Senior Legal Case Manager

Position Overview
Under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), the FCA is responsible for the management and determination of applications relating to native title in Australia.

The Native Title National Practice Area (NPA) includes applications relating to:

• native title claims concerning the rights and interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to land and waters according to their traditional laws and customs, including determinations, revised native title determination applications, compensation applications, claim registration applications, applications to remove agreements from the Register of Indigenous Land Use Agreements and applications about the transfer of records
• reviews or appeals from decisions of the NNTT
• matters arising under or in relation to any Indigenous Land Use Agreement or other agreement made under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) or concerning a Prescribed Body Corporate (which holds or manages native title under the Act).

The Court manages and organises its native title case work through a national process, which includes management of the Native Title NPA by National Native Title Coordinating Judges and the allocation and determination of native title work within a number of geographic regions across Australia.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

1. Provide high level legal assistance and research to Registrars (and Judges if required).
2. Assist Registrars in the case management of matters, including by developing agendas and preparing draft outcomes from mediation and case management conferences.
3. Provide quality client services to users of the Court, including by providing information about the Court’s jurisdiction, relevant legislation and procedure of the Court.
4. Provide general administrative assistance as required in the management of native title matters, including ensuring the accurate entry of information entered into the Court’s case management system.
5. Plan, manage and cost travel for remote and regional hearings and mediations.
6. Attend and support Court proceedings and mediations in remote or regional locations as required.
7. Other duties as required.
   
   

Competencies & Attributes

The role requires a person who is an excellent communicator with strong team skills and the ability to understand and apply complex rules and regulations. The successful candidate will be able to work well under pressure and manage different expectations, competing demands and priorities. The ability to work independently at times with limited direction is vital. The successful candidate will need to be highly organised and have good attention to detail.

Other Requirements

• Legal qualifications (law degree or paralegal) OR equivalent work experience in a legal or Court environment.
• Flexibility to travel as required.
• Flexibility to work irregular hours, including in remote and regional locations.
• Current unrestricted drivers licence.
• Experience with, and knowledge of, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and social context highly regarded.

Selection Criteria

1. Ability to provide high-level legal and research assistance to Registrars (or a similar professional group).
2. Knowledge of the Federal Court’s native title jurisdiction, and the Court’s practices and procedures, or the ability to acquire such knowledge quickly.
3. Strong oral, written and interpersonal communication skills, including with people from diverse backgrounds.
4. Ability to work independently and as part of a small team.
5. High-level organisational skills and attention to detail.
6. Proficiency with technology, including MS Teams.

Contact Officer
For more information, please contact Amarah Henderson-Wilson via telephone (08) 7021 6170 or email
Amarah.Henderson-Wilson@fedcourt.gov.au   

How to apply
To apply, please complete the application form on the Court’s careers portal. 

As part of your application, you will be required to submit a written response to the selection criteria listed in the position description (maximum word limit 1500). Please ensure this document is attached before submitting your application.

If you have any issues with applying, please email recruitment@fedcourt.gov.au

Eligibility
Employment with the Court is subject to the conditions prescribed in the Public Service Act 1999, and the following: 

1. Australian citizenship – the successful applicant must hold Australian citizenship.
2. Security and character clearance – the successful applicant must satisfy a Police Records Check and may also be required to complete security clearances during the course of their employment.
3. Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.

Interested candidates who have received a redundancy benefit from an APS agency are welcome to apply but note that they cannot be engaged until their redundancy benefit period has expired. 

Diversity and Inclusion
Federal Court Australia is committed to supporting an inclusive and diverse workforce and welcomes and encourages applications from People with Disability. 

First Nations peoples, LGBTIQA+ people, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds, Mature age workers, as well as young workers and supporting an inter-generational workforce and supporting gender equity and families.

Federal Court Australia will provide reasonable adjustments for candidates to participate equitably in the recruitment process and discuss workplace adjustments to fulfil the inherent requirements of the role.

RecruitAbility
RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability

Application Close: Tuesday 13 January 2026 at 11:30 pm (AEDT)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.