Victoria has a four-tier civil court hierarchy. VCAT provides an accessible and relatively informal small-claims process for disputes up to $100,000, with a streamlined Small Claims List for amounts up to $15,000. The Magistrates Court handles the bulk of commercial debt enforcement, with the County Court and Supreme Court for larger matters. All monetary thresholds are subject to legislative change — always verify current limits at the relevant court's website before filing.

Merion operates in Victoria and can escalate commercial debts through the legal process where required.

VCAT — Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal

VCAT's Civil Claims List handles disputes up to $100,000. The Small Claims List (for amounts up to $15,000 as at this page) is designed for self-represented parties and is heard by a senior member in an informal setting. Parties in the Small Claims List cannot be represented by a lawyer without the tribunal's leave. Applications can be lodged online. Filing fees apply and vary by claim amount — check the VCAT website for the current fee schedule.

vcat.vic.gov.au: VCAT's official website — application forms, fees, hearing locations, decisions and self-help guides.
VCAT — Civil Claims: Information on the Civil Claims List (up to $100,000) and Small Claims List (up to $15,000), including application requirements.
VCAT — Fees: Current filing and hearing fees for VCAT applications — check before lodging.

Magistrates Court of Victoria

The Magistrates Court of Victoria (MCV) handles civil debt claims up to $100,000. It is the primary venue for commercial debt enforcement in Victoria above cases suitable for VCAT's Small Claims List. The court can issue default judgments and enforcement orders including warrants of seizure and sale, attachment of earnings orders, and examination orders. Matters are heard by magistrates; parties may be legally represented.

mcv.vic.gov.au — Magistrates Court of Victoria: Filing procedures, fees, court locations and enforcement information for civil debt matters in Victoria.
MCV — Civil matters: Overview of civil debt claim procedures in the Magistrates Court, including default judgment and enforcement.

County Court of Victoria

The County Court of Victoria handles civil debt claims between $100,000 and approximately $1 million (check the court's website for the current limit as this changes). Proceedings are more formal than in the Magistrates Court; parties are generally legally represented. The County Court sits in Melbourne and some regional centres. Detailed legal advice is strongly recommended before commencing County Court proceedings.

countycourt.vic.gov.au — County Court of Victoria: Practice directions, filing procedures and civil jurisdiction information for the Victorian County Court.

Supreme Court of Victoria

The Supreme Court of Victoria has unlimited civil jurisdiction and is the appropriate venue for very large debt claims, complex commercial disputes, statutory demands under the Corporations Act 2001, and winding-up applications. The Commercial Court within the Supreme Court specialises in complex commercial matters. Legal representation is expected in all Supreme Court proceedings.

supremecourt.vic.gov.au — Supreme Court of Victoria: Practice directions, commercial court information, filing guides and self-represented litigant resources.

Federal Circuit and Family Court

Creditor petitions in personal bankruptcy and statutory demand proceedings for insolvent companies are handled federally — through the Federal Circuit and Family Court (FCFCOA) for personal insolvency and the Federal Court or Supreme Court for corporate insolvency.

fcfcoa.gov.au — Federal Circuit and Family Court: Filing procedures for bankruptcy petitions and other federal law matters relevant to debt recovery in Victoria.

Filing fees — a note

All Victorian courts and VCAT charge filing fees that vary by claim amount and application type. These fees change periodically. Always check the relevant court or tribunal's website for current fees before filing.

Related Merion resources

Victoria — Debt Recovery Resources — overview of all Victorian debt recovery resources.
Pre-Legal & Legal Recovery — Merion's legal escalation service.
National courts & tribunals directory — all Australian venues for civil debt claims.

Victoria Courts & Tribunals