Step into the Social Worker Level 3 role and make a lasting difference - bring your advanced clinical expertise, compassion and collaborative spirit to a specialist service supporting individuals, parents and families to navigate substance use and create meaningful, positive change.
Remuneration: $61.31 - $63.29 Per Hour + 12% Super + Salary Packaging
Employment Type: Temporary Part Time until June 2029
Position Classification: Social Worker Level 3
Hours Per Week: 24
Location: East Maitland CHS
Requisition ID: REQ687492
Applications Close: Monday 14th September 2026
✨ Make a Meaningful Difference as a Social Worker Level 3
As a Social Worker Level 3, you’ll play a pivotal role in supporting individuals navigating substance use, delivering compassionate, evidence-informed interventions with a strong focus on harm minimisation and positive change.
Bring your advanced clinical expertise to every interaction as you undertake comprehensive assessments and deliver individualised, holistic care that recognises the physical, emotional and social factors shaping each person’s journey. Working collaboratively within a supportive multidisciplinary team, you’ll have the opportunity to use your clinical judgement, problem-solving skills and experience to navigate complex presentations and make a genuine difference in people’s lives.
You’ll be supported from day one with a comprehensive orientation, ongoing professional development and access to education sessions throughout the year. With guidance from your Line Manager, District Manager, Allied Health Lead and experienced colleagues, you’ll have the support and resources to grow your practice and thrive in the role.
Fleet vehicles are also available for work-related travel, giving you the flexibility to provide care across the community.
Bring your expertise, compassion and commitment to meaningful change - and make your mark as a Social Worker Level 3.
Where You’ll Be Working
Based at East Maitland Community Health, you’ll become part of the dedicated Substance Use in Pregnancy and Parenting Service, working alongside a passionate multidisciplinary team committed to supporting parents and families experiencing substance use challenges.
Located in the heart of the Maitland region, East Maitland offers the perfect blend of community connection, accessibility and a relaxed regional lifestyle, while being close to the vibrant Hunter Valley. From this well-connected base, you’ll provide specialist support across Maitland and surrounding communities, helping to deliver meaningful, family-focused care where it matters most.
Join a service where every day brings the opportunity to create positive change for parents, children and families across the Hunter.
What we can offer you:
At Hunter New England Health, enjoy a career where you're challenged by interesting work and surrounded by spectacular locations. You'll contribute to the team enriching health in millions of ways every day. On top of this we also offer:
Supportive and collaborative team environment
Ongoing professional development opportunities across the administrative network
Career progression opportunities within NSW Health
Annual leave and paid parental leave for eligible employees
Salary packaging options to increase take-home pay
Fitness Passport and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support wellbeing
Essential Requirements:
- Must hold as a minimum a bachelor’s degree in Social Work with evidence of extensive clinical experience in a hospital or health field as a practicing Social Worker at Level 3 or above and three years full time experience (Drug and Alcohol experience advantageous) and membership (or eligibility) with the Australian Association Social Workers (AASW) or other qualification deemed equivalent by the employer.
- Current unrestricted driver's license and understanding role will include travel for work purposes which may involve driving long distances and working from several service sites across the Lower and Upper Hunter sector.
If this sounds like you, we would love you to apply:
- Champion a compassionate and non-judgemental approach, creating a safe, inclusive and respectful environment where clients feel valued and supported.
- Cultivate meaningful relationships built on trust and rapport, fostering positive and professional connections with both clients and colleagues.
- Demonstrate exceptional active listening and communication skills, ensuring each individual feels genuinely heard, understood and respected.
- Maintain clear and appropriate professional boundaries, balancing warmth and empathy with integrity, accountability and professionalism.
Bring your dedication, professionalism, and heart for healthcare to our team - we can’t wait to hear from you!
Additional information:
- An eligibility list will be created for future temporary part time vacancies.
Hunter New England Health is dedicated to fostering a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, aligned with NSW Health’s commitment to implementing the Child Safe Standards. We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and included in their care. All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety, welfare, and well-being of children and young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse.
At Hunter New England Local Health District, we are an inclusive employer dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. Our commitment to a workforce that reflects the community we care for is essential for delivering the highest quality healthcare to our community. We encourage people with diverse lived experiences to apply. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitment process please let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contact [email protected] for confidential support.
To be eligible for employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport, or hold an appropriate visa that allows you to live and work in Australia. Employment of a temporary visa holder will only be offered in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa.
We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.
How to apply:
- Demonstrated ability to use a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach, having a comprehensive understanding and/ or demonstrated social work experience in the social and emotional needs of clients with Drug and Alcohol issues, including clinical response and care planning
- Demonstrated high level verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to adapt communication style to suit different audiences
- Awareness of cultural issues and an ability to interact with people from a diverse range of backgrounds, providing a non-judgemental and empathetic approaches to Drug and Alcohol clients
Need more information?
For role related queries or questions contact Tara Checkley on [email protected]
Information for Applicants:
Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below). For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: https://bit.ly/3vL5fq2
Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/HNEHealthSteppingUp
This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy.
Salary Packaging: is beneficial to most Hunter New England Health employees and may increase your take-home pay! Salary package a range of personal expenses including novated motor vehicle leases, relocation expenses, and HECS/HELP debt.
Hunter New England Health employees may be eligible for a range of benefits such as allocated days off (ADO) for full time employees, long service leave, paid maternity leave, and salary packaging options including meal expenses.
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