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  Getting started
Accessing the system
Payment options
Document types
Rules and procedures
Technical issues
eLodgment and the Commonwealth Courts Portal
Getting started
What is eLodgment?
eLodgment makes it possible for litigants to electronically lodge documents with the Federal Court of Australia and the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia.
Without the need to attend a Registry to lodge documents, the process becomes more efficient and cost effective.
Who can use eLodgment?
Any person wanting to file in the Federal Court or the Federal Magistrates Court (General Law), whether they are practitioners, law firms, corporate bodies or self represented litigants can register to use eLodgment.
How do I use eLodgment?
There are 5 easy to follow steps to eLodge documents via eLodgment. Once you have registered to use eLodgment, all you have to do is…
- Select the Jurisdiction and Type of Action
- Upload the documents and any supporting documents
- Enter the contact details of the person responsible for the eLodgment
- Pay any necessary fees either via credit card, an account or ask the Court to reduce the fees.
- Finalise and submit the eLodgment.
What are the benefits of eLodgment?
eLodgment is a quick and efficient way to file documents with the Federal Court and the Federal Magistrates Court. There are a number of significant benefits and features:
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Availability
eLodgment allows registered users to lodge documents any time, on any day of the week. However documents eLodged out of hours will be processed during normal business hours.
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Reduced costs
Reduction of paper, photocopy, postage and courier costs.
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Accessibility
Lodging parties can view their electronically lodged document as soon as it is accepted for filing. This greatly speeds delivery and eliminates costs to both the court and parties.
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Customisable templates
For large volume users there are customisable user templates enabling users to save any standard data and re-use it as required for future elodgments.
Do I pay to use eLodgment?
No - there are no fees for using eLodgment. There are however fees attached to lodging particular document types which are payable by either credit card or account.
Federal Court fees
Federal Magistrates Court fees
How do I establish a credit account facility?
To be provided with an account from the Court you need to meet certain conditions and submit an application form. More information and relevant forms is provided in this section or by emailing elodgment_admin@fedcourt.gov.au.
How long does it take to get an account?
You must first register with eLodgment before using it. The turn around time for processing eLodgment registrations is within 1 business day.
If you have applied for credit facilities with the Court please allow 2 weeks for the processing of the application.
What computer equipment do I need to use eLodgment?
A computer with an internet connection and a web browser;
an individual email account for contact purposes;
and in the event of filing a document that is only in paper format, a scanner.
Can I lodge all documents through eLodgment?
You can lodge any initiating document and any supporting document. Similarly, documents can be lodged on existing matters via eLodgment as long as you know the file number.
Can I view the documents that I have eLodged?
Yes. As documents remain accessible via eLodgment, users can monitor the progress of their eLodgments as well as review the processed documents through your ‘Lodgment History’. You can access the sealed electronic versions of the documents if you want to email or print out for service.
How do I get my copies of sealed documents?
Under Lodgment History you can access and download your processed documents through eLodgment by using your username and password.
How long does it take for my documents to be processed?
During registry business hours your eLodged document(s) will generally be processed within 30 minutes. Once processed, they will be available via the Lodgment History area of eLodgment.
Who do I contact if I have any queries?
If you have any questions you can contact your local Federal Court Registry or email eLodgment_admin@fedcourt.gov.au.
Accessing the system
How do I register
You must register to use eLodgment. To register you need to complete the on-line registration which is available on the Welcome screen.
Once you click on submit, your registration request will be sent to the Court which, under normal circumstances, will process your request within 1 business day. You will receive an email notifying you of your registration approval, upon receipt of which you can log in and use eLodgment.
How do solicitors obtain an eLodgment account?
All users need to register to use eLodgment. Processing of new registrations may take up to 1 business day.
How do I receive my username and/or password?
During the registration process you will be prompted to create a Username and a Password. Once you receive an email from the Court saying that your registration has been approved, you use the username and password to access eLodgment.
What information will I need to enter when I register?
To register with eLodgment:
- If you are a law firm/company/business you need:
- ABN/ACN
- Registered address
- Postal address
- Contact details (including individual email address)
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If you are registering as a Self Represented Litigant (SRL)
- Name
- Postal address
- Contact details (including individual email address)
It’s also a good idea to think of your Username and Password and a Secret Question and answer in advance.
When I enter the suburb/postcode it will not accept it.
When entering the suburb, type really slowly and it will prompt you with options which you can select. The "/" in the field name is misleading as you don't need that. It will also automatically fill out the state.
I forgot my password. What do I do?
Click on the Forgotten Password link on the Log in screen. You will be prompted to enter your Username and to answer your Secret Question. eLodgment will then send a new password to the email address you used during registration. Once you receive the email, click on the embedded link and use the password provided. You can then change your password under the My Details tab once you have logged into eLodgment.
How do I register my organisation?
eLodgment works with individual registrations which are attached to an organisation as part of the registration process. Organisational data provided during the registration process enables the Court to link your username with your organisations.
Why do I need to enter my gender?
For statistical reporting purposes.
What is meant by Secret Question?
This is a secret question that only you know the answer to. You must enter the question and the answer. If you forget your username or password the system will use the question for verification before emailing you the information.
I have an account but I forgot my password. What do I do?
Click on the Forgotten Username or Forgotten Password links on the log in screen, answer the Secret Question correctly and the system will email you the information.
How do I change my password after my account is created?
Once you have logged into eLodgment you can change your password under the My Details tab.
How do I change My Profile details?
Once you have logged into eLodgment you can change your details under the My Details tab. Remember if you change any of your Profile details (for example your contact details) the relevant form needs to be lodged for the Court record to change.
Can I have a generic username and password for my company?
Due to security concerns it is best that individuals register with eLodgment as access is granted to a single individual. Sharing of usernames and passwords is never recommended.
Once eLodgment is integrated with the CCP it is recommended that companies/organisations have an administrator who can manage accounts locally.
How secure is the information that I input?
It is your responsibility to keep your username and password secure to ensure that nobody else can access any information associated with your username and password. The eLodgment application keeps your information secure through a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate to prevent unauthorised viewing and the application is hosted in a secure zone (DMZ).
Security policy
Who else can view my information?
The only people who can view any activity carried out under your username are yourself and selected officers within the Court who process the documents. Nobody else can view the activity unless they have gained access to your username and password. For this reason it is good practice not to share your password with anybody and to change it regularly.
How do I view documents that I have eLodged?
You can view all the documents you have eLodged under you username in the Lodgment History area of eLodgment once you have logged in.
Can I eLodge documents on an existing matter?
Yes you can – as long as you have the
F
ile Number for that matter.
I have forgotten the file number for my matter. How do I find it?
If you click on the link to Federal Law Search you can search for a party or matter name which will produce the file number for you.
I am changing company/organisations. Who do I notify?
If you wish to continue using eLodgment with the new company/organisation you will need to notify the elodgment admin email address that you have changed employers so that your access can be changed to reflect your new employer.
How will I know if my eLodgment has been successful?
The final step of the eLodgment process will present you with a summary screen of all the information that you have entered and a Lodgment Number confirming that the document(s) have been successfully uploaded and have been queued for processing by the Court.
When an officer of the Court has processed the document(s) you will receive an email notification with an embedded link to the processed document(s).
Payment options
Do I need to pay to use eLodgment?
NO - there are no fees for using the application. There are however fees attached to particular document types which are payable by either credit card or account.
How do I pay filing fees for documents lodged via eLodgment?
You can pay the associated document fees by either credit card or account. If you cannot afford this fee you may be able to ask the Court to reduce it.
Do I need to set up a credit account to use eLodgment?
No – you can pay any associated fees by credit card. If you cannot afford this fee you may be able to ask the Court to reduce it.
How do I set up credit account facilities with the Court?
You need to apply to the Court’s Finance Section to set up Credit facilities. Click here for more information and an application form.
Will our pre-existing account facility be automatically transferred to eLodgment?
Yes, if you have a pre-existing account it will be transferred. The account information will be attached to the username during the processing of the registrations.
Document types
What types of documents/files can I upload in eLodgment?
You can up load the following types of files
.DOC – MS Word Documents
.PDF - Portable Document Format
.XLS – MS Excel Spreadsheets
.JPG – Image Files
.RTF - Rich Text Format
.GIF - Graphics Interchange Format
Upon being accepted by the Court, documents will be converted to PDF files from their original file formats so that the Court seal and listing details can be added.
Do we have to use PDF?
No – any of the file types mentioned above are acceptable. Upon being accepted by the Court, documents will be converted to PDF files from their original file format so that the Court seal and listing details can be added.
What is PDF?
PDF stands for Portable Document Format. It is a universal file format that preserves the fonts, images, graphics, and layout of any source document, regardless of the application and platform used to create it.
I want to load a PDF but it is not allowing me to?
PDF version 1.4 or less is not accepted.
Some scanners save PDF documents as older versions of PDF, so if you have created the PDF by scanning it, check in the Document Properties of the file that it is an accepted version of PDF.
How big can the documents be?
Order 1 Rule 5A (2) of the Federal Court Rules provides that a document cannot be over 100 pages long or more than 5 megabytes in size.
Division 2.2 of the Federal Magistrates Court Rules applies to the filing of documents including electronic filing and Rule 2.05 (1A) provides that a document may not be filed electronically if it is over 100 pages long.
My file is too big, what do I do?
Try converting it to a PDF as they are usually smaller than other file formats. If that doesn't work, please contact your local Federal Court Registry or email eLodgment_admin@fedcourt.gov.au.
Rules and procedures
What are the rules and procedures regarding filing electronically?
Order 1 Rule 5A of the Federal Court Rules provide for the filing and lodging of documents and Order 1 Rule 5AC of the Rules provides for the filing and lodging by electronic communication.
Division 2.2 of the Federal Magistrates Court Rules apply to the filing of documents including electronic filing.
How are electronic documents served?
The Court does not serve documents – that is the responsibly of the parties. Under Order 7 Rule 4 of the Federal Court Rules electronic documents may be served by email, or printed and served by hand.
I made a mistake in my eLodgment. What do I do?
If you are still entering the data you can either use the edit button on any of the steps' summary screens prior to moving onto the next step, or use Amend Lodgment on the final summary screen just before you Finalise Lodgment.
If the eLodgment has been submitted please contact the Registry.
One of my documents is very large – how do I lodge it?
Order 1 Rule 5A (2) of the Federal Court Rules provides that a document cannot be over 100 pages long or more than 5 megabytes in size.
Division 2.2 of the Federal Magistrates Court Rules apply to the filing of documents including electronic filing and Rule 2.05 (1A) provides that a document may not be filed electronically if it is over 100 pages long.
Please contact your local Federal Court Registry or email eLodgment_admin@fedcourt.gov.au to discuss lodgment options for very large documents.
I don't want to do use eLodgment anymore. How do I withdraw from it?
Currently whether you use eLodgment is a matter for you. If you no longer wish to use the application you can lodge documents in any other manner provided for by the Court's Rules e.g. by fax or over the counter at a Registry.
Technical issues
Do I need any special software on my computer to use eLodgment?
No – all you need is access to the internet and a browsing application such as Internet Explorer, Firefox or Safari.
I am in eLodgment but I can't see the Lodgment I want to see.
Are you looking in the correct area – there are 5:
- Incomplete
- Unprocessed
- Approved
- Pending
- Rejected
I didn’t get an email with the processed documents - what is going on?
You don’t anymore – that was eFiling. You will only get an email when the eLodgment has been processed. The email will contain a link to the processed document in eLodgment. You will not be emailed the sealed version of the documents.
Every time I try to log in it says I am already logged in?
If you have crashed out or closed the browser unintentionally eLodgment thinks you’re still logged in. You can click on Proceed and that will terminate the ‘old’ session so you can continue to log in.
Which browsers work with eLodgment?
eLodgment will work with:
- Mozilla
- Safari
- Firefox
- Internet Explorer
It is not suggested for use on a mobile device.
Who receives the automatic email notification?
The person who eLodged the document(s) at the registered email address. For this reason you must avoid using generic email addresses.
Can we use a generic email address so that the team gets the notifications?
No – for security reasons all registrations must contain an individual’s email address. Email address such as teamA@lawfirm.com.au will not be accepted.
Is there any online assistance?
Yes – each step and field has a question mark next to it which prompts the user with a Help bubble with context sensitive help for that field.
My computer crashed! What can I do?
eLodgment will keep any incomplete elodgments in the incomplete area. Simply log back into eLodgment and continue eLodging. If the application says you are already logged into another session, click on Proceed to close that session and to continue with the new one.
I can't log in. What's wrong?
Have you received confirmation of your registration being accepted?
Have you got the correct username and password? – remember they are case sensitive.
Has your account been made inactive?
Do you have another session open?
I am trying to file a document but I keep getting an error message.
Please record the error message and contact your local Federal Court Registry or email eLodgment_admin@fedcourt.gov.au.
eLodgment and the Commonwealth Courts Portal
Can I eLodge through the Commonwealth Courts Portal (CCP)
Not yet. Currently eLodgment is a separate application but integration with the CCP is hoped for by the end of 2010.
Can I use my CCP ID to access eLodgment?
Not yet. Once eLodgment is integrated with the CCP your CCP ID and password will enable you to access eLodgment and other online services.
Is eLodgment part of eCourtroom?
No – currently both applications are separate. Documents uploaded in eCourtroom are not deemed as ‘filed’ with Court. These documents have to be filed in accordance with the rules, either at a registry or via eLodgment.
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