Judicial appointments

The expression of interest process for judicial officer positions in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) (Divisions 1 and 2) is currently open. It closes at 5 pm AEDT on Friday 19 December 2025.

To view the Candidate Information Pack and to apply, visit the expression of interest form or the AGD careers portal.

About judicial appointments

As the nation’s first law officer, the Attorney-General is responsible for recommending candidates for judicial appointments to the Australian Government.

This includes appointments to the:

The government is committed to ensuring integrity in judicial appointments processes. It conducts merit-based appointments processes to support public trust in the federal judiciary and to enhance judicial diversity.

In its response to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s Without Fear or Favour: Judicial Impartiality and the Law on Bias, the government committed to a more transparent process for appointing judicial officers on merit. This includes:

  • publishing criteria for appointment
  • issuing public calls for expressions of interest
  • promoting diversity in the judiciary.  

Judicial appointments to the Federal Court and the FCFCOA are made from candidates assessed as suitable through open application processes. Advisory panels assessing candidates will consider written applications and may conduct interviews and/or referee checks. 

For appointments of High Court judges, the government is required to consult with attorneys-general of the states. The government may also seek views on suitable candidates from attorneys-general of territories, heads of federal courts and state and territory supreme courts and the broader legal community.

Consultation, rather than open application processes, may also be conducted for appointments of:

  • heads of jurisdiction of the Federal Court and FCFCOA
  • deputy heads of jurisdiction of the FCFCOA.

Eligibility and selection criteria 

Federal judges are appointed by the Governor‑General until they reach the age of 70 years.

To be eligible for appointment, a person must meet the statutory requirements set out in the respective court’s legislation:

Personal and professional qualities

In addition to these statutory requirements, judges must have the following personal and professional qualities to the highest degree:

  • outstanding legal expertise
  • conceptual, analytical and organisational skills
  • advanced decision-making skills
  • excellent written communication skills, demonstrating an ability (or capacity to quickly develop the ability) to deliver judgments in a timely manner
  • temperament, integrity, impartiality, tact and courtesy
  • interpersonal and communication skills
  • a genuine commitment to serving the community
  • capacity to work effectively under pressure
  • a commitment to professional development
  • the capacity to inspire respect and confidence
  • the capacity to work across several areas of the court’s jurisdiction, or where the appointment is to a specialist jurisdiction (for example, Division 1 of the FCFCOA or to the family law jurisdiction of Division 2 of the FCFCOA), demonstrated specialist knowledge and skill in that jurisdiction.

Remuneration

For information about remuneration and terms and conditions of judicial officers, refer to the judicial and related offices determinations on the Remuneration Tribunal website.

Inclusion

The government is committed to seeking applications from persons who reflect the diversity of the Australian community, including:

  • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
  • people with disability
  • LGBTIQA+ people
  • people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Candidates must demonstrate a commitment and ability to serve all members of our community, including Australians with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, abilities, ages and life experiences, and to support cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Privacy

We take your privacy very seriously. We are bound by the Privacy Act 1988, including the Australian Privacy Principles. Find out more in our Privacy policy.

Contact us

To view the Candidate Information Pack and to apply, visit the expression of interest form or the AGD careers portal.

If you have any questions or wish to be notified about future appointment rounds, contact judicialappointments@ag.gov.au.