Indigenous Family Liaison Officer

NOTE: This role open from 06 November and close 29 November 2026 at 11:30 pm (AEDT)

Position Overview
Indigenous Family Liaison Officers provide culturally informed in-Court support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples who are involved in family law proceedings or accessing Court services. 

The role supports Judges and Registrars who preside over Specialist Indigenous Lists and who hear a high proportion of matters involving Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander litigants. Indigenous Family Liaison Officers work collaboratively within the pre-existing Court structure to support all events in the case management pathway, including hearings, Court Children’s Service events (such as interviews between parents and children), and dispute resolution events, to enhance cultural understanding, support participation in Court processes, and contribute towards culturally safe practices.

Indigenous Family Liaison Officers support ongoing engagement between the Courts and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.  This includes helping to explain Court processes to litigants and highlighting the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to the Courts, identifying barriers to participation, and linking litigants with culturally appropriate supports. They are required to develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with local colleagues inside the Courts, as well as establish and maintain external networks.

The Courts’ preference is for the Indigenous Family Liaison Officer role to be full-time, however, depending on the operational needs, the position may be part-time. Part-time employees must be flexible in their availability, particularly during periods in which the Courts’ Specialist Indigenous Lists are conducted, when the Courts are circuiting to regional and remote locations, or the Judges otherwise require additional support. 

Key Responsibilities 
The Indigenous Family Liaison Officer role is primarily focused on supporting families navigating the Court system in matters where an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child involved.

Key responsibilities include:

1.    Supporting litigants:

• Explaining Court processes, requirements, and the importance of attending and participating in Court events to litigants.
• Attending Court hearings and explaining Court processes and requirements to litigants.
• Assisting litigants with the filing of Court documents.
• Supporting participation in Court Children’s Service events and dispute resolution events to ensure that litigants and other significant persons are able to fully participate.
• Engaging with the Court as needed to provide contextual information about practical or cultural obligations which may be affecting a litigant’s ability to participate in proceedings.
• Connecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander litigants to legal and other community-based services.
• Engaging with key internal stakeholders, including the Committees and Working Groups as needed. 

2.    Engagement and collaboration: 

• Engaging with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and support organisations to raise awareness of the Courts’ role in family law matters, and some national or regional organisations as needed.
• Building and maintaining strong working relationships with Judges, Registrars, registry staff and support services.
• Liaising with Independent Children’s Lawyers (where appointed).
• Under the guidance and support of the Director – Indigenous Operations, Policy and Support and Director – Family Violence, Access, Equity & Inclusion, contribute towards cultural awareness and capability across the Courts. 
  

Capabilities and Attributes
Successful applicants will demonstrate: 

• The ability to explain Court processes and services in a clear, culturally appropriate way to  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders communities.
• An understanding of the family law system or the capacity to quickly develop this knowledge.
• Experience supporting vulnerable individuals, including children and families in complex circumstances.
• An understanding of the impartiality of the Courts and the ability to provide appropriate support within that framework.
• Proven ability to work effectively and autonomously, with guidance from senior staff when required.
• Demonstrated resilience and the ability to manage competing priorities while working effectively in a complex and busy court environment.
• Court experience is desirable but not essential.

Special Requirements     

• Certain positions may require travel to local communities or circuit locations.
• The Courts’ preference is to have the Indigenous Family Liaison Officer positions operating locally in the registry and region they support. However, some roles may operate wholly or partly remotely, subject to the operational needs of the Courts.  In these circumstances, employees must have access to an appropriate home-based workspace.

Selection Criteria
Applicants must demonstrate:

1. An understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Court-user users, particularly in the context of family conflict and family law proceedings.
2. The ability to work in a culturally appropriate, respective and effective manner with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and internal stakeholders (including Judges and Court staff), including in complex and sensitive contexts.
3. The capacity to learn about the Court processes and effectively communicate this information to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
4. Experience with, and strong links to, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations, such as Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations (ACCOs), not-for-profit organisations, or relevant Commonwealth and/or State Government.
5. The ability to identify and recommendations improvements to policies or procedures to enhance access to justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Peoples.
6. Well-developed oral and written communication skills and a willingness to participate in ongoing learning and professional development.
7. An understanding of language and cultural needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, including the appropriate use of interpreter services.

Applicants must have knowledge and understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and demonstrate the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively.  Where possible, applicants should provide a reference from a referee of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background.

Contact Officer
For more information, confidential enquiries can be made to Kirsty Maylin Director – Indigenous Operation, Policy and Support, by email to Kirsty.maylin@fcfoca.gov.au  

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

To be considered you will need to upload a concise expression of interest (2 page maximum) detailing how your experience and skills relate to the position description and selection criteria and attach a current resume. 

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
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of 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.   

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of 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.   

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in recruitment
Candidates may use AI tools to assist with their participation in this recruitment process unless otherwise advised. Where AI tools are used, candidates are responsible for ensuring that all information submitted is transparent, accurate, and genuinely reflects their own skills, capabilities, and experience. 

For more information, see: Principles for candidate use of AI in Recruitment

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: Sunday 29 November 2026 at 11:30 pm (AEDT)

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