The Court System in Australia
The court system in Australia is complex. Australia has a federal government structure which consists of two internal territories (the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory), and six sovereign states with reserve powers.
Each has its own legal system and laws, which sometimes adds complexity, despite ongoing efforts to create one approach. There are no specific tribunals for commercial matters, but there are certain specialized divisions within existing courts.
Depending on the value of the claim and the cause of action, large commercial disputes are usually brought to the Federal Court of Australia (the FCA sits in all capital cities), or to the Supreme Court in one or another territory.
As a general rule, Local Courts or Magistrates Courts (names may vary from one state to another), are capable of deciding on claims up to AUD 40,000 in South Australia, AUD 100,000 in Victoria and New South Wales, or AUD 150,000 in Queensland. District Courts are able to decide on claims up to AUD 750,000, whereas Supreme Courts handle claims in excess of AUD 750,000.