Judge Jeanine Hoffman has been named Australia’s best-paid Federal Court judge, with her annual salary topping $100,000.
Judge Hoffman’s salary was confirmed by the Federal Court on Tuesday, becoming the second-highest-paid federal judge in the country.
The judge earned $100 million in 2016.
“Her annual salary is more than twice the salary of the next highest-paid magistrate in Australia, and that is the Federal Circuit Court Judge,” the Federal Government’s Department of Justice said in a statement.
“The vast majority of judges in the Federal courts are on a fixed-term contract with their employers, and are eligible to receive the full amount of their salary.”
These figures are a reflection of the many opportunities for employment that exist within the Federal judiciary, and the significant importance of judicial experience in the courts.
“The Government has said that judges in other courts have their annual salaries “based on merit”, meaning the judge’s experience will determine how much of the judge is made.”
This reflects the quality and quantity of the work that judges perform,” the Department of the Attorney-General and Legal Affairs said in its statement.
It added that the government would continue to invest in the judiciary, as well as ensuring that the judiciary is “committed to a high level of accountability”.
Judge Hoffman earned $105 million in salary in 2016, according to the Government.
Judge Jeanine was appointed by the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, to the Federal Family Court in March 2018.
