Legal Services Expenditure 2025-26
Statement on legal services expenditure in accordance with Part 10 Subdivision 2 s109 (1)(d) of the Legal Services Directions 2025.
This is a statement of legal services expenditure by the Federal Court of Australia Listed Entity. It includes the legal services expenditure related to the Federal Court of Australia, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia ( Division 1), Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2), Corporate Services and National Native Title Tribunal, for the financial year 2025-26, published in compliance with the Legal Services Directions 2025.
Expenditure is reported on an accrual accounting basis and exclusive of GST.
Summary totals
| Total | $ |
|---|---|
| Total (External + Internal) Expenditure | $2,672,129 |
| Total Internal Legal Services Expenditure | $1,510,662 * |
| Total External Legal Services Expenditure | $1,161,467 |
| Number of Government Lawyers as at 30 June 2026 | No. |
|---|---|
| Executive Legal 1 (Senior Legal Officer/Assistant Director/Associate) | 1 |
| Executive Level 2 (Principal Legal Officer/Director/Senior Associate /Special Counsel) | 2 |
| SES Bands 1 -3 (General Counsel/Chief Counsel/Partner) | 2 |
| Government Lawyers Primary Workplace as at 30 June 2026 | No. |
|---|---|
| NSW (Capital city) | 3 |
| QLD (Capital City) | 2 |
Senior Counsel
Equitable briefing policy: 'senior' means a barrister of 10+ years' experience at the Bar or a King's/Senior Counsel.
| Number of briefs - direct and indirect briefs | No. |
|---|---|
| Total number of direct briefs to male senior counsel | 0 |
| Total number of direct briefs to female senior counsel | 0 |
| Total number of direct briefs to gender X senior counsel | 0 |
| Total number of indirect briefs to male senior counsel | 6 |
| Total number of indirect briefs to female senior counsel | 2 |
| Total number of indirect briefs to gender X senior counsel | 0 |
| Value of briefs - direct and indirect briefs | $ |
|---|---|
| Total value of direct briefs to male senior counsel | $0 |
| Total value of direct briefs to female senior counsel | $0 |
| Total value of direct briefs to gender X senior counsel | $0 |
| Total value of indirect briefs to male senior counsel | $155,227 |
| Total value of indirect briefs to female senior counsel | $45,511 |
| Total value of indirect briefs to gender X senior counsel | $0 |
Junior Counsel
| Number of briefs - direct and indirect briefs | No. |
|---|---|
| Total number of direct briefs to male junior counsel | 0 |
| Total number of direct briefs to female junior counsel | 0 |
| Total number of direct briefs to gender X junior counsel | 0 |
| Total number of indirect briefs to male junior counsel | 2 |
| Total number of indirect briefs to female junior counsel | 2 |
| Total number of indirect briefs to gender X junior counsel | 0 |
| Value of briefs - direct and indirect briefs | $ |
|---|---|
| Total value of direct briefs to male junior counsel | $0 |
| Total value of direct briefs to female junior counsel | $0 |
| Total value of direct briefs to gender X junior counsel | $0 |
| Total value of indirect briefs to male junior counsel | $16,698 |
| Total value of indirect briefs to female junior counsel | $53,245 |
| Total value of indirect briefs to gender X junior counsel | $0 |
| Value of briefs to all counsel | $ |
|---|---|
| Total value of briefs to all counsel | $270,681 |
Disbursements
| $ | |
|---|---|
| Total Disbursements | $25,176 |
Professional Fees
| $ | |
|---|---|
| Total value of professional fees | $865,610 |
Whole of Australian Government Legal Services Panel
| Use of the Panel | |
|---|---|
| Does your Agency participate in the WoAG Legal Services Panel? | Yes |
| What was your WoAG Legal Services Panel Fee (2025-26) | $2,528 |
| Use of WoAG Legal Services Panel flexibility mechanisms | $ |
|---|---|
| Professional Fees for work done by non-Panel firms as part of 10% off-Panel allowance | $3,895 |
| Professional Fees for work done by non-Panel firms with an Exemption from AGD | $0 |
Summary totals
| Total | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Legal Services Expenditure (External + Internal) | $2,672,129 |
| Total Internal Legal Services Expenditure | $1,510,662* |
| Total External Legal Services Expenditure | $1,161,467 |
| Total value of briefs to Counsel | $270,681 |
| Total value of briefs to Male Counsel | $171,925 |
| Total value of briefs to Female Counsel | $98,756 |
| Total value of briefs to gender X Counsel | $0 |
| Total value of disbursements (excluding counsel) | $25,176 |
| Total value of professional fees | $865,610 |
| Total value of professional fees - 10% off-Panel allowance | $3,895 |
| Total value of professional fees - Exemption from AGD | $0 |
| Total number of briefs to counsel | 12 |
Commentary
The non - corporate listed entity (known as the “Federal Court of Australia”) created under section 18ZB of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) is comprised of statutory office holders, officers and staff of or assisting the Federal Court of Australia, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1), Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) and National Native Title Tribunal.
* The figure for internal legal services reflects the direct and indirect costs of both the Office of General Counsel and its staff within the Federal Court of Australia and the Director, Legal and Integrity within the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Whist both groups undertake work significantly wider than the provision of internal legal services, a decision has been made to report them both as dedicated internal legal service providers and hence report all their direct and indirect costs without apportionment.
