❓ A parliamentary question seeks data on prosecutor recruitment, retention, and workload within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, revealing challenges in maintaining a skilled workforce and high average working hours.
AnsweredQoN 572Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to page 455 of Budget Paper No. 2, Volume 2, which identifies as a challenge “recruiting, retaining and growing a workforce of skilled prosecutors” within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and I ask: (a) how many full-time equivalents (FTE) were recruited in 2024-25; (b) how many FTEs resigned in 2024-25; (c) what specific initiatives or incentives are funded in the 2025-26 Budget and forward estimates to improve recruitment and retention of skilled prosecutors; (d) what is the current average caseload per prosecutor; and (e) what are the average hours worked per week per prosecutor?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 October 2025
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney General
Response time
4 days
(a) 24 Prosecutors.
(b) 16 prosecutors resigned and a further three were appointed to the judiciary.
(c) Initiatives and incentives funded in the 2025-26 Budget and forward estimates to improve recruitment and retention of skilled prosecutors include:
(d) The average file load per prosecutor in the Trial Teams is 22. The average file load in the Early Resolution Team is 40. The average file load in the Appeals Team is 17.
Average file allocations have limited significance as prosecutor caseloads vary significantly according to skill-level and case-type, so it is a poor indication of actual workload.
(e) Approximately 48 hours a week, on average, across the financial year.
(b) 16 prosecutors resigned and a further three were appointed to the judiciary.
(c) Initiatives and incentives funded in the 2025-26 Budget and forward estimates to improve recruitment and retention of skilled prosecutors include:
(d) The average file load per prosecutor in the Trial Teams is 22. The average file load in the Early Resolution Team is 40. The average file load in the Appeals Team is 17.
Average file allocations have limited significance as prosecutor caseloads vary significantly according to skill-level and case-type, so it is a poor indication of actual workload.
(e) Approximately 48 hours a week, on average, across the financial year.
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