Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has named Susan Kiefel as Australia's next High Court chief justice, the first female appointed to the role.
Chief Justice Robert French announced in March he would step down early next year, allowing his successor to be in place before the High Court heard cases from January 30th.
"She has been one of Australia's most outstanding judicial officers," Prime Minister Turnbull said.
"Her appointment crowns a great career with an even greater judicial service yet to come in this most important role."
Mr Turnbull used a press conference in Canberra to announce Justice Kiefel's appointment and labelled her story as "an inspiration".
She left school at the age of 15 and began working as a legal secretary while completing her high school qualifications part-time.
After studying law part-time through the Barristers Admission Board she was admitted to the bar in 1975.
She went on to become the first woman in Queensland to take silk (become Queen's Counsel) and in 1993 was the first woman appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland.
"Every step in her distinguished career is a step that she took on merit, as acknowledged by her peers and colleagues and contemporaries," Attorney-General George Brandis said.
"She will be a great leader of the court."
Labor said it "warmly welcomes" the appointment of Justice Kiefel and labelled the appointment a "momentous one".
"Her journey from secretary to barrister, to Queensland’s first female Queens Counsel, and now to the highest judicial office in the land should inspire girls and women throughout the country," Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said in a joint statement with Shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus.
Law Council President, Stuart Clark welcomed the appointment and said it should serve as inspiration to those considering a career in the legal profession.
“Justice Kiefel's talent and commitment to her profession has taken her to Australia’s highest judicial office,” he said.
“Justice Kiefel’s success should serve as an inspiration to all young people considering a career in law.”
Mr Turnbull said her ascension to the top should send an important message.
"Perhaps there are a lot of lawyers that will remember that the paralegals, the legal secretaries that they're working with perhaps may follow now in Susan Kiefel's footsteps," he said.
"It will be a privilege to walk in the footsteps of the eminent jurists who have been appointed Chief Justices since the Court was established in 1903," Justice Kiefel said in a statement.
The appointment creates a vacancy in her current role on the bench of the High Court, which will be filled by Justice James Edelman.
Both will be sworn in on January 30 2017, a day after Chief Justice Robert French steps down.
"These are outstanding Australians, they are both outstanding judges," Attorney-General Brandis said.
