Tenants Queensland

03/09/2026

What is QCAT?
The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) is an independent, accessible tribunal that makes decisions on renting disputes.

If you and your agent or lessor cannot solve a renting dispute, or if you have an urgent tenancy matter, you can apply to the Queensland Civil Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) for a hearing. Your agent or lessor can also apply to QCAT if there is a dispute.

QCAT has the power to hear renting disputes and make a range of decisions. QCAT’s purpose is to provide a quick, accessible and inexpensive way to resolve disagreements between parties and make decisions.

Photo description: Going to QCAT? Call Tenants Queensland for free advice on 1300 744 263.

For more information read Resolving Tenancy Disputes https://tenantsqld.org.au/factsheets/resolving-tenancy-disputes/

Or visit the QCAT website https://www.qcat.qld.gov.au/

More details:
TQ manages and delivers the Queensland Statewide Tenant Advice and Referral Service (QSTARS) which provides a statewide advice service for Queensland renters.

TQ has nine offices in Queensland and operates regional QSTARS offices in collaboration with partner organisations; Community Plus, HBNC (Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre), Mackay Regional Community Legal Centre Inc., Tasc Community Legal Centre, Enhance Care and Irasi.

TQ also provides a range of tenancy information and advocacy services including: tenancy publications, a tenancy law training program, and tenancy law research and policy development.

01/09/2026

Do you rent and have a pet? Are you free this Saturday?

If you want to understand your rights and responsibilities when you have a pet, join us to find out more this Saturday:

Saturday 5 September
10:30 AM - 12 PM
Click to reserve your spot.
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/pets-in-rentals-zillmere-library-tickets-1995862373085

Find out how to apply for a pet, your rights and responsibilities when having a pet and applying for a property when you already have a pet.

More details:
TQ manages and delivers the Queensland Statewide Tenant Advice and Referral Service (QSTARS) which provides a statewide advice service for Queensland renters.

TQ has nine offices in Queensland and operates regional QSTARS offices in collaboration with partner organisations; Community Plus, HBNC (Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre), Mackay Regional Community Legal Centre Inc., Tasc Community Legal Centre, Enhance Care and Irasi.

TQ also provides a range of tenancy information and advocacy services including: tenancy publications, a tenancy law training program, and tenancy law research and policy development.

Join Tenants Queensland for an informative presentation covering tenants legal rights and responsibilities regarding rentals with pets.

01/09/2026

Case study: Standing up to unfair debt claims

A tenant used the QSTARS (Queensland Statewide and Referral Service) program again after being contacted by a debt collection agency seeking over $2,700 linked to an insurance claim made by their former lessor.
The situation dated back to early 2025, when the tenant’s rental property was damaged by a cyclone and repairs were not completed within a reasonable timeframe. The tenant vacated soon after, leading to a dispute that went through QCAT. Final orders at the time only addressed the bond, which was awarded to the lessor with no further compensation was ordered against the tenant.

Almost one year later, the tenant called the QSTARS program about this unexpected debt demand. As a result, QSTARS staff provided information and support enabling the tenant to advocate for themselves and challenge the claim.

The outcome was:
• Full debt waived by the collection agency
• No further financial liability
• Matter resolved and closure for the tenant after a prolonged and stressful situation

This situation shows how the QSTARS program can help tenants to challenge unexpected claims and still achieve fair outcomes well after a tenancy has ended.

If you need rent advice, call the free Queensland Statewide and Referral Service (QSTARS) on 1300 744 263
Advice hours:
9am – 5pm Monday to Friday
5pm – 7pm Evening Service (Tuesday and Wednesday)

Or head to our website to read the fact sheets and information relevant for renters; https://tenantsqld.org.au/factsheets/

Image description: Vector image with text with three logos in the footer. Text on screen is
CASE STUDY: Standing up to unfair debt claims.
Full debt waived by collection agency with no further financial liability. Vector image of two piles of coins on the right of the screen.
The three logos in the footer from left to right are Tenants Queensland, QSTARS and Queensland Government.

More details:
Tenants Queensland delivers a free statewide advice and referral service for Queensland renters, the QSTARS program. QSTARS stands for the Queensland Statewide Tenant Advice and Referral Service.

TQ has nine offices in Queensland and operates regional QSTARS offices in collaboration with partner organisations; Community Plus, HBNC (Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre), Mackay Regional Community Legal Centre Inc., Tasc Community Legal Centre, Enhance Care and Irasi.

24/08/2026

Last Friday, The TQ QSTARS team in Rockhampton and the staff at the CQ Community Legal Centre Inc came together and held an morning tea.

This allowed local services to come and see our offices, meet with staff and gain a better understanding of how the QSTARS program and CQ Community Legal Service works.

It was a good morning with attendees having the chance to network, chat and engage over a cup of tea.

These types of collaborations present opportunities to share local referral pathways, build trust and identify potential gaps in delivering services.

The TQ QSTARS team in Rockhampton are very fortunate to have such a positive and close relationship with the CQ Community Legal Service.

Thank you to the CQ Community Legal Service and all attendees for making it such an enjoyable morning.

More details:
TQ manages and delivers the Queensland Statewide Tenant Advice and Referral Service (QSTARS) which provides a statewide advice service for Queensland renters.

TQ has nine offices in Queensland and operates regional QSTARS offices in collaboration with partner organisations; Community Plus, HBNC (Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre), Mackay Regional Community Legal Centre Inc., Tasc Community Legal Centre, Enhance Care and Irasi.

TQ also provides a range of tenancy information and advocacy services including: tenancy publications, a tenancy law training program, and tenancy law research and policy development.

Photo 1 - TQ QSTARS and CLCQ morning tea on table with QSTARS pull up banner
Photo 2 - Four team members sitting and discussing
Photo 3 - Eleven team members sitting and discussingTeam sitting and discussing around three tables
Photo 4 - Four staff sitting and looking at person that is standing in the room

24/08/2026

Do you want to understand your renting rights and responsibilities when you have a pet?

Join Tenants Queensland for an informative presentation about this next month:
Saturday 5 September
10:30 AM - 12 PM
Click to reserve your spot.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/pets-in-rentals-zillmere-library-tickets-1995862373085

Find out how to apply for a pet, your rights and responsibilities when having a pet and applying for a property when you already have a pet.

More details:
TQ manages and delivers the Queensland Statewide Tenant Advice and Referral Service (QSTARS) which provides a statewide advice service for Queensland renters.

TQ has nine offices in Queensland and operates regional QSTARS offices in collaboration with partner organisations; Community Plus, HBNC (Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre), Mackay Regional Community Legal Centre Inc., Tasc Community Legal Centre, Enhance Care and Irasi.

TQ also provides a range of tenancy information and advocacy services including: tenancy publications, a tenancy law training program, and tenancy law research and policy development.

Join Tenants Queensland for an informative presentation covering tenants legal rights and responsibilities regarding rentals with pets.

21/08/2026

This week we continue to celebrate 40 years since Tenant Queensland's (TQ) very first public meeting across the difference offices in Queensland.

TQ's Southern Queensland team came together across our three offices to enjoy this wonderful cake, as well as joining the online celebration of the whole team earlier in the week.

TQ's 3 SQ QSTARS offices have now been open for 10 years. Access to a local office is so important, especially with the population growth in parts of this region.

Photo description: 40th Anniversary cake in one of the South East Queensland offices.

More details:
TQ manages and delivers the Queensland Statewide Tenant Advice and Referral Service (QSTARS) which provides a statewide tenancy advice service for Queensland renters.

TQ has nine offices in Queensland and operates regional QSTARS offices in collaboration with partner organisations; Community Plus, HBNC (Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre), Mackay Regional Community Legal Centre Inc., Tasc Community Legal Centre, Enhance Care and Irasi.

TQ also provides a range of tenancy information and advocacy services including: tenancy publications, a tenancy law training program, and tenancy law research and policy development.

20/08/2026

This week we have been celebrating 40 years since TQ’s very first public meeting across the difference offices in Queensland.

The Rockhampton team made this beautiful cake and also joined the online Teams celebration earlier in the week.

TQ manages and delivers the Queensland Statewide Tenant Advice and Referral Service (QSTARS) which provides a statewide advice service for Queensland renters. For more than 10 years one of the regional QSTARS offices has been based in Rockhampton.

Photo description: 40th Anniversary home made cake in Rockhampton with tea cups surrounding the cake

More details:
TQ has nine offices in Queensland and operates regional QSTARS offices in collaboration with partner organisations; Community Plus, HBNC (Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre), Mackay Regional Community Legal Centre Inc., Tasc Community Legal Centre, Enhance Care and Irasi.

TQ also provides a range of tenancy information and advocacy services including: tenancy publications, a tenancy law training program, and tenancy law research and policy development.

19/08/2026

Yesterday, as we celebrated 40 years since TQ’s very first public meeting, we also had the privilege of renaming our training room in honour of Janet Dunn. Janet served as our Administrator from 1989 until her retirement in 2025, stepping down exactly 36 years to the day after she started. Across those decades, Janet embodied the spirit of TQ. Her energy, commitment and belief in our work never waned.

Janet is the quiet achiever who made everything behind the scenes run smoothly. She was often the first point of contact for our clients and members and she greeted everyone with warmth, patience and genuine empathy. Her impact on our organisation and the people we serve was immense.

Today, Janet's legacy lives on through the newly named Janet Dunn Training Room. Thank you, Janet, for your extraordinary contribution, your unwavering support, and 36 years of dedicated service. You will always be part of the Tenants Queensland story. ❤️

18/08/2026

Today marks 40 years of Tenants Queensland

On 18 August 1986, a group of passionate advocates came together for the first public meeting to discuss how they could make the process of holding and returning tenants' bonds fairer. Back then, tenant bonds were kept in the pockets of lessors and agents and when there was a dispute about the return of tenants’ money at the end of the tenancy, there was no accessible process to resolve that dispute. At that meeting 40 years ago today those passionate advocates also talked about forming a tenants’ union. Their vision was simple and clear; to improve conditions for tenants, protect renters’ rights and make those rights more accessible. Their work ended up in forming the Tenants’ Union of Queensland.

Forty years later, that vision continues to thrive and grow along with the organisation.

What began as a grassroots movement has grown into Tenants Queensland, a statewide organisation with 70 team members across 9 offices. Today, we are proud to be Queensland's only organisation providing free, indepedent tenant advisory services for the 1.8 million renters across the state.

As we celebrate this important milestone, we acknowledge the thousands of people who have contributed to improving the lives of renters across Queensland. You know who you are and we thank everyone who has been part of this journey.

As we reflect on our impact to date, we also look forward and will continue our advocacy, support, and work for renters for the next 40 years and beyond.




Photo 1 - 40th Anniversary cake
Photo 2 - 40th Anniversary photo with some of the team in one of the nine offices in front of a 40th anniversary sign
Photo 3 - Cutting the cake at the 40th anniversary those involved in TQ for over 20 years

14/08/2026

Last week, our Central Queensland Community Engagement worker travelled to Gladstone to attend the Pathways Home – A Gladstone Homeless Connect Event.

It was a good day and we were fortunate enough to speak with multiple attendees and fellow stall holders, all dedicated to supporting anyone experiencing homelessness or housing stress.

Thank you, Gladstone Regional Council for organising such an important day.

More details:
Tenants Queensland (TQ) manages the QSTARS (Queensland Statewide Tenant Advice and Referral Service) program which is a free statewide advice and referral service for Queensland tenants.

TQ has nine offices in Queensland and operates regional QSTARS offices in collaboration with partner organisations; Community Plus, HBNC (Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre), Mackay Regional Community Legal Centre Inc., Tasc Community Legal Centre, Enhance Care and Irasi.

TQ also provides a range of tenancy information and advocacy services including: tenancy publications, a tenancy law training program, and tenancy law research and policy development.

TQ also operates a specialist legal service for tenancy law matters.

Image description:
Image 1 - Person holding and smiling with the TQ QSTARS DL flyer in front of the table with open field in background

Image 2 - A Gladstone Homeless Connect Event flyer