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 across Queensland, 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 frontline role is rewarding in more ways than one, with a generous starting salary over $99,000 plus great additional benefits.

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 Emerald, you will also receive rural benefits including:

Area allowance of $5,000 annually PLUS fortnightly locality allowance up to $66.60

Substantial accommodation subsidies and assistance

Relocation assistance negotiable for the right candidate

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.

Life in Emerald

Emerald is in the centre of Queensland’s Central Highlands, and has plenty of history, nature and modern conveniences.

Emerald has a strong community, with culturally diverse people that come together for local events and to support each other in this farming and mining community.

The town has unique and historic attractions to explore, like the world’s largest Van Gogh sunflower painting, the 1900s railway station, and a 250-million-year-old fossilised tree. There is plenty of natural beauty to spend your weekend exploring, including fishing, water sports, picnics at Lake Maraboon, or strolling through the beautiful Botanic Gardens.

With shopping centres, healthcare, and a large variety of eateries, Emerald is also just a 3-hour drive from Rockhampton, 4-hour drive from Longreach, and a daily 1.5-hour flight from Brisbane.

Join us in Emerald and make an impact while enjoying the charm of this vibrant community.

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