Deliver recovery-focused Occupational Therapy in a new forensic mental health service
Help shape a contemporary 20-bed low secure service from the ground up
Collaborate across inpatient, community and forensic mental health services
Build recovery. Support rehabilitation. Shape the future of forensic mental health. Use your Occupational Therapy expertise to deliver evidence-based, trauma-informed care and support meaningful patient outcomes.
Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
Position Classification: Occupational Therapist Level 1 / 2
Remuneration: $79,419 - $113,301 per annum
Hours Per Week: 38
Location: Blacktown
Where you'll be working
Join the new Forensic Mental Health Inpatient Service at Budyari Gilli, Blacktown Hospital, opening 13 October 2026. As part of Mental Health Services within Western Sydney Local Health District, you'll join a growing multidisciplinary workforce establishing a contemporary model of forensic mental health care from day one.
The new 20-bed Low Secure Forensic Mental Health Inpatient Unit will provide specialist assessment, treatment and rehabilitation for people with a mental health impairment whose needs sit within the forensic mental health system. Working alongside existing services at Budyari Gamada, the team will partner with community services and the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network to support safe, coordinated and effective patient care.
Be part of a new service where your ideas and clinical expertise can help shape culture, practice and patient experience.
Work within a multidisciplinary team committed to recovery-oriented, trauma-informed and evidence-based care.
Collaborate across inpatient, community and forensic mental health services to support continuity of care and community reintegration.
Contribute to a workplace that values education, research, innovation and professional development.
Join WSLHD and make a meaningful difference in one of Australia's most diverse and rapidly growing communities.
What you'll be doing
As an Occupational Therapist, you'll use your clinical expertise to support people with complex mental health and forensic needs to achieve meaningful recovery and rehabilitation goals. You'll provide individualised assessment and intervention while contributing to comprehensive risk management and multidisciplinary care planning.
Deliver evidence-based Occupational Therapy assessment, intervention and evaluation, considering each person's strengths, goals, risks and mental health legal status.
Contribute your clinical expertise to risk assessment, risk management, care planning and multidisciplinary decision-making.
Support patients to participate in treatment and rehabilitation, including progression through forensic leave and community reintegration pathways.
Build effective partnerships with inpatient teams, community mental health clinicians, Justice Health and other key stakeholders to promote continuity of care.
Contribute to quality improvement, research, education, professional supervision and service development while maintaining high standards of clinical documentation and practice.
Ready to make a difference?
Bring your Occupational Therapy expertise to a service that is being built with the future of forensic mental health in mind. Join us at Budyari Gilli, Blacktown Hospital and help create better outcomes for people, families and communities across Western Sydney.
How to Apply
Apply online by submitting your resume and addressing the criteria listed below by providing examples that demonstrate your ability before the closing date.
Essential Requirements:
Qualification: Degree in Occupational Therapy recognised by AAOT NSW.
Registration: Current General Registration within Occupational Therapy with AHPRA.
Selection Criteria:
An Occupational Therapy degree or diploma recognised by AAOT NSW and hold current general registration as Occupational Therapist with AHPRA.
Demonstrated experience in mental health Occupational Therapy assessments and person centred interventions with people with severe and persistent mental illness.
Knowledge of best practice mental health recovery principles, and contemporary models of Occupational Therapy.
Ability to design, deliver and evaluate therapeutic group based on evidence-based practices, supporting recovery and functional independence.
Knowledge or understanding of forensic mental health issues and forensic occupational therapy practice.
Ability to work with the multidisciplinary team, effective written and verbal communication including computer literacy skills, and ability to build therapeutic relationships with clients.
Commitment to ongoing professional development, including participation in continuing education and quality improvement initiatives to enhance clinical practice and service delivery.
Current NSW Class C Drivers Licence and willingness to use for work purposes.
Requisition ID: REQ690833
Applications Close: 14th September 2026
Need more information ?
about applying for this position.
Review the detailed Position Description for insights into role requirements and criteria.
Explore the selection process, employment checks, outcomes and notifications.
For inquiries about the role, contact Anastasiya Goura on 0448 476 774 or
[email protected]
People with disabilities who meet the selection criteria are encouraged to apply; and where required, WSLHD will implement reasonable adjustment consistent with industry standard.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply. Stepping Up aims to assist Aboriginal job applicants by providing information about applying for roles in NSW Health organisations. For more information, please visit https://www.steppingup.health.nsw.gov.au/ .
Blacktown hospital car parking allocation model is changing. There is a managed waitlist for parking for new staff commencing at Blacktown Hospital. This does not apply to staff with a disability parking permit.
Please note: To be eligible for permanent appointment to a position in NSW Health, you must have an Australian citizenship or permanent Australian residency.
