How to become a Judge

Presides over civil and criminal proceedings in a court of law.

Main tasks

• Reviews legal documents and evidence presented in court
• Listens to arguments from both prosecution and defence
• Interprets and applies laws and regulations to make decisions
• Presides over criminal cases in which the guilt of defendants is determined, and delivers judgments and opinions
• Resolves disputes and issues rulings in civil cases
• Sentences convicted individuals and decides appropriate penalties
• Provides guidance to juries and instructs them on legal matters
• Ensures that court proceedings are conducted in a fair and impartial manner
• Maintains order and decorum in the courtroom

Ways in

• University: Law & Justice degrees, Offered by 38 universities in Australia

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $145,756 a year
• About 12,900 people work in this job group now, and about 15,500 are projected by 2035. (+20.4%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Judge?

Ways in include: Law & Justice degrees.

How much does a Judge earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $145,756 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Judge a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 20% by 2035, from about 12,900 to about 15,500 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Judge?

Usually. 92% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Judge?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04