In 2004 the National Judicial College of Australia initiated a process to promote the preparation of a national standard for the amount of time and funding that should be available for each member of the Australian judiciary for professional development.

The Standard was endorsed by the Council of Chief Justices of Australia, Chief Judges, Chief Magistrates, the Judicial Conference of Australia, the Association of Australian Magistrates, the Australian Institute of Judicial Administration and judicial education bodies.

The Standard was reviewed in late 2010.