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Information package for prospective applicants (updated January 2007)
Introduction
Functions and powers
Objectives of the Court
The Court - Judges
Registrar
Principal and District Registries
Staff of the Court
Information of preparing your application
Notes for prospective applicants
Conditions of service in the Federal Court of Australia
The Certified Agreement 2005-2008
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The Federal Court of Australia was created by the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 and began to exercise its jurisdiction on 1 February 1977. It initially assumed jurisdiction formerly exercised in part by the High Court of Australia and the whole of the jurisdiction of the Australian Industrial Court and of the Federal Court of Bankruptcy. |
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Over 100 statutes of the Parliament confer the Court’s original jurisdiction. The Court has jurisdiction in relation to almost all civil matters arising under Australian federal law and some summary criminal matters. The Court has appellate jurisdiction over decisions of single judges of the Court, decisions of the Supreme Courts of the Territories (except the Northern Territory), and certain decisions of State Supreme Courts exercising federal jurisdiction.
The objectives of the Court are:
The Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 provides that the Court consists of a Chief Judge, who is called Chief Justice of the Court, and such other judges as are appointed. The Chief Justice is the senior judge of the Court and is responsible for ensuring the orderly and expeditious discharge of the business of the Court. The Governor-General appoints judges. All judges appointed after 1977 must retire at the age of 70. As at 30 June 2006 there were 48 judges of the Court. The Chief Justice is responsible for managing the administrative affairs of the Court and is assisted by the Registrar.
Under the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976, the Governor-General on the nomination of the Chief Justice appoints the Registrar of the Court. Under section 18Q of the Federal Court of Australia Act 19761976, the Registrar has the same powers as a Secretary of a Department of the Australian Public Service regarding the officers and staff of the Court employed under the Public Service Act 1999.
Principal and District Registries
The Principal Registry of the Court is responsible for the overall administrative policies and functions of the Court's registries. It is located in the Law Courts Building, Queens Square, Sydney.
There are District Registries in each State and territory capital city.
The District Registries provide operational support for the Court as well as providing an information service to practitioners and members of the public. The registries also receive court related documents, assist with the arrangement of court sittings and take necessary action, including enforcement action (performed by the Sheriff and Deputy Sheriffs), arising out of orders made by the Court.
Most District Registries are, in addition, registries for various federal tribunals such as the Australian Competition Tribunal, Defence Force Discipline Appeal Tribunal, Federal Police Disciplinary Tribunal and the Copyright Tribunal of Australia. The Tasmania District Registry provides a registry service for the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
The staff of the Court (other than the Registrar and some Deputy Sheriffs) are appointed or employed under the Public Service Act 1999. As at 30 June 2006 there were 403 persons employed Australia-wide as registry staff or as judges' personal staff.
Information on Preparing Your Application
The primary function of an application is to provide sufficient relevant information about your education, work history and experience to allow the Selection Advisory Committee to decide whether you should be interviewed for the job. It is the first step of the selection process, and although it will never solely determine whether you are successful, an application does convey important information about you and your suitability for the job. Therefore, your application should be an organised information paper written with the needs of the selection process in mind.
Your application should include the following information, preferably in separate attachments:
Personal Information - including address for correspondence, contact telephone number, current employer and job/classification etc.
Referees - provide the names and phone numbers of at least two referees, including your current supervisor. These people should be able to comment on your work performance and on your abilities in relation to the selection criteria.
Education and training - list chronologically academic qualifications and training courses.
Work experience - identify jobs you have held from present to past, listing briefly the duties of each. Give greater detail on the more recent and current jobs and highlight those details relevant to the subject vacancy.
Statement against selection criteria - using the selection criteria as headings, describe how your particular work experience and qualifications enable you to satisfy each of the selection criteria for the job.
The following DOs and DON'Ts may be helpful in developing your application:
DO be concise
DO organise your application in an easy to follow format
DON'T provide detail about jobs/duties performed many years ago that are not relevant to the job you are applying for
DON'T use third and fourth generation photocopies of previous applications, or very general applications
DON'T provide too much detail and a lengthy application
Notes for Prospective Applicants
Thank you for your enquiry about the recently advertised job(s).
The attached package contains:
You must lodge your application at the address nominated in the advertisement by the closing date. Selection Advisory Committees (SACs) are not obliged to accept late applications. If you are not able to lodge your application by the closing date you should discuss your circumstances with the contact officer to find out if a late application will be accepted. Applications will not be acknowledged in writing; you should call the listed contact officer if you wish to know whether your application has been received.
Availability for Interview
Normally, at least two days' notice will be given by the SAC prior to interview. If you are going to be absent from work and/or home at any time in the next few weeks, you should advise the dates of your absence in your application as well as providing an alternate contact number.
The Interview
The Selection Advisory Committee will assess your claims to the job against the selection criteria. This will usually involve questions related to the selection criteria. You may be asked to bring written referee reports with you to the interview, or your referees may be contacted by telephone or in person. (For applicants not employed in the Australian Public Service, nominated referees will only be contacted in the event of the applicant gaining an interview, and with the applicant’s agreement.)
The Selection
If you are interviewed you will be advised in writing of the result of the selection process, whether you are successful or not.
Workplace Diversity
The Federal Court is an equal employment opportunity employer which aims to ensure that fair, equitable and non-discriminatory consideration is given to all applicants, regardless of sex, ethnic or racial origin, or disability.
Enquiries
Should you have any queries about the vacancy or the progress of the selection process, please call the contact officer named in the advertisement.
Conditions of Service in the Federal Court of Australia
On engagement as an ongoing employee of the Australian Public Service (APS) you become eligible for a range of entitlements under the Federal Court of Australia Certified Agreement which may include the following:
Personal leave
On engagement with the Court as an ongoing employee you receive personal leave credits of 18 days full pay. Personal leave replaces sick leave, special and carer’s leave.
You will receive a further credit of 18 days full pay each year on the anniversary of your commencement unless the date is deferred by leave without pay or other absences that do not count as service.
Your personal leave credit accumulates, however you are not paid out your unused credits when you leave the APS. If you leave to join another public employer you may transfer some or all of your personal leave credits. If you were employed by a public sector employer prior to joining the APS you may receive credits provided the break in employment was no more than 2 months. Any paid personal leave granted by your previous employer will be deducted from your APS credit. Recognition of this prior service is at the discretion of the CEO. Should you have previous Commonwealth or State Government service, you should mention this at the time of your interview.
Each year you may take up to 3 consecutive days without a supporting medical certificate, although your supervisor/manager may, with prior notice request supporting evidence for any personal leave absence. In all other circumstances you need to provide a medical certificate otherwise the absence will be without pay.
Recreation Leave
All eligible staff receive a recreation leave credit of 147 hours (4weeks) recreation leave each year, with the credit accruing on the first day of each month based on the calendar days worked in the preceding month. The Court also has an annual closedown between Christmas and New Year where only a skeleton staff is required to attend for duty. If you are required to attend during this period you will receive 2 days in lieu.
Subject to operational needs you may take your recreation leave at any time during the year. You may take it all at one time or split it into several shorter periods.
While there are no limits to the amount of recreation leave you may accumulate (if you are appointed as Federal Court Staff classification or equivalent) it is generally accepted that you will take a reasonable period of recreation leave each year. You will need to utilise all credits in excess of 50 days by 30 June each year. You should contact the Human Resources section if you have any questions.
You may not under any circumstances transfer recreation leave from any other employer other than the APS. If you leave the APS you will be paid for your unused credits.
Should you fall sick whilst on recreation leave, the illness is of at least 1 day's duration and you have a medical certificate you may apply to have your recreation leave for that period recredited.
If you wish you may receive prepayment for your period of recreation leave. Generally you are responsible for lodging leave applications through the Court's HR system, Aurion.
Long Service Leave
Full time staff receive a credit of 3 calendar months long service leave on full pay after completing 10 years service and a further 9 calendar days for each subsequent completed year.
Prior service with Commonwealth, State and some Public Sector employers may count towards calculating your credit provided any break in employment prior to commencing with the APS does not exceed 12 months.
You may take your long service leave any time after completing 10 years service; generally the minimum that can be taken is 15 calendar days. You may use your credit at full pay or elect to take it on half pay e.g. 3 months on full pay or 6 months on half pay.
Miscellaneous Leave
Other types of leave available in the APS include:
If you have any questions about these types of leave you should contact the Human Resources section.
Transferring from Interstate
If you have to move from interstate to commence duty then you may be eligible for certain transfer allowances including the following:
You should note that conditions apply to the payment of these allowances and that not all allowances are payable in all circumstances. You should contact the Human Resources section for full details of eligibility.
The Court's Certified Agreement provides comprehensive details of conditions of service and other benefits. The Court is currently negotiating a new Agreement for 2008 - 2011.
Download the Certified Agreement 2005-2008:
RTF [753 KB]
PDF [248 KB]
Thank you for your interest in working for the Federal Court of Australia
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Updated
August 1, 2008
