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Expressions of Interest open for the Federal Court of Australia and Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia

The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP
Media Release

The Australian Government is calling for expressions of interest for appointment to the Federal Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) (Divisions 1 and 2).

This is the first time judicial appointments of this kind will be subject to an open Expressions of Interest (EOI) process, which will be advertised nationwide.

Anyone who is suitably qualified for these appointments can submit an EOI through the Attorney-General’s Department website. I will also be engaging with key legal bodies to encourage applications from qualified individuals.

This process is aimed at opening the door to diverse candidates who reflect the Australian community, who may otherwise have been overlooked. This can only strengthen our legal system, and bolster the connection between the bench and the Australians they serve.

This reform implements a key recommendation made by the Australian Law Reform Commission, in its Without Fear or Favour: Judicial Impartiality and the Law on Bias report, published in December 2021.

As promised, this Government is delivering a transparent process for appointing federal judicial officers based on merit, involving the publication of criteria for appointment, public calls for expressions of interest, and a commitment to promoting diversity in the judiciary.

While nominations are sought across all Registries for both courts, the New South Wales, Victorian and South Australian Registries of the Federal Court, are in particular need at this time.

For the FCFCOA, the Darwin and Melbourne Registries of the FCFCOA (Division 2) are in particular need at this time. Further vacancies are also expected to arise in the Sydney and Parramatta Registries of the FCFCOA (Division 1) and the Brisbane and Sydney Registries of the FCFCOA (Division 2).

Further information and EOI applications can be found on the Judicial appointments page on the AGD website.