger disputes are heard in the District or Supreme Court.

Do I have to attend in person?

Many matters require attendance, but Port Kembla shares Audio Visual Link facilities with Nowra, Goulburn and Moss Vale, so some appearances can be made remotely. Always check your notice of listing or contact the registry on 1300 679 272 to confirm.

How far ahead does the court list show?

The NSW court list generally displays matters up to three weeks in the future and one week in the past, searchable by name, case number or date.