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Victorian Tribunals

A number of Tribunals and Courts operate in Victoria. Their role is to interpret the laws, decide who is right or wrong in a dispute and impose penalties on people or organisations that have broken the law.

Tribunals are usually less formal than courts and resolve a broad range of disputes, such as arguments between consumers and businesses, or between landlords and tenants. Tribunals also hear claims, such as immigration or social security disputes between government departments, such as immigration or social security disputes, and groups or individsuals.

Tribunals that operate in Victoria include:

• Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) hears and determines disputes about purchase or sale of goods and services, residential tenancies, credit, planning, discrimination, business licensing and decisions of Victorian government agencies.
• Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) provides assistance to victims of violent crime, where the crime occurred in Victoria.
• Racing Appeals Tribunal hears appeals against certain penalty decisions imposed by Racing Victoria Limited, Harness Racing Victoria and Greyhound Racing Victoria, or their respective stewards.

In addition to these tribunals, there are also several courts operating in Victoria.