Advanced Assessment and Referral Practitioner

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.

Specialist Courts and Programs (SCP) are the MCV Directorate responsible for driving the implementation and development of solution-focused and therapeutic approaches to justice. Our specialist responses address the underlying causes of offending behaviour and stop the "revolving door" of returning to court for individuals.

Current services include:

• Court Support and Diversion Services (CISP, ARC, CROP, Criminal Justice Diversion)
• Drug Court
• Koori Court
• Neighbourhood Justice Centre
• Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal

Court Support Services programs include:

• Court Integrated Services Program (CISP)
• Assessment and Referral Court (ARC)
• Court Remand Outreach Program (CROP)

These programs provide a range of initiatives to assist accused persons and others involved in the court system who are experiencing issues of social or cultural disadvantage, including:

• Substance abuse
• Disability
• Mental illness
• Cognitive impairment

These programs utilise a client-centred and problem-solving approach that empowers clients to engage with their rehabilitation and achieve positive behavioural change.

About the Role

Make a meaningful impact in a specialist practice role.

We're looking for an experienced practitioner to join our team as an Advanced Assessment and Referral Practitioner (Adv. ARP)-a key role driving high-quality assessment and case direction for individuals with complex needs. In this specialist position, you'll work directly with participants to conduct comprehensive assessments, identify risks and needs, and guide tailored support pathways that deliver real outcomes. As an Advanced ARP, you will:

• Lead high-quality assessments and inform case direction for complex participants
• Provide expert advice on risk, needs, and case planning
• Support consistent, evidence-informed practice across the team
• Offer secondary consultation and coaching to colleagues
• Strengthen team capability and contribute to strong practice standards
• Assist with workflow coordination where required

This role is primarily based at Fulham, Marngoneet, or Western Plains Prison, with your location preference considered. There are also opportunities to work across additional service settings.

About You

• You're a confident and experienced practitioner with strong assessment capability and a deep understanding of working with individuals with complex needs.
• You take an evidence-informed approach, with the ability to analyse risk, identify needs, and determine appropriate case direction.
• You're comfortable engaging directly with participants, including in complex or high-risk situations, building rapport while maintaining clear professional boundaries.
• You enjoy sharing your expertise-offering guidance and informal support to colleagues to strengthen team practice.
• Collaborative and adaptable, you manage competing priorities with ease and are willing to step in where needed to support team workflows. While not seeking a formal leadership role, you lead through practice excellence and contribute to a positive, high-performing team environment.

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 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.