NSW Queanbeyan Local Court List Today

The Queanbeyan Local Court is the primary entry point for criminal, traffic, civil and domestic violence matters across the Southern Tablelands and the New South Wales border with the Australian Capital Territory. Sitting at 2 Farrer Place, Queanbeyan NSW 2620, the courthouse serves one of the fastest-growing regional catchments in the state. The Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council area recorded a usual resident population of 63,304 at the 2021 Census, and that figure is forecast to grow by more than 34 per cent to around 85,000 by 2041. This page brings the daily law list, sitting details and practical court information into one place so defendants, solicitors, witnesses and support people can prepare without repeatedly phoning the registry.

Because Queanbeyan sits roughly 15 kilometres east of Canberra, the court draws matters not only from the city itself but from surrounding suburbs and townships including Jerrabomberra, Googong, Karabar, Bungendore and the broader Palerang district. The 2021 Census counted 9,601 residents in Jerrabomberra and 7,444 in Googong, both of which continue to expand through new residential releases. This growth in population feeds directly into court volume, which is why keeping an accurate, regularly updated Queanbeyan Local Court list matters to so many people who need to confirm a hearing date quickly.

What the Queanbeyan Local Court deals with

The Local Court is the busiest tier of the New South Wales justice system, finalising the overwhelming majority of criminal matters heard in the state each year. According to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), the Local Court finalised 146,977 matters in the 2025 calendar year, a rise of 9.1 per cent on the 134,735 finalised in 2024. Across the 2024/25 financial year, Local Court finalisations reached 141,616, up 7.7 per cent year on year. These volumes show why regional courts such as Queanbeyan handle a steady flow of listings every sitting day.

Presided over by a Magistrate rather than a judge and jury, the Queanbeyan Local Court hears a broad mix of matters. The most common categories include:

• Criminal offences such as common assault, larceny, property damage, malicious damage and minor drug possession charges.
• Traffic and vehicle regulatory offences, including drink driving (PCA), drug driving, speeding, negligent driving and driving while suspended or disqualified.
• Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs), covering both Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders and Apprehended Personal Violence Orders.
• Bail applications and first mentions for people recently charged by NSW Police.
• Civil disputes for claims up to $100,000, split between the Small Claims Division (up to $20,000) and the General Division (above $20,000 and up to $100,000).
• Committal proceedings, where the Magistrate assesses whether serious indictable matters should be referred to a higher court.

Domestic and family violence matters now form a significant and rising share of Local Court work statewide. BOCSAR data shows domestic violence-related finalisations climbed 12.1 per cent in 2024/25 and accounted for 27.1 per cent of all Local Court finalisations, meaning more than one in four matters heard has a domestic violence element. This trend is reflected in the mix of listings that appear on regional court lists across the Monaro and Southern Tablelands.

Queanbeyan Court House contact and registry details

The Queanbeyan courthouse operates as a combined Local and District Court venue, with Audio Visual Link (AVL) facilities available on site for remote appearances and evidence. The verified registry and contact details are set out below.

• Address: 2 Farrer Place, Queanbeyan NSW 2620
• Telephone: 1300 679 272
• Fax: 6298 0480
• Registry hours: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
• Telephone hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
• Days open: Monday to Friday

The registry can assist with filing court documents, lodging AVO applications, arranging fine payments and answering general enquiries. Registry staff cannot provide legal advice, so anyone facing a charge should speak with a solicitor, Legal Aid NSW or a Community Legal Centre before their listing date. For matters that begin at the Local Court but are elevated for trial or sentence, proceedings may be transferred to the Queanbeyan District Court, which sits at the same Farrer Place complex.

Getting to the courthouse

Queanbeyan is reachable via the Kings Highway, Monaro Highway and Canberra Avenue, with street parking and public parking available near Farrer Place and around the Queanbeyan city centre. Regular bus services connect Canberra and Queanbeyan for those travelling from across the ACT border. The courthouse is wheelchair accessible, and interpreter services can be arranged in advance through the registry for people who need language assistance. Given security screening applies to all visitors, arriving at least 20 to 30 minutes before a listed time is strongly recommended.

How to read and use the daily court list

The daily law list published for Queanbeyan sets out the matters scheduled to be heard on a given sitting day, typically organised by courtroom and matter type. Names are commonly partially masked for privacy, and listings can change at short notice, so the published list should always be treated as a guide rather than a guarantee. Checking the list the evening before or early on the morning of a hearing is the most reliable way to confirm where and when a matter will be called.

When reviewing a listing, it helps to understand a few recurring terms:

• Mention: a brief administrative appearance where the matter is progressed, adjourned or a plea is entered.
• Hearing: a defended matter where evidence is tested and the Magistrate reaches a decision.
• Sentence: a listing where penalty is determined after a plea or finding of guilt.
• Adjournment: the matter is moved to a future date, often to allow more time to obtain advice or documents.
• First return / first mention: the initial appearance following a charge or application.

Court delay remains a live issue across the system. BOCSAR reported that the median time to finalise a defended hearing in the Local Court was 263 days in 2024/25, which was 16 days shorter than the previous year but still 65 days longer than the 2018/19 benchmark. Understanding that matters can take several months to resolve helps people plan realistically for multiple appearances rather than expecting a single visit.

Preparing for your appearance at Queanbeyan

Turning up prepared reduces stress and avoids unnecessary adjournments. A short checklist covers most situations:

• Confirm your matter on the current list and note the courtroom number.
• Arrive early to clear security and locate your courtroom.
• Bring photo identification, your court attendance notice or summons, and any relevant paperwork.
• Dress neatly and switch mobile phones off before entering the courtroom.
• Obtain legal advice in advance, especially for traffic matters, AVOs or any charge that could carry a custodial penalty.

Self-represented parties are entitled to appear without a solicitor, though independent advice is always sensible for anything beyond the most straightforward listing. The proportion of convicted offenders receiving a prison sentence in the Local Court has trended upward over the past decade, which underlines why understanding your options before you attend is so important.

Related courts and lists in the region

Queanbeyan sits within a network of regional courts across southern New South Wales, and matters are sometimes listed at neighbouring venues depending on catchment and case type. People searching for the Queanbeyan list often also need nearby jurisdictions, so it can help to check the Goulburn District Court for higher-court matters travelling north, or the Cooma Local Court for listings further south on the Monaro. A complete directory of every venue is available through the main court list directory, which brings each state and jurisdiction together in one place.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Queanbeyan Local Court located?

The court is located at 2 Farrer Place, Queanbeyan NSW 2620, operating as a combined Local and District Court venue with Audio Visual Link facilities on site.

What are the registry hours at Queanbeyan Local Court?

The registry is open 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday. Telephone enquiries are answered from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on 1300 679 272.

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

The Local Court hears civil disputes up to $100,000. Claims up to $20,000 are dealt with in the Small Claims Division, while claims above $20,000 and up to $100,000 fall within the General Division.

Can I represent myself at Queanbeyan Local Court?

Yes. You are entitled to represent yourself, although obtaining advice from a solicitor, Legal Aid NSW or a Community Legal Centre is strongly recommended, particularly for criminal, traffic or AVO matters.

How often is the Queanbeyan court list updated?

The list is refreshed regularly and typically covers upcoming hearing dates several weeks ahead as well as recent past listings. Because matters can be moved or adjourned at short notice, always reconfirm your listing time before attending.

What types of matters are heard at Queanbeyan Local Court?

The court deals with summary criminal offences, traffic matters, bail applications, Apprehended Violence Orders, civil disputes within the monetary limit, and committal proceedings for serious indictable matters that may be referred to a higher court.