This is a 10-month fixed term, full-time position commencing Term 1, 2026
The Role
School of Alternative Learning Settings (SALS) are seeking a committed and culturally responsive Aboriginal Student Support Officer to enhance the wellbeing, engagement, and success of our Aboriginal students. In this role, you will work closely with school staff, families, and external agencies to deliver effective support strategies and culturally appropriate interventions that strengthen connections between students, their families, the school, and the wider community.
The successful applicant will contribute to case management, provide social and emotional support, and assist in crisis response, helping to create a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment. As part of the Student Services team, you will ideally encourage and support students to engage meaningfully in their education and achieve their personal goals, while also supporting staff to create and maintain safe and inclusive learning environments.
Our ideal applicant will bring a positive and caring approach, excellent communication skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with a range of stakeholders. Strong organisational skills, cultural responsiveness, and a genuine commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive school community are highly desirable.
School of Alternative Learning Settings
The SALS program was originally established in early 2019 to target a specific cohort of students who present with complex and challenging behaviour and would benefit from a short-term, intensive intervention program. At the commencement of the 2022 academic year the program was consolidated as a stand-alone school. SALS delivers specialised activities and learning programs that build students’ social skills and self-regulation in environments designed to effect positive and lasting change in their behaviour. The program has the capacity to provide access to specialists such as paediatricians, clinical psychologists, or consultation with psychiatrists.
There are 13 SALS sites located in the metropolitan and regional education regions of Western Australia (one of which is our SALS Administration located in Padbury). Students are provided with an intensive, individualised program of support while they continue their education. There is a strong focus on developing students’ social skills and ability to self-regulate. Learning and engagement is flexible, co-designed with students, culturally responsive and supports self-determination and interpersonal connection.
Find out more about our school by visiting www.sals.wa.edu.au or Schools Online
Want to know more?
Full details of the role, selection criteria and training requirements are listed in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Anthony Maher on anthony.maher@education.wa.edu.au or 0439 490 863.
Equity and Diversity
We are committed to an inclusive and culturally responsive workforce reflecting the diversity in our schools and the Western Australian community. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, young people, people of diverse sexualities and genders, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Explore our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2021-2025 for more details.
Eligibility
To work with us, you must:
- be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or have a valid visa with relevant work rights for the term of the appointment.
- obtain a valid Working With Children Check before you start; and
- consent to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and obtain a current Screening Clearance Number issued by the Department of Education’s Screening Unit before you start.
Additional eligibility and training requirements are outlined in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).
Application Instructions
Apply online in two easy steps:
Step 1: Select Apply for Job
Complete the online application form, including details of two (2) work related referees, preferably one (1) being your current line manager.
Step 2: Attach your documents
Your application should include:
- A CV of up three (3) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position
- A two (2) page statement addressing the following 2 selection criteria’s:
- Demonstrated sound oral and written communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with local organisations and services.
- Demonstrated skills and experience in working with individual or small groups of Aboriginal students experiencing difficulties.
The remaining selection criteria will be assessed during further assessment.
It is recommended you have your attachments ready before selecting Apply for Job.
Your application must be received before the closing date and time. Late applications will not be accepted.
For technical support submitting your application, you can call the Department of Education’s Recruitment team on (08) 9264 4127 for assistance.
Advertised Vacancy Number: SS/SS1017166
Suitable applicants may be considered for similar vacancies arising within the next 12 months following this selection process. This may include circumstances where the successful applicant declines or vacates the position.
The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.
Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Tuesday, 27 January 2026
