eLodgment
SAT’s electronic case management system (ECMS) is available through the eLodgment system on the eCourts portal. The eCourts Portal can be used for managing proceedings in SAT and all Western Australian Courts, and it is available for use by the legal profession, government agencies and self-represented litigants.
Benefits of eLodgment include the ability to lodge applications and forms, and pay fees, electronically, and access documents and orders anytime.
Proceedings in the Tribunal’s jurisdiction are commenced by filing originating documents. All Tribunal originating documents are available to be lodged via the Portal.
Once completed, you will receive a matter number for your reference and you will be able to file other (non-originating) documents. You can lodge:
- Tribunal forms, which can be obtained from the Tribunal’s website, completed and submitted; or
- other documents, in which case you should select the appropriate document name from the options in the Portal, and then upload the complete document.
You will need to be a registered user to use eLodgment.
- Go to the eCourts Portal home page
- Read the terms and conditions
- Click on the Register link
- Complete and submit the registration.
You will receive an email notification when your registration is complete.
Why should I use eLodgment?
eLodgment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, subject to SAT’s rules covering the electronic lodgement of documents. eLodgment incurs no extra filing fees, and most documents are available to the parties electronically after filing (unless confidentiality provisions apply).
The document filed electronically is taken to have been filed on the date and time recorded in SAT’s electronic document system.
How does the eLodgment system work?
eLodgment automates the production and lodgement of documents. It can be used to lodge originating applications, and also to lodge subsequent documents (non-originating documents).
Once you (as a registered user) have completed and lodged an originating application, it is automatically entered into the SAT’s electronic case management system (ECMS). The application will be allocated a matter number for future reference.
You can lodge subsequent documents by:
- completing and submitting a SAT form (available on the SAT website); or
- Uploading an existing document – in this case, you should select the appropriate name from the options available (for example, ‘Proposed Consent Orders’) and then upload the complete document. The eLodgment system allows you to upload a document in a ‘Word’ or, for some document types, in a ‘PDF’ format (for more information see ‘Technical Information’).
The text entered into an online form, and any uploaded document, will be added in the system as a court document. The registered user will have an option to review the document in draft before lodging.
Once lodged, other parties will generally be able to view the document on the Portal. Exceptions apply in some matters where confidentiality provisions apply (for example, in proceedings under the Guardianship and Administration Act 1990, documents will not be viewable).
For more information, see the full list of documents that can be filed through eLodgment at SAT.
Where can I get more information about SAT’s procedures?
SAT has published information on its website, under Resources and Publications. Additional information is also available under Matter Type and SAT Process.
Do users need special software to use eLodgment?
Special software is not required to use the eCourts Portal.
Is there a size restriction when uploading documents?
Yes. Currently the maximum size a document can be is 200MB.
What are the formal requirements for documents to be eLodged?
.doc
.docx
.pdf (some forms)
Are the Online Forms secure?
The site has security protection and encrypts data that passes over the Internet.
How long will my account be valid for?
Once you have lodged documents with SAT or a Court, your account will remain active. If you have registered but have not lodged any documents, your account will be deleted after 60 days of inactivity (if you need to lodge a document thereafter, you will need to register again).
What support is offered to users using eLodgment?
For SAT procedural support please contact the State Administrative Tribunal. Courts Technology Group will provide technical support. Courts Technology Group can be contacted on (08) 9425 2645 between 8:15am and 5pm Monday to Friday (except Public Holidays) or ctghelpdesk@justice.wa.gov.au at any time.
What documents can I lodge through eLodgment?
Please see the full list of documents that can be filed through eLodgment at the Tribunal.
Can I view my draft document before lodging?
Yes, eLodgment will provide you with an opportunity to review a draft. Draft documents have the word ‘draft’ embedded into the document as a watermark.
How will I know if the application has been successfully lodged?
As part of the eLodgment process, the user will receive an on screen confirmation that the document has been successfully filed.
How long will the System keep unlodged documents?
The System will keep unlodged documents for a period of 45 days from the date the document was last modified.
How do I pay fees?
eLodgment contains the capacity for fees to be paid online, in two ways:
- The first way is to pay the relevant fees using a Mastercard or Visa card as party of the lodgement process for each document or document batch. The user pays the same amount when lodging online with a Mastercard or Visa card as they do when lodging over the counter and paying via cash (SAT does not impost any additional card fee).
- The second is to establish a direct debit link between the eLodgment system and the registered user’s bank account. At the point of lodgement of a document batch, the user will be asked to authorise deduction of the relevant fees from the user’s bank account using the direct debit.
What are the fees?
The system will calculate the fee based on the type of application, and will show the fees payable on a summary screen at the end of the process.
Is there any online assistance?
Yes, eLodgment has a comprehensive help application which covers all standard eLodgment processes.
Who do I contact if I have any difficulty with eLodgment?
If your difficulty concerns the eLodgment system in general or SAT’s processes, you should contact SAT directly.
If your difficulty concerns the technical operation of eLodgment, you should contact the Courts Technology Group on (08) 9425 2645 between 8:15am and 5pm Monday to Friday (except Public Holidays) or ctghelpdesk@justice.wa.gov.au at any time.
Last updated: 21 August 2023
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