Every child needs someone. So does every family. What if it’s you?

The Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety has permanent Child Safety Officer (CSO) roles available in Rockhampton, ensuring the protection and welfare of children and youth. Graduates and career changers with experience or interest in being a social worker, youth worker, counsellor, or similar – this role is for you!

This is a diverse and rewarding role where you will put children first and support their safety and rights. Based in the Fitzroy and Mt Archer Child Safety Service Centre (CSSC), you will work closely with other CSOs reporting to, and supported by, your Senior Team Leader. You will collaborate with Child Safety Support Officers (CSSOs) and Cultural Practice Advisors (CPAs) in your CSSC to ensure children and young people’s safety across your region.

Our Fitzroy and Mt Archer CSSCs provide vital care and support to children and families across the Central Region of Queensland. This frontline role is rewarding in more ways than one, with a generous starting salary over $99,000 plus great additional benefits.

Life on the Capricorn Coast

Rockhampton is known as the ‘beef and barra’ capital of Australia. When you join our CSSCs, you’ll experience a community with a blend of country charm and cosmopolitan amenities.

Rockhampton is part of the Capricorn Coast, along the Queensland shoreline, a blend of coastal beauty and vibrant marine life. Its bays and beaches have crystal-clear waters, perfect for swimming and sunbathing. As a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, this region offers not only stunning views but also underwater adventures. You’ll have opportunities to pursue your leisure, whether that’s fishing, soaking up the sun, or going on underwater adventures.

There’s also plenty to keep you occupied within Rockhampton, including local distillery, art gallery, bars and restaurants, architectural gems on our heritage walk, Kershaw Gardens and the Archer Park Railway Museum. Rockhampton offers a diverse blend of history, nature, and urban culture that breeds a small-town charm with city resources.

As part of the Fitzroy and Mt Archer CSSC teams, you’ll be an important part of this unique tight-knit culture.

What does being a CSO mean?

As a CSO you’ll be a voice for the voiceless, a statutory advocate for children and young people’s safety and wellbeing under the Child Protection Act 1999.

You’ll manage complex casework with support from peers including Senior Team Leaders and Cultural Practice Advisors. As a CSO, you will conduct risk assessments and create case plans, setting children and young people up for success.

Joining a team specialising in areas of child protection including intake, investigation and assessment, ongoing intervention, and placement services, you’ll collaborate with families and care givers, other departments, community organisations, healthcare services, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations. You’ll provide culturally respectful and appropriate support to families from diverse backgrounds, including varying races, socio-economic standings, abilities, and gender and sexual orientations.

Being a CSO means getting to do work that truly matters. You’ll walk with children and families, to keep them safe and help build the better futures they deserve.

To learn more about the CSO role, please click here.

What you get for becoming a CSO:

In this vital role you will walk away each day knowing you’re making a tangible difference to the safety of children and young people in Queensland, but don’t take our word for it – hear what our frontline staff say here. Along with an attractive annual salary in line with PO3 circa $99,347 - $108,191 and 12.75% superannuation, you will receive:

• Flexible leave and TOIL options
• 2 weeks of formal training and ongoing training including one-on-ones with your leader throughout the first year of your role
• Many opportunities for career growth and progression
• Additional regional and remote benefits up to $10,000 annually, PLUS accommodation subsidies, extra leave entitlements, and more!

Working in Fitzroy and Mt Archer, you will also receive rural benefits including:

• Area allowance of $2,500 annually PLUS fortnightly locality allowance up to $26.60
• Relocation assistance negotiable for the right candidate
• Regional travel opportunities and allowances

You’ll be part of a team that lifts you up and keeps you strong and have the chance to gain deep experience, incredible personal growth and skills for a lifelong career.

For more information on the benefits of becoming a CSO, please click here.

What you need to be a CSO

Our CSOs come from diverse backgrounds; some are trained as social workers, youth workers, counsellors, psychologists, support workers, and more. What’s most important is your passion for keeping children safe. Help us deliver the best future for children and families, rise to the challenge of ever-changing work, and ensure children's voices are heard across Queensland.

Join us and be part of a team of enthusiastic and dedicated advocates across Queensland. As frontline officers, the role can be challenging and confronting, but it is also incredibly rewarding and necessary.

To join us as a CSO you will need:

• An Australian Driver’s License, and the legal right to work in Australia
• A Bachelor Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, or a Bachelor Degree in a related field and further study or work experience – please click here for more details
• An understanding of statutory role, including knowledge of the Child Protection Act 1999, and the ability to write case notes while maintaining privacy

For more information about qualification and eligibility requirements, please click here.

Building and maintaining professional relationships with families and young people is fundamental to this role. You'll need excellent relationship-building skills, high empathy, and the ability to set and maintain professional boundaries.

Every child needs someone. So does every family. What if it’s you? Kick-start your career in Child Safety - click Apply Now!