VCAT Fee Structure Changes

On 1 July 2016, the VCAT fee structure changed, with the costs associated with VCAT applications increasing significantly.

Fees for applications and daily hearing fees are now charged according to three fee payer levels, with concession rates, standard rates and corporate rates. Corporate rates are approximately 30 percent more than the standard rates and are required to be paid by permit applicants who are businesses and companies with a turnover of more than $200,000 in the previous financial year or corporate entities and government agencies.

Another significant change is that applications to the Major Case List are no longer restricted to matters with minimum development costs of $10 million. This means that provided the applicable fee is paid, all matters are able to be included on the Major Cases List which is purported to be a 16 week process, rather than a 26 week process (approximately). However, in our experience the timing for the Major Cases List at present is more like 22 weeks and therefore the timing benefits are minimal.

Also introduced as part of the new structure is a fee payable by objectors, should they want to join as a party to a matter and participate in the final hearing. Whilst it may discourage some people from joining as a party, the fees are minimal (between $9.80 - $27.90) and we do not believe it will act as a disincentive for people that may wish to lodge grounds that are not really affected.

The updated fee structure can be accessed via the following link: www.vcat.vic.gov.au/resources/vcat-fee-tables-effective-1-july-2016

If you have any questions regarding the change in fee structure, please let us know.