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High Court of Australia Act 1979
No. 137, 1979
In force
Administered by
Attorney-General's Department
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C2026C00135 C17
28 March 2026
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Part I—Preliminary
1 Short title
2 Commencement
3 Repeal
4 Interpretation
4A Application of the Criminal Code
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Part II—Constitution and seat of the High Court
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Division 1—Justices of the High Court
5 The High Court
6 Consultation with State Attorneys-General on appointment of Justices
7 Qualification of Justices
8 Seniority
9 Acting Chief Justice
10 Justices not to hold other office
11 Oath or affirmation of allegiance and of office
12 Salary and allowances
13 Appropriation
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Division 2—Seat of the High Court
14 Seat
15 Places of sittings
16 Judgment may be pronounced at any sitting
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Part III—Administration of the High Court
17 Administration of the Court
18 Chief Executive and Principal Registrar of the Court
19 Functions and powers of the Chief Executive and Principal Registrar
20 Terms and conditions of appointment
21 Remuneration and allowances
22 Leave of absence
23 Resignation
24 Termination of appointment
25 Acting Chief Executive and Principal Registrar
26 Officers and employees
27 Marshal and Deputy Marshals
28 Certain officers may administer oaths and affirmations
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Part IV—Registry and procedure
30 Registry
31 Transfer of proceedings
32 Seals
33 Writs etc.
34 Date of process
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Part V—Finance
35 Moneys appropriated for the Court
36 Estimates
37 Application of moneys appropriated for the Court
38 Trust moneys
39 Other moneys
40 Limitation on contracts
41 Accounts with ADIs
42 Proper accounts to be kept
43 Audit
44 Exemption from taxation
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Part VI—Miscellaneous
45 Proceedings in respect of administration of the Court
46 Exercise of powers of the Court in administrative matters
47 Annual reports and financial statements
48 Rules of Court
49 Regulations
Schedule
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Endnotes
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Endnote 4—Amendment history
