Divorce Fee Waiver and Concession in Australia

The standard divorce filing fee in Australia is A$1,170. If you hold a qualifying concession card or can demonstrate financial hardship, you pay A$390 instead — saving A$780. Here's exactly how the fee reduction works and whether you qualify.

Automatic Qualification: Concession Cards

You automatically qualify for the A$390 reduced fee if you hold any of these valid cards at the time of filing:

• Health Care Card
• Pensioner Concession Card
• Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
• Receipt of Youth Allowance, Austudy, or Abstudy

Upload a copy of your card when you submit the Application for Reduction of Payment through the Commonwealth Courts Portal.

Joint application rule: If you're filing jointly, both applicants must hold a qualifying concession card. If only one of you has a card, you pay the full A$1,170 unless you pass the financial hardship test.

Financial Hardship Test (No Concession Card)

If you don't hold a concession card, you can still qualify by passing all three parts of the financial hardship assessment. You must satisfy every part — failing one means you pay the full fee.

Part 1: Fortnightly Income Test

Your gross fortnightly income (before tax) must not exceed these thresholds:

Part 2: Liquid Assets Test

Your liquid assets (cash, bank balances, shares, accessible investments) cannot exceed five times the standard filing fee:

Maximum liquid assets = 5 × A$1,170 = A$5,850

The court's guidelines determine which assets count; the test covers cash, bank balances, shares, and readily accessible investments.

Part 3: Surplus Income Test

Your surplus fortnightly income (net income minus reasonable living expenses and liabilities) cannot exceed 50% of the standard filing fee:

Maximum surplus = A$585 per fortnight

The court applies this calculation alongside the income and liquid-assets tests.

How to Apply for the Fee Reduction

1. Start your divorce application on the Commonwealth Courts Portal as normal
2. When you reach the fees section, select "Apply for fee reduction"
3. Complete the Application for Reduction of Payment form
4. Upload your concession card OR provide income/asset/expense details for the hardship test
5. The registry assesses your application — if approved, you pay A$390 at checkout

The registry assesses the application. If rejected, you'll need to pay the full fee to proceed.

Tips for a Successful Hardship Application

• Include all dependents (children under 18 in your care) to increase your income threshold
• List every fortnightly expense — rent, utilities, car payments, childcare, medical costs, insurance, food
• Provide current evidence of your income, expenses, debts, and assets to support the hardship assessment
• If you receive Centrelink payments, include your income statement from myGov

The Northern Territory Divorce Filing Process Guide includes a fee reduction worksheet that helps you calculate whether you qualify before you submit your application — so you know exactly what to expect at the payment stage.

See more Northern Territory guides →