Aboriginal Psychologist/ Aboriginal Specialist Psychologist
Location – Parramatta, Sydney
Employment type – Temporary Full time (until 30 June 2028)
Salary:
- Psychologist: $83,898 – $118,316pa.
- Specialist Psychologist: $114,016 - $139,824pa
- Plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
This position is open to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only.
Your role
The Aboriginal Psychologist/Specialist Psychologist contributes to the development, planning, coordination, delivery, monitoring and maintenance of a suite of accredited and approved rehabilitation programs for offenders in custody and the community, to enhance community safety and reduce reoffending of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander offenders.
A central focus of the role is the development and implementation of throughcare initiatives involving co-design and community partnership. All project outcomes achieved will offer culturally responsive programs, wellbeing support, and pathways to training, employment, and holistic case management for offenders.
The position operates within a high-performing team that values innovation and accountability. It also supports broader system reform aligned with the Closing the Gap Priority Reforms, including shared decision-making, strengthening the community-controlled sector, transforming government practices, and improving access to data at the regional level.
Provide expert consultation to staff within custodial and community locations regarding the management of remandees and offenders, as well as to provide advice to statutory authorities.
What you’ll do
- Provide direct psychological assessment, intervention, and therapeutic services or programs to offenders within custodial and community locations in an allocated cluster or within a specific organisational area,
- Assist in the formulation of management and case plans for the management and supervision of offenders / remandees within custodial and community locations in an allocated cluster or within a specific organisational area.
- Maintain succinct documentation and psychological notes on all offenders receiving psychological services, in accordance with the laid down standards on Offenders Integrated Management System (OIMS) and in case files.
- Prepare reports, advice, and consultation to statutory authorities such as the State Parole Authority, Serious Offenders Review Council, and Mental Health Review Tribunal.
- Develop and implement an Aboriginal men’s program for users of domestic violence in partnership with an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) and in line with the CSNSW Program and Facilitation Standards, to achieve identified program outcomes and reduce re-offending.
- Provide psychological expertise and oversight of the collection and analysis of a broad range of relevant, evidence-based information on specific subjects to inform and contribute to the understanding of offender behaviour change and “What Works” in offender programming.
- Provide direction and guidance to staff of all disciplines to build capability and enhance the content and delivery of group-based programs accredited by CSNSW.
- Present to various audiences and train staff as required for the purpose of sharing expert knowledge.
- Adapt psychological literature for new programs, therapies or research for the purpose of developing staff and interventions.
What we’re looking for
- Demonstrated expertise in assessment and treatment in correctional psychology including mental health issues, cognitive impairment, and with respect to behaviour management.
- Demonstrated level of knowledge and understanding of contemporary correctional concepts, principles and practices relevant to psychology assessment and treatments for Aboriginal people.
- Demonstrated knowledge and ability with regards to criminogenic risk assessments, including risks related to sex and violent offending and associated interventions
- Sound knowledge and understanding of psychologist’s ethical and legal obligations.
- Understanding the issues facing Aboriginal offenders in the criminal justice system and knowledge of the services available from Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal organisations that address their needs
- Minimum four-year accredited qualification in psychology with current full registration with the Psychology Board of Australia.
- Current NSW driver’s licence and willingness to travel throughout NSW.
As an Identified role, this position is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons, Australia’s First Nations people.
Where a position is identified, an applicant’s race is a genuine occupational qualification under the exception in Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.
There are two alternatives to confirming your Aboriginality, one of which must be uploaded to be considered for the role as follows. Either will be accepted:
Confirmation of Aboriginality form
or
Written confirmation from 2-3 Aboriginal organisations within the community in which you live/work, which addresses the three criteria listed below:
- is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and
- identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and
- is accepted as a such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.
Download the role description.
To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the ‘Apply now’ button.
For more information and advice on applying for roles at DCJ, visit Careers for Aboriginal people
https://www.dcj.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers-at-dcj/pathways/careers-for-aboriginal-people.html
What We Offer
We offer a variety of benefits, including:
- A challenging and rewarding career
- Flexible, autonomous work environment
- Competitive pay and conditions
- Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities
- Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.
Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.
We do work that really matters
Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.
Apply now and join Australia’s top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!
Are you ready to join us?
Click apply, attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).
Applications close 26/06/2026 at 11:59pm AEDT.
Got a question?
For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Aimee Press via email [email protected]
If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please call Divya Soni on 02 9765 1987 or via [email protected]
Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.
Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit
We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience, and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers, and other diversity groups.
To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.
Other Information
A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.
For more information visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website (for all roles except Aboriginal Identified).
Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.
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The Welcome Experience Thinking about moving to regional NSW? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience
The careers site currently promotes this service on the ‘Discover roles with DCJ in regional NSW’ page.
