Work for the Department of Communities in Cocos (Keeling) Islands! 

The Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sports and the Arts (Infrastructure), the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Western Australian Department of Communities’ (Communities) Community Services Division provide child protection services to the families and children residing on Christmas Island (CI) and Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI).

Communities currently have a fulltime Senior Community Child Safety Practitioner living and working on CI, who is currently responsible for delivering child protection services to both CI and CKI.

Communities are seeking to appoint a second full time Senior Community Child Safety Practitioner, to either be based in Perth or on CKI, with a FIFO style arrangement set up, there is room for negotiation on what this arrangement may look like however we would require around 40-48 weeks on CKI. If based on CKI arrangements can be made for your family to join you.

The position is managed by the Statewide Referral and Response Service and therefore line managed from Perth. 

About Cocos (Keeling) Islands

CKI is a half-day flight away from Perth, and 900km from Christmas Island.

CKI is made up of 27 islands, with just two inhabited – West Island and Home Island.  The total population is around 600 people and is mainly comprised of the Cocos Malays. The Cocos Malays descend from people brought to the Islands in the 19th century from Malaya, East Africa, China, Java, India and Ceylon. They are predominantly Malay, speak a local variant of Malay known as Cocos Malay and follow the Islamic faith.

There are two main seasons, The trade wind season is from May-June to September-October, while the calmer doldrum season is from November to May. With an average annual rainfall of 2000mm, most days on CKI are sunny and warm. Higher rainfall typically occurs from March to July.

Surrounded by a turquoise lagoon and teeming with marine life, CKI has many water-based activities.  Home island offers a deeper look into the Cocos Malay way of life, from traditional customs and daily rhythms to the island’s colonial history.

Benefits and Allowances

This role attracts the below benefits and allowances:

• Accommodation, utilities and fuel provided on island
• Relocation package for yourself and family if based on island
• Travelling Allowance including Overnight Travel Allowance
• District Allowance if based on CKI
• Accrual of Northwest Leave if based on CKI

The Role

The Senior Community Child Safety Practitioner works in the areas of child protection, children in care and family support and is responsible for:

• Delivery of services that support and encourage young people and families to reach their potential and promote safety in the community.
• Provision of case management for children and young people who are in the care of the State Agency’s Chief Executive Officer.
• investigate safety and wellbeing concerns of children and young people In accordance with the Children and Community Services Act 2004 (WA)(CI)(CKI).
• Maintain links and share information with other government and nongovernment agencies.
• Provide collaborative interagency and community responses to children and young people deemed to be at risk.
• Identify and work with target groups or communities of interest to increase their capacity to develop long term solutions to child protection and community safety issues.

The people who live on CKI are geographically isolated from mainland Australia, which can be further compounded by cultural and linguistic barriers.

This role will focus on proactively engaging with the community and stakeholders on Island frequently across sensitive child protection matters. The successful applicant will be expected to work through these barriers and complexities whilst taking into consideration all necessary intersectionality’s that are present in this remote setting.

Working autonomously, building trust, maintaining connections, confidentiality and strong professional boundaries will be key to the role. There will also be a need to work collaboratively across multiple agencies based in CKI and Western Australia where required.

Visit Careers at Communities – our roles for more information.

We believe all our people are leaders, regardless of their role. Our Leadership Expectations, outlined in Building Leadership Impact, describe the behaviours and mindsets we value. The leadership context for this position is Leading Others.

If you’d like to know more about the team or the role, connect with Emma Brown, Assistant District Director, on (08)  6277 5638.

For more details, please refer to the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

Opportunities Available

• Current Vacancies: 1 full-time permanent positions available from as soon as possible.
• Upcoming roles: Applicants will be considered for this vacancy and may also be considered for similar roles at the same level and location arising from this recruitment process.

Applicants will be considered for vacancies in the location of the advertised role/location preferences specified in their application

Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work / Psychology / relevant human services area.
• Overseas qualifications must be assessed for Australian equivalency.
• Refer to our websitefor information about the qualification requirements for this role, and how we will be assessing your qualifications.

How to Apply – It’s Easy

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

1. Your current resume/CV.
2. A short written statement up to two [2] pages addressing all the Essential Work-Related Requirements (Selection Criteria) as stated on the JDF
3. A copy of your degree certificate and academic transcript (plus unit descriptors and/or overseas qualification assessment if applicable).
4. A copy of all qualification/s (regardless of the relevance to the role) as specified in your application or resume/CV (if applicable).

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

• Pre-employment Requirement: Psychometric Test for working in isolated location.

• Organisational Requirement: Ability to be based on CKI majority of each year with travel to Perth and Christmas Island or regional/remote locations, including by light aircraft.

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 Michela Orsini, HR Consultant 0434 464 370, HRRecruitment@communities.wa.gov.au.

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: Michela Orsini, HR Consultant 0434 464 370, 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.