Judicial Associate

Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Federal Court Australia in Adelaide is seeking a Judicial Associate to provide high-level administrative support to a judicial officer. The role requires coordinating circuit sittings, managing court files, and ensuring timely distribution of orders and judgments.

Travel interstate or intrastate may be required. Applicants should have strong organisational and communication skills and be able to work effectively within a judicial support team.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Family Court functions and terminology.
• Ability to undertake research, prepare reports and correspondence.
• Proficient with word processing, email, OneNote and spreadsheets.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to work under pressure in a team.
• Excellent communication with judiciary, legal staff and the public.

Responsibilities

• Attend court with the judicial officer to provide admin support during trials and lists.
• Manage court files before and after trials, ensuring up-to-date records.
• Distribute orders and judgments promptly.
• Enter data into the Court’s case management and information systems.
• Make travel arrangements for circuit sittings and meetings.
• Update the electronic filing system with current legislation and references.
• Undertake personal work as required by the judicial officer.
• Provide assistance at conferences or meetings to ensure professionalism.

Skills

Research skills

Communication

Time management

Teamwork

Discretion

Tools

Word processing

Email

OneNote

Spreadsheets

Job description

The position of judicial associate is responsible for providing a high level of administrative support to a judicial officer.

Travel on circuit and judicial relief locations, both intra and interstate may be required. The purpose of this position is to ensure:

• That the judicial officer is able to conduct the business of the Court in a professional and efficient manner.
• The timely completion of all tasks associated with court hearings.
• To actively participate as a member of the judicial support team.

Major Activities

This role requires an individual who works well in a team environment. The position involves a number of competing priorities and therefore requires good organisational skills to meet these demands.

The position of Judicial Associate has regular and substantial contact with members of the judiciary, court staff, legal practitioners, clients and external agencies including:

• Liaison with client service / case coordination staff in respect to court files
• Liaison with legal practitioners and clients in respect of orders and judgments and the listing of matters before the judicial officer
• Liaison with external agencies including Legal Aid and the Australian Federal Police, and
• Liaison with the Team Leader Judicial Support in respect to the judicial court calendar, leave and travel approvals, and other judicial entitlements.

The major responsibilities of the Judicial Associate include:

• Attending court with the judicial officer, including circuit sittings, to provide administrative support to the judicial officer during all trials, pre-trials and duty lists.
• Managing court files prior to and at the completion of trials to ensure that the files are maintained and up to date.
• Providing a high level of administrative support to the judicial officer to ensure the prompt distribution of orders and judgments.
• Entering data accurately into the Court’s case management and other information systems to reflect the workload of the judicial officer.
• Making travel arrangements (flight bookings, accommodation reservations and car bookings) associated with circuit and relief sittings, and attendance at meetings and conferences.
• Updating the judicial officer’s electronic filing system to ensure that he/she has access to the most recent legislation and reference material.
• Undertaking personal work as required by the judicial officer.
• Providing assistance, if required, at conferences, functions and/or meetings to ensure that the respective event is conducted in a professional manner.

Other Requirements

• Available to travel interstate.

Selection Criteria

• Knowledge of or ability to acquire knowledge of Family Court functions, organisation, practices, procedures and terminology.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake research, prepare reports and correspondence.
• Demonstrated ability to operate computer-based equipment and associated software packages such as word processing, e-mail, OneNote and spreadsheet applications. Possess proficient keyboard skills.
• Demonstrated sound organisational skills, initiative, the ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines and work effectively under pressure in a team environment.
• Well-developed personal skills, including tact, discretion and the ability to communicate effectively with members of the judiciary, the legal profession, the public and other court staff.

Applications close on Monday 21 September 2026 at 11:30pm (AEST).

Contact Officer

For more information, please contact Deanna Oakley, Judicial Support Team Leader via email: [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 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

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.