Associate

Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia – Melbourne VIC is seeking an Associate to support a Judge in the day-to-day management of Chambers and Court. The role involves managing chambers and supervising the Deputy Associate.

The Associate will handle day-to-day running of chambers, respond to enquiries, assist in preparing orders and judgments, and maintain the court's case management system, ensuring up-to-date records and timely action.

Qualifications

• Strong communication (oral and written) and liaison skills.
• Demonstrated high-level keyboard skills and ability to use Microsoft Office applications.
• The ability to adapt to changing situations and priorities.
• Tolerance, diligence and the ability to work as a member of a small team.
• A high standard of ethical behaviour.

Responsibilities

• Day-to-day running of chambers including responding to enquiries.
• Supervise the work of the deputy associate.
• Assist the Judge to manage the docket by preparing and managing matters waiting for hearing.
• Ensure the court’s case management system is up-to-date and assist the Judge in the preparation of orders and typing of judgments.
• Maintain court related relationships with various external stakeholders.
• Contribute to organisational forums working for better working practices.
• Other duties as required.

Skills

Communication

MS Office

Adaptability

Teamwork

Ethics

Job description

Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia – Melbourne VIC

The Associate is part of a team assisting a Judge in the day-to-day management of Chambers and Court. The role of the Associate is to manage chambers and to supervise the Deputy Associate.

Purpose of position

The Associate is part of a team assisting a Judge in the day-to-day management of Chambers and Court. The role of the Associate is to manage chambers and to supervise the Deputy Associate.

Important Functions

• satisfy all relevant statutory obligations
• satisfy the Australian Public Service Values and Code of Conduct
• contribute to and support achievement of the Court’s Strategic and Business Plans
• operate within the Court’s policies and procedural guidelines, and
• support and contribute to the Court’s Service Charter

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Day-to-day running of chambers including responding to enquiries.
• Supervise the work of the deputy associate.
• Assist the Judge to manage the docket by preparing and managing matters waiting for hearing.
• Ensure the court’s case management system is up-to-date and assist the Judge in the preparation of orders and typing of judgments.
• Maintain court related relationships with various external stakeholders.
• Contribute to organisational forums working for better working practices.
• Other duties as required.

Eligibility

Selection Criteria

• Strong communication (oral and written) and liaison skills and the ability to communicate with people of all levels.
• Demonstrated high-level keyboard skills and ability to use relevant software applications including Microsoft Office applications and the internet.
• The ability to adapt to changing situations and priorities.
• Tolerance, diligence and the ability to work as a member of a small team.
• A high standard of ethical behaviour.

Notes

Eligibility

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

• Australian citizenship – the successful applicant must hold Australian citizenship.
• 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.
• 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.

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

Getting to know the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Act 2021 (FCFCOA Act), which came into effect on 1 September 2021, merged the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia into a unified court system known as the FCFCOA.The FCFCOA (Division 1) is a superior court that handles the most complex family law cases and serves as the appellate court for family law matters. It operates nationwide, except in Western Australia.The FCFCOA (Division 2), a federal court, shares jurisdiction over family law and child support with Division 1, but also handles general federal law matters, such as administrative law, bankruptcy, intellectual property, and migration law.The Federal Court of Australia entity engages employees under the Public Service Act 1999 to support the Federal Court, the FCFCOA (Divisions 1 and 2), and the National Native Title Tribunal. Established by the 2016 Courts Administration Legislation Amendment Act, each court retains its own identity and judicial independence. FCFCOA employees are covered by the Federal Court Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027.

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