Principal Clinician, Practice
We embrace diversity and strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve. We’re all about recruiting the best people, regardless of gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or cultural background. If you think you can do the job and would be a good fit for our department, we’d love to hear from you.
The department is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and recognises that children’s rights need to be respected, their views welcomed and valued, and their concerns taken seriously and acted upon.
If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.
For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit justice.vic.gov.au/careers
We’re proud of the important work we do across Victoria. Want to be part of it?
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| Department: | Department of Justice and Community Safety |
| Work Type: | Ongoing - full time |
| Job Function: | Prison and Corrective Services |
| Classification: | VPSG6 |
| Work Location: | Melbourne - CBD |
| Reference: | VG/FIS/3752 |
| Closing Date: | 18-Jan-2026 |
| Salary Range: | $138,631 - $185,518 |
| Job Duration: | Ongoing |
| Attachments: | Position Description - Principal Clinician Practice (VPS6) - Oct 2025.docx (Word, 540KB) Job Specification |
| Contact: | Dr Julia Chan julia.chan@justice.vic.gov.au |
Position Details
- Help lead the team that shapes forensic intervention services across Victoria
- Join our growing senior clinical team and help reduce re-offending
- Do career-defining work with marginalised groups
- Guide a skilled forensic clinical team to serve a complex caseload
- Enjoy world-class training and wellbeing support
- Earn $ 138,631 – $185,518 per year plus super
Empower people and elevate your career – join Forensic Intervention Services.
FIS provides evidence-based screening, assessment and intervention services for individuals in custody and the community. We focus on areas such as violent and sexual offending, restorative justice, violent extremism and family violence.
As part of the clinical leadership group, you will oversee the treatment of complex cases across the Victorian prison system.
This is the perfect opportunity if you're looking to expand your expertise, enjoy a more dynamic role or leave a lasting influence in a progressive field.
In addition to compelling work, we offer:
- flexible work options
- mental health and wellbeing support
- annual leadership forums and conferences
- professional registration funding
- relocation allowances for eligible candidates
- some travel requirements, with flexibility to base yourself at 50 Franklin St or other suitable locations, and most of your work carried out onsite.
What you will do
The Principal Clinician, Practice will deliver assessments and both offence-specific and offence-related interventions for a complex caseload.
Approximately 70% of your workload will involve direct service delivery – including assessments and interventions – while the remainder will see you support research and evaluation efforts.
You will:
- Provide high-quality supervision to senior forensic clinicians and other practitioners.
- Enhance evidence-based practices through feedback and direct observation.
- Advise on practice improvements and ensure service integrity.
- Prepare reports and provide expert recommendations on complex cases and practices.
- Represent FIS at meetings, conferences and other events.
- Deliver training and consultancy services to other agencies.
To learn more about the role, and the kind of candidate we are looking for, please read the position description.
Eligibility
To apply, you will need to hold – or be eligible for – one of the following:
- General registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA).
- Eligibility for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
- Be credentialed as a mental health nurse with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses.
- Registration as an occupational therapist with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia.
To find out more about the role and FIS, go to our website or contact our recruitment team at candidatecare@justice.vic.gov.au
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Department of Justice and Community Safety is continually working towards increasing our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Aboriginal) workforce. The Aboriginal Employment Team aims to attract, recruit and retain Aboriginal staff across all our roles. This support includes a culturally appropriate attraction and recruitment process. To learn more, email aboriginal.employment@justice.vic.gov.au
How to apply
Please click the Apply button on this advertisement. Applications should include a resume and covering letter. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.
The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include reference checks, national police checks and misconduct screening. Dependent on the role, other checks may include VicRoads checks, drivers licence checks, medical checks, Working with Children Checks, and Declaration of Private Interests (for executive and responsible officer roles).
If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.
CHILD SAFE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT
The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.
