Currently we have vacancies in the following locations:

• North: Preston, Bendigo, Swan Hill
• South: Outer Gippsland Area: Sale & Bairnsdale, Inner Gippsland Area: Morwell and Warragul (Fixed Term), Bayside Peninsula Area: Frankston (Fixed Term), Southern Melbourne Area: Dandenong
• East: Shepparton, Wangaratta, Wodonga, Seymour
• West: Footscray, Sunshine, Geelong, Ballarat, Horsham

If you're passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of children and young people, a career in child protection is for you. As an essential worker, you'll have an opportunity to make real change in communities, keeping children and young people safe and families strong.

In this role, you will work for the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. You will work in a variety of community-based settings, including people's homes, residential facilities and secure settings across metropolitan, rural and regional Victoria.

The role

Child protection practitioners work for the Victorian Government. They investigate the safety and wellbeing of children and young people at risk. They receive and assess reports of alleged child abuse and neglect from the community.

Child protection practitioners work within a statutory environment where they must exercise legal delegations and functions pursuant to the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005. The statutory nature of the work requires:

• working with families, and children and young people in the family home or other locations
• transportation
• supervision on contact
• support the Team Manager by providing supervision of team members in daily tasks
• hold a caseload commensurate with supervisory responsibilities.

Working in child protection in a regional location is a unique and rewarding opportunity. It offers a different experience and sense of pride knowing that you are having a positive impact on children and young people, and families in your community where you live.

Career opportunities available in regional locations are the same as those in metropolitan locations.

You will have full access to the range of wellbeing and development programs, plus you may be eligible for the regional retention allowance of $2,500 paid twice yearly.

Why work for child protection

In this vital role you will be making a difference to communities across Victoria. Along with an annual salary of $113,022 to $124,884 and 11.5% superannuation you will receive:

• an annual clothing allowance of $650, pro rata for part-time employees
• yearly annual wage increases of 3 per cent over the life of the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement 2024
• 20 days of annual leave, 15 days of personal/carer's leave and an extra 5 days of annual leave after 12 months of service
• a dedicated and free wellbeing and support program designed to support the mental health and wellbeing of child protection practitioners as well as a wellbeing and support program for employees and their immediate families.

Read more about the benefits of joining child protection.

What we're looking for

Working in child protection requires a combination of:

• specialist child welfare knowledge obtained through qualifications and experience
• the right attitude
• the ability to make decisions and exercise legal delegations when necessary.

To work in child protection, you will need:

• an Australian driver's license, and the legal right to work in Australia
• 4+ years' work experience in social work, welfare or psychology
• to hold the minimum relevant diploma level qualifications. We are looking for people with social work, welfare, or psychology qualifications. Read more about our qualification requirements
• to hold or obtain a Victorian Employee Working with Children Check (WWCC)
• to complete a National Crime Check before you start.

Are you ready to join us?

If you're ready to take the next step in your career apply online and provide the following documents in word format or PDF only:

1. a current and comprehensive resume/CV and a one page cover letter

1. copies of your relevant qualifications, including transcripts as specified in your resume/CV

1. a copy of your visa and coloured copy of your passport, if applicable.