Job Ad

Total package $97,199 – $111,740 per annum, including 15.4% superannuation (Base salary $88,834 - $96,829 p.a., plus 15.4% superannuation)

Position Overview

Indigenous Family Liaison Officers provide culturally informed in-Court support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples who are involved in family law proceedings or accessing Court services.

The role supports Judges and Registrars who preside over Specialist Indigenous Lists and who hear a high proportion of matters involving Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander litigants. Indigenous Family Liaison Officers work collaboratively within the pre-existing Court structure to support all events in the case management pathway, including hearings, Court Children’s Service events (such as interviews between parents and children), and dispute resolution events, to enhance cultural understanding, support participation in Court processes, and contribute towards culturally safe practices.

Indigenous Family Liaison Officers support ongoing engagement between the Courts and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This includes helping to explain Court processes to litigants and highlighting the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to the Courts, identifying barriers to participation, and linking litigants with culturally appropriate supports. They are required to develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with local colleagues inside the Courts, as well as establish and maintain external networks.

The Courts’ preference is for the Indigenous Family Liaison Officer role to be full-time, however, depending on the operational needs, the position may be part-time. Part-time employees must be flexible in their availability, particularly during periods in which the Courts’ Specialist Indigenous Lists are conducted, when the Courts are circuiting to regional and remote locations, or the Judges otherwise require additional support.

Duties

The Indigenous Family Liaison Officer role is primarily focused on supporting families navigating the Court system in matters where an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child involved. Key responsibilities include:

Supporting litigants:

1. Explaining Court processes, requirements, and the importance of attending and participating in Court events to litigants.
2. Attending Court hearings and explaining Court processes and requirements to litigants.
3. Assisting litigants with the filing of Court documents.
4. Supporting participation in Court Children’s Service events and dispute resolution events to ensure that litigants and other significant persons can fully participate.
5. Engaging with the Court as needed to provide contextual information about practical or cultural obligations which may be affecting a litigant’s ability to participate in proceedings.
6. Connecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander litigants to legal and other community-based services.
7. Engaging with key internal stakeholders, including the Committees and Working Groups as needed.

Engagement and collaboration:

1. Engaging with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and support organisations to raise awareness of the Courts’ role in family law matters, and some national or regional organisations as needed.
2. Building and maintaining strong working relationships with Judges, Registrars, registry staff and support services.
3. Liaising with Independent Children’s Lawyers (where appointed).
4. Under the guidance and support of the Director – Indigenous Operations, Policy and Support and Director – Family Violence, Access, Equity & Inclusion, contribute towards cultural awareness and capability across the Courts.

Special Requirements

1. Certain positions may require travel to local communities or circuit locations.
2. The Courts’ preference is to have the Indigenous Family Liaison Officer positions operating locally in the registry and region they support. However, some roles may operate wholly or partly remotely, subject to the operational needs of the Courts. In these circumstances, employees must have access to an appropriate home-based workspace.

How to apply

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

To be considered you will need to upload a concise expression of interest (2 page maximum) detailing how your experience and skills relate to the position description and selection criteria and attach a current resume.

If you have any issues with applying, please email recruitment@fedcourt.gov.au