Judge salary in Australia: where federal judicial pay sits on the national index

How judge salaries are set in Australia

Federal judicial officers in the federal courts of Australia have their salaries determined by the Remuneration Tribunal, an independent body that reviews and sets pay for public office holders. The most recent determination, the Remuneration Tribunal (Judicial and Related Offices—Remuneration and Allowances) Determination 2026, took effect from 1 July 2026. It sets base salaries for judges of the High Court, Federal Court, Federal Circuit and Family Court, and other federal judicial roles. State judges, such as those in NSW or Victoria, have their own remuneration tribunals and may have different pay scales.

Where federal judge salaries sit on the salary index

The salary index compares any gross annual salary to the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, which is $108,352 per year (index 100). Federal judge salaries are far above this line. For example:

• High Court Chief Justice: $688,580 → index 635
• High Court Justice: $625,050 → index 577
• Federal Court Chief Justice: $583,270 → index 571
• Federal Court Judge: $530,080 → index 489
• Federal Circuit and Family Court (Division 1) Judge: $530,080 → index 489
• Federal Circuit and Family Court (Division 2) Judge: $460,780 → index 425

These index numbers mean a High Court Justice earns about 5.8 times the national average full-time earnings. A Federal Circuit Court judge earns about 4.3 times. This puts judicial salaries in the top tier of Australian occupations, comparable to senior medical specialists and corporate executives.

What the data shows about the judiciary

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, based on the 2021 Census, the judiciary is an older profession. The median age of judges is 60 years, compared to 40 for all occupations. Only 37% of judges are female, while the national average is 49%. Full-time work is common: 92% work full-time, and those work an average of 50 hours per week, above the national average of 44 hours. The ABS does not publish median weekly earnings for judges because the sample size is too small to be reliable.

How super and tax affect take-home pay

Judicial base salaries are subject to the same tax system. The 2026–27 tax rates apply: income above $190,000 is taxed at 45% plus 2% Medicare levy. For a Federal Court judge earning $530,080, the estimated take-home pay after tax and Medicare is roughly $295,000 per year (excluding HELP or other deductions). Superannuation guarantee is 12% on base salary, but the maximum contribution base is $270,830, so only part of the salary attracts compulsory super. However, the Remuneration Tribunal sets total remuneration packages that include employer super contributions, often at a higher percentage.

How judge salaries compare to other high-income roles

Judicial salaries are among the highest in the public sector. For context, the national minimum wage is $52,255 per year (index 48). A Federal Court judge earns about 10 times that. Even the highest state judge salaries, such as the NSW Chief Justice, are generally lower than the federal High Court Chief Justice. The salary index for federal judges is well above the professional, scientific and technical services industry average (index 115) and even above the mining industry (index 115).

Where to find more information

For more details on how the salary index works, visit [how the index works](/method]. To see how different occupations compare, check [industries](/industries]. For state-by-state benchmarks, see [states](/states]. For general pay guides, see topics.

FAQs

How much does a High Court judge earn in Australia?

As of July 2026, the High Court Chief Justice earns a base salary of $688,780 per year. A High Court Justice earns $625,050 per year. These are set by the Remuneration Tribunal and are among the highest judicial salaries in the country.

What is the salary index for a Federal Court judge?

A Federal Court judge's base salary of $530,080 gives a salary index of about 489, meaning they earn nearly five times the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352.

Are state judge salaries similar to federal judge salaries?

State judge salaries are determined by each state's remuneration tribunals and can vary. For example, NSW and Victoria have their own determinations. Federal judges generally earn more than most state judges, but exact comparisons require checking the relevant state body. Check our [states page for more details.