How to become a Magistrate

Hears criminal matters to determine whether defendants will be committed for trial, and adjudicates minor criminal offences and civil matters without a jury.

Main tasks

• Conducts hearings to determine whether defendants should be committed for trial
• Presides over minor civil and criminal proceedings without a jury
• Reviews evidence presented by prosecution and defence
• Examines witnesses and defendants
• Makes decisions on guilt based on evidence and legal principles
• Sentences defendants convicted of minor criminal offences
• Awards damages in civil matters
• Ensures that defendants' rights are protected during the legal process
• Maintains order and decorum in the courtroom
• Prepares written judgments and decisions

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 Magistrate?

Ways in include: Law & Justice degrees.

How much does a Magistrate earn in Australia?

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

Is a Magistrate 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 Magistrate?

Usually. 95% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Magistrate?

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