Intermediate courts

 

At the federal level an intermediate court called the Federal Circuit Court (formerly the Federal Magistrates Court) is presided over by judges appointed by the Commonwealth government. The Federal Circuit Court hears cases involving family law and child support, administrative law, bankruptcy, human rights, consumer matters, privacy, migration, copyright, industrial law and admiralty law.

In the states, intermediate courts are called 'County' or 'District' courts. They are presided over by judges appointed by the various state governments. These courts have original jurisdiction to hear both civil and criminal cases, subject to the limits that are laid down by legislation in each state. County or District courts also have limited powers to hear appeals from the decisions of lower courts, such as magistrates' courts.

The territories do not have intermediate courts.