Do you want to become a Justice of the Peace or a Commissioner for Declarations?

To become a Justice of the Peace (Qualified) (JP Qual) or Commissioner for Declarations (Cdec) you need to complete a training course to provide you with a range of knowledge, skills and generic and specific competencies to perform the duties appropriate to the level of appointment. You will also be given an opportunity to gain skills and knowledge based on the handbooks relevant to your chosen course.

As a JP or Cdec you will handle important documents which could have a significant impact on a person’s life—it is therefore important that you are properly trained in how to provide all services and handle all situations.

Who can become a JP or Cdec

To become a JP or Cdec you must be:

  • an Australian citizen
  • at least 18 years old correctly
  • of good character
  • registered on the Queensland electoral roll.

Restrictions

This summary of restrictions, any of which will prevent an individual from applying for, or holding the office as a Justice of the Peace (Qualified) or Commissioner for Declarations includes:

  • a person who has been convicted of a serious offence at any time
  • a person who has been convicted of any offence in the last 5 years—or of more than 2 offences at any time (not including convictions under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995) (Traffic Act)
  • a person who has been convicted of a drink-related driving offence in the last 5 years
  • a person who has been convicted of more than 2 Traffic Act offences in the last 4 years
  • a person who is an undischarged bankrupt (i.e. not yet free from bankruptcy).

How to become a JP or Cdec

To become a JP or Cdec you need to:

1. complete 30942QLD Course in Providing Community Justice Services (Commissioner for Declarations) (Justice of the Peace [Qualified])
2. submit an application, referee reports and a copy of your Statement of Attainment to: The Registrar of Justices of the Peace and Commissioners for Declarations

Department of Justice and Attorney-General
PO Box 5894
WEST END QLD 4101

Providing Community Services training course

You can complete the training provided by a number of registered training organisations throughout Queensland. The course code is 30942QLD.

My Skills, Australia’s Training Directory has a list of training organisations that run this course in Queensland.

To become a JP
To become a JP you will need to complete the entire course.
The training organisation you go to will provide you with all materials required to complete the course, including the assessment and a copy of the JP handbook.

To become a Cdec
To become a Cdec you will only need to complete the relevant sections of this course.
The training organisation you go to will provide you with all materials required to complete the course, including the assessment and a copy of the Cdec handbook.
Once you have completed the training, you will be able to apply to us to become a Cdec.

Submitting your application

Once you have completed the training course, and received your Statement of Attainment you can apply to us to become a JP or Cdec.

To apply:

  1. Complete a Form 1 Application for appointment as a Justice of the Peace (Qualified) or Commissioner for Declarations listing all of your criminal and traffic offences—no matter how long ago they happened.
  2. Sign the declaration on the form and have your signature witnessed.
  3.  Take your completed application—with your referee reports and a copy of your Statement of Attainment —to yourlocal member of parliament for their signature.
  4. Submit your application by post to:The Registrar of Justices of the Peace and Commissioners for Declarations
    Department of Justice and Attorney-General
    PO Box 5894
    WEST END QLD 4101

If your application is successful, you will be contacted by post to let you know. You will need to take an Oath or Affirmation of Office, pay a registration fee before you begin your duties as a JP or Cdec.