The Role

Defence Social Workers deliver a broad range of support services and programs to Defence Command, members and families, plus undertake critical assessments to assist Commanders in making decisions that impact Defence families and Defence capability such as:

• Conduct quality assessments and write reports to assist in decision making processes;
• Provide complex social work services in a generalist practice framework, including comprehensive assessments, bereavement support, brief intervention and referrals to enhance the social functioning of Australian Defence Force personnel and their families;
• Provide support to Defence families to manage the military lifestyle;
• Provide training to Defence members and Command; psychosocial programs to Defence families;
• Assist Defence families engage with their communities and local services;
• Deliver DMFS’s suite of national programs - partner employment, education and critical incidents to Defence families;
• Operate within the boundaries of organisational processes and policies providing brief interventions, critical incident management, psychosocial assessments, social work reports, and works across the multidisciplinary team supporting community capacity building.

About our Team

Bring your skills and ambition to our team! Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS) Branch is a diverse and inclusive workplace which offers a broad range of programs and services to help Commanders, Australian Defence Force members and their families manage the military lifestyle. DMFS supports Defence families’ self-reliance and capacity to engage with community agencies.

Defence Social Workers provide support to all three services - Navy, Army and Air Force. The role requires working both autonomously and collaboratively within a dynamic multi-disciplinary environment with Military Support Officers, Defence Social Workers, Family Liaison Officers, an Educational Liaison Officer and a Business Support Officer.

You will have a Social Worker peer network across Australia. You will directly assist members and their families adapt to the requirements of a mobile military lifestyle.

Our Ideal Candidate

You will demonstrate strong assessment, counselling, case planning, report writing and community capacity building knowledge and skills. You will possess the ability to work within multi-disciplinary teams and be part of an organisation where professionalism, innovation and the ability to find creative solutions to challenges is highly regarded.

Our Ideal Candidate:

• Applies professional expertise in social work;
• Operates within the boundaries of organisational processes and policies to provide brief interventions, critical incident management, psychosocial assessments and social work reports;
• Uses judgement to identify and resolve problems objectively;
• Builds and sustains positive relationships with team members, stakeholders and clients;
• Possesses strong stakeholder engagement skills;
• Possesses an ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and meet deadlines;
• Be able to participate in some after hours and weekend work including travel to Woomera and remain overnight.

Application Closing Date: Monday 3 November 2025

For further information please review the job information pack, reference DPG/07995/25 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=53CF8481-2A54-CB4E-6498-E44A28099CB1