Jury Duty in the Australian Capital Territory

How do I get out of jury duty in the ACT?

You cannot simply opt out, but you can apply to be excused or deferred through the online jury questionnaire that comes with your summons. Good reasons include illness, pregnancy, caring responsibilities, study, work or business commitments, pre-booked travel, or serious hardship. A judge or the Sheriff decides. If you are exempt (for example because of your age or occupation) or ineligible, you note that on the questionnaire too. The key is to respond and explain, not to ignore the summons.

How much are you paid for jury duty in the ACT?

ACT jurors are paid a daily fee set by the current Juries (Payment) Determination. For 2025-26 this is about $107.60 a day for the first four days, $125.05 a day for days five to ten, and $145.95 a day from day eleven onwards, plus a travel allowance of around $18.15 per day and meal allowances for longer days. These rates are indexed to inflation and change each financial year, so check the current Determination or ask the Jury Office for the exact figure that applies to you.

Can my employer sack me for doing jury duty?

No. Dismissing or disadvantaging an employee because they attend jury service is unlawful. Under the national workplace rules, most employees (other than casuals) are also entitled to make-up pay, meaning your employer tops up the difference between your juror payment and your normal base pay for the first 10 days of service. Tell your employer your dates in writing as early as you can. If your job is threatened, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman or call 1800 951 176.

How long does jury duty last in the ACT?

It depends on the trial. Many trials run for only a few days, and you are usually only committed for one trial at a time. Some criminal trials run longer, which is why up to 16 jurors can be empanelled for lengthy matters and then balloted back to 12 before the verdict. If a long trial would cause you genuine hardship, you can raise that when you are empanelled or apply to be excused.

What happens if I do not show up for jury duty in the ACT?

Failing to attend when summoned, or leaving the court without permission, is an offence under the Juries Act 1967 and can attract a fine of up to 10 penalty units. With the ACT penalty unit currently around $160 for an individual, that is potentially up to around $1,600. If you genuinely could not attend, you may have a reasonable excuse, but you should contact the Jury Office straight away rather than wait to be pursued.

Who is exempt from jury duty in the ACT?

Certain groups are exempt or ineligible under the Juries Regulation 2018. These commonly include serving police and certain emergency services personnel, people who cannot read or speak English well enough, full-time carers, people over 70, and others set out in the Regulation. People with criminal convictions can be disqualified for a set period depending on their sentence. The official Jury Office can confirm whether a particular category applies to you.

Is there an age exemption for jury duty in the ACT?

Yes. People over 70 years of age can claim an exemption from jury service in the ACT. You are not forced to serve once you reach that age, but if you still wish to serve you generally can. You indicate your position on the jury questionnaire when you respond to the summons.

Does the ACT still require a unanimous jury verdict?

Not always. The ACT changed its law in 2024. For ACT (Territory) criminal offences a court can now accept a majority verdict of 11 of 12 jurors, but only after the jury has deliberated for a minimum period and the court is satisfied a unanimous verdict is unlikely. The aim is to reduce hung juries and retrials. Serious Commonwealth offences tried in the ACT still require a unanimous verdict.

Can I talk about the case or look it up online?

No. You must decide the case only on the evidence presented in court. It is now a specific offence in the ACT for a juror to research the case independently, including searching online about the accused, the lawyers or the issues. After the trial, disclosing jury deliberations or the identities of jurors is also an offence carrying up to 50 penalty units, six months' imprisonment, or both.

I am self-employed, do I still have to serve?

Being self-employed or a sole trader does not automatically exempt you, but it is a recognised ground to apply for excusal or deferral if jury service would cause real hardship to your business. Explain the impact in your questionnaire and provide details. The Sheriff or a judge will weigh your circumstances. If you are unsure how to frame your application, call 1800 951 176 for free information.