Legal Associate

Purpose of position

The Legal Associate is part of a team assisting a Judge in the day-to-day management of Chambers and Court.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Providing case preparation and research assistance.
• Assisting with the management of cases, and if required, entering data into the Court's case management system.
• Assisting with the preparation of matters for hearing.
• Assisting with judgements, as required, including giving critical considerations to drafts and drafting catch words and editing judgements in accordance with the Court's judgements publication style guide and standards.
• Undertaking administrative and client service duties, such as acting court officer, responding to emails, and assisting with the general operation of chambers.
• Other duties as required.

Qualifications

• It is a mandatory requirement that candidates have completed (or at least be in 4th year) a Bachelor of Laws degree (or equivalent).
• Applicants may be required to provide an example of written work demonstrating their legal research and writing skills.

Selection Criteria

• Ability to undertake legal research (including on-line research) and prepare reports and written material including correspondence.
• Sound organisational skills including the ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines and work effectively under pressure in a team environment.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills including tact, discretion, initiative and the ability to communicate effectively with members of the judiciary, the legal profession, the public and other court staff.
• Ability to operate computer-based equipment and associated word processing and other software.
• Knowledge, or ability to acquire knowledge, of Family Court functions, the organisation, practices, procedures and terminology.

Salary

$75,022 - $81,775 (pro rata), plus 15.4% superannuation.

Applications close on
Sunday 26 October 2025 at 11:30 pm (AEDT)

Contact Officer

For more information, please contact Chantelle Herba, or

How to apply

To apply, please complete the application form on the Court's careers portal.

As part of your application, you will be required to submit a written response to the selection criteria listed in the position description (maximum word limit Please ensure this document is attached before submitting your application.

If you have any issues with applying, please email

Eligibility

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

1. Australian citizenship – the successful applicant must hold Australian citizenship.
2. 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.
3. 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

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.

RecruitAbility

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:

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