Position Description: Life Skills Counsellor – Central West NSW
Locations: Orange - Bathurst, Mudgee, Lithgow, Parkes, Forbes (Can be located in any of these areas)
Employment Type: Full-time, Monday–Friday, 8:30–5:00
Contract: Workforce Australia
Reports To: States Manager
Salary: $95,000 + 12% superannuation + Company Car (Which can be used for personal use)
Benefits:
- Company car
- 4 weeks annual leave (Increases to 5 after 3 years’ service)
- Birthday leave
- 2 personal development days per year
- $1,500 annual professional development allowance
- Paid membership/registration to relevant professional body (Paid every year)
Role Purpose
The Life Skills Counsellor provides non‑vocational support to Workforce Australia participants to help them overcome personal, social, and health‑related barriers to employment. This autonomous role manages a caseload of approximately 90 participants across the Central West region, delivering up to six sessions per individual and ensuring a minimum 70% attendance rate. The counsellor builds strong relationships with local service providers and enhances the network of supports available to clients. Working in close collaboration with local employment consultants and other members of the LSC team.
Key Responsibilities
- Assess clients for non‑vocational barriers including housing instability, financial hardship, family breakdown, substance misuse, health issues, and social challenges.
- Collaborate with clients to develop tailored non‑vocational support plans.
- Refer clients to appropriate external services and maintain strong relationships with providers.
- Arrange and confirm appointments; monitor attendance; attend appointments with clients when appropriate.
- Provide regular updates to Employment Consultants under the parallel servicing model.
- Deliver respectful, client‑centred service in line with agreed service delivery models.
- Maintain accurate case notes, data entry, and invoicing within Sureway systems.
- Submit reports for additional contacts to Area Managers as required.
- Coordinate with Regional Managers to facilitate provider visits and site meetings.
- Participate in reviews of Memoranda of Understanding with non‑vocational providers.
- Attend networking events, meetings, and community functions to strengthen referral pathways.
- Maintain the non‑vocational resource kit, ensuring all information is current and relevant.
- Identify risks, opportunities, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
- Achieve required KPIs (excluding job start targets).
- Travel across the Central West region as required, with most time spent in Orange.
Essential Criteria
Experience & Qualifications
- Degree in Psychology, Social Work, or Counselling is ESSENTIAL.
- Membership with a relevant professional association… for example (AASW, AHPRA, PACFA).
- Current driver’s licence.
Competencies
Communication — Able to address complex and sensitive matters, prepare detailed reports, and liaise effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
Job Seeker Relationships — Supports clients to explore needs and goals, ensures quality service, confidentiality, cultural awareness, and effective referrals.
Leadership & Teamwork — Works autonomously; may provide coaching or guidance; shares knowledge and represents the team professionally.
Organisation Purpose & Values — Demonstrates strong understanding of organisational mission, values, and strategic direction.
Service Delivery — Engages individuals and groups to address non‑vocational barriers; ensures quality outcomes and compliance with duty of care and legislative requirements.
Assessment & Planning — Identifies client needs, develops plans for complex cases, and contributes to evaluations and reporting.
Compliance, Reporting & Documentation — Ensures accurate reporting, documentation, and adherence to administrative requirements.
Personal Accountability — Adheres to policies, legislation, and standards; ensures safe work practices and responsible use of resources.
Innovation — Applies creativity, problem‑solving, and risk mitigation; contributes to quality improvement initiatives.
Role Conditions
- Approximately 20–25 hours per week of direct client sessions; remainder allocated to travel and administration.
- Caseload of 90 clients, with six sessions per individual. (Additional 6 sessions can b e provided if necessary)
- Expected 70% attendance rate across caseload.
- Autonomous role requiring strong self‑management and initiative.
- Travel required across Orange, Bathurst, Mudgee, Lithgow, Parkes, and Forbes. (Overnight stays may be required, all expenses reimbursed)
How to Apply
To apply or request further details regarding this position, please contact:
Craig Doyle
+44 7933 797535 – WhatsApp
[email protected]
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: $95,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Extended annual leave
- Paid volunteer leave
- Salary packaging
Work Location: In person
