Aboriginal Lead – Prevention and Response to Violence, Abuse and Neglect (PARVAN) - Identified

Remuneration: $73,427 - $124,607 per annum (dependent on qualifications) + superannuation + salary packaging
Location: Negotiable between Tamworth (Kamilaroi/Gomeroi), Newcastle (Awabakal), Taree (Biripi), Moree (Kamilaroi/Gomeroi) and Armidale
Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
Position Classification: Counsellor Level 1 / Level 2 / Level 3 / Level 4, Psychologist, Sexual Assault Worker Level 1 / Level 2 / Level 3 / Level 4, Social Worker Level 1 / Level 2 / Level 3 / Level 4
Requisition ID: REQ588834
Applications Close: Sunday 7th September 2025

Hunter New England Local Health District acknowledges Aboriginal people as the traditional owners and custodians of the lands in which our facilities are located. We pay our respects to Elders, Community members and Community-controlled sector who partner with us to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our district. 

This is a position identified for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people on the basis of a genuine occupational qualification under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants must demonstrate Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status in addition to addressing the selection criteria.  

Applicants must be female - under Section 31 (2) (h) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977. 

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:

• Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero
• Proximity to shopping and other services
• ADO's each month (for full time employees)
• Salary packaging options
• Fitness Passport
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members
• Opportunity to work and collaborate with a range of non-clinical and clinical professionals

About the role:

NSW Health is committed to strengthening and continuously improving access to culturally sensitive and appropriate health services for Aboriginal Communities. Hunter New England Health has several Sexual Assault Services and new Domestic and Family Violence initiatives working with Aboriginal people and communities with a number of Aboriginal clinicians employed to ensure our services are welcoming, safe and focused on healing. 

In this role, you will be supported to lead, or work towards leading the work of Hunter New England in Sexual Assault and Domestic and Family Violence for Aboriginal people – in partnership with other key managers and leaders. You will work with Aboriginal people who have experienced sexual assault and / or domestic and family violence and their families to provide culturally safe and appropriate needs assessment and access to therapy, counselling and other supports and services tailored to their needs. You also will coordinate cultural consultation to support non-Aboriginal clinicians working with Aboriginal children and families, and through this partnership and sharing of your knowledge, enhance your teams understanding of culturally sensitive and responsive practice. Your manager will be the District Aboriginal Family Wellbeing and Violence Prevention Co-ordinator.

The role will have a professional development plan in place that will allow work-based development and progression, along with the opportunity to access both cultural and clinical supervision and professional development through the NSW Health Education Centre Against Violence (ECAV). This is an exciting time to join our team, where 20% of our VAN workforce identify as Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander. Our First Nations staff in VAN meet a regularly for collegial, cultural, and clinical support, networking, and planning.  

You will need a recognised qualification in Social Work, Counselling or Psychology and be a person interested in moving into a Clinical Leadership role. Experience in working in a trauma informed service or working with community would also be an advantage. If required, this position is designed to support a less experienced clinician transition into a senior role of leadership.

Requirements:

• Accepted Qualifications:
  -          Bachelor of Social Work, which provides eligibility for membership to Australian Association of Social Workers;
  -          Degree in Psychology, with full registration as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia;
  -          Bachelor degree in Counselling or Welfare from a recognised and accepted education provider as deemed appropriate by the employer;
  -          Completed ECAV qualification pathway - Graduate Certificate in Human and Community Services (Interpersonal Trauma).
• Current Unrestricted NSW driver’s licence
  
  Additional Information:
   
• 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.
• 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, job share and/or part time arrangements will be considered.
• We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.   
  
  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 Rebecca Ward on Rebecca.Morrison@health.nsw.gov.au