THE state's top magistrate says the appointment of respected barrister Anthony Gett to the bench in Cairns is not an additional resource.

Mr Gett was welcomed to Cairns at a ceremony in the Supreme Court yesterday, but Chief Magistrate Brendan Butler said it was not a boost to the current ranks, but rather "a reduction in the reliance on acting magistrates".

The Far North now has nine full-time magistrates with Mr Gett's appointment, including the region's coroner.

Mr Gett said he was "truly honoured and humbled" to be appointed.

"I look forward to being part of the Magistrates Court of Queensland and living in beautiful North Queensland," he said.

Mr Gett will be based in Cairns for at least three years.

His previous role was with the Commonwealth Department of Prosecutions, where he specialised in computer crime.

Barrister Dean Morzone, who was recently appointed a senior counsel, spoke at the ceremony on behalf of the Bar Association of Queensland and said Mr Gett was known for his "methodical, thorough and meticulous approach".

"Your honour stands to become an important spoke in the wheel of this very court," he said.

"Our community is fortunate to be served by magistrates of high quality."

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie announced last year four new magistrates would be appointed across Queensland.

"Together, these four additional appointments will give the court the resources and support it needs to get on with the job," he said.

"The increase in full-time magistrates will also reduce the Chief Magistrate's reliance on the pool of acting magistrates."

Acting magistrates have been used in Cairns for a number of years to replace those on leave.

The workload in the Cairns Magistrates Court increased by more than 1000 defendants in the past financial year, figures tabled in State Parliament showed.

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