Make a difference in the lives of children who need it most.

We need you!

Fixed term and permanent employees receive 17.5% annual leave loading.

Casuals receive an additional 25% loading allowance on top of the base salary $79,604 - $85,350 pa pro rata and penalty rates may apply.

We are seeking employees who have genuine care and compassion for others, and who can work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary team to meet the needs and best interests of the child.  Those who are resilient, patient, calm, have a non-judgmental attitude and recognise and respect cultural differences.  People that can teach life skills and engage children positively in recreational skills. Those that can exhibit strong communication skills, quickly adapt to changing needs, and can understand and practice self-care.

Your Role. Your Impact.
You will be embraced by a supportive team who are very welcoming. The team are willing to empower you and share their experience for you to thrive, whilst being reflective in its practice to achieve the best outcomes for the children in care.

The vision for Therapeutic Residential Care in Western Australia is to provide a safe and stable home for young people that enables them to heal, connect, learn, and be prepared for their adult lives.

Want to make a difference? You will!
As a Therapeutic Residential Care Worker you will be responsible for working as a member of a team to achieve best outcomes for children and young people and providing group and individual therapeutic residential care to children and young people. You will assist in planning, developing and implementing activities for children and young people. Refer to the attached Job Description Form for further information.

You will be required to work a rotating roster of morning, afternoon and awake night shifts from Monday to Sunday to support the children in care in a 24/7 service.

Your work is guided by the Sanctuary Model to ensure the consistent delivery of trauma informed care to young people in Therapeutic Residential Care, which includes the Seven Commitments for creating safe environments. (see attached)

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 Personal Leadership.

 
Click the video below to see what it's like working at Communities!

Join an online Information Session
You will hear from our leaders about Therapeutic Residential Care, the role, their experiences and career progression working with Department of Communities.  A HR Business Partner will provide information about the Department and employment benefits. You will have the opportunity to ask questions.

Register your attendance for Thursday 1 October 2026 at 5:00pm (AWST) using the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/residential-care-worker-information-session-broome-11026-tickets-2001801744906?aff=oddtdtcreator  

If you are unable to attend, and seek further information, please contact Natasha Nolan, Assistant Director, on 0434 888 386, or email HRBPStatewideServices@communities.wa.gov.au for a recording of an information session.

Join the Kimberley Residential Care Team for an experience of a lifetime!
We are seeking to suitable applicants to fill current and future opportunities in Broome and Kununurra within the Kimberley region.

Living and working in the Kimberley offers a unique opportunity to work within and maintain a real sense of community, which have strong ties to culture, ceremony and the arts. Experience a destination like no other, contribute to a culturally rich region, and develop professional relationships that will last a lifetime. The region boasts a relaxed atmosphere with many lifestyle and recreational activities available, such as boating, fishing, chasing waterfalls, and 4WDing.

To view more of what Kununurra has to offer click here, to discover more about Broome, click here.

Why Work With Us?
In return for your skills, passion and commitment we will offer you a range of benefits. Communities is a nationally recognised Accredited Carer Friendly Employer through the Carers + Employers program. 

Based on eligibility, and location, you could receive:

• District allowance Kununurra - $7,436 pa without dependants, $14,872 pa with dependants
• District allowance Broome - $8,361 pa without dependants, $16,722 pa with dependants
• Recreational Leave travel concession (for you and your dependants after 12 months of continuous service)
• Salary packaging remote benefits
• Subsidised electricity from September to May
• 5 weeks annual leave (includes 1 week of shift work allowance), and 1 week of North West Leave.
• 10 days for public holidays
• Three days public service holidays per annum

If you’re looking for more than just a job and ready to make a difference, apply now!
* Successful applicants will be required to complete a medical and physical functional capacity examination and attend paid mandatory training will be advised at a later stage, but require 4 weeks training Please consider this before applying, as these are requirements of the role. 

Click the ‘Apply for Job’ button and provide documents in Word or PDF format only:

1. A current resume/CV that outlines your relevant experience for the role and includes two work related referees.
2. A copy of all qualification/s (regardless of relevance of the role) as specified in your application or resume/CV (if applicable).
3. An application form (for hard copy applications only).

You will be prompted to answer the following online questions.  Your responses form part of your application assessment.

• Q1 - Do you hold a current West Australian 'C' or 'C-A' class Licence, or equivalent?

If selected for an interview please note for the below question you may be required to provide the name, organisation and email address of the manager/supervisor who can verify your experience.

• Q2 - In 300 words or less, tell us about a time you worked with or supported children or young people. Please tell us:
• What was happening?
• What did you do to support the young person?
• How did you work with other people as part of a team?
• How did you stay calm and manage yourself when things were difficult?

Your experience may come from paid work, casual work, community work, volunteering, sport, family support or other relevant life experience. 

We especially welcome examples of working with Aboriginal children and young people and people from different cultural backgrounds. 

Please use your own words. We are interested in your experience and what you can bring to the role. Your response does not need to use formal language. If you are selected for interview, we may ask for the name and contact details of somone who can confirm the experience you have described. 

Note: Please provide a response in relation to your prior experience and the context of the Therapeutic Residential Care Worker job description. We want to hear from you, please provide a response in your own words, and not AI generated. 

Applicants who are short listed will be assessed on all the Work Related Requirements (Selection Criteria) during the selection process.

For technical difficulties while applying online, general recruitment enquiries, or to request any document in an alternative format, please contact Kate Cottingham, HR Advisor at HRRecruitment@communities.wa.gov.au.

Suitable applicants will be placed in a pool from which appointments will be made for this or similar future vacancies (permanent, fixed term or casual) that arise within the next 12 months across the Department of Communities. 

Equity and Diversity
The Department of Communities is committed to improving employment opportunities and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  As a measure to achieve equality and support, section 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA) will apply to this position.  Aboriginal people are encouraged to apply.

If you have any access needs that may require adjustments to allow you to fully participate in the application and interview process, or alternative methods of communication, please contact HR at 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: 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.