Judicial Appointments - Federal Court of Australia
Information for persons who wish to nominate another person for appointment or lodge an expression of interest
The Attorney-General of Australia, the Hon Robert McClelland MP, is seeking nominations and expressions of interest for appointment to the Federal Court in Sydney.
If you wish to nominate another person for appointment, please provide the following:
- the nominee’s full name, address, contact numbers, date of birth, nationality, present position and date of admission to practice
- the nominee’s educational and professional qualifications, areas of legal expertise and relevant experience, to demonstrate that the nominee possesses the requisite qualities for appointment
- your full name, address and contact number, and the capacity in which you know the nominee, and
- a statement that the nominee has agreed to being considered for appointment.
Please note that the Government, in considering a nomination, may disclose your identity to the person you have nominated.
If you wish to lodge an expression of interest, please provide:
- your full name, address, contact numbers, date of birth, nationality, present position and date of admission to practice and the names of at least three referees, and
- your educational and professional qualifications, areas of legal expertise and relevant experience, to demonstrate the requisite qualities for appointment.
Expressions of interest and nominations should be addressed to Ms Sandra Power, Assistant Secretary, Federal Courts Branch, Civil Justice Division, Attorney-General’s Department, Robert Garran Offices, National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600 or e-mailed to court.appointments@ag.gov.au by 2 May 2008.
Requisite qualities for appointment
To be eligible to be appointed as a Federal Court judge, a person must have been enrolled as a legal practitioner of the High Court or a Supreme Court of a State or Territory for at least five years.
In addition, Federal Court judges must have the following personal and professional qualities to the highest degree: legal expertise, conceptual, analytical and organisational skills, decision-making skills, the ability (or the capacity quickly to develop the ability) to deliver clear and concise judgments, the capacity to work effectively under pressure and to work across several areas of the Court’s jurisdiction, a commitment to professional development, strong interpersonal and communication skills, integrity, impartiality, tact and courtesy, and the capacity to inspire respect and confidence.
Terms and conditions of office
Judges of the Federal Court are appointed by the Governor-General to age 70. The positions currently available are full-time.
The salary of a Federal Court judge is $319,900 per annum. Judges accrue six months long leave every five years of service. When travelling within Australia on official business, a Federal Court judge is entitled to the highest available class of airline travel and travelling allowance at rates set by the Remuneration Tribunal.
Under the Judges’ Pensions Act 1968, Federal Court judges are entitled to a non‑contributory pension of 60% of current judicial salary after attaining the age of 60 years and having served 10 years or more as a judge or upon retirement on the ground of invalidity. Pro rata pension is payable after six years service as a judge upon ceasing to hold office at age 70.
Structure and jurisdiction of the Court
The Federal Court of Australia was established in 1976. It is a superior court of record and a court of law and equity. It has original jurisdiction under more than 150 Acts of Parliament and a substantial and diverse appellate jurisdiction. The Court sits in all capital cities and elsewhere in Australia from time to time.
The Federal Court’s jurisdiction is broad, covering almost all civil matters arising under Australian federal law and some summary criminal matters. It also has jurisdiction to hear and determine any matter arising under the Constitution.
The Court has a substantial and diverse appellate jurisdiction. It hears appeals from decisions of single judges of the Court and from the Federal Magistrates Court in non–family law matters. The Court also exercises general appellate jurisdiction in criminal and civil matters on appeal from the Supreme Court of Norfolk Island.