Victoria justice of the peace volunteers seek additional government support amid declining numbers

Volunteer numbers for justices of the peace (JPs) in Victoria have dropped to levels described as “concerning” by the Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices, even as the need for JP services continues to increase across the state.

The association is urging the state government to provide funding for the recruitment and training of new volunteers so that Victoria can keep pace with other Australian jurisdictions. It argues that without additional resources, the ability of JPs to serve the public could be compromised.

Long‑time volunteer Loretta Cormack, who has served as a JP for more than five decades, highlighted the challenges of operating from traditional venues such as police stations, which have faced staffing shortages and occasional closures. To improve accessibility, Cormack and other volunteers now operate from a Bunnings hardware store in Altona, marking the first retail‑based JP service in Melbourne’s west.

The Altona Bunnings location offers JP services six days a week, providing a convenient alternative for community members who may be reluctant to visit police stations. Similar retail‑based services also exist in other suburbs, including Corio, Geelong, Airport West, South Morang, Waurn Ponds and Wendouree.

JPs in Victoria are authorised to witness statutory declarations, affidavits and certify true copies of documents. The association’s funding request aims to sustain these essential functions by expanding the volunteer pool and ensuring that services remain widely available throughout the state.