Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia – Sydney NSW

The Legal Policy Officer works within the Family Violence, Access, Equity and Inclusion team in the FCFCOA National Operations Team, reporting to the Director Family Violence | Director Access, Equity and Inclusion (‘Director’). They will also work closely with the staff assisting the Chief Justice and Chief Executive Officer and Principal Registrar (‘CEO/PR’) of the FCFCOA, as required.

The Director provides strategic and specialist advice and support to the Chief Justice and CEO/PR on family safety, access, equity and inclusion. The Director’s work connects evidence, stakeholder expertise and operational experience to identify systemic issues and support coordinated enhancements to Court policy, practice, services and pathways. The role forms part of a National Operations Team working across both Courts in family law, migration, and general federal law.

The Director works closely with the Chief Justice, CEO/PR, Senior Executives (including the Deputy Principal Registrar, Executive Director – National Registrar Operations and Practice, and Executive Director – Court Children’s Service) and the broader National Operations Team, Court and Tribunal Services, Corporate Services and other specialist areas to progress approved improvements across Court functions, services, facilities, digital systems and communications. This includes in-house training and education of Judges, Registrars, Court Child Experts and staff in trauma-informed practice, family and sexual violence, child safety, and access, equity and inclusion. The Director also provides input to key initiatives aimed at enhancing the ability of the Courts to respond to family and sexual violence,



child abuse and other safety risks to parties and children and to improve the Courts’ accessibility and inclusion of diverse communities and people facing barriers to participation.

The Legal Policy Officer provides high level legal and policy research, advice and project support to the Director and the Family Violence, Access, Equity and Inclusion team, working with other National Operations staff as required. This includes preparing briefings, correspondence, presentations, reports and submissions and supporting various committees and working groups to inform internal court reform, policy development, case management processes and training and resource development. The role contributes legal and policy expertise to approved national initiatives and continuous improvement in court safety, accessibility and navigation, drawing on research relevant data, operational feedback and stakeholder perspectives. They will liaise with a range of key staff and internal and external stakeholders.

The team’s work supports safer and more accessible participation for children and young people, First Nations people and other marginalised court users, including migrant and refugee communities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability or neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ people, and people facing regional, rural, remote or socio-economic barriers to accessing justice.





The role works under limited direction within agreed priorities and is accountable for the quality and timely completion of allocated work to support the Director in their senior role.

The Legal Policy Officer works collaboratively with the Executive Assistant and Project Support Officer, contributing substantive legal and policy expertise to the team’s projects, consultations and education activities. The person appointed to this position will be someone who can demonstrate an understanding of current policy, practice and legal frameworks aimed at addressing family and sexual violence, child safety and intersecting forms of discrimination, and who possesses high-level analytical and communication abilities, is excellent at prioritising work, anticipates what needs to be done and shows great initiative. The successful candidate will also have a commitment to excellence, and will be self-motivated, well organised, productive, and able to work under pressure.

Some limited travel may be required.

Key Duties

The Legal Policy Officer is responsible for assisting the Director by undertaking a range of duties, including:

- Undertaking in-depth legal and policy research and analysis on topical and emerging issues of family and sexual violence, child abuse, access, equity and inclusion relevant to family, migration, and general federal law, including preparing draft advice, briefings and practical recommendations for the Director to support internal court reform, policy development, case management processes and training and resource development.
- Responding to requests and researching and drafting correspondence, briefings, speaking points, presentations and reports for the Director’s review, including contributions of government review

📌 Legal Policy Officer (Sydney)
🏢 Federal Circuit And Family Court Of Australia
📍 Sydney