Quick answer: Yes — SignedSorted generates a personalised Small Claims Action Plan for Australia in minutes. Describe your dispute and get the correct tribunal for your state, its claim limit and filing fees, and a step-by-step guide with the evidence you'll need. From $3.99.
Owed Money? Take Action
Get a Small Claims Action Plan for Australia
Sent a letter of demand and still not paid? Describe your dispute and SignedSorted builds a personalised action plan — the right tribunal for your state, filing fees, and exactly what evidence to gather — ready in minutes.
From $3.99 per document · No subscription required
What It Can Cover
Everything you need before you lodge
Your action plan is built from your specific dispute, so it only includes what's relevant — but here's the full list of what it can cover:
Correct tribunal for your state
Current claim limit
Filing fee estimate
Evidence checklist
Application steps
Conciliation process
Hearing preparation
Time limits
Claiming against a company
What happens if you win
Enforcement options
Realistic timeline
Who It's For
Common situations this covers
Unpaid invoices or debts
A client, contractor or private individual owes you money and a letter of demand hasn't worked.
A private loan gone unpaid
Lent money to a friend or family member who isn't paying it back — know exactly how to escalate.
Faulty goods or undelivered services
A consumer dispute where the other party won't refund, repair or complete the work.
Bond or tenancy-related disputes
Unresolved disputes over bond, repairs, or amounts owed between tenants and landlords or housemates.
How SignedSorted Works
From dispute to a clear plan
01
Describe your dispute
What's owed, who from, what's already been tried, and your state — in plain English.
02
AI builds your action plan
A personalised, step-by-step guide is generated in seconds, naming the correct tribunal and process for your state.
03
Gather your evidence
Follow the checklist tailored to your specific dispute type before you lodge.
04
Lodge with your tribunal
Use your plan to complete your state tribunal's own application form and pay the filing fee directly to them.
Example Plan
What it actually looks like
A sanitised example — your actual plan is generated from your specific dispute, so the tribunal, figures and steps will match your state and situation.
Small Claims Action PlanNSW
Claimant vs. unpaid freelance invoice
Example only — $3,200 owed
Court: Local Court of NSW, Small Claims Division, limit $20,000
Filing fee: Set by the Local Court, confirmed in your plan
Evidence: Contract, invoice, payment reminders, bank records
Step 1: Confirm letter of demand was sent and lapsed
Step 2: File a Statement of Claim with the Local Court
Timeline: Other party has 28 days to respond once served
Australian Considerations
Which tribunal applies in your state
Australia has no single small claims court — each state and territory has its own tribunal or court and its own claim limit:
| State / Territory | Tribunal / Court | Claim Limit |
|---|---|---|
| VIC | Magistrates' Court of Victoria (debts) or VCAT (consumer and trader disputes) | Magistrates' Court: up to $100,000. VCAT: no set limit for consumer and trader disputes |
| NSW | Local Court of NSW (debts) or NCAT (consumer claims) | Local Court Small Claims: up to $20,000. NCAT consumer claims: up to $100,000 |
| QLD | QCAT | Up to $25,000 (Minor Civil Disputes) |
| WA | Magistrates Court of WA | Up to $75,000 (minor case procedure up to $10,000) |
| SA | Magistrates Court of SA | Up to $12,000 (Minor Civil Claims) |
| TAS | Magistrates Court of Tasmania | Up to $5,000 (Minor Civil Claims) |
| ACT | ACAT | Up to $25,000 |
| NT | NTCAT | Up to $25,000 |
This is general information, not legal advice, and claim limits and fees change — check your state tribunal's official website for the current figures before lodging.
Sources: ACCC — How to Complain, NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is a Small Claims Action Plan?
It's a personalised, step-by-step guide to lodging a claim in your state — which tribunal applies, the claim limit, filing fees, what evidence to gather, and the process from lodgement to hearing. It's not the claim form itself (each tribunal has its own), but everything you need to complete it with confidence.
Do I need a lawyer for a small claims tribunal?
No. Small claims tribunals are specifically designed for self-represented parties — legal representation is often not permitted, or requires tribunal approval. That said, if your matter is complex or high-value, independent legal advice is worth getting; SignedSorted isn't a law firm.
Which tribunal applies to me?
It depends on your state and the type of dispute — the Local Court or NCAT in NSW, the Magistrates' Court or VCAT in Victoria, QCAT in Queensland, ACAT in the ACT, NTCAT in the NT, and the Magistrates Court in WA, SA and TAS. Your action plan identifies the correct one and its current claim limit based on where you are and the amount involved.
Do I need to send a letter of demand first?
It's strongly recommended and often expected by tribunals as evidence you tried to resolve the dispute before escalating. If you haven't sent one yet, SignedSorted can also draft a Letter of Demand — see the link below.
What if I'm not sure I have enough evidence?
Your action plan lists exactly what's useful for your specific type of dispute — contracts, receipts, bank records, messages, photos — so you can see what you already have and what to gather before lodging.
Is there a time limit to lodge a claim?
Yes — most contract and debt disputes in Australia must be brought within 6 years from when the issue arose (shorter in some circumstances, and for personal injury claims). This is set by each state's Limitation of Actions legislation. If you're near this window, don't wait.
Can I claim against a company, not just a person?
Yes — using the company's legal name and registered address (found via the ASIC register). Your action plan reflects this if you tell us the other party is a business.
How much does it cost?
From $3.99 per document with no subscription required — a fraction of a solicitor consultation, and separate from the tribunal's own filing fee, which is paid directly to the tribunal.
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