Indigenous Family Liaison Officer

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

Job summary

Federal Court of Australia is seeking an Indigenous Family Liaison Officer to provide culturally informed in-Court support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples involved in family law matters. The role may be full-time, with some regional travel, and supports Judges and Registrars of Specialist Indigenous Lists.

Responsibilities include explaining Court processes to litigants, attending hearings, assisting with filing documents, and connecting litigants to culturally appropriate

Qualifications

• Understanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander court-user needs and contexts.
• Ability to explain court processes clearly to litigants.
• Experience supporting vulnerable individuals in sensitive settings.
• Willingness to travel to local communities or circuit locations.
• Ability to work autonomously with guidance as needed.

Responsibilities

• Explain Court processes and participation requirements to litigants.
• Attend Court hearings and support litigants.
• Assist litigants with the filing of Court documents.
• Support Court Children’s Service events and dispute resolution events.
• Engage with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations.
• Build connections with internal stakeholders and external partners.

Skills

Cultural awareness

Effective communication

Stakeholder engagement

Court processes knowledge

Job description

Positions are available in Adelaide, Brisbane, Launceston and Newcastle.

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:

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.

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:

• An understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Court-user users, particularly in the context of family conflict and family law proceedings.
• 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.
• The capacity to learn about the Court processes and effectively communicate this information to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
• 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.
• The ability to identify and recommendations improvements to policies or procedures to enhance access to justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Peoples.
• Well-developed oral and written communication skills and a willingness to participate in ongoing learning and professional development.
• 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.

Applications close on Sunday 29 November 2026 at 11:30pm (AEDT).

Contact Officer

For more information, confidential enquiries can be made to Kirsty Maylin Director – Indigenous Operation, Policy and Support, by email to [e-mail]

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 court of their employment.
• Health clearance – the successful applicant may be required to complete a health declaration or attend a medical assessment to confirm their fitness for duty.

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 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 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 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 a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability

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