Josh Payne

Josh completed his Bachelor of Laws at James Cook University Cairns, graduating in 2025. He went on to finish his Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland in September 2026. He is currently in the process of being admitted to the High Court of Australia.

Before stepping into legal practice, Josh built valuable experience across a range of roles within the family law space. He began as a Legal Secretary at a local family law firm, then joined the Cairns Registry of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) as a Client Service Officer. From there, he served as Acting Deputy Associate to Her Honour Judge Cope, before taking on the role of Associate and Legal Case Manager to a Senior Judicial Registrar.

These years working within the courts have given Josh a strong, practical understanding of the family court process and procedure. They have also offered him broad exposure to the complex issues that arise in parenting and property disputes, and a real appreciation for the emotional weight these matters carry for every family involved.

Josh is driven by a genuine care for people. He understands that legal challenges often come during some of the most difficult moments in a person’s life, and he is dedicated to guiding clients through those times with clarity, compassion, and steady support.