Interprets the Constitution, polices the federal balance and hears appeals from all Australian courts by special leave. It has developed implied constitutional freedoms in the absence of a bill of rights.
How the court is constituted
- Tier
- supreme
- Court type
- Apex constitutional and appellate court
- Jurisdiction
- National
- Seat
- Canberra
- Established
- 1903
- Composition
- Chief Justice and six Justices
- Appointment
- Appointed by the Governor-General in Council; retirement at 70
Where an appeal goes next
Final
Decisions worth knowing
- Mabo v Queensland (No 2)1992
Recognised native title at common law.
- Love v Commonwealth2020
Aboriginal Australians are not "aliens" for constitutional purposes.
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