Knowledge Hub

Which Court Hears Your Matter

Getting the forum wrong costs time and money before anyone looks at the merits. This is the map.

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In short

Queensland matters are heard by four main bodies. QCAT deals with minor civil disputes, neighbourhood and tenancy matters. The Magistrates Court hears summary offences, protection order applications and smaller civil claims. The District Court hears most indictable offences and mid-range civil claims. The Supreme Court hears the most serious criminal matters and the largest civil claims. Family law is Commonwealth jurisdiction and is dealt with separately by the Federal Circuit and Family Court.

Section 1

Which court hears your matter

Queensland runs a tiered civil system, and the amount in dispute usually decides the level. Filing in the wrong court wastes money and can attract a costs order, so this is one of the first questions we settle on any dispute.

Tribunal

QCAT

Up to $25,000

Minor civil disputes, residential tenancies, and review of certain administrative decisions. Generally a no-costs jurisdiction.^[13]

First tier

Magistrates Court

Up to $150,000

Civil claims to $150,000; all summary criminal offences; committals for indictable matters; protection order applications.^[13]

Intermediate

District Court

$150,000 – $750,000

The monetary limit is set at $750,000 by section 68 of the District Court of Queensland Act 1967.^[19]

Superior

Supreme Court

Above $750,000

Unlimited civil jurisdiction, the most serious criminal matters, and injunctive and equitable relief.^[13]

Not yet law

The Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 proposes lifting the District Court's civil jurisdiction from $750,000 to $1.5 million, with a commencement date of 1 January 2027, and would let the District and Magistrates Courts issue charging and stop orders.^[20] ^[10] The Bill was introduced on 4 March 2026 and the committee tabled its report on 17 April 2026.^[10] Confirm the current position before choosing a court for a claim in that range.

Family law Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia — parenting, property and divorce are Commonwealth jurisdiction, not Queensland courts.

Employment Fair Work Commission for dismissal and general protections claims; Federal Circuit and Family Court for most underpayment and general protections court applications.

Protection orders Magistrates Court, under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (Qld) — a civil proceeding, on the civil standard of proof.^[15]

Common questions

Which Queensland court will hear my matter?

It depends on the type of matter and its size. QCAT deals with minor civil disputes, neighbourhood and tenancy matters; the Magistrates Court hears summary offences, domestic violence protection order applications and smaller civil claims; the District Court hears most indictable offences and mid-range civil claims; and the Supreme Court hears the most serious criminal matters and the largest civil claims. Family law is Commonwealth jurisdiction, dealt with by the Federal Circuit and Family Court rather than the Queensland courts.

Is family law heard in the Queensland courts?

No. Family law operates under the Commonwealth Family Law Act 1975 and is dealt with by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, with a Brisbane registry. Queensland courts do deal with domestic violence protection orders, which are made under Queensland legislation, so it is common for a separating couple to have matters running in both systems at once.

Sources

Reviewed 26 August 2026

The bracketed numbers in this article refer to the master numbered source list on the Knowledge Hub, which is maintained in one place so a citation cannot fall out of step between pages. Every source is an official primary source: Queensland and Commonwealth legislation, the courts, or the relevant regulator.