Senior Children's Registrar - Children's Court of NSW

Location – Parramatta

Employment type – Ongoing

Salary – Legal Officer Grade VI - $165,865pa - $169,359pa + Superannuation + Leave Loading

The Role

The Children’s Court of NSW deals with cases involving children, including criminal and care and protection cases.

The Senior Children’s Registrar manages and leads a team of Children’s Registrars across New South Wales (NSW).  The role supports staff to facilitate mediation and conciliation conferences and undertake case management functions.

It is a requirement that the successful applicant will work primarily in person from the Children’s Court in Parramatta.  Travel to other Children’s Courts, including regional locations within NSW is required.

What You’Ll Do

The role provides strategic leadership and professional oversight to a team of Children’s Registrars and two administrative support staff across New South Wales, ensuring the consistent exercise of legal functions in accordance with relevant legislation and statutory responsibilities.

Manage and facilitate conciliation conferences in the care and protection jurisdiction, and mediation conferences in the education jurisdiction of the Children’s Court, ensuring that disadvantaged families are supported and empowered to participate meaningfully in court proceedings and decisions affecting their children.

Provide high-level support and strategic advice to the President of the Children’s Court, working collaboratively with the Executive Officer to manage complex or sensitive issues and to develop and implement initiatives that enhance court practice and outcomes.

What we’re looking for

• Knowledge and experience in alternative dispute resolution including the ability to manage and effectively involve people (including children) from diverse and/or socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds in the decision-making process;
• Knowledge and understanding of the Children’s Court jurisdiction including a thorough understanding of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998, legislation relating to the Children’s Court’s criminal, compulsory schooling and apprehended violence jurisdictions;
• Proven advanced leadership skills, with a demonstrated ability to build and sustain effective working relationships across a diverse range of stakeholders;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively to a range of audiences;
• A high level of integrity, professionalism, sound judgement, discretion, and initiative while effectively managing competing priorities in a high-pressure work environment.

Essential Requirements

• Australian lawyer (a person who has legal qualifications and is admitted or immediately eligible for admission to the legal profession under the Legal Profession Act 2004 (NSW) or a corresponding law;
• Ability to preside in Court and make decisions on procedural issues in accordance with the law and the practice of the Children’s Court;
• Travel to other Children’s Courts, including regional locations within NSW is required.

For further information about the role download the role description.

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including: 

• A challenging and rewarding career 
• Flexible, autonomous work environment 
• Competitive pay and conditions 
• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities 
• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs. 

Want more information?  Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.  

We do work that really matters 

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters. 

Apply now and join Australia’s top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment! 

Are you ready to join us? 

Click apply, attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).

Applications close: 11.59pm AEDST - Monday 3 November 2025

Got A Question?

For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the Rosemary Davidson on 8688 1462 or via email rosemary.davidson@justice.nsw.gov.au

If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please call Natalie Cummings on 02 8688 7244 or via email Natalie.cummings@dcj.nsw.gov.au

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit 

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups. 

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.  

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months. 

For more information visit Your recruitment journey on the DCJ website. 

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

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