If you’ve been summoned to court as a prospective juror, you’re entitled to an allowance for going to court each day or part-day.
You’ll receive a higher allowance if you’re selected (empanelled) as a juror on a trial.
You may also receive allowances for meals (if lunch isn’t provided) and travel to and from the courthouse. The court does not reimburse costs for any arrangements you make to do jury service, such as childcare.
Attendance allowance
| Attendance at court | Allowance (per day or part-day) |
|---|
Prospective juror (attended but not empanelled) | $49.60 |
| Juror or reserve juror – empanelled on a trial | $148.30 |
Juror or reserve juror—additional remuneration after the 20th weekday of being empanelled on a trial | $49.60 (extra) |
Juror or reserve juror—if after the 20th weekday of being empanelled the trial is adjourned for a full day or the person is not required to attend court | $148.30 |
Meal allowance
| Meals (if the jury allowed to separate) | Allowance (per meal) |
|---|
| Lunch | $17.40 |
| Dinner | $29.50 |
Travel allowance
Public transport
You can claim public transport costs (bus, train, ferry) for the days you have to go to court.
How to claim
To claim this allowance, submit your daily return fare.
Private transport
If public transport isn’t a reasonable option (e.g. due to distance or multiple transfers), you can claim a private motor vehicle allowance.
This may include a kilometric allowance if you need to drive to a bus stop, train station or ferry terminal.
How to claim
To claim this allowance, submit your claim online or contact your local courthouse.
Parking fees
The court does not reimburse or pay parking fees.
Getting paid
You’ll be paid your attendance, travel and meal allowances via:
- electronic funds transfer—if you’ve provided your bank account details
- cheque—if you haven’t provided your details online, you’ll will receive a cheque in the post.
Statement of attendance
A statement of attendance provides a summary of each day a juror attends court, including all allowances paid for that day. This can be provided to your employer. You can:
- print a statement of attendance online
- or ask your local Supreme or District Court to email or post one to you.
Declaring your attendance allowance
Your attendance allowance is taxable, and you should declare it:
- on your tax return if the allowance isn’t refunded to your employer
- to Centrelink if you’re unemployed.
You don’t have to declare your meal and travel allowances.
Your employer
Your jury service allowance may not match the income you receive from your employer.
Whether your employer pays you your normal wage while you’re at court depends on the:
- industrial award you’re employed under, and
- arrangements you’ve made with your employer.
If your employer pays you during jury service, you should:
- give your jury service allowances to them
- provide them with a copy of your:
- remittance advice
- or statement of attendance.
This will provide your employer with proof you attended jury service and were paid.
More information
For more details about juror remuneration, allowances and fees, see Part 5 of the Jury Regulation 2017.
