Judicial Registrar

This position can be based in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth or Sydney.

Position Overview

The Judicial Registrar – Native Title plays an important role both locally and nationally, including in the following areas:

• Performing delegated judicial functions, including conducting complex mediations and case management in native title cases and other NPAs if required.
• Engaging with and supporting Judges at a local and national level.
• Liaising with internal and external stakeholders in relation to native title on a local and national basis.

Major Activities

The Judicial Registrar – Native Title primarily carries out the following activities:

• Performing statutory duties, exercising powers and functions of a Registrar pursuant to the
  Federal Court of Australia Act 1976
  (Cth) and other legislative instruments.
• Conducting complex mediations and case management in native title in support of Judges and other NPAs if required.
• Managing a small team of legal and administrative support staff.
• Contributing to the development of national practice and procedure for native title matters.
• Liaising with Judges.
• Oversighting budgeting and planning, as well as attending on-country court listings.
• Other duties as required.

Key Relationships

• National Judicial Registrar – Native Title
• Judicial Registrars
• Native Title team members
• External users (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parties and legal practitioners)
• Internal users including Judges and chambers
• National Native Title Tribunal

Formal Qualifications

This position requires the occupant to perform statutory legal functions, including conducting mediations and case management.

Applicant must have:

• Legal qualifications and admission as a practitioner of the High Court and/or the Supreme Court of a State or Territory of Australia.
• A minimum of 5 years post admission experience.
• An understanding of matters important to traditional owners is essential.
• It is highly desirable, but not essential, for the successful applicant to have experience in native title law and practice.

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated extensive experience in civil litigation and practice in a superior court of Australia.
• An understanding of matters important to traditional owners.
• Excellent analytical skills and demonstrated sound judgment in decision-making in a high-pressure environment.
• Strong oral, written and interpersonal communication skills, including with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated experience managing a small team.
• Ability to work with limited supervision and harmoniously within a small team.

Other Requirements

The successful applicant must possess the following:

• Accreditation as a mediator or be willing to successfully undertake the necessary course and assessment modules to obtain accreditation.
• Flexibility to travel as required.
• Flexibility to work irregular hours.
• Current unrestricted driver's licence. Willingness to undertake 4WD training.

Salary

$168,101 - $174,690 per annum, plus 15.4% superannuation.

Applications close on Wednesday 15 October 2025 at 11:30 (AEDT).

Contact Officer

For more information, please contact Nicola Colbran via email

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 two-page response outlining your suitability for this position having regards to the selection criteria and duties of the position which are described 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 recruitment

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.