Job opportunity

Enhance your practice depth, grow your career and make a real impact in the Goldfields! If you're looking for a role that offers purpose, adventure, and the chance to make a real impact, the Goldfields is calling.

Welcome to the Goldfields, Western Australia’s largest and most iconic region. Spanning more than 770,000 square kilometres, the Goldfields offers breathtaking landscapes, rich Aboriginal culture, and vibrant, resilient communities.

Our District supports a vast and diverse area, including regional offices, Aboriginal community facilities, and remote communities across the Ngaanyatjarra Lands, near the NT and SA borders. This is a place where no two days are the same—offering unforgettable experiences, meaningful community connections, and a truly unique outback lifestyle.

The Department of Communities brings together the services and functions of disability services, child protection and family support, community initiatives and regional services reform.

Communities is a nationally recognised Accredited Carer Friendly Employer through the Carers + Employers program. The program defines best practice standards by creating a carer friendly workplace, enabling staff to balance work and care, while continuing to contribute to the wellbeing of individuals, families and the community.

The Opportunity

Senior Child Safety Practitioner / Officer

The Senior Child Safety Practitioner/Officer works within Child Protection, Children in Care and family support services to promote the safety and wellbeing of children and vulnerable community members. The role involves assessing and responding to concerns about child safety, supporting families and communities, and taking appropriate actions, including legal intervention when required.

Key responsibilities include providing high‑quality, professional services to individuals, families and communities; investigating serious child protection concerns; offering guidance and consultation to staff and partner agencies; and contributing to effective service delivery.

Senior Child Safety Practitioner / Officer – Family Domestic Violence

The Senior Child Safety Practitioner/ Officer - Family Domestic Violence works to deliver a coordinated response to family and domestic violence, with a strong focus on protecting the safety and wellbeing of children.

This role works closely with WA Police, families and partner agencies to assess risk, manage complex child protection matters, and support individuals experiencing or contributing to domestic violence. It provides expert casework, consultation and advice, take legal action where required, and contribute to strong community partnerships.

The attached Job Description Form (JDF) provides more information about the position. For further information we encourage you to contact Libby Huel, Team Manager Child Safety, on (08) 6215 1224.

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

Qualification Requirements
If you have a Bachelors degree in Social Work, Psychology or relevant human services area, please apply for the Senior Child Safety Practitioner position. Refer to our website for information about the qualification requirements.

If you do not hold an approved qualification, please apply for the Senior Child Safety Officer.

You must have a Bachelors degree in Social Work, Psychology, or relevant human services area to be eligible for this position. All overseas qualifications must be assessed for Australian equivalency. Refer to our website for information about the qualification requirements for this role, and how we will be assessing your qualifications.

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.

Join the Department of Communities
Apply online by clicking the ‘Apply for Job’ button (above and below) and provide the following documents in Word or PDF format only:

1. A current resume/CV.
2. A two (2) page written application ddressing the following criteria:
   1. Demonstrated experience in contemporary case work and/or community development, including proven assessment, analysis and intervention skills, and a sound understanding of current child protection issues affecting children, families and communities.
   2. Demonstrated knowledge and experience in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and proven ability to engage, empower and build effective working relationships with Aboriginal clients, stakeholders, partners and colleagues.
   3. Demonstrated experience and understanding of family and domestic violence, including theory, dynamics and the impacts on individuals, families and communities.
   4. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, with sound leadership, supervisory and management skills that promote quality practice; proven assessment, analytical, counselling and communication skills; and experience applying relevant legislation, policies and procedures.

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).
5. An application form (for hard copy applications only).

Please note as part of your application you will be prompted to select your position preference.

Applicants will be able to apply for multiple positions writing one application.

For technical difficulties while applying online, general recruitment enquiries, or to request any document in an alternative format, please contact Michela Orsini HR Consualtant, on 0434 464 370 or via email Michela.Orsini@communities.wa.gov.au.

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

TTY/voice calls - 133 677

Speak & Listen - 1300 555 727

SMS relay - 0423 677 767

Integrity and Honesty
The public sector is built on a strong foundation of integrity where employees act ethically, and public sector bodies promote and maintain integrity. 

In line with Communities policies, applicants may be asked for consent to undergo criminal record screening and integrity checks during the application process. For more information on these requirements, click here.  

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 at HRRecruitment@communities.wa.gov.au and via phone 0434 464 370

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

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