The opportunity to work for a judicial officer
What these roles provide
Associate roles provide an invaluable opportunity to:
- gain courtroom experience and learn from highly skilled judicial officers
- accelerate your legal experience and knowledge, with exposure to litigation, legal practice and judicial decision making
- build relationships with Judges, Registrars and staff that may play a pivotal role in your career development
- undertake a comprehensive induction program and participate in structured learning and development opportunities, including practical legal education (if eligible)
- participate in networking events within and external to the Court
- work in a dynamic and inclusive court environment, where diversity is valued, and
- make an important contribution to Australian community, supporting judicial officers to provide access to justice, facilitate the just resolution of disputes according to law; and as quickly, inexpensively and efficiently as possible.
About the FCFCOA (Division 1) and FCFCOA (Division 2)
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) are two distinct, national courts:
- The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) is a superior court that deals exclusively with family law matters, including exercising an appellate jurisdiction; and
- The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) is an intermediate court that deals with family law, migration, employment law, bankruptcy and other broad areas of federal law.
The Courts sit in locations all around Australia, including all capital cities and regional locations. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) conducts an extensive regional circuit program, servicing over 40 locations in total around Australia.
The Courts have over 240 Associate roles to support over 120 Judges nationally. The Courts also offer around 140 Associate and Legal/Case Manager roles to support Senior Judicial Registrars and Judicial Registrars nationally. These roles are a unique and highly sought after opportunity for junior lawyers, law graduates or those studying law, as well as those with an interest in being at the forefront of the judicial system.
Associates in the FCFCOA
Associates are part of a team assisting a Judge in the day-to-day management of Chambers and the courtroom. The team includes a Judge and two Associates. It involves a close working relationship between the Judge and Associates and is an invaluable professional experience.
What do Associates do?
- Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) (Family Law)
- A Judicial Associate manages chambers and provides critical legal and general administrative support to the Judge in chambers and in court, including the preparation of materials for court matters and judgments, using the Court’s technology. The Associate is also responsible for supervising the Legal Associate. The Associate has good organisation and communication skills. The completion (or near completion) of a qualification in law may be required, however this requirement will vary depending on the needs of individual chambers.
- A Legal Associate provides legal and administrative support in chambers and in court, including assisting with the preparation of Court materials for the judge and judgments, legal research, as required and provides court support functions including opening and closing of court and taking of evidence. It is a requirement that the Legal Associate have completed (or near completed) a qualification in law with a strong academic record.
- Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (Family Law, Migration and General Federal Law)
- An Associate manages chambers and provides organisation and legal and administrative support in chambers and in court, including the preparation of materials for court matters and judgments using the Court’s technology. The Associate is also responsible for supervising the Deputy Associate. The Associate communicates effectively and contributes to forums for better ways of working. The completion (or near completion) of a qualification in law may be required, however this requirement will vary depending on the needs of individual chambers.
- A Deputy Associate assists the Associate in the day-to-day management of the Judge’s chambers and Court and provides legal and administrative support including legal research and judgment preparation using the Court’s computer and case management systems. The Deputy Associate communicates effectively and undertakes court support functions, including opening and closing court and taking of evidence. The completion (or near completion) of a qualification in law may be required, however this requirement will vary depending on the needs of individual chambers. In some locations, this role may be called a Legal Associate.
Please view the position descriptions for a detailed list of key responsibilities and duties, upon applying.
Registrar support positions
Associates to Senior Judicial Registrars, Legal Case Managers and Case Managers in the FCFCOA (Family Law)
Associates to Senior Judicial Registrars, Legal Case Managers and Case Managers work seamlessly across both FCFCOA (Division 1) and FCFCOA (Division 2) to support Senior Judicial Registrars and Judicial Registrars in the day-to-day management of family law cases. A registrar’s relationship with their chambers staff is centred on a team-based approach to case management and requires a strong and collaborative working relationship. These positions are highly coveted and require candidates with a high level of professionalism and integrity.
Senior Judicial Registrars and Judicial Registrars undertake the majority of case management lists, including but not limited to directions, mentions and interlocutory work in the FCFCOA (Division 1) and the FCFCOA (Division 2). Further, Registrars also undertake specialist list work in the National Contravention List, Evatt List and National Subpoena List. Senior Judicial Registrars and Judicial Registrars also undertake dispute resolution events to resolve proceedings or narrow the issues in dispute before trial. All registrars in the FCFCOA (Division 1) and the FCFCOA (Division 2) are delegated judicial power to perform this work, which was previously undertaken by judges.
What do Associates to Senior Judicial Registrars, Legal Case Managers and Case Managers do?
- Associates to Senior Judicial Registrars provide legal and administrative support to a Senior Judicial Registrar in chambers and in court. As a conduit between the Senior Judicial Registrar and the public, Associates to Senior Judicial Registrars are responsible for managing chambers, including liaising with parties and practitioners and assisting with the preparation of Court materials ahead of court events. They may also be required to undertake legal research and assist with judgment preparation. Associates to Senior Judicial Registrars are required to have completed a law degree or Juris Doctor or be in the latter stages of studies for a law degree or Juris Doctor.
- Legal Case Managers provide legal and administrative support to a Judicial Registrar in chambers and in court. They are responsible for managing the efficient running of chambers including liaising with parties and practitioners and assisting with the preparation of Court materials ahead of court events. They are also required to run virtual and/or in person court lists and perform court support duties. Legal Case Managers are required to have completed a law degree or Juris Doctor or be in the latter stages of studies for a law degree or Juris Doctor.
- Case Managers support a number of Senior Judicial Registrars and Judicial Registrars under a pod support arrangement. Case Managers undertake important administrative tasks. They may support one or more registrars or assist in broader national case management processes. Case Managers are not required to have a formal legal qualification and these positions often attract students in the earlier stages of their legal or other degree.
Associates to Judicial Registrars and National Legal Officers (Division 2) (General Federal Law and Migration)
In the general federal law and migration jurisdictions of the FCFCOA (Division 2), Judicial Registrars hear high volume court list work. Associates provide legal and administrative support to Judicial Registrars exercising delegated judicial functions. National Legal Officers undertake critical legal, analytical and administrative work to facilitate case management processes and Judge listings work.
What do Associates to Judicial Registrars and National Legal Officers do?
- Associates to Judicial Registrars work cohesively with their Judicial Registrars, sitting in court to assist the conduct of hearings, liaising with parties and practitioners, undertaking legal research and analysis and assisting with the drafting and entry of judgments and orders. Associates are required to have completed a law degree or Juris Doctor or be in the latter stages of studies for a law degree or Juris Doctor.
- National Legal Officers provide legal and administrative support to the Court’s general federal law and migration teams in the areas of case management, reviewing filings and allocations, preparing case summaries and pro bono referrals. National Legal Officers are required to have completed a law degree or Juris Doctor or be in the latter stages of studies for a law degree or Juris Doctor.
Please view the position descriptions for a detailed list of key responsibilities and duties, upon applying.
Employment terms and conditions
These roles work directly for the Courts and are employees engaged within the shared services structure known as the “Federal Court of Australia Entity”.
Employees are covered by the Federal Court of Australia Enterprise Agreement 2024-27, which includes salary details and employment terms and conditions.
How to apply
Associate roles are advertised on the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia part of the Careers Page and the APS Jobs website. The Courts also have a Temporary Register that you can apply for.
Associate Roles will be advertised periodically throughout the year. These recruitments may create merit lists for current and future vacancies within the Courts, in accordance with APS hiring practices. Where a candidate has been found suitable for a merit list, that merit list may be used to fill the same vacancy or similar vacancies within a period of 18 months from the date the initial vacancy was advertised. You may be considered for other positions, on this basis.
