Rachel asked a written question around statistics on Justices of the Peace in Victoria. A response is due from the minister on the 9th of October.
Tuesday the 9th of September, 2025
Rachel Payne (South-Eastern Metropolitan):
To ask the Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation (for the Attorney-General):
In relation to Justices of the Peace (JPs) in Victoria:
(1) How many of the 4,000 registered JPs who are required to be reasonably active and available in their duties, but have disconnected phones, are considered active.
(2) What is the reason for the disparity of the number of JPs per 100,000 citizens in Victoria and how will Victoria keep up with demand, given Victoria only has 50 JPs per 100,000 citizens compared to 1,432 per 100,000 in Queensland and 893 per 100,000 in New South Wales.
(3) Will the Attorney-General commit to recruiting 5,000 new JPs by 2027 and 500 JPs per annum thereafter, as called for in the Honorary Justice Services Support petition signed by 5,739 citizens of Victoria and tabled in the Legislative Council on Tuesday, 17 June 2025.
(4) Why is the Department of Justice and Community Safety not recruiting new JPs and is there a record kept of all those who have expressed an interest in future recruitment drives.
(5) What strategies are in place to address staff shortages and high turnover in the Honorary Justice Services Support.
(6) What are the key performance indicators for the Honorary Justice Services Support, how are they audited and why is this information not publicly available.
(7) Why is the Honorary Justice Services Support recruitment based on local government areas rather than areas of greatest need.
(8) What steps are being taken to ensure that all Victorians can access the free and trusted services of a JP, given pharmacists and Australia Post charge to witness documents and police stations are often too busy to assist.
(9) Given that JPs are often left to remedy mistakes made by fee-charging authorised witnesses, how are these failures being addressed.
(10) Would the Government consider changes to the Honorary Justice Services Support JP induction and training so that it can be delivered in collaboration with the Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices.
Written Response received, 27th of October 2025:
I thank the member for her query, and I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the dedicated service that Justices of the Peace (JPs) provide to the Victorian community. A JP is trained to act as an independent and objective witness for official documents and can assist people by:
- attesting the execution of a document
- witnessing a statutory declaration
- witnessing an affidavit for use in court
- certifying true copies of an original document
- certifying a person’s identity.
There are 3,667 registered JPs in Victoria. JPs are required to be reasonably active and available to perform their duties, however, as a volunteer workforce they have flexibility in determining their work hours so that they can balance their commitments with other responsibilities. The Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) maintains regular communication with JPs, and they are required to notify DJCS of any changes to their personal circumstances which impact their availability or if they wish to resign.
Unlike other jurisdictions, Victoria has a broad legal framework for witnessing documents such as statutory declarations and affidavits. The Oaths and Affirmations Act 2018 sets out an extensive list of ‘authorised witnesses’ who can witnesses these documents – including doctors, pharmacists, teachers, public servants, accountants, and engineers. The broad range of professions that are classified as authorised witnesses helps to meet demand for witnessing and certification services that are offered by JPs, and it aids the public in seeking out an available witness in their local community.
DJCS finalised its last JP recruitment round in early 2025, resulting in the appointment of 800 new JPs. As JPs offer their services at the local level, DJCS conducts targeted recruitment of in Local Government Areas (LGAs). The LGAs that are selected for recruitment are determined by considering existing numbers of registered JPs and population growth in that area. DJCS also retains copies of all expressions of interest that it receives in relation to becoming a JP for two years. These expressions are considered when DJCS conducts recruitment.
Honorary Justice Services Support is a business unit within DJCS. DJCS manages its own staffing arrangements, and I am advised that Honorary Justice Services Support is not experiencing a staff shortage nor high turnover. Like all government departments, DJCS promotes internal mobility so that it can remain responsive to changing government priorities. As a part of DJCS, the performance of Honorary Justice Services Support is subject to the standard audit and reporting requirements of public sector bodies.
The DJCS website contains detailed information to assist the public in completing important documents like statutory declarations and affidavits, and finding someone to witness documents, such as a JP or authorised witness. It also includes instructions to guide authorised witnesses in how to witness and authorise documents to minimise the risk of mistakes.
DJCS is responsible for training, regulating, oversight and integrity of all honorary justices (Justices of the Peace and Bail Justices). I am advised that DJCS consults with the Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices in the development of training materials.
The Hon. Sonya Kilkenny MP
Attorney-General
Related:
> Ongoing JP Shortage Impacts Victoria’s LGBTQIA+ Community – Rachel Payne
> Justice of the Peace shortage in South-Eastern suburbs – Rachel Payne
