The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) are separate Chapter III courts and each maintain a distinct statutory identity, with separate heads of jurisdiction, independent administrations, separate functions and judicial independence.
The Courts’ jurisdiction comprise three main areas:
- family law and child support;
- migration law; and
- a broad range of general federal law areas of jurisdiction covering administrative law, admiralty law, bankruptcy, consumer law, human rights, industrial law, intellectual property and privacy.
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1)
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) was established as the Family Court of Australia in 1975. In 2021, pursuant to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Act 2021, the Court was renamed and continued in existence as the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1), as part of a legislative reform that aligned the operations of the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia. The Court is a superior court of record and a court of law and equity established by Parliament in 1975 under Chapter III of the Constitution.
The objective of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) is, through its specialist judges, registrars and staff, to assist Australians to resolve their most complex family disputes and family law appeals by deciding such matters according to the law, promptly, courteously and effectively.
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Division 2
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (Court) was established as the Federal Magistrates Service in 2000, and later became the Federal Circuit Court of Australia. In 2021, pursuant to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Act 2021, the Court was renamed and continued in existence as the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2). The Court is a federal court of record and a court of law and equity established by Parliament as an independent federal court under Chapter III of the Constitution.
Family law services are provided in 18 registries located in every state and territory (except Western Australia). There are eight general federal law registries located in every state and territory. Three sites – Canberra, Darwin and Hobart – provide cross-jurisdictional services for general federal law and family law registry services.
Our workforce is made up of employees who undertake a range of legal, non-legal and social work roles in various locations around Australia, including:
- judicial support such as Associates, Deputy Associates, Legal Case Managers and Indigenous Family Liaison Officers (IFLOs)
- legal support including Senior Judicial Registrars, Judicial Registrars and Deputy Registrars, and
- Court Children's Service, including Court Child Experts and Senior Court Child Experts.
We are also supported by Court and Tribunal and Corporate Services staff of the Federal Court of Australia.
In additional to rewarding work, our conditions support your health, wellbeing and lifestyle.
Benefits include:
- 15.4% employer contribution to superannuation
- competitive salary
- strong focus on individual and team performance
- flex and overtime provisions
- regular home based work (where appropriate)
- strong focus on security and work health and safety.
Leave benefits include:
- generous parental, annual and personal leave provisions with the ability to purchase additional annual leave
- access to annual and long service leave at half pay
- defence Reserve leave
- cultural/ceremonial leave
- additional three days leave over the Christmas and New Year period.
Additional benefits include:
- adjustments to your workspace to meet individual needs
- internal and external learning and development
- study assistance
- annual flu vaccination
- employee assistance (counselling sessions)
- salary sacrifice.
The Federal Court of Australia entity is the administrative organisation that engages employees under the Public Service Act 1999 (Cth).
Employees are engaged to work in support of the following Courts or Tribunal:
- Federal Court of Australia
- Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1)
- Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2), and
- National Native Title Tribunal.
Employees are covered by the Federal Court of Australia Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027. Our current pay scales are set via a determination.
There are different arrangements in place for senior executive service employees’ remuneration and other conditions.
Diversity and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. This means creating and maintaining a modern, diverse and inclusive workforce, which welcomes all people irrespective of gender, disability, culture, age, sexual orientation and caring responsibilities.
We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce, and realise the benefits that people from diverse backgrounds contribute to our communities and workplaces.
We value and respect individual differences, and have no tolerance to direct and indirect discrimination.
Inclusive recruitment
We are committed to supporting the employment of people from all diverse backgrounds.
Affirmative measures
The APS Commissioner's Directions 2022 allows APS agencies to identify certain processes or vacancies as open only to either Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people or people with disability. The key purpose of affirmative measures is to ensure that there are equal employment opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds and to address inequitable employment outcomes. Affirmative measures policies and processes also help to create a more diverse workplace.
Indigenous Family Liaison Officers
Indigenous Family Liaison Officers (IFLOs) are engaged to provide support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who are accessing the Courts. The involvement and assistance of an IFLO aims to reduce the reticence Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may experience when accessing court services. An IFLO can make referrals to support services, connect litigants with legal services, offer assistance to attend court events and provide information about the Courts.
RecruitAbility
The Courts are committed to supporting the employment and career development of people with disability. Our participation in APS RecruitAbility means we will progress an applicant with disability to a further stage in the recruitment process, where they opt into RecruitAbility and meet the minimum requirements for the vacancy.
Reasonable adjustments
We are committed to providing a positive, barrier-free recruitment process and supportive workplace for all people. This includes making reasonable adjustments to accommodate our staff's individual needs during their employment with the Courts.
Health and wellbeing
We prioritise the health and wellbeing of our people.
Health and wellbeing events
We deliver a range of programs and activities to support the mental and physical health and social wellbeing of our staff.
Employee Assistance Program
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is an independent, professional and confidential counselling service that is available to all staff and their immediate family members. The EAP can assist with personal or work-related problems including depression, anxiety, stress, family relationship problems, bullying and work conflict, trauma, and other issues.
Current opportunities
Current vacancies within the Federal Court of Australia, Federal Circuit Court of Australia (Division 1), Federal Circuit Court of Australia (Division 2) and National Native Title Tribunal are advertised on the Federal Court of Australia employment website.
The Courts advertise ongoing and non-ongoing positions in APSJobs and on other websites from time to time.
To be considered for these vacancies, you must submit an application for each vacancy using our online recruitment system. You must include your resume, covering letter and completed application form.
The Courts do not accept unsolicited, general applications for advertised vacancies that have been sent by email.
To be notified of vacancies, sign up for email alerts from APSJobs.
The Courts also have a Temporary Register.
Eligibility
Employment with the Courts are subject to conditions prescribed in the Public Service Act 1999 and subordinate regulations and determinations.
Australian citizenship is a condition of engagement and may only be waived in exceptional circumstances.
Applicants who remain subject to a ‘redundancy benefit period’ from a Commonwealth employer will not normally be engaged.
Engagement may also be subject to probation, security and character and health clearances.
Terms and conditions
The terms and conditions of engagement are defined in the Federal Court of Australia Enterprise Agreement 2018–2021 and relevant legislation, and are described in the letter of offer.
If you are commencing with the Australian Public Service, conditions of engagement may be imposed upon you including:
- probation
- citizenship
- formal qualifications
- security and character clearances, and
- health clearances.
Probation is generally six months in duration, unless your employment is for a shorter period.
If any or all of these conditions are not met, your employment with the Courts may be terminated.
