Department: Aboriginal Services Unit
Department/Agency: Department of Communities and Justice
Location:
Lismore, NSW, AU, 2480
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Req ID: 85589
Senior Aboriginal Client and Community Support Officer
Location – Lismore
Employment type – Temporary full-time, 35 hours per week up to 12 months with possibility of extension
Grade – Clerk Grade 5/6
Salary – $102,936 pa - $113,579 pa plus employers’ contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
This position is open to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Use your cultural knowledge to support Aboriginal communities and create lasting change across the Northern Rivers.
Your role
As a Senior Aboriginal Client and Community Support Officer, you'll provide culturally safe support to Aboriginal people and families navigating the court system. Through advocacy, referrals, practical assistance, and community engagement, you'll help clients understand court processes, access services, and achieve better outcomes. You'll also contribute to projects and initiatives that strengthen Aboriginal communities and improve service delivery across the region.
What you’ll do
Play an important role in supporting Aboriginal people and driving positive change in communities by:
Providing frontline court support, information, advocacy, and referrals.
Building strong relationships with clients, families, Elders, courts, legal services, and community organisations.
Assisting with the delivery of Aboriginal Services Unit programs, projects, and initiatives.
Coordinating project activities, resources, reporting, and deliverables.
Undertaking research and analysis to support service improvement and program development.
Supporting and mentoring Aboriginal Client and Community Support Officers when required.
Assisting with reports, budgets, discussion papers, and project updates.
About the Aboriginal Services Unit
The Aboriginal Services Unit (ASU) is a specialist team within the Department of Communities and Justice's Transforming Aboriginal Outcomes Division.
We work alongside Aboriginal communities to:
Deliver services through local courts, Circle Sentencing, and Aboriginal Community Justice Groups.
Improve access to culturally responsive support.
Influence programs, diversion strategies, and policy development.
Improve outcomes for Aboriginal people, families, and communities across NSW.
What we’re looking for
We're seeking someone who is passionate about helping their mob and making a genuine difference.
You will bring:
Strong communication, advocacy, and relationship-building skills.
Experience supporting Aboriginal people and connecting them with appropriate services.
Strong organisational, record-keeping, and time management skills.
Cultural capability and the confidence to provide cultural guidance within multidisciplinary teams.
Knowledge of Northern Rivers Aboriginal communities, services, and referral pathways.
You can also demonstrate the ability to:
Build trust and strong community relationships.
Remain calm and supportive in complex or emotionally challenging situations.
Advocate effectively while working within legal and court processes.
Show resilience, emotional intelligence, and professionalism.
Lead with accountability, respect, and cultural integrity
Why join us?
This is a unique opportunity to use your cultural knowledge, experience, and leadership to support Aboriginal people while helping shape initiatives that create meaningful and lasting change.
Join a dedicated team committed to culturally safe service delivery, stronger community connections, and better outcomes for Aboriginal people across the Northern Rivers and NSW.
Apply now
If you're passionate about supporting Aboriginal people, strengthening communities, and creating positive change, we'd love to hear from you.
As an Identified role, this position is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons.
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://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 resume (maximum 3 pages).
Applications close Friday, 21 August 2026 at 11:59pm AEST.
Got a question?
For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Karina Boyd via email at
[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 Poppy Sgro on 02 9765 3929 or via email at
[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.
To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/
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.
