Adoption Applications Coordinator

ABRS; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 80,000 - 92,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Part-time hybrid role

Maximum-term until 30 June 2027

Salary: $80,015 - $92,295 per annum (p

12% superannuation

Salary packaging up to $15,860

Meal & entertainment packaging: $2,650

Leave loading and wellbeing leave

Job summary

Barnardos Australia is seeking an experienced Adoption Applications Coordinator to join our Permanency Legal team in Homebush, NSW. This is a part-time, maximum-term opportunity working 28 hours across four days per week until 30 June 2027, blending paralegal expertise with meaningful, purpose-driven work.

You’ll coordinate adoption panels, prepare affidavits, maintain data and liaise with key stakeholders while supporting post-adoption activities.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years’ experience in a paralegal or legal secretarial role.
• High-level paralegal or legal secretarial knowledge and demonstrated legal administrative skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to review, edit and proofread reports and legal documentation.
• Strong computer literacy including confidence managing spreadsheets.
• Excellent organisation to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with stakeholders.
• Knowledge of NSW adoption legislation and/or OOHC sector highly regarded.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support adoption applications and legal processes, including affidavits, correspondence and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate Adoption Panel meetings, agendas, documentation, panel liaison, meeting technology and minute taking.
• Review and edit adoption reports and documentation with high accuracy.
• Maintain adoption data, spreadsheets and application tracking; support reporting requirements.
• Liaise with Legal Consultants, Case Managers, Program Managers, DCJ and other stakeholders.
• Support post-adoption enquiries, invoice processing and other permanency-related activities.

Skills

Paralegal experience

Paralegal knowledge

Written and verbal communication

Attention to detail

Spreadsheet proficiency

Organization

Interpersonal skills

Adoption legislation knowledge

Tertiary qualifications desirable

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications

Tools

Spreadsheets

Job description

Are you passionate about using your legal expertise to help create safe, permanent futures for children?

Barnardos Australia is seeking an experienced Adoption Applications Coordinator to join our Permanency Legal team in Homebush, NSW. This is a part-time, maximum-term opportunity working 28 hours across four days per week until 30 June 2027, offering the opportunity to combine your paralegal expertise with meaningful, purpose-driven work.

About the Role As the Adoption Applications Coordinator, you will:

• Support adoption applications and legal processes, including preparation and coordination of affidavits, correspondence and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate Adoption Panel meetings, including agendas, documentation, panel liaison, meeting technology and minute taking.
• Review and edit adoption reports and documentation with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Maintain adoption data, spreadsheets and application tracking and support internal and external reporting requirements.
• Liaise closely with Legal Consultants, Case Managers, Program Managers, DCJ and other key stakeholders.
• Support post-adoption enquiries, invoice processing and other permanency-related legal and administrative activities.

You’ll join a collaborative and supportive team delivering high-quality work that contributes directly to achieving permanency outcomes for children and young people.

Skills and Experience

• Minimum two years’ experience in a paralegal or legal secretarial role.
• High-level paralegal or legal secretarial knowledge and demonstrated legal administrative skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to accurately review, edit and proofread reports, correspondence and legal documentation.
• Strong computer literacy, including confidence managing spreadsheets.
• Excellent organisation with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build respectful working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of NSW adoption legislation and/or experience within the OOHC sector would be highly regarded.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications are desirable.

What’s on Offer

• Part-time: 28 hours across four days per week (Hybrid role)
• Maximum-term contract: Until 30 June 2027
• Salary:$80,015 - $92,295 per annum, dependent on experience, pro rata for part-time hours
• 12% superannuation
• Salary packaging: Up to $15,860 tax-free for general living expenses
• Meal & entertainment packaging: Additional $2,650 tax-free per FBT year
• Leave loading and additional wellbeing leave

Other benefits include:

• 35-hour full-time equivalent work week
• Flexible working arrangements
• Paid cultural leave and a day off during NAIDOC Week
• Extra annual leave over the Christmas–New Year period
• Ongoing development through mentoring, acting-up opportunities and secondments
• Volunteer leave and opportunities to participate in community events
• Access to Barnardos’ Indigenous Cultural Support Unit, Gurung Wellama

About Barnardos

Barnardos Australia is a leading children’s charity with a proud history of protecting children and strengthening families. Our work spans communities across NSW and the ACT, focusing on safe, stable and connected futures for vulnerable children and young people.

STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT

Barnardos Australia recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first Australians, with unique culture, languages and spiritual relationships to the land and seas. We are strongly committed to improving the lives of children and young people and to uphold the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to be safe and cared for within their own communities and remain connected to their families and culture. For Barnardos Australia, reconciliation means working in a meaningful and respectful way with Aboriginal families and communities. It is a commitment of Barnardos Australia to work in collaboration and partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, organisations and communities, always guided in this process by principles of self-determination.

Pre-employment Requirements You will need, or be willing to obtain:

• National Police Check
• Working with Children Check or APP number