Advanced Referral and Assessment Practitioner

Magistrates Court; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Magistrates' Court of Victoria is seeking an Advanced Assessment and Referral Practitioner (Adv. ARP) to lead high-quality assessment and case direction within the team.

You will work directly with participants, often presenting with complex needs, to conduct thorough assessments and inform appropriate support pathways. In this role, you will provide expert advice on risk, needs and case planning, contributing to consistent, evidence-informed practice across the team.

Qualifications

• You are an experienced practitioner with strong assessment skills and a deep understanding of working with individuals with complex needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead high‑quality assessment and case direction within the team.
• Work directly with participants with complex needs to inform appropriate support pathways.
• Provide expert advice on risk, needs and case planning.
• Offer secondary consultations and informal guidance to colleagues.
• Assist with workflow coordination and strengthen team practice.

Job description

About Us

Court Services Victoria provides corporate services and facilities to support the performance of the judicial, quasi-judicial and administrative functions of Victoria's courts and tribunal, Judicial College and Judicial Commission. Collectively, Victoria's Supreme, County, Magistrates', Children's, and Coroners courts, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), the Judicial College of Victoria, the Judicial Commission of Victoria, and Court Services Victoria (CSV) are referred to as the ‘Courts Group'. Our people enable the Courts Group to deliver on each jurisdiction's own strategic priorities while also pursuing strategic opportunities that are interconnected and deliver benefits more broadly.

About the Magistrates' Court of Victoria

The Magistrates' Court of Victoria (MCV) has a long history of providing justice for the people of Victoria in metropolitan and regional courts across the state. The MCV determines in excess of 200,000 cases per annum at 51 venues, dealing with over 90 percent of all adult cases that come before Victorian courts each year. MCV aims to be an innovative, accessible and responsive court that provides quality services to the Victorian community.

• Court Support and Diversion Services (CISP, ARC, CROP, Criminal Justice Diversion)
• Drug Court
• Koori Court
• The Neighbourhood Justice Centre
• The Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal

Court Support Services programs include the Court Integrated Services Program (CISP), the Assessment and Referral Court (ARC) and the Court Remand Outreach Program (CROP). These programs provide a range of initiatives to assist accused persons and others involved in the court system who are experiencing issues of social or cultural disadvantage, including substance abuse, disability, mental illness or cognitive impairment. These programs utilise a client-centred and problem-solving approach that empowers clients to engage with their rehabilitation and achieve positive behavioural change.

About the Role

The Advanced Assessment and Referral Practitioner (Adv. ARP) is a specialist practice role responsible for leading high-quality assessment and case direction within the team. This position focuses on working directly with participants, often presenting with complex needs, to conduct comprehensive assessments and inform appropriate support pathways. The Adv. ARP provides expert advice on risk, needs and case planning, contributing to consistent and evidence-informed practice across the team. The role also offers secondary consultations and informal guidance to colleagues, supporting capability development and maintaining strong practice standards. While not a formal people management position, the Adv. ARP plays a key role in strengthening team practice and may assist with workflow coordination when required.

• Melbourne Assessment Prison
• Metropolitan Remand Centre
• Dame Phyllis Frost Centre
• Ravenhall Correctional Centre
• Marngoneet Correctional Centre
• Western Plains Correctional Centre

The successful candidate's location preference will be considered during the appointment process. The role also offers opportunities for broader engagement and work across additional service settings where appropriate.

About You

You are an experienced and confident practitioner with strong assessment skills and a deep understanding of working with individuals with complex needs. You bring a thoughtful, evidence-informed approach to practice and are skilled at analysing risk, identifying needs and determining appropriate case direction. You are comfortable working directly with participants, including in challenging or high-risk situations, and are able to build rapport while maintaining professional boundaries. You enjoy sharing your expertise and supporting others, offering guidance and secondary consultation to colleagues to strengthen overall team practice. You are collaborative, adaptable and able to manage competing priorities, with the ability to step in and support team workflows when needed. While you are not seeking a formal management role, you take pride in leading through practice excellence and contributing to a positive, high-performing team environment.

Other information CSV is the employer of staff at Courts Group. CSV has a firm commitment through its Koori Employment Plan to increase participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across our workforce. CSV has a firm commitment through its Koori Employment Plan to increase participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across our workforce. We value the unique backgrounds, experiences, and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity. Those from the LGBTQIA+ community, women, people of all ages, with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse people, and those who are neurodiverse, are encouraged to apply. We aim to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live. If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to email the contact person listed in the advertisement. As part of our commitment to a safe and respectful workplace, CSV conduct pre-employment checks, including reference checks, police checks and misconduct screening. These checks are handled confidentially, with care and are a standard part of our hiring process to ensure the right fit for both candidates and Court Services Victoria.