SACAT deadlines, forms & process
South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
Residential tenancies, housing, and administrative review. TribunalReady tracks every statutory clock, reads your tribunal letters automatically, and walks you through the SACAT process — built for self-represented people.
What makes South Australia different
Bond and tenancy disputes start with Consumer and Business Services (CBS), and there is an 'absolute' 28-day bond window. An interstate party can move the matter to the Magistrates Court.
What SACAT handles
Residential tenancy dispute
Residential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA)
Up to $40,000
Rooming house dispute
Residential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA), Part 7
Up to $40,000
Community / social (public) housing tenancy
Residential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA) s24(1)(b)
Up to $40,000
Residential park dispute
Residential Parks Act 2007 (SA)
Up to $40,000
Retirement village dispute
Retirement Villages Act 2016 (SA)
Administrative review of a government decision
South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 (SA) s34
Get the front door right
The most common way a self-rep loses time is starting at the wrong place. In South Australia, some disputes must clear an upstream step before SACAT will hear them.
CBS bond pathway first (apply to CBS, not straight to SACAT)
Required firstIn SA the bond is held by the Commissioner (Consumer and Business Services, CBS), not the tribunal or agent. A bond-repayment application is made to CBS (s63(1)). If it is liable to be disputed, CBS notifies the respondent, who must lodge a written notice of dispute within the prescribed 14-day period (s63(4)-(5)); CBS then refers a timely dispute to SACAT (s63(6)). You cannot go straight to SACAT for a bond.
Residential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA) s63
Retirement village: village dispute-resolution policy first
Strongly expectedBefore a retirement-village dispute goes to SACAT, the operator must take all reasonable steps to resolve it under the village's dispute-resolution policy, unless the resident agrees otherwise or SACAT agrees to hear it. Only after that process fails do parties apply to SACAT under s46.
Retirement Villages Act 2016 (SA) s45(3a)
Internal review usually required before a Supreme Court appeal
Required firstAn appeal against a SACAT decision made in its original jurisdiction (or by a registrar) may not be instituted until an internal review under s70 has been conducted (s71(2a)), subject to limited displacement (s71(2b)). The s70 internal review (1 month, leave) is therefore normally a precondition to the s71 Supreme Court appeal (1 month, leave). Note: for most tenancy money/compensation orders, review leave must NOT be granted except in exceptional circumstances (RTA s114A) — which can in turn block the appeal route.
South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 (SA) s71(2a)-(2b); cf. RTA 1995 (SA) s114A
Interstate / federal-jurisdiction party → transferred to the Magistrates Court
Goes to a court insteadBecause SACAT is not a 'court', it cannot exercise federal jurisdiction (the Burns v Corbett [2018] HCA 15 / A-G (SA) v Raschke problem — e.g. parties in different States). Where determining a matter may involve federal jurisdiction, the Tribunal MAY order the proceedings transferred to the Magistrates Court of SA (s38B(2)); the Court then has all of SACAT's powers (s38C), the SACAT fee carries over (s38B(5)-(6)), and the transfer order is not reviewable or appealable (s38B(7)). A diversion, not a clearable gate.
South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 (SA) ss38A, 38B, 38C
Deadlines that bite
These are the clocks SACAT runs. Miss one and you can lose the right, the money, or the chance to be heard.
- Dispute a CBS bond claim within 14 days of CBS's notice (or it is paid as proposed)Residential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA) s63(4)-(5); Residential Tenancies Regulations 2025 (SA) reg 15(1)
- Rent-arrears termination: rent must be 14+ days unpaid before the notice is givenResidential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA) s80(2)(a)
- Breach (incl. rent) notice: the tenant must get at least 7 days to remedyResidential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA) s80(1)(b)
- Apply for internal review of a SACAT decision within 1 month (leave required)South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 (SA) s70(2)
- Appeal a SACAT decision to the Supreme Court within 1 month (leave required; internal review usually first)South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 (SA) s71(3)
- Set aside a decision made in your absence within 7 days (one application without leave)South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 (SA) s85; SACAT Rules 2014 r30
- Landlord must apply to claim the bond within 14 days of the tenancy endingResidential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA) s63(16)(a); Residential Tenancies Regulations 2025 (SA) reg 15(5)
- Challenge a rent increase as excessive within 90 days of the increase noticeResidential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA) s56(1a)
- Landlord ends a periodic tenancy (prescribed ground): at least 90 days' noticeResidential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA) s83(1),(3)
- Landlord ends at the end of a fixed term (prescribed ground): at least 60 days' noticeResidential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA) s83A(1),(2)
What it costs to file
Commence a case — incl. residential tenancy (Level 1)
$90$67.50 concessionInternal review of a decision (Level 2)
$689$172 concessionGuardianship / administration / mental health
$0
SA tenancy and bond disputes ARE decided at SACAT (the bond money is held by Consumer and Business Services). No separate minor-civil tier — most matters are the Level 1 $90 commencement fee. Indexed each 1 July.
Figures as at 1 July 2025 (FY2025/26). Source: official SACAT fees. Fees re-index — confirm the current amount before you lodge.
Help & official resources
Every link below goes to an official South Australia source — SACAT (or the court or commissioner that actually hears your matter), the bond authority, free legal help, and the governing law.
- SACAT homepageOfficial home of the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
- SACAT fees and chargesTenancy applications sit at the Level 1 fee ($90 / $67.50 concession).
- SACAT formsForms library; most applications are lodged online.
- Consumer and Business Services (CBS) — bondsCBS holds the bond; the tenancy/bond dispute itself is decided by SACAT.
- Legal Services Commission of SA — tenancy assistanceState legal aid tenancy help; refers renters to RentRight SA first.
- RentRight SA (Tenant Advice & Advocacy)SA's funded free tenant advice service; 1800 060 462.
- Residential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA)Principal tenancy Act on the official SA legislation site.
- South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013SACAT's enabling Act.
- SACAT — how to applyStep-by-step guide to lodging online.
- SACAT — fee waivers & exemptionsConcession, hardship and exemption grounds.
- Consumer and Business Services — renting & lettingSA consumer body's renting hub: bonds, repairs, rights, fact sheets.
Official links sourced and checked June 2026. Government sites move from time to time — if a link has changed, search the tribunal’s name plus the page title.
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TribunalReady is not a law firm. This page is information, not legal advice. Statutory periods and fees are amended and CPI-indexed from time to time — verify on the tribunal’s official website before you lodge.