Senior Judicial Registrar

Overview

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia invites applications for Senior Judicial Registrars in Family Law. These roles offer an exciting opportunity to influence family law jurisprudence and participate in national family law case management reforms within a modern and innovative Court environment.

Positions span across multiple locations nationwide, including Adelaide, Albury, Brisbane, Dandenong, Dubbo, Melbourne, Newcastle, Parramatta and Sydney. Salary is a competitive remuneration package commensurate with experience, including base salary plus 15.4% superannuation and generous leave.

What you'll do

- Preside over complex interlocutory matters and conduct high-level and complex dispute resolution in both financial and parenting matters, ensuring access to justice and timely, fair outcomes.
- Exercising high-level and complex case management across the Courts nationally, in collaboration with Judges to improve efficiency and enhance the Courts’ ability to respond to family violence and other risks to vulnerable parties and children.
- Implement and influence reforms in family law case management practices and key initiatives, enhancing culturally responsive support and access for First Nations Peoples.
- Provide authoritative guidance on intricate legal issues in family law matters to support sound judicial outcomes.
- Promote a culture of excellence and leadership, engaging with Judges, Registrars, legal practitioners and Court staff.
- Provide professional leadership to other Registrars, including mentoring and training of Judicial Registrars and Deputy Registrars.
- Assist the Courts with national operational matters in support of the Chief Justice, the CEO and Principal Registrar as required.
- Represent the Courts professionally with internal, community, government and professional stakeholders, including at external forums 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, with an understanding of litigation processes and high-level case management.
- 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 senior levels and build positive stakeholder relationships.
- Proven ability to lead and manage staff and work autonomously with appropriate authority and accountability in a senior role.
- Ability to manage multiple responsibilities, prioritise effectively, and exercise sound judgement in high-pressure environments.
- Ability to identify and implement improved and innovative case management initiatives and contribute to 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 Division 1 (continuation of the Family Court of Australia) and Division 2 (continuation of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia). It is the largest court in the federal judicial system with broad jurisdiction across family law, migration, bankruptcy, fair work, administrative law, intellectual property and consumer law. The Courts sit in all capital cities and employ over 100 Judges across both Divisions, along with staff across legal, social science and related fields.

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

The Courts are committed to developing legal careers within the Courts, with a track record of judicial appointments from within the rank of Registrars. This recruitment is primarily to fill positions vacated by recent judicial appointments to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) across multiple locations nationally.

What’s next

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

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are encouraged to apply.

To apply please click apply or contact Phoebe Garrett on 02 8289 3134 for a confidential discussion.

Job details

Contract Type: Permanent

Specialism: Legal

Focus: Public Sector

Salary: Competitive remuneration with 15.4% super

Location: Adelaide (and other nationwide locations)

Experience Level: Director

Job Reference: 0Y6BOK-4D655AFA

Date posted: 26 September 2025

Consultant: Phoebe Garrett

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