The following information outlines how most applications to the CTTT are managed from receipt of the application to the making of final orders.

View the Application process flowchart (PDF size: 21k) which illustrates the CTTT's application process.

Application Lodgement

To start proceedings at the CTTT, an application form must be completed and lodged.  Applications can be lodged online, by post, or in person.

Listing

After an application is lodged, the matter is listed for conciliation and hearing.  The CTTT sends you and the other party a Notice of Conciliation and Hearing.  You can generally expect to receive a Notice within 14 days.

The Notice will include the time and place of the hearing.  You and the other party will need to attend the hearing on this date and at this time.

Conciliation

Conciliation is regularly used in conjunction with group listings, mainly for tenancy, social housing, general, home building and motor vehicles matters. 

If conciliation is successful, consent orders will be made on the day without the need for a hearing.  Where conciliation is unsuccessful, the matter goes to a hearing.  Learn more about the CTTT's conciliation process.

Hearing

The majority of CTTT applications are listed for first hearing in a group list where a number of matters are listed together before a Tribunal Member.

The Tribunal Member will hear and evaluate the parties' evidence, consider submissions, makes a decision and issues a binding and legally enforceable CTTT order.  Learn more about the CTTT's hearing process.

Orders

In most cases, the Tribunal Member will make a decision on the day of the hearing.  Most decisions are accompanied by brief oral reasons.  The decision is then typed into orders which are issued to all parties.

Tribunal decisions are binding and can only be appealed to the District Court of NSW on a matter of law.  An application for rehearing may be granted by the Chairperson if it can be demonstrated that the applicant suffered a substantial injustice.