The CTTT deals with a wide range of disputes about consumer, trader and tenancy matters.  Some of these disputes may affect tourists and visitors to NSW.

If you are a tourist or visitor to NSW and you have a dispute about goods or services purchased in NSW, you can lodge an application form in the ‘General’ division.  Disputes about goods or services may include:

• Car rental
• Backpacker accommodation
• Booking a holiday through a travel agent
• Holiday rentals
• Travel disputes
• Purchase of other goods or services

If you rented a residential premises in NSW for longer than 2 months and have a rental bond or other tenancy related dispute, you can lodge an application form in the ‘Tenancy’ division.

The CTTT's application fees and charges vary according to the type of application lodged and the amount in dispute.

If you are leaving soon...

If you are leaving NSW shortly, you can have your dispute resolved quickly by requesting an urgent hearing.

Urgent hearings

1. Lodge your application by fax or in person.
2. Clearly state you are requesting an urgent hearing and include your reasons.  For example, "I need an urgent hearing because I am a tourist and I will be going home in 5 days".
3. Provide evidence of your departure such as a copy of your travel itinerary or airline ticket.

Please note: Urgent applications cannot be lodged online.

If you have already gone...

Even if you have left NSW, you can still lodge an application to the CTTT and have your dispute resolved.

Telephone hearings

The CTTT can arrange a telephone hearing if you are interstate, overseas, or more than 2 hours travel from a CTTT hearing venue.

1. In your application form, clearly state you are requesting a telephone hearing and include your reasons for the request.
2. You will then be advised if your request is successful.
3. Instructions will be included with your Notice of Hearing of what you will need to do on the day of hearing.

Representation

If you have a friend or family member in NSW, you could ask them to attend the CTTT hearing as your representative.

1. Give your representative a letter authorising them to act on your behalf, and signed and dated by you.
2. At the CTTT hearing, your representative will give the authority letter to the Tribunal Member.
3. The Tribunal Member will decide on the day if you can be represented.

Details on applying for representation can be found in clause 13 of the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal Regulation 2009.