New 12 Month Victorian Pilot to Streamline Pro Bono Referrals

12 March 2026

The Federal Court of Australia is pleased to announce a 12 month pilot pro bono referral protocol in the Victoria Registry, delivered in partnership with the Victorian Bar. This initiative represents a significant step forward in supporting litigants in person and strengthening the longstanding relationship between the Court and the Victorian Bar.

A pilot focused on improving access to justice

The pilot introduces the use of the Victorian Bar’s online portal as a central mechanism for managing amicus curiae appointments and referrals for pro bono assistance by the Court under Division 4.2 of the Federal Court Rules 2011.

The pilot has two core purposes:

• Enabling counsel to access referrals for pro bono assistance and amicus curiae via the Victorian Bar’s online portal where a referral for assistance is made by a Judge or Registrar of the Court.

• Streamlining the Federal Court’s Victorian registry referral process consistent with similar arrangements already operating between the Victorian Bar and State Courts in Victoria.

How the pilot will operate

Under the pilot, the Court will use the Victorian Bar’s online portal to identify barristers available to accept pro bono referrals in:

• proceedings in the Victorian Registry where a Referral Certificate has been issued under
  r 4.12 of the Federal Court Rules 2011 and

• Appeals and Full Court matters heard in Melbourne.

The  Court will also use the online portal to notify barristers of opportunities for appointment as amicus curiae in proceedings in the Victorian Registry.

The online portal will not be used in proceedings where highly specialised experience is required  (e.g. the Migration practice area).

A more efficient and consistent process

The pilot aims to streamline the process in which referrals for pro bono assistance made by Judges and Registrars are communicated to members of the Victorian Bar.

The Pro Bono team at the Victoria Registry will continue to be a contact point at the Court for counsel acting pro bono, once they are engaged via the online portal.

A collaborative effort

The pilot has been developed collaboratively over the past two years and reflects a shared commitment to improving access to justice in Victoria.

It is in line with the objectives of the Court’s Litigants in Person and Pro Bono Project, established in August 2024.

With this pilot now underway, the Court warmly encourages Victorian barristers, across all levels of seniority and areas of practice, to commence accessing pro bono referrals and opportunities for amicus curiae appointments via the Victorian Bar’s online portal.

The Court expresses its sincere thanks to the Victorian Bar and to all barristers who generously support this work.