It has taken a little over a century, but for the first time a woman will preside as Chief Justice of Australia’s High Court.

Susan Kiefel, 62, will be the 13th Chief Justice of Australia, replacing Robert French who retires from the bench in January.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull confirmed the appointment on Tuesday, describing Justice Kiefel’s story as one of “inspiration”.

Born in Queensland, she left school at 15, worked as a legal secretary, studied at night to first complete her high school qualifications and then law through the Barristers Admission Board.

She’s now the most senior judge in the country and the first woman in 113 years to lead the nation’s highest court.

“She has been one of Australia’s most outstanding judicial officers,” Mr Turnbull said in Canberra on Tuesday.

“Her appointment grounds a great career with even greater judicial service yet to come in this very important role.”

The Prime Minister said Justice Kiefel’s appointment – effective from January 30 – showed that even paralegals and legal secretaries could make it to the top of the profession.

“They can follow in Susan Kiefel’s footsteps, study well, get admitted, become the Chief Justice of Australia,” Mr Turnbull said.

Justice Kiefel’s career is marked by groundbreaking achievements: the first woman in Queensland appointed a Queen’s Counsel; first to the state’s Supreme Court; the third woman appointed to the High Court.

Highly regarded by the judiciary and the legal profession, Justice Kiefel was the overwhelming favoured candidate to succeed Justice French.

“This appointment will come as little surprise,” Attorney-General George Brandis said.

Justice Susan Kiefel appointed as next Chief Justice of the High Court #auspol https://t.co/EsFDrzZlFW

— ABC News (@abcnews) November 28, 2016

Every step in her career was a step she took on merit and she would be a great leader of the court, he said.

Justice Kiefel said she was deeply honoured by the appointment and vowed to work to uphold the importance of the court as an institution in our society and to maintain its independence.

“The High Court remains as relevant today to Australians as it did at Federation,” she said in statement.

“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.”

Who are the other high court justices?

Justice James Edelman

Justice Kiefel’s elevation creates a vacancy on the High Court bench, which will be filled by West Australian James Edelman.

Justice James Edelman. Photo: Twitter

Justice Edelman is one of the youngest ever appointments at 42 and could serve until 2044.

“He is one of the most outstanding legal minds of his generation,” Mr Turnbull said.

Justice Edelman was a professor at Oxford University at the age of 34 and since 2015 has been a judge of the Federal Court.

“His distinguished record as a jurist, James Edelman, is widely acknowledged as well,” Senator Brandis added.

Justice Stephen Gageler

Stephen Gageler, 58, served as the Solicitor-General of Australia before being appointed by the Gillard government to the High Court in October 2012.

Justice Gageler was born and raised in New South Wales and worked as a barrister in his home state for 20 years before his move to Solicitor-General.

Justice Michelle Gordon

West Australian Michelle Gordon, 52, was named a High Court Justice after the Abbott government nominated her for the position in June 2015.

Justice Michelle Gordon. Photo: High Court of Australia

Before her appointment, Justice Gordon worked as a judge of the Federal Court of Australia and practised in state and federal courts principally in commercial, equity, taxation and general civil matters.

Justice Patrick Keane

Patrick Keane was appointed to the High Court in March 2013.

He previously worked as the Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia, served as a judge of the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Queensland from 2005-2010 before joining the Federal Court.

Justice Keane, 64, who grew up in Brisbane, Queensland, was also a part-time lecturer at the University of Queensland where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.

He was named a part of the Queen’s Counsel in 1988.

Justice Virginia Bell

Virginia Bell joined the High Court in February 2009 after being appointed by the Rudd government.

Justice Virginia Bell. Photo: AAP

Justice Bell graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Law before working as a solicitor for seven years with the Redfern Legal Centre.

She also practised as a public defender and was a judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

She served as president of the Australian Institute of Judicial Administration 2006 to 2008.

Chief Justice Robert French

Robert French is the 12th and current Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia after he was appointed by the Rudd government in September 2008.

Outgoing High Court Chief Justice Robert French. Photo: High Court of Australia

Justice French, 69, has served as President of the Fremantle Branch of the Liberal Party, and was a barrister and solicitor in Western Australia before being appointed to the Federal Court by the Hawke government in 1986.

The Perth native declared in March he would stand down in January, ahead of his 70th birthday – when Chief Justice’s must step down – for the start of the new year sittings on January 30.

Justice Geoffrey Nettle

Geoffrey Nettle was assigned a place in the High Court in February 2015 by the Abbott government.

At the time of his appointment, he was a judge of the Victorian Court of Appeal for 11 years.

Justice Nettle, 65, previously served a judge of the Trial Division of the Supreme Court of Victoria and was appointed a Queen’s Counsel in 1992.