WA Magistrates Court – Collie Courthouse List Today

The Collie Courthouse is the regional court that serves the coalmining town of Collie and the wider Shire of Collie in the South West of Western Australia. Sitting at Wittenoom Street, Collie WA 6225, it operates as a circuit venue of the Magistrates Court of Western Australia and hears the everyday criminal, traffic and minor civil matters that arise across a local government area of roughly 1,710 square kilometres. For anyone with a matter listed here, knowing how the court works, what it can decide and where to check the daily list saves an unnecessary trip and a great deal of uncertainty.

Collie itself is a town of about 7,599 residents according to the 2021 Census, with the broader shire home to roughly 8,812 people. The community sits around 200 kilometres south of Perth and about 60 kilometres east of Bunbury, which shapes how the justice system is delivered locally. Because the population is modest and the region is spread out, the Collie Courthouse does not sit every business day like the busy metropolitan registries. Instead it runs on scheduled sitting days, which is why confirming your listing before you travel is so important.

Where the Collie Courthouse fits in the WA court system

The Magistrates Court is the first tier of the Western Australian court hierarchy, established under the Magistrates Court Act 2004 (WA). Collie is one of the regional courthouses within that network, and it deals mainly with summary offences, traffic matters and smaller civil disputes. When a defendant is under 18, the same courtroom sits as the Children's Court to hear youth matters. More serious indictable charges and larger civil claims are escalated to the higher courts rather than being finalised in Collie.

Unlike some larger regional venues, the Collie Courthouse does not host District Court or Supreme Court circuit sittings from its own building. District Court circuit sittings for the South West are instead held at nearby centres such as Bunbury and Busselton, while the most serious criminal trials and complex civil litigation are dealt with in Perth. This tiered structure means a matter that begins in Collie may later be committed or transferred to a court with wider powers.

Matters the Collie Magistrates Court commonly hears

• Simple criminal offences such as assault, stealing, disorderly conduct and drug possession dealt with summarily.
• Traffic offences, including drink driving, driving while disqualified and applications for an extraordinary driver's licence.
• Minor civil disputes, with the Magistrates Court civil jurisdiction generally extending to claims up to $75,000.
• Restraining order applications, including family violence restraining orders and violence restraining orders.
• Residential tenancy disputes and other everyday civil matters affecting local residents.
• First appearances and preliminary hearings for serious charges that will ultimately be committed to a higher court.

If you are unsure which court will handle your case, a useful rule of thumb is that the Magistrates Court manages the high volume of everyday matters, while the higher courts reserve their time for the gravest offences and the largest claims. For a broader view of every WA venue and how they connect, the WA court lists today hub sets out the full state network in one place.

A heritage courthouse still in daily use

The Collie Court House is more than a working registry; it is a listed heritage building. Constructed in 1913 in the Federation Free style, it is a substantial single storey red brick building topped with a Marseilles tiled roof, with an embossed coat of arms and decorated arches framing the entry porch. It was designed during the era of the Public Works Department under Chief Architect Hillson Beasley, who led the department from 1905 to 1917.

The building is recognised as one of only seven purpose-built courthouses in Western Australia constructed before 1930 that continue to operate as courthouses. Its construction reflected the rapid growth of Collie from the early 1900s, driven by the region's coal industry, and the community's need for permanent justice facilities. More than a century later, the same courtroom still hears local matters, which gives the Collie Courthouse a rare continuity that few regional venues can claim.

Location, contact details and getting there

The courthouse is located on Wittenoom Street in central Collie, positioned near the Collie Senior High School in a prominent landscaped setting. Street parking is available opposite and near the building, which is convenient for most visitors. One important caution applies: if you are attending for a traffic matter where a licence disqualification may be imposed, you should not drive yourself to court, because you may be unable to lawfully drive home.

• Address: Wittenoom Street, Collie WA 6225
• Telephone: (08) 9734 2061
• Facsimile: (08) 9734 1817
• Email: colliecourt@justice.wa.gov.au
• Court type: Regional Magistrates Court and Children's Court

Standard registry hours across WA regional courthouses are generally 9:00am to 4:00pm on business days, though a smaller circuit venue like Collie may open its counter primarily on sitting days. Ringing ahead on the registry number above is the safest way to confirm counter availability before you attend in person.

Why checking the daily court list matters

Because Collie runs on scheduled sitting days rather than continuous daily hearings, the volume of matters on any given list can vary widely. Published WA court list data has shown the Collie Courthouse carrying in the order of 32 listed cases on a single sitting day, which is typical for a regional venue and far smaller than the hundreds of matters seen at the Perth Central Law Courts. Even so, a list that size can still mean a full morning in the courtroom, so arriving early and knowing your listing time is worthwhile.

Checking the list in advance tells you the date and courtroom for your matter, helps you gauge how many cases sit ahead of yours, and confirms whether your appearance is still required or has been adjourned. If your matter has escalated beyond the Magistrates Court, you can follow it through to the relevant higher venue; the WA District Court list is the natural next step for South West circuit matters committed for trial or sentence.

Nearby courts and where cases go next

Collie sits within a cluster of South West courthouses, and matters frequently move between them depending on seriousness, jurisdiction and circuit scheduling. Understanding these connections helps you plan, particularly if your case is committed to a higher court or transferred for a circuit sitting.

• Bunbury is the major regional centre roughly 60 kilometres west and hosts both Magistrates Court sittings and District Court circuits. You can view current Bunbury court listings when a matter is transferred there.
• Busselton also hosts District Court circuit sittings for the region, and the Busselton Court House handles local summary matters for the Cape and surrounds.
• Perth is where the most serious criminal trials and largest civil claims are ultimately determined, across the Central Law Courts, the District Court building and the Supreme Court.

Practical tips for attending the Collie Courthouse

Attending court can be stressful, especially in a smaller town where the sitting calendar is less frequent. A little preparation goes a long way and reduces the risk of a wasted trip or a missed appearance that could lead to a warrant.

• Confirm your listing date, time and courtroom before you leave home, particularly during weeks with no scheduled sitting.
• Arrive at least 20 to 30 minutes early to allow for parking, any security screening and finding the right courtroom.
• Bring identification, any court paperwork and the details of your matter, including the charge or claim number if you have it.
• Dress neatly and plan to switch off your phone before entering the courtroom.
• If a licence disqualification is possible, arrange alternative transport so you are not left unable to drive.
• If you need legal representation, contact a lawyer well ahead of the sitting day, as regional availability can be limited on short notice.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Collie Courthouse located?

The Collie Courthouse is on Wittenoom Street, Collie WA 6225, in central Collie in the South West region of Western Australia, about 200 kilometres south of Perth and 60 kilometres east of Bunbury.

What types of cases does the Collie Magistrates Court hear?

It hears summary criminal offences, traffic matters, restraining order applications and minor civil disputes generally up to $75,000. When the accused is under 18, the court sits as the Children's Court. Serious indictable matters and larger civil claims are dealt with in the District Court or Supreme Court.

Does the Collie Courthouse sit every day?

No. As a regional venue it operates on scheduled sitting days rather than continuously, so the counter and courtroom are not open every business day. Always confirm your listing before travelling.

How do I check the Collie court list?

You can view the daily Collie court list online through the court list service and confirm your matter's date, time and courtroom. Checking ahead tells you how many matters sit before yours and whether your appearance is still required.

Can I drive to court for a traffic matter?

If your matter may result in a licence disqualification, you should not drive yourself, because you may be unable to lawfully drive home afterwards. Arrange alternative transport in advance.

Is the Collie Courthouse a heritage building?

Yes. Built in 1913 in the Federation Free style and designed under Public Works Department Chief Architect Hillson Beasley, it is one of only seven WA courthouses built before 1930 that still operate as courthouses today.