PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Sarah conducts appellate matters and judicial review proceedings both led and unled, including unled appearances before the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia. Trusted with highly sensitive employment and occupational discipline matters, Sarah provides clients with a rare and comprehensive skillset derived from the intersection of her expertise in employment, administrative, occupational discipline and workers’ compensation law.
Before joining the Tasmanian Bar, Sarah spent nearly a decade appearing as counsel within the In-house Counsel team at the Australian Government Solicitor (AGS). Her advocacy career built upon extensive experience as a solicitor, commencing in 2002 at Ashurst and continuing at AGS.
Sarah’s legal career is complemented by international and military experience, having served for a year with the United Nations in Jordan and before that as a Navy Officer.
During her legal studies, Sarah earned several prestigious academic distinctions, including the Jean Rogerson Honours Studentship (awarded to the top five Honours students) and the Alan White Scholarship.
QUALIFICATIONS AND ADMISSIONS
1. Accredited Workplace Mediator, Total Conflict Management, London, 2009
2. Master of Laws (Merit), Australian National University, 2004
3. Bachelor of Laws (Honours), University of Western Australia, 2001
4. Bachelor of Arts, University of New South Wales (ADFA), 1996
Admitted 18 October 2002
Signed Bar Roll 24 March 2025
EXPERIENCE
- Lockett v Comcare [2026] FCA 1014
- Saqib v Australian Digital Health Agency (No 2) [2026] FedCFamC2G 1015 (unled)
- Quach v Commissioner of Taxation [2025] ACTCA 50; Bennelong Medical v Commissioner of Taxation [2025] ACTCA 49 (unled)
- Burns v Minister for Veterans’ Affairs [2025] FCA 1096 (unled)
- Scenic Rim Regional Council v Cutbush (No 3) [2025] FCA 1103 (unled)
- Comcare v Simeoni [2024] FCAFC 31 (unled)
- Chambers v Commonwealth of Australia [2024] FedCFamC2G 100 (led)
- Wills v CEO of the Australian Skills Quality Authority [2022] FCAFC 43 (led)
- Leach v Commonwealth [2021] FCA 158 (unled)
Wonson v Comcare [2020] FCAFC 76 (led) - Part of the counsel team representing the Commonwealth before the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide (variously led and unled, 2021-2024)
AREAS OF LAW
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Anti-Discrimination
Appellate
Industrial/Employment
Inquests/Inquiries
Public/Administrative Law
Regulation/Professional Discipline
Workers’ Compensation
CONTACT SARAH WRIGHT
Sarah only provides her mobile number after receiving email contact.
