• Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander court users
  • Provide high level advice to judiciary, court staff, lawyers and other stakeholders on options to meet court user's support needs
  • 2 VPS4 positions available, full-time ongoing, Melbourne CBD

About Us

The Magistrates' Court of Victoria (MCV) is a jurisdiction within the Court Services Victoria statutory authority and has a long history of providing justice for the people of Victoria in metropolitan and regional courts across the state. The Court determines in excess of 300,000 cases per annum at 51 venues, equating to approximately 90 percent of all cases that come before Victorian courts each year. The Court aims to be an innovative, accessible, and responsive court that provides quality services to the Victorian community.

About the Role

The Koori Support Practitioner supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander court users in a frontline capacity whilst providing advice and support to the broader Court Support Services team to provide a culturally competent service to participants engaged in specialist programs. The Koori Support Practitioner is part of CSV's commitment to reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the criminal justice system.

The Koori Support Practitioner position sits within the Navigation and Triage Program in the Court Support Services Branch, MCV. Navigation and Triage provides high level advice to judiciary, court staff, lawyers, and other stakeholders regarding the options available to meet the court user's support needs either in the community and/or through court support or specialist courts.

Key accountabilities include:

• Providing frontline client service and non-legal advice to Navigation and Triage clients with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander court users

• Applying practical expertise and theoretical knowledge to provide screening and triage for additional and/or immediate needs

• Providing referrals to culturally appropriate community organisations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander court users in need of immediate assistance who are not eligible for other court-based services

• Identifying and collaborating with culturally appropriate organisations, services, networks, peak bodies and agencies to establish culturally competent best practice and consultation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants

• Authoritatively applying practical expertise and theoretical knowledge to provide screening and triage for additional and/or immediate needs and provide referrals to relevant internal and external services including but not limited to specialist court programs, collaborating effectively with other agencies as required

• Ensuring a culturally safe approach is taken to professional practice which supports client empowerment on the pathway to self-determination

About You

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, both society and culture and the impacting issues

• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate effectively and sensitively with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community including participants and stakeholders to achieve effective outcomes

• Sound understanding of the principles of cultural safety and demonstrated ability to effect culturally safe practice

• Demonstrated skill and experience in triage, client engagement, risk assessment (derived from multiple sources), crisis management, safety planning, and case management working with clients who have complex issues

• Demonstrated experience using evidence-based approaches that are person centred, strengths based, trauma informed and culturally sensitive

• Demonstrated understanding of the interplay of family violence, mental health and Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) and other complexities in the Specialists Courts and Programs space

This is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Designated Position, classified under ‘special measures' of section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.

How to apply

Click the ‘Apply Now' button, ensuring you include the following in your application:

• resume 
• a short cover letter

Other information

CSV is the employer of staff at Courts Group. CSV has a firm commitment through its Koori Employment Plan to increase participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across our workforce.

We value the unique backgrounds, experiences, and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity. Those from the LGBTQIA+ community, women, people of all ages, with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse people, and those who are neurodiverse, are encouraged to apply.

We aim to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Dr. Tasha Campo, Senior Manager - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Respect via email to tasha.campo@courts.vic.gov.au or by calling (03) 9032 0500 to speak to a People Services Advisor.