The Judicial Conference of Australia was established in 1993 as an incorporated association. Its objects relate to the public interest in maintaining a strong and independent judiciary within a democratic society that adheres to the rule of law.
The Conference consists of judges and magistrates drawn from all jurisdictions and levels of the Australian court system. Membership of the Conference is open to all serving and retired judges and magistrates in Australia and to masters and judicial registrars.
The membership now stands at over 650, which is about two-thirds of the judicial officers in Australia.
The Conference's Governing Council is chaired by the Hon. Justice Ruth McColl, AO, of the New South Wales Court of Appeal.
The Judicial Conference is funded almost entirely by membership subscriptions. The membership fee for the year 2009-2010 is $200.00 (which includes GST). For retired judicial officers the rate is $50 (which is inclusive of GST).
The Conference achieves its objects in various ways: 
- informing the community about the proper role of the judiciary and the significance of an independent judiciary;
- communicating with other arms of government, for the purpose of promoting mutual understanding;
- seeking improvements in the administration of justice and accessibility of the judicial system; and
- undertaking of supporting research that will benefit these aims.