Senior Judicial Registrar – Native Title

Other

Adelaide SA 5000

April 13, 2026

Full Time

Application deadline closed.

Job Description

Position Overview

Judicial Registrars are registrars of the Federal Court of Australia (FCA) and undertake a diverse range of work across all nine National Practice Areas (NPAs) and sub-areas. This work includes exercising judge delegated functions, conducting case management and interlocutory work and convening mediations. In addition, some Judicial Registrars have separate appointments requiring them to undertake specific work with various Courts or Tribunals such as the Registrar of the Australian Competition Tribunal and the Supreme Court of Norfolk Island.

The Senior Judicial Registrar (SJR) for Native Title plays an important role both locally and nationally, including in the following areas:

performing the statutory duties, powers and functions of a registrar pursuant to the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) and other legislative instruments, as required;
performing delegated judicial functions at a high level;
conducting complex mediations, including in large multi-party proceedings and high profile matters;
undertaking case management of matters and presiding in Court as required;
supporting the National Native Title Coordinating judges as required with the management of the Native Title NPA and development of national policy and practice;
supporting other Native Title NPA judges as required;
managing the native title registrars nationally and providing leadership and direction to the national native title unit;
liaising with internal and external stakeholders in relation to the native title NPA, on a local and national basis;
exercising strategic organisational leadership through the FCA Executive Committee, contributing to other national-level Court committees and executive forums, and representing the interests of Judicial Registrars and local and national practices, as required; and
performing other duties as required or directed from time to time.

Competencies and Attributes

To undertake this role the successful applicant must have:

extensive experience in complex civil litigation;
a thorough understanding of how high level case management and complex mediations are conducted;
a detailed understanding of the jurisdiction and practices and procedures of the Federal Court, particularly in relation to native title matters;
a proven ability to:
- undertake high level analytical and legal work and critically evaluate a large volume of information in a high pressure environment;
- exercise independent judgement in line with the expectations of a senior leader within the APS;
- manage multiple responsibilities effectively and prioritise matters appropriately; and
- build and sustain positive relationships with a network of key stakeholders internally and externally.

Formal Qualifications and Position Requirements

This position requires the occupant to perform statutory legal functions, as required, including conducting mediations and case management. Therefore, legal qualifications and admission as a practitioner of the High Court and/or the Supreme Court of a State or Territory of Australia is essential.

In addition:

the applicant must have a proven and detailed understanding of matters important to traditional owners; and
it is desirable for the applicant to:
- have experience in native title practice; and
- be accredited as a mediator with experience in conducting mediations.

Selection Criteria

1. Shapes Strategic Thinking