What is the highest court in Australia?

• A. The High Court
• B. The Federal Court
• C. The Supreme Court
• D. The Court of Appeal

Answer: (A)

In Australia, the highest court is the High Court. It sits at the top of the court hierarchy and serves as the final court of appeal for all Australians, with a special role in interpreting the Constitution and resolving disputes involving federal law. Because it was established by the Constitution, its decisions bind every other court in the country, from state Supreme Courts to the Federal Court. The Federal Court handles many federal matters but cannot overrule a High Court decision on constitutional issues. The term Supreme Court refers to the highest court within a state or territory, not the entire nation, and the Court of Appeal functions as an intermediate appellate court rather than the ultimate authority.