The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1990 to 2025 Oceania
Judicial branch Australia, in 36 editions.
The entry for Australia published Judicial branch in 36 editions of 36, from 1990 to 2025. The text changed in 15 editions. Each is shown as published. Judicial branch in every entry.
- editions changed the text
- 15
- the first edition with it
- 1990
- the latest edition with it
- 2025
Published as “Judicial branch” (1990 to 2025).
field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe edition shownChoose an edition on the strip beside the text, or step through them with the arrows. Mark changes compares it with the edition before: the marks are ours, words added and words removed.
2025 edition
Changed since 2024- High Court Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since February 1952), represented by Governor General William George HAYDEN (since NA February 1989);
- Head of Government--Prime Minister Robert James Lee HAWKE (since 11 March 1983);
- Deputy Prime Minister Paul KEATING (since 3 April 1990)
High Court Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since February 1952), represented by Governor General William George HAYDEN (since NA February 1989); Head of Government--Prime Minister Robert James Lee HAWKE (since 11 March 1983); Deputy Prime Minister Paul KEATING (since 3 April 1990)
- High Court Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since February 1952), represented by Governor General William George HAYDEN (since NA February 1989);
- Head of Government--Prime Minister Robert James Lee HAWKE (since 11 March 1983);
- Deputy Prime Minister Paul KEATING (since 3 April 1990) government--Australian Labor Party, Robert James Lee HAWKE;
- opposition--Liberal Party, John HEWSON;
- National Party, Timothy FISCHER;
- Australian Democratic Party, Janet POWELL
High Court Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since February 1952), represented by Governor General William George HAYDEN (since NA February 1989); Head of Government--Prime Minister Robert James Lee HAWKE (since 11 March 1983); Deputy Prime Minister Paul KEATING (since 3 April 1990) government--Australian Labor Party, Robert James Lee HAWKE; opposition--Liberal Party, John HEWSON; National Party, Timothy FISCHER; Australian Democratic Party, Janet POWELL
The same text in 4 editions, 1992 to 1995.
High Court
Rewritten: too little of the 1991 text remains to mark the changes.
High Court
High Court, the Chief Justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general
High Court Court, the Chief Justice and six other
justices are appointed by the governor general
The same text in 1997 and 1998.
High Court, the Chief Justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general
High Court, the Chief Justice and six other
are appointed by the governor general
High Court, the Chief Justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general
High Court, the Chief Justice and six other justices
justices are appointed by the governor general
High Court, the Chief Justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general
High Court, the Chief Justice and six other
The same text in 9 editions, 2001 to 2009.
High Court (the chief justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general)
High Court, the Chief Justice Court (the chief justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general general)
The same text in 3 editions, 2010 to 2012.
High Court (the chief justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general acting on the advice of the government)
High Court (the chief justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general) general acting on the advice of the government)
The same text in 2013 and 2014.
- highest court(s):
- High Court of Australia (consists of 7 justices, including the chief justice);
- note - each of the 6 states, 2 territories, and Norfolk Island has a Supreme Court;
- the High Court is the final appellate court beyond the state and territory supreme courts
- judge selection and term of office:
- justices appointed by the governor-general in council for life with mandatory retirement at age 70
- subordinate courts:
- subordinate courts at the federal level:
- Federal Court;
- Federal Magistrates' Courts of Australia;
- Family Court;
- subordinate courts at the state and territory level: Local Court - New South Wales;
- Magistrates' Courts – Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory;
- District Courts – New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia;
- County Court – Victoria;
- Family Court – Western Australia;
- Court of Petty Sessions – Norfolk Island
Rewritten: too little of the 2012 text remains to mark the changes.
highest court(s):
High Court of Australia (consists of 7 justices, including the chief justice); note - each of the 6 states, 2 territories, and Norfolk Island has a Supreme Court; the High Court is the final appellate court beyond the state and territory supreme courts
judge selection and term of office:
justices appointed by the governor-general in council for life with mandatory retirement at age 70
subordinate courts:
subordinate courts at the federal level: Federal Court; Federal Magistrates' Courts of Australia; Family Court; subordinate courts at the state and territory level: Local Court - New South Wales; Magistrates' Courts – Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory; District Courts – New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia; County Court – Victoria; Family Court – Western Australia; Court of Petty Sessions – Norfolk Island
- highest court(s):
- High Court of Australia (consists of 7 justices, including the chief justice);
- note - each of the 6 states, 2 territories, and Norfolk Island has a Supreme Court;
- the High Court is the final appellate court beyond the state and territory supreme courts
- judge selection and term of office:
- justices appointed by the governor-general in council for life with mandatory retirement at age 70
- subordinate courts:
- subordinate courts at the federal level: Federal Court;
- Federal Magistrates' Courts of Australia;
- Family Court;
- subordinate courts at the state and territory level: Local Court - New South Wales;
- Magistrates' Courts – Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory;
- District Courts – New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia;
- County Court – Victoria;
- Family Court – Western Australia;
- Court of Petty Sessions – Norfolk Island
highest court(s):
judge selection and term of office:
subordinate courts:
The same text in 2016 and 2017.
- highest court(s):
- High Court of Australia (consists of 7 justices, including the chief justice);
- note - each of the 6 states, 2 territories, and Norfolk Island has a Supreme Court;
- the High Court is the final appellate court beyond the state and territory supreme courts
- judge selection and term of office:
- justices appointed by the governor-general in council for life with mandatory retirement at age 70
- subordinate courts:
- subordinate courts: subordinate courts at the federal level: Federal Court;
- Federal Magistrates' Courts of Australia;
- Family Court;
- subordinate courts at the state and territory level: Local Court - New South Wales;
- Magistrates' Courts – Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory;
- District Courts – New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia;
- County Court – Victoria;
- Family Court – Western Australia;
- Court of Petty Sessions – Norfolk Island
highest court(s): High Court of Australia (consists of 7 justices, including the chief justice); note - each of the 6 states, 2 territories, and Norfolk Island has a Supreme Court; the High Court is the final appellate court beyond the state and territory supreme courts
judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor-general in council for life with mandatory retirement at age 70
subordinate courts: subordinate courts: subordinate courts at the federal level: Federal Court; Federal Magistrates' Courts of Australia; Family Court; subordinate courts at the state and territory level: Local Court - New South Wales; Magistrates' Courts – Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory; District Courts – New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia; County Court – Victoria; Family Court – Western Australia; Court of Petty Sessions – Norfolk Island
- highest courts:
- High Court of Australia (consists of 7 justices, including the chief justice);
- note - each of the 6 states, 2 territories, and Norfolk Island has a Supreme Court;
- the High Court is the final appellate court beyond the state and territory supreme courts
- judge selection and term of office:
- justices appointed by the governor-general in council for life with mandatory retirement at age 70
- subordinate courts:
- subordinate courts: subordinate courts at the federal level: Federal Court;
- Federal Magistrates' Courts of Australia;
- Family Court;
- subordinate courts at the state and territory level: Local Court - New South Wales;
- Magistrates' Courts – Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory;
- District Courts – New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia;
- County Court – Victoria;
- Family Court – Western Australia;
- Court of Petty Sessions – Norfolk Island
highest court(s): courts: High Court of Australia (consists of 7 justices, including the chief justice); note - each of the 6 states, 2 territories, and Norfolk Island has a Supreme Court; the High Court is the final appellate court beyond the state and territory supreme courts
judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor-general in council for life with mandatory retirement at age 70
subordinate courts: subordinate courts: subordinate courts at the federal level: Federal Court; Federal Magistrates' Courts of Australia; Family Court; subordinate courts at the state and territory level: Local Court - New South Wales; Magistrates' Courts – Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory; District Courts – New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia; County Court – Victoria; Family Court – Western Australia; Court of Petty Sessions – Norfolk Island
The same text in 3 editions, 2019 to 2021.
- highest courts:
- High Court of Australia (consists of 7 justices, including the chief justice);
- note - each of the 6 states, 2 territories, and Norfolk Island has a Supreme Court;
- the High Court is the final appellate court beyond the state and territory supreme courts
- judge selection and term of office:
- justices appointed by the governor-general in council for life with mandatory retirement at age 70
- subordinate courts:
- at the federal level: Federal Court;
- Federal Magistrates' Courts of Australia;
- Family Court;
- at the state and territory level: Local Court - New South Wales;
- Magistrates' Courts – Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory;
- District Courts – New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia;
- County Court – Victoria;
- Family Court – Western Australia;
- Court of Petty Sessions – Norfolk Island
highest courts: High Court of Australia (consists of 7 justices, including the chief justice); note - each of the 6 states, 2 territories, and Norfolk Island has a Supreme Court; the High Court is the final appellate court beyond the state and territory supreme courts
judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor-general in council for life with mandatory retirement at age 70
subordinate courts: subordinate courts: subordinate courts at the federal level: Federal Court; Federal Magistrates' Courts of Australia; Family Court; subordinate courts at the state and territory level: Local Court - New South Wales; Magistrates' Courts – Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory; District Courts – New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia; County Court – Victoria; Family Court – Western Australia; Court of Petty Sessions – Norfolk Island
The same text in 3 editions, 2022 to 2024.
- highest court(s):
- High Court of Australia (consists of 7 justices, including the chief justice);
- note - each of the 6 states, 2 territories, and Norfolk Island has a Supreme Court;
- the High Court is the final appellate court beyond the state and territory supreme courts
- judge selection and term of office:
- justices appointed by the governor-general in council for life with mandatory retirement at age 70
- subordinate courts:
- subordinate courts: at the federal level: Federal Court;
- Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia;
- at the state and territory level: Local Court - New South Wales;
- Magistrates' Courts – Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory;
- District Courts – New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia;
- County Court – Victoria;
- Family Court – Western Australia;
- Court of Petty Sessions – Norfolk Island
highest courts: court(s): High Court of Australia (consists of 7 justices, including the chief justice); note - each of the 6 states, 2 territories, and Norfolk Island has a Supreme Court; the High Court is the final appellate court beyond the state and territory supreme courts
judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor-general in council for life with mandatory retirement at age 70
subordinate courts: subordinate courts: at the federal level: Federal Court; Federal Magistrates' Courts Circuit and Family Court of Australia; Family Court; at the state and territory level: Local Court - New South Wales; Magistrates' Courts – Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory; District Courts – New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia; County Court – Victoria; Family Court – Western Australia; Court of Petty Sessions – Norfolk Island
- highest court(s):
- High Court of Australia (consists of 7 justices, including the chief justice);
- each of the 6 states, 2 territories, and Norfolk Island has a Supreme Court;
- the High Court is the final appellate court
- judge selection and term of office:
- justices appointed by the governor-general in council for life with mandatory retirement at age 70
- subordinate courts:
- subordinate courts: at the federal level: Federal Court;
- Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia;
- at the state and territory level: Local Court - New South Wales;
- Magistrates' Courts – Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory;
- District Courts – New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia;
- County Court – Victoria;
- Family Court – Western Australia;
- Court of Petty Sessions – Norfolk Island
highest court(s): High Court of Australia (consists of 7 justices, including the chief justice); note - each of the 6 states, 2 territories, and Norfolk Island has a Supreme Court; the High Court is the final appellate court beyond the state and territory supreme courts
judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor-general in council for life with mandatory retirement at age 70
subordinate courts: subordinate courts: at the federal level: Federal Court; Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia; at the state and territory level: Local Court - New South Wales; Magistrates' Courts – Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory; District Courts – New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia; County Court – Victoria; Family Court – Western Australia; Court of Petty Sessions – Norfolk Island
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Cite this page
Central Intelligence Agency. “Australia: Judicial branch.” The World Factbook, 1990–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/australia/judicial-branch.