Social Worker - Mental Health - Incentives Offered

Join our dedicated team and contribute to delivering healing, and connection through collaborative, person-centred care.

Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
Position Classification: Social Worker Level 3
Remuneration: $58.95 - $60.86 per hour + superannuation + incentives
Hours Per Week: 38
Requisition ID: REQ624778
Location: Inverell Community Health Service 
Applications Close: Sunday, 7th December 2025

Where you'll be working 
New England North West Mental Health Service is seeking dedicated and passionate Mental Health Clinicians to join our Inverell Community Mental Health team. Our multidisciplinary team, comprising of Psychiatrists, Resident Medical Officers, Nurses, and Allied Health Professionals, provides acute mental health care across the New England region. As part of our progressive and innovative service, you will play a vital role in delivering high-quality mental health assessment, treatment, and support to individuals in our community.

Guided by a strong clinical governance framework, we are committed to ensuring safe, consistent, and person-centred care - every patient, every time. Our service fosters a culture of continuous improvement, clinical excellence, and innovation in the delivery of ambulatory mental health care, supported by strong multidisciplinary leadership.

What you'll be doing 
As a Level 3 Senior Social Worker, you will provide high-quality assessment, treatment and case coordination service to adults experiencing a range of mental health challenges. You’ll bring your experience to deliver high-quality, person-centred care, working closely with individuals on their recovery journey to help them achieve their goals and improve their wellbeing. You will play a key role within a collaborative multidisciplinary team, contributing the psychosocial perspective to care. Your focus will include addressing psychosocial stressors, promoting family and cultural inclusion in care planning, and providing specialist input on matters related to family and domestic violence, as well as child protection.

 You will be well supported by the Community Manager, Clinical Coordinator, and Head of Discipline, and as part of the broader Hunter New England Local Health District Mental Health Service, you’ll have access to ongoing education, professional supervision, and support from district-level clinical leaders and discipline-specific advisors.

About you 
We are seeking a compassionate and professional Social Worker who brings a culturally sensitive and person-centred approach to their practice. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong skills in conducting comprehensive mental health assessments and engaging meaningfully with consumers, families, and carers.

You will have a deep understanding of the impacts of mental health on individuals and communities, and confidence in working collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders. To succeed in this role, you’ll need exceptional communication skills, the ability to manage competing priorities, and a flexible, proactive approach within a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Requirements

• Must hold as a minimum a bachelor degree in social work which provides eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers, or other qualification deemed equivalent by the employer.

• Eligibility to drive in NSW and interstate and the willingness to travel in the course of employment.

What we can offer you
At Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD), enjoy a career where you're challenged by interesting work and surrounded by spectacular locations. Join the team enriching health in millions of ways every day: 

• Be rewarded with up to $10,000 in the first 12 months PLUS up to $5,000 each year thereafter in fortnightly payments under the Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme.*
• Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero
• Monthly Allocated Days Off (for full-time employees)
• 4 weeks annual leave (pro-rata for part time employees)
• Paid parental leave (for eligible employees) - giving you the opportunity for true Work life balance
• Salary packaging options - up to $11,600 plus novated leasing
• Fitness Passport for health and well-being - discounted gym options for you and your family
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members

• Opportunity to work and collaborate with a range of non-clinical and clinical professionals

Additional Information

• * Based on a minimum 18-month commitment to the position or the agreed duration of your contract. All payments to part-time and contract employees will be made on a pro-rata basis in accordance with the terms of your contract, including any approved extensions. Please note: if your contract ends before the agreed completion date, you may be required to repay a portion of the incentive. To check your eligibility, visit the Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme. For further information or to discuss your circumstances, please contact HNELHD-RuralIncentives@health.nsw.gov.au.
• An eligibility list will be created for future permanent full or part time and temporary full or part time vacancies. 
• This position is full time; however, part time/job share arrangements may also be considered.
• To be eligible for permanent employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport. Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable local candidate is identified for the position; in this instance, you may only be offered employment in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa. 
• We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.  
   

How to apply:
Click apply online, submit your information and resume, and address the criteria listed below providing examples that demonstrate your ability.

1. Demonstrated ability to independently problem-solve and apply professional and ethical boundaries when working with complex situations as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
2. Knowledge and or experience in relation to mental illness, assessment, and care planning including working knowledge of the NSW Mental Health Act 2007 and contemporary principles and practices in mental health care.
3. Demonstrated commitment to consumer and carer focused clinical practice which is collaborative and provided in a holistic and respectful way.
   
    

Need more information? 
  1) Click here for the Position Description 
  2) Find out more about applying for this position
For role related queries or questions contact Gina Blyton on gina.blyton@health.nsw.gov.au


Information for Applicants: 
Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below). For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: https://bit.ly/3vL5fq2 

Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/HNEHealthSteppingUp 

This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy. 

At Hunter New England Local Health District, we are an inclusive employer dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace.  Our commitment to a workforce that reflects the community we care for is essential for delivering the highest quality healthcare to our community. We encourage people with diverse lived experiences to apply. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitment process please let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contact HNELHD-Diversity@health.nsw.gov.au  for confidential support to ensure an equitable, barrier-free application process. 

#RuralHealthIncentives