Senior Judicial Registrar

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia invites applications for Senior Judicial Registrars in Family Law.

Overview

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (the Courts) invites applications for Senior Judicial Registrars in Family Law. These roles are an exciting opportunity to make a very real difference in people’s lives in a modern and innovative Court environment that shapes the family law system around it. Successful candidates will be involved in influencing family law jurisprudence and in family law case management reforms on a national scale. This is a career-defining opportunity to gain invaluable experience as a judicial decision maker and provides a genuine pathway towards higher judicial advancement within the Courts.

Positions span across multiple locations nationwide, including Adelaide, Albury, Brisbane, Dandenong, Dubbo, Melbourne, Newcastle, Parramatta and Sydney.

Salary: A very competitive remuneration package commensurate with experience will be negotiated for successful candidates, which will include a base salary, plus superannuation of 15.4% of base salary, and generous leave.

What you'll do

- Preside over complex interlocutory matters and conduct various forms of high level and complex dispute resolution in both financial and parenting matters, ensuring access to justice and that disputes are resolved in a just, timely and safe manner.

- Exercise high level and complex case management across the Courts nationally, in support of, and in collaboration with, Judges to make the Courts’ processes as efficient as possible and to enhance the ability of the Courts to respond to family violence and other risks to vulnerable parties and children.

- Implement and influence ongoing fundamental reforms in family law case management practices and key initiatives, enhancing culturally responsive support and access to First Nations Peoples.

- Provide authoritative guidance on intricate legal issues arising in family law matters, drawing upon extensive technical knowledge to support sound judicial outcomes.

- Promote a culture of excellence and leadership to support the Courts’ strategic aims, including engaging collaboratively with Judges, other Registrars, legal practitioners and Court staff.

- Provide professional leadership to other Registrars, including assisting to promote the professional development, mentoring and training of Judicial Registrars and Deputy Registrars.

- Assist the Courts with national operational matters in support of the Chief Justice and the CEO and Principal Registrar as may be required.

- Represent the Courts with professionalism engaging with relevant internal, community, government and professional stakeholders, including at external forums and / or public events as required.

What you bring

- A minimum of 7 years’ post admission experience.

- Extensive experience and knowledge in the family law jurisdiction and civil litigation in superior Courts of Australia (and related areas of law) with a thorough understanding of litigation processes and strategies, including key steps in the high-level case management of matters.

- Demonstrated experience in, or the ability to, conduct complex mediation or other dispute resolution processes.

- Highly developed communication, interpersonal and liaison skills, including the ability to represent the Courts at a senior level, to influence behaviour and attitudes at all levels, and to build and sustain positive relationships with a network of key stakeholders internally and externally.

- Proven ability to lead and manage staff and work autonomously with the necessary authority and accountability in a senior managerial role.

- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple responsibilities effectively, prioritise matters appropriately, and exercise sound judgement in decision making in a high-pressure environment.

- Demonstrated ability to identify and implement improved and innovative case management initiatives, and to participate in the development and implementation of national policies and procedures.

- A genuine passion for improving access to justice outcomes for families navigating complex legal challenges.

What sets this organisation apart

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia comprises of Division 1 (which is a continuation of the Family Court of Australia) and Division 2 (which is a continuation of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia). The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia is the biggest court in the federal judicial system, having broad jurisdiction across areas including family law, migration, bankruptcy, fair work, administrative law, intellectual property and consumer law. Sitting in all capital cities, the Courts comprise of over 100 Judges across both Divisions, together with hundreds of legal, social science and related support staff.

Since inception, the Courts have introduced a suite of initiatives and innovations focused on enhanced responses to family violence and other risks to vulnerable parties and children, enhanced cultural responsiveness, efficiency, accessibility and modernised processes, to respond to the needs of communities and individuals across Australia.

The Courts are committed to encouraging the development of legal careers within the Courts regardless of at what level new staff enter the Courts. The Courts have an extraordinary track record of judicial appointments being made from within the rank of Registrars, with this recruitment being to primarily fill positions vacated by recent judicial appointments to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) in multiple locations nationally.

What's next

If you aspire to elevate your career in family law whilst making a substantive difference for Australian families, this exciting opportunity awaits your application.

Applications close 11:30pm 22nd October

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are encouraged to apply.
To apply please click apply or call Phoebe Garrett on 02 8289 3134 for a confidential discussion.

About the job

Contract Type: Permanent

Specialism: Legal

Focus: Public Sector

Salary: Competitive Remuneration with 15.4% super

Workplace Type: On-site

Experience Level: Director

Location: Melbourne

Job Reference: PVCDTJ-ACCC2AA6

Date posted: 26 September 2025

Consultant: Phoebe Garrett

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