This vacancy is being advertised for a period of 4 weeks, from 2 October 2026 closing on 2 November 2026 at 4pm (AWST).

More Than Just a Job!
At Communities we play a vital role in supporting and strengthening communities across Western Australia. We provide services and work with our partners to keep children safe, provide vital community services, including in emergencies, address homelessness, prevent family and domestic violence and provide stewardship for the disability sector. Our work also includes regulating early childhood education and care and leading initiatives across women’s interests, youth, seniors and ageing, carers, and volunteering.

Why Work With Us?

• We offer some of the most competitive public sector wages in Australia.
• We are a nationally recognised Accredited Carer Friendly Employer through the Carers + Employers program.
• District allowance in addition to salary, including additional regional benefits for Carnarvon (subject to eligibility).
• More for your future – 12 per cent employer super contributions.
• Smart salary packaging – novated leases & work laptops.

Read more about the benefits of working with us.

Your Role. Your Impact.
Step into the world of Child Protection and Family Support, where your work is more than just a job.

As a Child Safety Practitioner or Child Safety Officer you will work in the areas of child protection, children in care and family support, you will be responsible for (but not limited to):

• Responding to concerns regarding the safety and wellbeing of children in accordance with provisions of the Children and Community Service Act 2004.
• Taking legal action to promote the safety and wellbeing of children where necessary.
• Providing services to children placed in the care of the CEO.
• Assisting identified families and their children with relevant Agencies and community resources to ensure appropriate supports are in place.
• Engaging and working alongside families to strengthen their capacity to provide care and safety to their members in ways that are sustainable, will build resilience in children, families and the community and increase social wellbeing.

As the Senior Child Safety Practitioner / Senior Child Safety Officer you will work in the areas of child protection, children in care and family support and is responsible for (but not limited to):

• Responding to concerns regarding the safety and wellbeing of children and applying the provisions of the Children and Community Services Act 2004;
• Taking legal action to promote the safety and wellbeing of children where necessary;
• Undertaking case work activities of a complex nature and provide advice and expertise to District staff on the child safety and protection issues;
• Providing services to children placed in the care of the CEO, including investigating serious concerns about the welfare and safety of children and taking action appropriate to the situation.
• Assisting and planning with District staff and others to develop community and family capacity to provide a safe environment for children and other vulnerable people;
• Developing and maintaining a high degree of knowledge and skills in providing services and supports to families and communities to enhance the safety and wellbeing of children and other vulnerable members of the community.

Visit Careers at Communities – our roles for more information.

The attached Job Description Form (JDF) provides more information about the positions. For further information we encourage you to connect with Kathryn Allen, Assistant District Director, on (08) 6277 5151 or via email Kathryn.Allen@communities.wa.gov.au.

Opportunities Available
The following 2 permanent positions are available for immediate filling:

• 005111 – Child Safety Practitioner, CSQ1, permanent full-time, located in Geraldton.
• 009514 – Senior Child Safety Practitioner, CSQ2, permanent full-time, located in Geraldton.

Suitable applicants will be placed in a pool from which appointments will be made for fixed term or permanent Child Safety Practitioner (CSQ1), Senior Child Safety Practitioner (CSQ2), Child Safety Officer (CSU2), and Senior Child Safety Officer (CSU3) positions or similar roles that arise within the next 12 months across the Department of Communities. 

Which Position Do I Apply For?
Under our Child Protection Workforce Model, priority will be given to qualified applicants in the first instance to maintain a qualified workforce. Should a qualified applicant not be identified then this selection process will be used to fill the vacancy.

If you have a Bachelors degree in Social Work, Psychology or relevant human services area, apply for the Child Safety Practitioner (CSQ1, 94,000 - $116,000 pa) or Senior Child Safety Practitioner (CSQ2, $117,455 - $129,875 pa) position/s. Overseas qualifications must be assessed for Australian equivalency. Refer to our website for information about the qualification requirements.

If you do not hold an approved qualification, apply for the Child Safety Officer (CSU2, $82,000 - $105,000 pa) or Senior Child Safety Officer (CSU3, $111,245 - $120,560 pa) position/s.

Skills/experience required for the Child Safety Practitioner (CSQ1) position include:

• Demonstrated knowledge of Child Protection and approaches to enhance child safety and wellbeing.
• Knowledge of or experience in engagement, assessment and intervention with parents, children and families.
• Demonstrated resilience and ability to manage multiple and conflicting priorities.
• Strong communication skills and demonstrated skills in analysis and intervention planning.
• Knowledge and understanding of the issues effecting Aboriginal and culturally diverse people.
• A tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology or a relevant Human Service area.

Skills/experience required for the Senior Child Safety Practitioner (CSQ2) position include:

• Proven assessment, analysis, analytical and intervention skills when working with vulnerable children, their families and communities.
• The ability to build effective working relationships with a diverse range of clients and stakeholders within a compliance driven and legislative framework.
• Knowledge and experience in working with people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or other culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and have sound management, supervisory and leadership skills particularly in promoting quality practice and procedures, including counselling and therapeutic intervention.
• A tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology or a relevant Human Service area.

Skills/experience required for the Child Safety Officer (CSU2) position include:

• Demonstrated knowledge of child protection and approaches to enhance child safety and wellbeing.
• Ability to engage, empower and build effective working relationships with a diverse range of clients, stakeholders, partners and colleagues.
• Demonstrated resilience and ability to manage multiple and conflicting priorities.
• Demonstrated assessment and analytical skills, as well as strong communication skills (written, verbal and non-verbal).
• Knowledge and understanding of the issues effecting Aboriginal and culturally diverse people.

Skills/experience required for the Senior Child Safety Officer (CSU3) position include:

• Proven assessment, analysis, analytical and intervention skills when working with vulnerable children, their families and communities.
• The ability to build effective working relationships with a diverse range of clients and stakeholders within a compliance driven and legislative framework.
• Knowledge and experience in working with people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or other culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and have sound management, supervisory and leadership skills particularly in promoting quality practice and procedures, including counselling and therapeutic intervention.

Join the Department of Communities
Select “Apply for Job” and upload the following documents (Word or PDF only):

1. A current resume/CV.
2. A two [2] page written application addressing all the Essential Work Related Requirements (Selection Criteria) as stated on the JDF/s. Please refer to the JDF/s of the position/s you are applying for (see 'qualification requirements' section above).
3. If you are applying for a qualified role: A copy of your degree certificate and academic transcript (plus unit descriptors and/or overseas qualification assessment if applicable). 
4. An application form (for hard copy applications only).

Applicants will be assessed on their ability to meet the following Suitability Requirements:

• Organisational Requirement: Must be living or willing to relocate to the Midwest.

The Suitability Requirements may be assessed at any stage of the recruitment process, which may include interview, referee reports and/or other assessment methods.

Appointment is subject to meeting all Suitability Requirements.

Equity and Diversity
Communities welcome applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds and lived experiences, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, people with disability, people with diverse sexualities and genders, youth, women, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Please let us know if there are adjustments we can make to allow you to fully participate in the application and interview process, as well as in the workplace. Please contact Kate Cottingham, HR Advisor at HRRecruitment@communities.wa.gov.au and via phone to 0435 047 287.

If you are an Aboriginal person who would like assistance with your application, please contact Jobs and Skills WA on 13 64 64.

Integrity and Honesty
In line with Communities policies, applicants may be asked for consent to undergo criminal record screening and integrity checks during the application process. To read more, click here.  

Need Assistance?
If you would like to discuss:

• adjustments,
• alternative formats,
• recruitment enquiries or,
• technical issues

Contact: Kate Cottingham, HR Advisor on 0435 047 287 or HRRecruitment@communities.wa.gov.au.

We can also be contacted via the National Relay Service on the following numbers

National Relay Service:
TTY/Voice: 133 677
Speak & Listen: 1300 555 727
SMS Relay: 0423 677 767

Privacy Notice
Personal information is collected and managed in accordance with the Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing Act 2024 (PRIS Act). By submitting your application, you acknowledge the collection of your personal information. For further details on how your information is handled, please view our Privacy Policy.

Please note: This recruitment process may be closed or withdrawn at any stage. Applicants will be notified if this occurs.

Lodgement is system generated. Any emailed applications or late submissions on or after 4:00pm will not be accepted.