Jury Service Portal Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction
Find answers to common questions about your upcoming Jury appearance, including:
- accessing the Jury Service Portal
- completing your questionnaire
- requesting a deferral
- excusal or exemption
- uploading documents
- updating your details, and
- getting technical help.
If you cannot find the information you need, contact the Jury Management Unit using the details shown on your jury summons or in the portal.
Getting started
What is the Jury Service Portal?
The Jury Service Portal is an online service for summoned jurors.
You can use it to:
- complete and submit a jury questionnaire
- confirm whether you are available for jury service
- request a deferral, excusal or exemption
- review your jury service details
- update employment details
- request support or adjustments
- view notifications and update your preferred contact method
- access attendance and payment details
How do I access the portal?
Use the link or QR code provided with your jury summons. Sign in using your ACT Digital Account. For help, visit the ACT Digital Account FAQs.
What will I see when I first sign in?
The first time you sign in, the jury questionnaire opens automatically so that you can respond to your summons. Once a response has been submitted, signing in takes you to the portal home page, where you can view your jury service status and use the other features.
Can I use the portal on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The portal is designed for use on mobile phones, tablets and computers.
Completing the questionnaire
When do I need to complete my questionnaire?
The deadline is displayed in the introductory section of the questionnaire. Applications should be lodged at least five days before jury service starts. Submit as early as possible to allow time for any request to be assessed.
What information will I need?
Depending on your answers, you may need to provide:
- confirmation of your availability for jury service
- employment and occupation details
- public service employment details
- support or adjustment requirements
- preferred contact method
- bank account details (so you can be paid for your jury service)
- summary of your circumstances for your deferral, excusal or exemption application
- supporting documents
How do I confirm that I am available?
In the Availability step, select Yes when asked whether you are available for the jury service start date shown. Work through the remaining steps to provide the required information, then review your answers on the Summary page and submit the questionnaire.
Can I review or change my answers before submitting?
Yes. On the Summary page, select Edit beside the relevant section, make and save your changes, then return to the summary. Check all information before submitting.
Why can’t I submit my questionnaire?
Check that:
- all mandatory questions have been answered
- mandatory supporting documents have been uploaded
- at least one preferred contact method is selected
- both declaration checkboxes are selected on the final review page
How will I know that it was submitted?
A successful submission displays a Questionnaire Submitted page. Your dashboard will also show an updated jury service questionnaire response type and a status of Submitted.
What if my circumstances change – can I submit another questionnaire response?
If your circumstances have changed since you submitted your response, select the New Questionnaire button on the home page of the Jury Service Portal. Whether you can submit another application depends on your current jury service status and the applicable deadline.
Deferrals, excusals and exemptions
What should I do if I am not available or suitable to participate in jury duty?
In the Availability section of the Questionnaire, select No.
The portal will ask whether you want to request a deferral, excusal or exemption. Choose the option that best matches your circumstances (further details on these are answered below).
What is a deferral?
A deferral is a request to move your jury service to a later date. You may need to provide further detail, such as:
- select an available future date from those offered
- choose a reason
- explain why you cannot attend
- upload supporting documents, and
- select a preferred contact method.
How do I request a deferral?
Select No for availability, choose Deferral and complete the required questions. Upload any relevant documents, review the summary, accept both declarations and select Submit.
What is an excusal?
An excusal is a request to be excused from the particular jury service for which you have been summoned. Required questions and evidence depend on your selected reason.
How do I apply to be excused?
Select No for availability, then choose Excusal.
- select a reason
- answer any related questions
- explain your circumstances
- upload required documents
- choose a preferred contact method
- review and submit.
What is an exemption?
An exemption may apply where a person belongs to an exempt category, role or profession. Additional questions may appear based on the reason selected.
How do I apply for an exemption?
Select No for availability, then choose Exemption.
Select the applicable reason – you can start typing in the reason field to filter the list.
- provide the requested details
- upload supporting evidence, and
- submit the application.
Is my request automatically approved?
No. Submission records your request for assessment, and it may initially show as Pending. You will be advised of the decision through your preferred contact method, and the outcome will also be reflected on the home page of the portal once the request has been approved or declined.
Continue to follow the instructions in your jury summons until you receive formal notification of the outcome .
Supporting documents
What documents can I upload?
Requirements depend on the type and reason for your request. The portal provides guidance after you select your reason. Only upload documents relevant to your application.
How do I upload a document?
- Select Upload Files or drag a file into the upload area.
- Choose the document from your device.
- Wait for the filename to appear.
- Select Save and Continue.
Can I remove a document uploaded by mistake?
Yes. Select the bin or delete icon beside the file, then upload the correct document. Confirm the correct filename appears before continuing.
Why can’t I continue without a document?
Supporting evidence is mandatory for some excusal and exemption requests. The portal will prevent you from continuing until a required file has been uploaded.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties in uploading a document, please contact the Jury Management Unit using the details shown on your jury summons.
Personal and service details
Where can I view my personal details?
Select My Details from the dashboard.
It may show:
- your name
- date of birth
- email address
- mobile number
- residential address, and
- postal address.
Where can I find my jury service information?
Select My Details from the dashboard.
The Service Details section may show:
- your juror service number
- service start date
- pool name
- reporting location
- ACT Courts address, and
- Jury Management Unit contact information.
How do I update my personal information?
Select Edit Personal Information from My Details. You will be redirected to your ACT Digital Account , where the personal information associated with your account is managed.
Why can’t I edit my email address in the portal?
Your email address is linked to your ACT Digital Account and may be read-only. Use the available ACT Digital Account link if the email address needs to be updated.
Employment details
How do I update my employment details?
- Select Update Employment Details from the dashboard.
- Review the information already recorded.
- Update the relevant fields.
- Select Submit.
- Wait for the success message before returning to the dashboard.
What employment information can I provide?
The portal may ask for the following information:
- employment status
- occupation
- employer name
- whether you are a public servant
- public service start date
- full-time or part-time status
- and normal working days and hours.
This information is used to work out your jury service payment. What you are paid depends on whether you are a public sector or private sector employee, and if you work part-time, your normal working days and hours are taken into account as well.
What format should I use for working hours?
Use the 24-hour format shown in the portal, with no spaces between the start and end times. Examples:
- For 9am – 5pm working hours, use 9:00-17:00.
- For 7:30am – 7:30pm, use 7:30-19:30.
- For 7:00am – 3:30pm, use 7:00-15:30.
- For 2:30pm – 8:30pm, use 14:30-20:30.
- Entries such as 9am - 5pm may not be accepted.
Support and accessibility
Can I request support or adjustments?
Yes. Select Support or adjustments from the dashboard. Choose one or more support types and explain what you need.
Submitting a request does not mean it has been approved. Requests for support or adjustments are decided by a Supreme Court Judge, and you will be informed of the decision.
What support or adjustments can I request?
Available options are displayed in the portal and may include interpreter assistance and other adjustments to support participation in jury service. Select one or more relevant options and provide enough information for assessment.
Can I request an interpreter?
Yes. If you select Interpreter, choose the language you require.
You can also nominate an alternative language: answer Yes to the alternative language question and select a second language. Complete all required fields before submitting.
You can also use the comments field to let the Jury Management Unit know if you have arranged for someone to interpret for you.
Can I update an existing support request?
Yes. Open Support or adjustments from the dashboard. Review the pre-populated information, update the selections or comments and submit the form again.
Does submitting a support request mean it is approved?
No. Your request is submitted for assessment and is decided by a Supreme Court Judge. The portal confirms that your request has been received, and you will be informed of the decision through your preferred contact method.
How can the Jury Management Unit contact me?
You can nominate Email, Mobile (SMS), or both. At least one preferred contact method must be selected.
How do I update my preferred contact method?
- Select Notifications from the dashboard.
- Select Edit Contact Method.
- Choose Email, Mobile (SMS), or both.
- Select Submit.
Why is my mobile number not accepted?
Check that the number is complete and entered in the format requested. Remove unnecessary spaces or symbols and review the validation message shown beside the field.
Where can I view notifications?
Select Notifications from the dashboard. Each notification may show its type, date and message content. If there are several notifications, the most recent should appear first.
Bank and payment information
Why does the portal ask for bank details?
Bank account information may be collected for jury service payment administration.
Carefully check the:
- account name
- BSB, and
- account number before continuing.
Why is my BSB or account number not accepted?
Check that the BSB has the required number of digits, the account number is in the requested format, unsupported characters have been removed, and all mandatory fields are complete.
What if I enter incorrect bank details?
If you have not submitted yet, correct the details before continuing. If you notice an error after submitting, select Attendance & Pay from the home page , then click the Edit Bank Account Details button. Check the account name, BSB, and account number, then press submit. If you are unsure whether the correction has been made in time, contact the Jury Management Unit as soon as possible using the details shown in the portal or on your jury summons.
Technical help
Why can’t I select Save and Continue?
Please scroll through the page and check validation messages, as:
- a mandatory field may be blank
- an answer may be in an invalid format
- a required follow-up question may be unanswered, or
- a mandatory document may be missing.
- All fields must be correctly filled and completed before you can save and continue through the questionnaire.
What should I do if the portal stops responding?
- Check your internet connection
- Refresh the page
- Use a private or incognito mode
- Clear the browser cache
- Try another browser or device.
What if a page or button does not display properly?
Check if your browser is zoomed in too close, rotate your phone or tablet, or try another browser or computer.
If the problem continues, note the following:
- page you were on
- the date and time
- your device type
- operating system and browser version, and
- the exact wording of any error message.
- Email these details to the Jury Management Unit so that the issue can be looked into.
What should I do if I cannot sign in?
Check that you are using the correct ACT Digital Account. Use account recovery options if needed. If you can access your account but not the portal, contact the Jury Management Unit. Our email address is information@jury.courts.act.gov.au
Who should I contact for help?
Please contact the Jury Management Unit on (02) 6207 4269. Business hours are 8:00am - 3:30pm Monday to Friday. Please have you juror service number available, but never share your password.
What if I don’t want to or cannot use the portal?
If you are unable to use the portal, or would prefer to respond another way to the questionnaire, contact the Jury Management Unit. Alternative arrangements can be discussed, including help to complete your response by telephone. Have your juror service number available when you make contact.
For your online safety
Use only official portal links and approved contact channels. Never share your ACT Digital Account password or send unnecessary personal, medical or banking information through ordinary email.