NSW Quitline Counsellor

NSW Quitline Counsellor (ID: REQ666983)

Employment Type: Counsellor Level 1-2 - Full Time, Exempt (Until June 2027)
Remuneration: $76,364.00 - $108,943.00 per annum, plus 12% superannuation
Hours Per Week: 38
Additional Benefits: Generous Flexible Working practices, access to Fitness Passport, Novated car leasing arrangement, and Salary sacrificing to Superannuation.
Location: 1 Reserve Road, St Leonards

Applications Close: 11:59 PM, Thursday 11 June 2026

Please note that the total remuneration will depend on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate and will align with the Health Professional Award Level 1 or 2. 
 

• Be part of an organisation that makes a difference in cancer control in NSW 

• Use your counselling skills to provide high quality support to people to quit smoking and/or vaping 

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply 

• Bilingual counsellors are encouraged to apply 

The Cancer Institute NSW is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment which reflects the community we serve. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTIQA+, neurodiverse individuals, and people with disabilities to apply!

Where you’ll be working
The Cancer Institute NSW is the NSW Government’s cancer control agency, established to lessen the impact of cancer across the state.

Working at the Cancer Institute NSW means joining a team of committed and dedicated staff who are proud to be a part of the Institute’s purpose of overseeing and accelerating the effectiveness of cancer control in NSW.

The Cancer Institute is a collaborative working environment that encourages diversity and inclusion in how we work and the way we work together. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply. Greater consideration will be given to suitable applicants, in order to improve access to employment and career opportunities (GSE Rule 26).

For your application to be considered
To submit your application, please provide:

• Your resume (maximum five pages)
• A cover letter
• A response to the pre-screening questions (see below) in your application

About the Opportunity
The NSW Quitline service provides nicotine cessation focused telephone counselling to people who smoke and/or vape across NSW, provides information and support to carers and family members of people who smoke and/or vape and provides information to health professionals on nicotine cessation. 

The Quitline Counsellor is responsible for the provision of evidence-based clinical services including assessment, treatment planning, counselling, referral and follow-up sessions to maintain client motivation and prevent relapse for clients who call or are referred to NSW Quitline. The role also includes work promoting the NSW Quitline service through community engagement activities. 

The NSW Quitline Counsellor works with diverse population groups and backgrounds with differing health conditions. You will be required to provide information and therapeutic smoking and/or vaping cessation counselling for clients who call the Quitline NSW service.

Your previous experience as a counsellor along with your verbal communication skills are essential to the role, as is a professional can-do-attitude, ability to effectively collaborate and work as a team player.  

Successful applicants will be required to work 38 hours per week, with service operational hours between 8.00 am to 8.00 pm weekdays and 8.30 am to 5.00 pm on Saturday’s. Rostered shift work across hours of operation is a requirement of the role. 

Quitline NSW provides a bilingual counselling service. We encourage bilingual applicants to apply, especially those who speak Arabic. 

Essential Requirements

• Completed a minimum three-year bachelor's degree qualification in counselling, social work or psychology, minimum of 1-year post graduate clinical experience in counselling and be able to be registered with the Peak Body associated with the qualified discipline.
• High level verbal and written communication skills, including clinical documentation and client communication.
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm and execute clinical service delivery with confidence and patience in a high-pressure environment.
• Willingness to work a variety of shifts, including weekends and outside business hours, and flexibility to assist with backfilling shifts at times.
• Experience in providing clinical services and advice in a call centre environment would be preferable but not essential. 
• All Quitline staff are required to be non-smokers. A former smoker or vaper must have been quit for at least six months.

If successful for interview, candidates must bring original copies of essential qualifications to be sighted by the panel, and one copy to provide to the panel.

Pre-Screening Questions

1. Please outline an evidence-based approach to engage and support clients who smoke and/or vape and want to quit? What are the key elements to consider when working with this client group, what counselling methods would you utilise to establish and maintain client motivation?
2. Describe a time you have managed a challenging counselling situation. What were the challenges experienced, what strategies did you use to manage these challenges and maintain a positive therapeutic alliance?

Need more information? 

• The Cancer Institute NSW assesses candidates in line with the NSW Public Sector Capability Framework, which describes the capabilities and behaviours required for roles across the NSW public sector. The specific capabilities for this role are outlined in the Position Description.
  Learn more: https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/public-sector-capability-framework
• Find out more about applying for this position
• Learn more about Cancer Institute NSW

Additional Information 

• Applicants will be assessed against the essential criteria in the Position Description.

• NSW Health is committed to accessibility and may provide adjustments to the recruitment and interview process as needed, including physical adjustments, interview setup, or scheduling needs. 
• This is a temporary position and requires full working rights in Australia (e.g. Australian citizenship/ permanent resident). If you currently hold a temporary visa that allows you to live and work in Australia, you may be eligible for employment opportunities in line with the conditions of your visa.

Contact People
Please contact the Hiring Manager, Dr Kahren White, at Kahren.white@health.nsw.gov.au or 02 8374 3596 if you have any questions about this role.

For Aboriginal candidates who would like to talk to an Aboriginal Workforce Consultant, please contact HSNSW-AboriginalCareers@health.nsw.gov.au. Support is also available through the Stepping Up website.

If interview adjustments are required, please contact HSNSW-PillarsPC@health.nsw.gov.au at the time the interview invitation is issued, or as soon as reasonably possible. Requests for adjustments will be considered in line with NSW Health requirements.