He sat on FCFCOA bench, was Fair Work Commission deputy president
The County Court of Victoria has announced the appointment of Val Gostencnik as a judge, sitting in the court’s common law division, as of 16 September 2025.
“We warmly welcome Judge Gostencnik and congratulate him on his appointment to the County Court,” the court said in a news release.
In its news release, the Judicial College of Victoria also expressed warm congratulations to Gostencnik on his appointment.
Before joining the County Court’s bench, he served as a judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) Division 2, appointed to fill a newly funded migration position in the Melbourne registry as of 5 August 2024.
The County Court’s news release, the FCFCOA’s media release, the Judicial College’s news release, and his LexisNexis author profile provided more information on Judge Gostencnik’s professional and educational background.
Gostencnik worked as deputy president of the Fair Work Commission, appointed in April 2013.
From 2006–13, he worked as an equity partner and national practice group leader of the workplace relations practice group at Corrs Chambers Westgarth. He served as the solicitor instructing counsel assisting in the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission from 2009–10.
At Corrs, Gostencnik worked across all court and tribunal jurisdictions. He helped notable local and international companies with enterprise agreements, workplace practices, test cases before Australia’s High Court, and coronial inquiries. He also assisted governments, corporations, and charitable organisations.
He likewise managed Corrs’ “Giving Back” program, which encompassed the Australian independent law firm’s pro bono legal offerings, philanthropy, and staff volunteer efforts.
Gostencnik acted as a consultant for the LexisNexis practical guidance – employment law module. He has written about workplace legislation and its effects on business and society.
His knowledge and experience through the years have spanned the areas of government, workplace relations, discrimination, employment, industrial relations, and dispute resolution qualifications.
Gostencnik earned his LLB (honours) from Monash University in 1994, his post-graduate diploma in industrial relations from Victoria University of Technology in 1989, and his bachelor’s degree in economics (honours) from LaTrobe University in 1985.
