Two Liberal MPs who lost their seats at the federal election and a former Labor speaker are among those tapped for plum positions in George Brandis's latest round of appointments.

Former Liberal MPs Russell Matheson and Andrew Nikolic, who were voted out at the 2016 elections, former Labor Speaker Anna Burke and retired Labor Senator Linda Kirk were among the 17 appointees to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

Both Mr Matheson, who lost the seat of Macarthur after two terms, and Mr Nikolic, who lost the seat of Bass after just three years and Ms Burke, who retired ahead of the July poll have been appointed as full-time members for a seven-year term. These roles attract a salary of at least $200,000.

Ms Kirk, a deputy dean of the Australia National University College of Law, has been appointed as a senior member on a part-time basis for seven years.