About the High Court of Australia

The High Court of Australia (the Court) is the highest court in the Australian judicial system. It was established in 1901 by section 71 of the Constitution.

The seat of the Court is in Canberra, where it is located in its own building within the National Triangle. The Court also has locations in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne, as well as sitting on circuit around Australia as required.

Opened in 1980, the High Court building is one of Australia’s National Buildings, and was heritage listed in 2007.

The Court has approximately 75 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees supporting the Chief Justice and Justices, most of whom are in Canberra.

As an employee of the Court, you will:

work in a high-performing, inclusive and collaborative work environment

receive a generous salary and work conditions

have access to flexible working arrangements.

Branch overview

The Registry Branch is comprised of a small team of approximately 15 employees who, with the addition of the Transcript Editors and Court Reporters, play a key role in delivering Registry services to support the performance of the judicial functions of the High Court. The Registry provides the public interface for legal practitioners and litigants without legal representation who wish to commence proceedings in the High Court. It is also an important source of information for the legal profession, the media and for members of the public seeking information about proceedings before the Court and the role and function of the Court. The Registry manages the case-flow of the judicial workload of the Court.

In so doing it performs a wide variety of functions, the primary functions being:

filing and managing proceedings before the Court in accordance with the High Court Rules, Practice Directions and relevant legislation.

developing and maintaining a digital case lodgement system.

arranging and monitoring Court sittings and producing transcript of all hearings.

providing information concerning the status and disposition of matters before the Court.

maintaining the Federal Register of Legal Practitioners.

The Role - Registry Officer

Under general direction, the Registry Officer will work as part of a team to ensure the smooth running of the daily operations of the High Court Registry.

The Registry Officer is responsible for the administration of records (both physical and digital), collecting and accounting payment of fees made to the Court and other general administrative and clerical support duties.

Most work of the Registry team revolves around being able to work constructively with others, often in challenging circumstances, whilst managing and balancing competing priorities. We have a supportive team culture, and we take pride in working respectfully and collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders. The Registry Officer plays a central role in embracing and enhancing this approach.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under general direction, respond to enquiries that come to the High Court via telephone or email.

Provide accurate and timely information and assistance to legal practitioners and members of the public regarding matters filed in the Court.

Provide assistance to practitioners seeking entry of their names in the federal Register of Legal Practitioners.

Perform a variety of essential administrative and office management duties to assist in the efficient operation of the Registry in Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney.

Provide administrative assistance to the Justices, Registrars and Justices’ Associates as required.

Assist the Deputy Registrars in ensuring the timely collation and distribution of special leave documents.

Liaise with High Court staff in other offices of the Registry about material filed in the Court.

Conduct litigation searches, and searches of the federal Register of Legal Practitioners and manage the inspection of files held in the Court’s archive.

Receive and account for statutory fees. Maintain a petty cash float and undertake banking duties as required.

Undertake an initial checking of filed documents for compliance with the High Court Rules.

Assist in the maintenance of the High Court’s Digital Lodgment System, federal Register of Legal Practitioners and other electronic databases.

Prepare less complex correspondence.

Arrange for the daily dispatch of documents by courier, email and post.

Demonstrate working practices consistent with the High Court Code of Conduct and Workplace Health and Safety arrangements.

Undertake other duties as required.

Eligibility

To be eligible for employment at the Court, candidates must be Australian citizens.

Candidates offered employment will be required to successfully undergo a police record check. The successful candidate will be required to submit a pre-employment medical declaration. Candidates must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information.

Successful applicants engaged by the Court will be subject to a probation period.

Selection criteria

The selection criteria reflect the knowledge, experience, core skills and personal qualities required for the role:

1. Proven organisational skills including the ability to meet deadlines and prioritise workloads with limited supervision in a small team environment.

2. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing including:

Accuracy and attention to detail in written work.

Ability to respond appropriately to inquiries by phone and in person from practitioners, unrepresented litigants and members of the public.

3. Sound understanding of a court’s registry practice and procedures, including maintaining records and managing the digital filing systems.

4. Demonstrated sound knowledge of contemporary software applications.

5. Proven dependability, punctuality and ability to work with discretion when handling sensitive/confidential matters.

Qualifications and experience

Mandatory - Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (i.e: Word, Excel, Powerpoint). Demonstrated experience working successfully with contemporary systems and technology (or equivalent knowledge)

Desirable - Experience working in a legal environment is desirable, but not essential.

What we need from you

Please do not apply through this SEEK portal.

Applications must be addressed to the contact officer, Anna Fitzgerald and forwarded to the HR Officer ([email protected]) by the closing date.

A Vacancy Information Kit for this position is available at Employment opportunities | High Court of Australia

As part of your application, you will need to provide:

an application cover sheet

your current résumé

a maximum 750 words pitch against the selection criteria, including relevant examples

the names and contact details of two referees, one of whom should be a current supervisor.

If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process or require any reasonable adjustments, please email the HR Officer or telephone (02) 6270 6952.

Applications close Sunday, 28 September 2025, 1159pm AEDT.

Please note that late applications will not be accepted.