Positions are available in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth or Sydney.

Position Overview

Deputy Registrars (Migration) support Judges and Judicial Registrars in facilitating the just resolution of migration proceedings as quickly, inexpensively and efficiently as possible. Deputy Registrars play a key role in achieving the Court’s reform objectives by:

- Undertaking case management support and analysis, including monitoring emerging filing trends.
- Exercising delegated judicial functions in relation to a variety of case management, costs and other matters.
- Contributing to the development and implementation of the Court’s policies and practices.
- Liaising with Judges, Registrars, Court staff, Court users and other stakeholders.

This role presents a unique opportunity to successful candidates who demonstrate the necessary skills, leadership and experience to develop their legal skills and progress their career to the role of Judicial Registrar. There may also be an opportunity for successful applicants to fulfil the responsibilities of various coordinating and leadership roles, including working as part of a national team to inform and implement the structural changes associated with the Court’s migration reforms.

Key responsibilities and duties

Delegated judicial functions

- Exercise delegated judicial powers under section 254 of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Act 2021 (Cth) and related instruments, including performing costs and duty Registrar functions.
- Conduct case management hearings, including directions hearings and callovers in migration proceedings.

Support for Judges and Registrars

- Support the national allocation, case management and disposition of migration proceedings.
- Lead review and summary work to assess the nature, urgency, complexity and procedural history of migration matters, including identifying anomalies, competency issues, cohorts and specific case management requests.
- Monitor filing numbers, trends, outcomes, and maintain allocation records.
- Duty work including some after-hours duty roster work.

Policy and practice





- Support the development of Court policy and practice, including conducting legal research, drafting reasons, preparing policy papers, website content and other materials.
- Monitor significant developments in migration and general federal law with a view to keeping Judges, Registrars and other staff updated on legal developments that may impact their roles.

Selection Criteria

- Robust legal research, statutory interpretation, analysis and drafting skills, including the ability to apply sound judgment to complex legal and procedural issues.
- Experience in litigation and case management in migration and/or administrative law. Additional experience in the Court’s other practice areas is desirable.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the Court’s jurisdictions, practices, procedures and migration review pathways, or the ability to acquire that knowledge quickly.
- Proven ability to assess large volumes of information, identify key issues, manage competing priorities and make accurate decisions in a high-pressure environment.
- Demonstrated ability to work with limited direction, exercise appropriate authority and accountability, contribute to consistent practice, and guide or influence others to achieve outcomes.
- Highly developed written and oral communication skills, including the ability to build professional relationships, handle sensitive and confidential information, and engage appropriately with Judges, Registrars, Court staff, Court users and external stakeholders.

Applications close on Tuesday 1 September 2026 at 11:30pm (AEST).

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 course of their employment.
3. Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.

Interested applicants who have received a redundancy benefit from an APS agency are welcome to apply but now that they cannot be engaged until their redundancy benefit period has expired. Diversity and inclusion The Court is committed to supporting an inclusive and diverse workforce and welcomes and encourages applications from people with disability, First Nations people, LGBTIQA+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, mature age workers and young workers. The Court is committed to supporting an inter-generational workforce, gender equity and families.

The Court 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 if you choose to apply under the scheme, declare a disability and meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more information, please visit https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability

Recruitment process To apply, please complete the application form on the Court’s careers portal. If you have any issues with applying, please email [email protected].

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.

For more information, confidential enquiries can be made to Catherine Bull, Director – National Operations and Support, by email to [email protected].

📌 Deputy Registrar - Migration (Melbourne)
🏢 Federal Circuit And Family Court Of Australia
📍 Melbourne