Court Child Expert (Psychologist or Social Worker)

Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia – Newcastle NSW

Jurisdiction : Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia

Section : Court Children’s Service

Job Type : Ongoing, Non-ongoing, Full-time and part-time

Location : Newcastle, NSW

Salary : Total remuneration including superannuation: $140,505 – $153,150 per annum (Base Salary - $121,755 – $132,713 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation)

Make a Meaningful Difference in the Lives of Children – Become a Court Child Expert

Are you a dedicated social worker or psychologist with a commitment to the safety and wellbeing of children? Do you want your work to directly influence decisions that shape the future of children and families? If so, this is your opportunity to join a nationally respected team making a real impact.

Court Child Experts are experienced professionals who play a vital role in Australia’s Federal family law system. Appointed under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), Court Child Experts provide critical social science expertise to assist families and the Courts in making decisions that are in the best interests of children.

This is more than just a job – it’s a career with purpose.

The key duties of the position include:

Why Join Us?

As a Court Child Expert, you’ll be at the forefront of family law innovation, working on world-leading initiatives to ensure protected and effective outcomes for families in crisis.

- Be the voice for children in complex family matters
- Influence real-life decisions that shape a child’s future
- Be part of a collaborative, national team of experts
- Receive extensive professional support and development

From the moment you start, you’ll be supported with a structured induction program, ongoing supervision, and access to national and international training.

What Will You Do?

As a Court Child Expert, your day-to-day work includes:

- Conducting family assessments, including interviews and observations with children
- Providing expert evidence to the Court via written reports




- Facilitating dispute resolution conferences to help families reach agreements

Eligibility

Mandatory qualifications and experience

- A recognised degree in social work and eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers, or general registration as a psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency
- Minimum five years’ relevant clinical experience including in conducting assessments with children and families (note this experience must be subsequent to the acquisition of the relevant degree qualification)
- A clearance for working with children as required within the relevant State/Territory scheme

Join a Team That Puts Children First

This is your chance to be part of a court-based team where your professional skills will help shape safer, more stable futures for Australian children.

Please email ************@fcfcoa.gov.au if you would like further information about the Court Child Expert position.

Notes

Eligibility

- Australian citizenship – the successful applicant must hold Australian citizenship.
- 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.
- Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.
- 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.

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.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in recruitment

Candidates may use AI tools to assist with their participation in this recruitment process unless otherwise advised. Where AI tools are used, candidates are responsible for ensuring that all information submitted is transparent, accurate, and genuinely reflects their own skills, capabilities, and experience.

For more information, see: Principles for candidate use of AI in Recruitment

Getting to know the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Act 2021 (FCFCOA Act), which came into effect on 1 September 2021, merged the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia into a unified court system known as the FCFCOA.The FCFCOA (Division 1) is a superior court that handles the most complex family law cases and serves as the appellate court for family law matters. It operates nationwide, except in Western Australia.The FCFCOA (Division 2), a federal court, shares jurisdiction over family law and child support with Division 1, but also handles general federal law matters, such as administrative law, bankruptcy, intellectual property, and migration law.The Federal Court of Australia entity engages employees under the Public Service Act 1999 to support the Federal Court, the FCFCOA (Divisions 1 and 2), and the National Native Title Tribunal. Established by the 2016 Courts Administration Legislation Amendment Act, each court retains its own identity and judicial independence. FCFCOA employees are covered by the Federal Court Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027.

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📌 Court Child Expert (Psychologist or Social Worker) (Newcastle City Council)
🏢 Federal Circuit And Family Court Of Australia
📍 Newcastle City Council