About the traineeship

Trainee Court Registrar program

The Trainee Court Registrar (TCR) program is an internal qualification which is a compulsory component of the Trainee Court Registrar role. It is not an accredited certificate. This allows us to flexibly offer training that is specific and relevant to the role.  

Pay

Trainee Court Registrars start at VPS Grade 2.2.

After successfully completing the program, TCRs become qualified registrars and can apply to be deputised as a Deputy Registrar.

Deputy Registrars can then apply for VPS Grade 3 Registrar roles. For VPS salary values, refer to Schedule C of the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement 2024.

Induction

Trainees begin with a 6-week induction program, designed to build competency in the role with a particular focus on bench clerking. Bench clerking means undertaking tasks to manage court processes and ensure court proceedings run smoothly, such as:

  • scheduling hearings
  • managing case files
  • maintaining records.
Trainees will be in a group with other new trainees across the state, providing opportunities to network.

Trainee program structure

Subjects covered during the program include:

  • family violence
  • legislation
  • Koori cultural awareness
  • vicarious trauma and dealing with difficult clients
  • bench clerking
  • diversity
  • careers.
In between formal training weeks, trainees receive on-the-job support to learn about all areas of the court, rotating through criminal, civil, and family violence jurisdictions.

Trainees must complete several workplace assessments to demonstrate they can the perform core tasks of the role. These tasks are completed during work hours.

After successfully completing the program, a trainee progresses to a Qualified Registrar. This usually takes around 18 months.

Career progression

After successfully completing the training program, qualified registrars can apply for deputisation, to become a Deputy Registrar, which may then lead to a wide variety of roles throughout the MCV and other jurisdictions.

Deputy Registrars hold delegated authority to carry out defined functions of the Court that support the justice system. Deputy Registrars can apply for VPS Grade 3 Registrar positions, where your responsibilities and career opportunities continue to expand. 

Registrars have the power to issue processes, including warrants (such as arrest warrants), make orders awarding money and other miscellaneous powers.

Registrar positions are incredibly varied. You might:

  • specialise in areas such as Family Violence or other specialist jurisdictions
  • rotate between various jurisdictions to build broad expertise
  • take on leadership responsibilities managing a small team
  • develop deep technical skills in legislative or procedural work . 

There are many pathways to build a long-term, rewarding, and purpose-driven career in the courts with opportunities to grow, specialise, lead, and make a meaningful impact on the community everyday.