Australian Government: Attorney-General's Department
Australian Government: Attorney-General's DepartmentAchieving a Just and Secure Society

Court Appointments

In early 2008, the Attorney-General, the Hon Robert McClelland MP, introduced new processes for appointing judges and magistrates to federal courts which aim to ensure:

  • greater transparency and public confidence in the judicial appointments process
  • that all appointments are based on merit, and
  • that everyone who has the qualities for appointment as a judge or magistrate is fairly and properly considered.

For the Federal Court, Federal Magistrates Court and Family Court these processes can include:

  • broad consultation to identify persons who are suitable for appointment
  • notices in national and regional media seeking expressions of interest and nominations
  • notification of appointment criteria, and
  • the appointment of advisory panels to assess expressions of interest and nominations against appointment criteria and to develop a short list of candidates for the Attorney-General's consideration.

More details of these processes are available for download below:

Current opportunities for appointment

Federal Court of Australia

The Government proposes to appoint a judge to the Sydney registry of the Federal Court.

Expressions of interest and nominations are to be received by close of business on Friday, 16 December 2011. For information on appointment to the Federal Court of Australia, please see the downloads below. For an expression of interest form or nomination form please see the downloads on the right-hand side of this web page.

The Government proposes to appoint a Federal Court Judge who will serve as President of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

Expressions of interest and nominations closed on 21 November 2011. Candidates are now being considered.

Family Court of Australia

The Government proposes to appoint two Family Court Judges: one in Sydney and one in Melbourne.

Expressions of interest and nominations closed on Monday 28 March 2011. Candidates are now being considered.

Federal Magistrates Court of Australia

The Government proposes to appoint two Federal Magistrates: one in Sydney and one in Melbourne.

Expressions of interest and nominations closed on Monday 20 June 2011. Candidates are now being considered.