The Woorabinda Magistrates Court serves one of Central Queensland's most remote Aboriginal communities, sitting on the traditional lands of the Wadja and Gungaloo peoples roughly 170 kilometres south-west of Rockhampton. This page publishes the daily court list for the Woorabinda circuit so residents, family members, legal representatives and support workers can check who is appearing, in which courtroom, and at what time without travelling long distances or making repeated phone calls. Because Woorabinda is a circuit location rather than a court that sits every business day, knowing the exact sitting dates and the order of the list is often the difference between a matter being dealt with smoothly and a defendant being marked as a non-appearance.
The court operates from 25 Munns Drive, Woorabinda QLD 4713, while all registry enquiries, filing and administration are handled through the Rockhampton Magistrates Court registry at the Virgil Power Building on the corner of East and Fitzroy Streets. The shared registry phone number is (07) 4887 1700, and the registry keeps standard business hours of 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Understanding that the sitting location and the administering registry are in two different towns is essential, because paperwork, adjournment requests and general enquiries for a Woorabinda matter are managed from Rockhampton, not on site at the community courthouse.
What the Woorabinda Magistrates Court Deals With
As the entry point to the Queensland court hierarchy, the Magistrates Court hears the overwhelming majority of legal matters in the state. Statewide, Magistrates Courts deal with approximately 95 per cent of all court cases in Queensland, which makes this the busiest and most frequently used level of the justice system. Every criminal proceeding in Queensland begins in a Magistrates Court, with minor offences finalised summarily and more serious indictable offences committed to the District Court or Supreme Court once the evidence has been tested.
At a community circuit court such as Woorabinda, the daily list typically covers summary criminal charges, mentions, sentencing, bail applications, domestic and family violence protection order applications, and committal proceedings for more serious matters. In its civil jurisdiction the Magistrates Court can decide disputes where the amount in dispute is $150,000 or less; anything above that threshold is dealt with by the District Court or the Supreme Court of Queensland. This broad jurisdiction means a single sitting day at Woorabinda can move through criminal mentions, protection order matters and minor civil claims in a compact schedule.
Circuit Sittings and How Often the Court Runs
Woorabinda is one of a network of remote and Indigenous community courts that the Queensland Magistrates Court services through scheduled circuit sittings rather than daily operation. The Queensland Magistrates Court network spans roughly 130 courthouses and sitting locations, reaching from metropolitan Brisbane out to remote Indigenous communities including Woorabinda, Cherbourg, Doomadgee, Palm Island and Yarrabah. Because the magistrate travels to the community on set dates, the annual court calendar for Woorabinda is published in advance so parties can plan their appearance around the confirmed sitting days.
If you are unsure whether the court is sitting on a particular day, always confirm against the official Queensland Courts calendar and the published daily law list before travelling. Magistrates Court lists are updated for the day at 6.45am and refreshed again at 8.45am to allow for overnight arrests, so the list you view first thing in the morning may change before the court opens. Refreshing the page shortly before the sitting starts is the most reliable way to see the final order of appearances.
How to Read the Woorabinda Daily Court List
The daily court list is a schedule of every matter set down for that sitting. Each entry generally shows the name of the person appearing, the courtroom, the scheduled time, and the type of matter, such as a mention, a hearing, a sentence or a callover. Reading the list correctly saves time and reduces stress on the day. The key points to look for are your name or the name of the person you are supporting, the listed start time, and any note indicating the matter type, since a mention is handled very differently from a full hearing.
- Mention: a short administrative appearance where the matter is listed to check progress, enter a plea, or set a future date.
- Hearing or trial: a longer listing where evidence is presented and the magistrate decides the outcome.
- Sentence: listed after a guilty plea or finding of guilt, where penalties are imposed.
- Callover or review: used to manage timetables and confirm readiness for future dates.
- Domestic violence application: listed for protection order matters, which may be heard separately from the general criminal list.
If your name appears on the list, you are expected to attend. Failing to appear when required can result in a warrant being issued or a matter being decided in your absence, so it is far safer to arrive early, check with the court staff on the day, and wait for your matter to be called even if the listed time has passed. Lists are a guide to order, not a guaranteed exact clock time.
Woorabinda at a Glance
Understanding the community context helps explain why the circuit model exists and why access to the list matters so much locally. Woorabinda was established in 1927 and today has a population of 1,019 people according to the 2021 Census, with 91.6 per cent identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. The community has a notably young profile, with a median age of just 23, and represents a rich cultural mix, with a large number of clans and language groups tracing back to the historic relocation of families from across Queensland to the settlement.
The Aboriginal Shire of Woorabinda covers around 391 square kilometres and is governed by the Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council. The town is connected to Rockhampton by sealed road via the Capricorn Highway, with the nearest larger service centre being Emerald, roughly 115 kilometres to the north. During the wet season, local creek systems such as the seasonal Mimosa Creek can cause road access to be cut, which is one practical reason why confirming a sitting date and monitoring the list online is so valuable for anyone planning to attend.
Preparing for Your Court Appearance
Good preparation improves outcomes at every level of the court system, and this is especially true in a summary jurisdiction where matters move quickly. Arrive early, dress neatly, and bring any documents relevant to your matter, including any paperwork the court or police have given you. If you have a lawyer, a duty lawyer, or a support person from a community legal or justice service, confirm where and when to meet them before the sitting begins.
Seeking legal advice early, ideally before your first appearance, puts you in the strongest position, particularly in criminal matters where a conviction can carry long-term consequences for employment, travel and licensing. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander defendants may also be able to access dedicated legal aid, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal services, and court support programs. If you are unsure of your options, the Rockhampton registry can point you toward the right services before your Woorabinda sitting date.
Appeals and the Court Hierarchy
Decisions made in the Magistrates Court are not the end of the road. A decision may be appealed to the District Court of Queensland, which hears appeals against conviction, sentence or civil judgment from the Magistrates Court. The Magistrates Court itself does not have appellate jurisdiction, so it cannot review its own decisions. Above the District Court sits the Supreme Court of Queensland, the highest court in the state, which handles the most serious criminal trials and the largest civil disputes. For Central Queensland residents, higher-level matters and appeals are generally heard at the Rockhampton court complex rather than at the community circuit court.
For matters connected to other Central Queensland centres, you can also check the daily lists nearby. The broader Queensland magistrates court list covers every sitting location across the state, while the Rockhampton magistrates court list today is directly relevant because the Rockhampton registry administers Woorabinda matters. Residents travelling for work or family often also need the Gladstone court list or the Emerald magistrates court list, since these neighbouring courts share the same Central Queensland catchment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Woorabinda Magistrates Court located?
The court sits at 25 Munns Drive, Woorabinda QLD 4713. Registry enquiries, filing and administration are handled by the Rockhampton Magistrates Court registry, and the shared contact number is (07) 4887 1700.
Does the Woorabinda court sit every day?
No. Woorabinda is a circuit court, meaning a magistrate travels to the community on scheduled sitting dates set out in the annual Queensland Courts calendar. Always confirm the sitting date and check the daily list before attending.
What time is the daily court list updated?
Magistrates Court lists are updated for the day at 6.45am and refreshed again at 8.45am to account for overnight arrests. Refresh the page shortly before the sitting to see the most current order of appearances.
What types of matters are heard at Woorabinda?
The court hears summary criminal charges, mentions, sentences, bail applications, domestic and family violence protection order matters, committals, and civil disputes valued at $150,000 or less.
What happens if I miss my court date?
Failing to appear when listed can lead to a warrant being issued or your matter being decided without you present. If you cannot attend, contact the Rockhampton registry as early as possible to seek advice about your options.
Can I appeal a decision made at Woorabinda?
Yes. Decisions of the Magistrates Court can be appealed to the District Court of Queensland. The Magistrates Court has no appellate jurisdiction of its own, so appeals are heard at a higher court.