The Hon Geoffrey Ross KENNETT
Judge, Federal Court of Australia: 19.12.2022
Location: Sydney
Other Commissions/Appointments:
Administrative Review Tribunal - Deputy President
Justice Kennett was appointed to the Federal Court on 19 December 2022.
He was appointed a Deputy President of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (now the Administrative Review Tribunal) on 25 May 2023.
Justice Kennett graduated from the Australian National University with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in 1985, a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) in 1988 and a Master of Public Law in 1993. His Honour also studied at the University of Sydney, graduating with a Master of Law in 2013.
Justice Kennett commenced his career in the Australian Public Service. His Honour held various roles, including as counsel assisting the Solicitor-General of the Commonwealth, before he commenced practice at the NSW Bar in 1998. He was appointed Senior Counsel in 2010.
At the Bar Justice Kennett specialised in administrative, constitutional, customs, native title, taxation and competition and consumer law matters. His Honour served for several years as chair of the Administrative Law Committee of the Law Council of Australia and a member of its Constitutional Law Committee.
From March to December 2022 Justice Kennett was a Resident Judge of the Supreme Court of the ACT. His Honour is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law.
Associateship applications
Justice Kennett appoints two associates on an overlapping basis, generally for a period of 12 months each. The next available positions will commence in July 2027 and January 2028.
Applications should include a cover letter, CV, relevant academic transcripts and the contact details of two referees. Applicants should indicate which commencement date they would prefer, if they have a preference. Applicants will be notified before any referees are contacted. Written references should not be provided with applications.
A successful applicant will usually have an Honours degree (or equivalent) in Law and at least one year of post-admission experience, although applicants with other relevant experience will be considered.
The application period for both positions opens on 1 July 2026 and closes on 31 September 2026. Please send your application to nswreg@fedcourt.gov.au marked to the attention of the Chambers of Justice Kennett.
If you have any queries about the role or the application process, please send an email to nswreg@fedcourt.gov.au marked to the attention of the Chambers of Justice Kennett.
General information about associate positions can be found on the Employment pages of the website.
Updated February 2026
NOTE: Australian citizenship is a condition of engagement and may only be waived in exceptional circumstances. A character clearance is generally subject to a nil response being returned to a police record check.
