APS 5 - Judicial Associate to Justice Campton

Position Overview
The position of Judicial Associate is responsible for providing a high level of administrative support to a judicial officer within Division 1.

Travel on circuit and judicial relief locations, both intra and interstate may be required.

The purpose of this position is to ensure:

• that the judicial officer is able to conduct the business of the Court in a professional and efficient manner
• the timely completion of all tasks associated with court hearings, and
• to actively participate as a member of the judicial support team.

Major Activities
This role requires an individual who works well in a team environment.  The position involves a number of competing priorities and therefore requires good organisational skills to meet these demands.

The position of Judicial Associate has regular and substantial contact with members of the judiciary, court staff, legal practitioners, clients and external agencies including:

• liaison with client service / case coordination staff in respect to court files
• liaison with legal practitioners and clients in respect of orders and judgments and the listing of matters before the judicial officer
• liaison with external agencies including Legal Aid and the Australian Federal Police, and
• liaison with the Team Leader Judicial Support in respect to the judicial court calendar, leave and travel approvals, and other judicial entitlements.

The major responsibilities of the Judicial Associate include:

• attending court with the judicial officer, including circuit sittings, to provide administrative support to the judicial officer during all trials, pre-trials and duty lists
• managing court files prior to and at the completion of trials to ensure that the files are maintained and up to date
• providing a high level of administrative support to the judicial officer to ensure the prompt distribution of orders and judgments
• entering data accurately into the Court’s case management and other information systems to reflect the workload of the judicial officer
• making travel arrangements (flight bookings, accommodation reservations and car bookings) associated with circuit and relief sittings, and attendance at meetings and conferences
• updating the judicial officer’s loose-leaf filing system to ensure that he/she has access to the most recent legislation and reference material
• undertaking personal work as required by the judicial officer, and
• providing assistance, if required, at conferences, functions and/or meetings to ensure that the respective event is conducted in a professional manner.

Selection Criteria

1. Knowledge of or ability to acquire knowledge of Family Court functions, organisation, practices, procedures and terminology.
2. Demonstrated ability to undertake research, prepare reports and correspondence.
3. Demonstrated ability to operate computer-based equipment and associated software packages such as word processing, e-mail and spreadsheet applications.  Possess proficient keyboard skills.
4. Demonstrated sound organisational skills, initiative, the ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines and work effectively under pressure in a team environment.
5. Well-developed personal skills, including tact, discretion and the ability to communicate effectively with members of the judiciary, the legal profession, the public and other court staff.

Other Requirements
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) is a specialist family law court and hears the most complex family law trials and appeals. Proceedings in Division 1 may involve complex financial issues, significant family violence and complex facts, legal issues, remedies and procedures.

The following would be highly regarded but are not essential:

• Completion or near completion of a qualification in law.
• A strong academic record.
• Genuine interest and experience in a high-volume litigation environment.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Fast typing skills; and
• An understanding of the FCFCOA case management pathway and court processes. 

Contact Officer
For more information, please contact Sally Becher at jstl-sydlbb.division1@fcfcoa.gov.au or (02) 4250 7043. 

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: Monday 01 June 2026 at 11:30 pm (AEST)

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