The court was established on 23 December 1999 by the Australian Government as the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia, as a result of royal assent of the "Federal Magistrates Act 1999 (Cth)". The court is now known as the Federal Circuit Court of Australia and the Act as the "Federal Circuit Court of Australia Act 1999". Its first judicial officers were appointed in 2000; it first applications were filed on 23 June 2000 and the Court’s first sittings were conducted on 3 July 2000 in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, , Parramatta and Townsville.