William Phillips

William practises primarily in public and commercial law. He has particular experience in judicial review and appeals, anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing law, anti-discrimination and royal commissions and boards of inquiry.

William has a current Australian Government Baseline security clearance.

William holds a PhD from the University of Melbourne, a Bachelor of Civil Law (Dist) from the University of Oxford.

William read with David Morgan, with Alistair Pound SC as his senior mentor. Before coming to the Bar, William was a lawyer in the Civil Regulation Team at the Australian Government Solicitor, a solicitor at Lipman Karas, and the Associate to the Hon Justice David Peek KC in the Supreme Court of South Australia.

William is a reporter for the Victorian Reports.

William's recent appearance and advice work include:

Appeals

• JR (a pseudonym) v Secretary, Department of Justice and Community Safety [2026] VSCA 177: for JR. Appeal against renewal of supervision order. Led by K O’Gorman SC, with R McEwen.
• Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Palmer [2026] FCA 573: for ASIC. Application for leave to appeal against refusal of strike out application. Led by K Foley SC.
• Palmer v Gibson [2026] QCA 60: for Gibson. Resisting appeal against temporary stay of civil proceedings on grounds of extant interference with criminal proceedings. Led by K O’Gorman SC.
• DNU20 v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs [2024] FCA 627: For the appellant. Appeal against dismissal of application for judicial review. Unled.

Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing

• CEO of AUSTRAC v Entain Group Pty Ltd (Federal Court of Australia, 2024): for the CEO of AUSTRAC. Civil penalty proceedings under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth). Led by K Morgan SC, with Dr R Withana, and J Edwards.
• CEO of AUSTRAC v The Star Pty Limited and The Star Entertainment QLD Limited (Federal Court of Australia, 2022–2023): for the CEO of AUSTRAC. Civil penalty proceedings under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth). Led by M Hodge KC, with D Tynan, S Zeleznikow, and A Poukchanski.
• CEO of AUSTRAC v SkyCity Adelaide Pty Ltd [2024] FCA 664: for the CEO of AUSTRAC. Proceedings under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth). Led by M Hodge KC, with C Gleeson SC, S Zeleznikow, A Poukchanski, and W Liu.
• CEO of AUSTRAC v Crown Melbourne Limited [2023] FCA 782: for the CEO of AUSTRAC. Proceedings under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth). Led by M Hodge KC, with C Gleeson SC, S Zeleznikow, A Poukchanski, and W Liu.

Inquiries

• Board of Inquiry into the McCrae Landslide (2025): for the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. Led by K Foley SC, with E Bateman and C Viney.

Public and administrative law

• TKB v Magistrates’ Court of Victoria (Human Rights) (2025): For Magistrates’ Court of Victoria. Application for strike-out of discrimination claims and claims under the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic). Unled.
• Shari v Parker (Human Rights) [2025] VCAT 645: For Parker. Application for strike-out of discrimination and racial vilification claims. Unled.
• ZNVT and CEO, National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIS) [2025] ARTA 1824: For the applicant. Application for review of decision of the National Disability Insurance Agency to refuse multiple supports. Unled.
• Albyn Queensland Pty Ltd v Australian Postal Commission [2024] VSC 584: Amicus Curiae. Referral of questions of law relating to whether the Australian Postal Commission is an emanation of the Commonwealth and whether VCAT can exercise jurisdiction in a matter to which it is a party. Led by K O'Gorman SC.
• EVI17 v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs [2024] FedCFamC2G 1052: for the applicant. Judicial review of a decision refusing a Safe Haven Enterprise Visa. Unled.
• Advising an independent statutory authority with respect to its investigative and decision-making powers (2023 – 2024). Led by E Bennett SC (now Bennett J), with P Kelly.