The Chief Executive Officer is appointed to assist the Chief Justice to administer the Court. The Chief Executive Officer's powers are broad (s 38D Family Law Act 1975), although subject to directions from the Chief Justice.
The Chief Executive Officer holds the responsibilities and powers of an agency head under Commonwealth financial management and public service legislation, but is appointed under similar terms as judicial officers.
The Chief Executive Officer is supported by the staff of the National Support Office in Canberra.
Richard Foster PSM FAIM
Richard Foster was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Family Court of Australia in May 2000.
Richard assists the Chief Justice in the administration of the court, which is Australia’s superior court in family law. Under his leadership, the Family Court has undergone substantial change. The establishment of the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia and extensive family law reform by the Australian Government entailed a fundamental review of the role of the Family Court. Richard has advanced the Court’s standing with the Federal Attorney-General’s Department from an organisation that operated in isolation to an open and consultative one, enabling the Court to lead and contribute to innovation and professionalism in the family law system.
Prior to his appointment, Richard worked in court administration in executive positions such as the Executive Director Court Services, Ministry of Justice Western Australia; Registrar of the District Court in South Australia; and Registrar of the Magistrates Court of South Australia. He is the previous Chair of the Australasian Court Administrators Group; previous Member of Council of the Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration; previous Chair of the Institutes Case Management Committee and its Library Standards Committee; previous member of the Victorian Civil Justice Review Advisory Group.
He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Canberra. In 2006, Richard was awarded the Australian Public Service medal for his outstanding contribution to the area of Court’s Administration.