Last Updated 8 August 2016

The Federal Court of Australia was established under the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) and has a broad jurisdiction involving civil matters, some summary criminal law matters and mattes arising under the Australian Constitution. Section 39B(1A)(c) of the Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) provides that the Federal Court’s civil jurisdiction includes causes of action created by federal statute. The subject of some matters within the court’s jurisdiction include judicial review of most administrative decisions under Commonwealth legislation, appeals of questions of law from the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, copyright, patents, trademarks and designs, native title matters, maritime claims under the Admiralty Act 1988 (Cth), bankruptcy, industrial relations and corporations law.

Appeals from a single judge of the Federal Court are made to the Full Court of the Federal Court, which is constituted by three or more judges.