This is an Aboriginal 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.
About Us
Court Services Victoria provides corporate services and facilities to support the performance of the judicial, quasi-judicial and administrative functions of Victoria's courts and tribunal, Judicial College and Judicial Commission.
Collectively, Victoria's Supreme, County, Magistrates', Children's, and Coroners courts, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), the Judicial College of Victoria, the Judicial Commission of Victoria, and Court Services Victoria (CSV) are referred to as the `Courts Group'.
Our people enable the Courts Group to deliver on each jurisdiction's own strategic priorities while also pursuing strategic opportunities that are interconnected and deliver benefits more broadly.
The Magistrates' Court of Victoria (MCV) has a long history of providing justice for the people of Victoria in metropolitan and regional courts across the state. The MCV determines in excess of 200,000 cases per annum at 51 venues, dealing with over 90 percent of all adult cases that come before Victorian courts each year. MCV aims to be an innovative, accessible and responsive court that provides quality services to the Victorian community.
Additionally, the Drug Court (DC) functions as a statutory division within the Magistrates' Court of Victoria and is part of MCV's Specialist Courts and Programs. The division offers an alternative sentencing option for offenders struggling with drug and/or alcohol dependency.
About the Role
The Drug Court is seeking a passionate and community-focused Koori Liaison and Support Officer to support Aboriginal participants and their families, strengthen community connections, and help create culturally safe pathways within Specialist Courts and Programs.
Reporting to the Koori Practice Manager, the Koori Liaison and Support Officer (KLSO) is a valued member of the Drug Court and Court Support Services multidisciplinary team. In this rewarding role, you will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants to engage with and navigate the court system, while helping ensure services are delivered in a culturally safe, respectful and therapeutic way.
You will provide cultural advice, guidance and support to Drug Court and Court Support Services staff, strengthening cultural capability and promoting practices that are responsive to Aboriginal cultures, communities and lived experiences. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will provide cultural support, advocacy and guidance to Aboriginal participants, while building strong relationships with local communities, Elders, services and stakeholders. Your cultural knowledge and lived experience will help shape court practices, improve participant outcomes, and contribute to reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the criminal justice system.
A key focus of the role is building strong relationships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, community groups and other stakeholders across the Ballarat region. Through community engagement and partnership development, you will help raise awareness of the Drug Court, Court Integrated Services Program (CISP) and Assessment and Referral Court (ARC), while improving access to support services and referral pathways.
You will also contribute to the ongoing improvement of policies, processes and reporting frameworks that enhance cultural safety, participant experiences and outcomes for Aboriginal people and their families. Through this work, you will play an important role in supporting self-determination, strengthening community connections and helping reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal people in the justice system.
About You
You will bring:
- Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, with a strong understanding of Victorian Aboriginal cultures, communities and service systems.
- Proven ability to provide culturally safe, person-centred support and build trusted relationships with Aboriginal people involved in the criminal justice system.
- Strong knowledge of strengths-based and culturally responsive approaches that empower Aboriginal participants and support positive outcomes.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across community, government and court-based services.
- Knowledge of therapeutic and problem-solving court approaches, including the Drug Court, Court Integrated Services Program (CISP) and Assessment and Referral Court (ARC), will be highly regarded.
How to apply
Click the `Apply Now' button, ensuring you include the following in your application:
- resume
- a short cover letter
Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply. To ensure that the intention of the recruitment process is maintained, a `Confirmation of Aboriginality' document will be required preferred applicant/s, you are also welcomed to attach this as part of your application.
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 email the contact person listed in the advertisement.
As part of our commitment to a safe and respectful workplace, CSV conduct pre-employment checks, including reference checks, police checks and misconduct screening. These checks are handled confidentially, with care and are a standard part of our hiring process to ensure the right fit for both candidates and Court Services Victoria.
